Cypres

I've just read these reviews on Cypres (yes, it really does just has one "s')and I am amazed at all the whining about the price. How about some Cypres trivia for you. January 1991, Cypres hits the market. Guess how much? Average price 1275.00. Now, a mere 18 years later, the price is 1375.00. What? That can't be, can it? Lets try that with popular containers, eh? Javelin, retail in 1991? 898.00 Retail in 2009? 2639.00 How about Vector? Retail in 1991? 895.00 Retail in 2009? 2389.00 Anyone who thinks Cypres is a ripoff or too expensive needs to wake up and smell the jet fuel......A Cypres is the only true bargain left!

Finally CYPRES is getting some lower priced competition from AADs having comparable technology. For those on a limited budget who cannot afford a Cypres, then these new products will be potential lifesavers. However, I'll not be switching brands when my CYPRES expires even if I can save a few hundred bucks and have unlimited product life with a competing product. AIRTEC is CONSTANTLY testing, verifying and upgrading the product. They are OBSESSED with quality and ongoing reliability. I just don't think any newcomers can make an AAD that will be as reliable as the CYPRES. They just don't have the experience. Anybody can say their product has unlimited service life, but the reality is that electronic components age (especially capacitors) and at some point the age related degradation of components becomes a real issue. Will a 20 year old Cypres work if it passes the self test? Yes, it probably will. Is it as reliable as a 12 year old unit that had a complete checkout 4 years ago. Probably not. I wish AIRTEC would keep thier units serviceable indefinitely, but I don't think their decison to end the product's life at 12 years is a pure money grab either. I like to think I'd never need a CYPRES, but if I am wrong I don't want to be dead wrong. This product has saved hundreds of lives and has a very good reputation. The new Cypres 2 has some great features (eg waterproof) but still must be manually turned on. Most jumpers have at least once forgot to turn on their Cypres AADs. Hopefully the Cypres 3 will figure out a reliable way to automatically turn on the unit. Everyone has stories about AADs firing at the wrong time, but Cypres sure has BY FAR the lowest misfire rate from what I have seen.

A great piece of equipment for those unexpected times. The only thing to watch for is this. Any low pullers, freeflyers without audibles or any other reason for not paying attention to how close you are to mother earth watch your altitude when pulling your main. Two unintentional canopies out could be just as bad as having that life saving cypress on. Other then that it is one of the greatest things to have in skydiving today.

Airtec puts out a superior product and they have every right to charge whatever they wish. Why develop something at all if you can't make money off of it?

I hear the word 'monopoly' when describing the Cypres. Nothing, however, is stopping other companies from putting out competetive products. If someone could, I'm sure the price would come down.


-Sandy

There are several AADs on the market. This one costs more than the others. If the others seem like a better value, buy them. There's no monopoly here -- just a popular product with a premium price.

If you think you can create a better AAD for a better price, do it. If it's as easy as some people seem to think, quit your job and go make your fortune in the world. Otherwise buy what's available and smile. Or don't buy one.

Personally I'm glad I've got mine even though I'm pretty sure I'll never need it. I like knowing it's there. Cypres is worth the extra $ to me and it's an honor to pay it, at least until a better AAD comes around. If the inventor of the Cypres is getting rich off of it, good for him!

I have always been loyal to the cypres name and the quality of the AAD. I almost needed it on my very first jump using it after I had it installed. I was finally able to deploy my reserve at 1,200 FT after having a malfunction. It may be a bit expensive for its size but the way I see it, it will have paid for itself the first time I have to use it. My life is worth more than the $900 I paid for it.

a life-saving tool, hidden away that will come to your rescue when u most need it. Hope never to need it, but is is re-assuring that it is there.
Why cant any other company in the world make something like this at amuch lower price ? What allows Cypres to have monopolistic prices in this day and age ?

Cypres is great tool. Easy to use and hidden somwhere in your rig, but is really too expensive during it's whole life time.
Airtec is almost a monopolist in AADs and I think this is a reason. Costs of making cypres is not so big and Airtec shouldn't earn so much money on our safety.
I have a few good engineers in my job and they told me that construction of cypres is not so complicated and price should be lower.
This is why in my DZ only a few skydivers have a cypres.

What is there to review, if you don't have one get one!!! Not having one is like not wearing a helmet on a motorcycle and hittin' the track. I saw far more saves then I would have liked this last summer and it was split fairly evenly between newbies and old timers. Just remember the smartest man is the one who realizes he doesn't Know everything. JMHO. Alexander "Cool Breezz".