sundevil777

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Everything posted by sundevil777

  1. sundevil777
    What do you mean by, "center and pull the nose down"? I've not heard that before. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  2. sundevil777
    A couple threads to start the education about the Astra: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4195907#4195907 http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=452588#452588 It is really pathetic what FXC did/did not do with the Astra. They had a clear target to aim for in terms of their competition and failed miserably. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  3. sundevil777
    I saw a person a few weeks ago with the control unit mounted on the mudflap as if it was an Astra (it wasn't, I know the difference). Has this not been done by others. Of course going through the steps to turn it off under canopy is not ideal, but just wanted to mention that someone has done it. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  4. sundevil777
    It is not necessary to grip a metal handle ripcord. If you are able to curl you hand as you say, then I can't see how it would not be possible to put a thumb or even an entire hand through a metal ripcord handle which would allow it to be pulled. It is great that you were able to pull in your cold situation, but your reasoning why a metal handle would be worse doesn't make sense. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  5. sundevil777
    No, and that is precisely the problem here, that is causing the issue / concerns. The T3i's access bay to the SD card is located on the bottom of the camera body. The T3i that I have, and the T3i that my son has both have it on the right side. Perhaps there are other variations within that model. Both of mine are definitely T3i models. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  6. sundevil777
    The T3i has the SD card on the side, correct? People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  7. sundevil777
    That's hard to say without seeing it in its pocket. There's one manufacturer who is making super-mini d-rings, or something like that, I'm pretty sure it's one of those. Can't remember, and I'm not at that DZ anymore, SOOO.... my larger point was that it's a highly individual choice. Picture of mine in the pocket. Plenty of room to get hold of it, I think and as I've found from use. [inline handle_in_pocket2.jpg] People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  8. sundevil777
    It should be just right if you get the ZPX version, as I have a 210 ZPX in a size 6 main tray that fits easily. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  9. sundevil777
    I'm surprised by this reaction. Was it for the type of handle I showed in post #7? I've used mine and had no problem at all, had a grip on it instantly, without any need to hunt for it in general or trouble getting the thumb through. When you say getting a finger through, you do mean thumb, correct? People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  10. sundevil777
    Some of us do like such a handle (see pic of my loop handle). Some even use a D-ring for the cutaway, but having the same look and feel is a drawback for dual D-ring handles. The loop cutaway is definitely more likely to be snagged, but it can be put into use very quickly. Decades ago the guy with the big beard thought that a relatively heavy handle (metal D-ring) on the cutaway side might result in an inadvertent cutaway with a floating handle. The relatively large forces required to activate a reserve are consistent, compared to the cutaway side which is easy to pull before deployment. I've never had a problems with any D-handle not staying well seated in the pocket. [inline small_d_ring_and_loop_cutaway.jpg] People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  11. sundevil777
    I like the low profile handle that is the standard height, but sticks out from the webbing much less (see pic). I don't see the advantage to the mini hell wedge compared to this unless there isn't much vertical room on the rig as might be the case for a very short person. [inline bothhandles.jpg] People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  12. sundevil777
    That is true for any of the mfgs. So I don't think it is appropriate to start that sentence with "OTOH" - there is no difference/no "other hand". Problems can develop soon after whether the maintenance is voluntary or compulsory. A Cypres maintenance check includes a set of tests with thermal cycling. I believe this is an established way of making "infant mortality" much more likely to happen right away so it doesn't get to the user. Does the Vigil voluntary maintenance check do this? People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  13. sundevil777
    A self test can't check for the accuracy of the pressure sensor at a single altitude, or if it tracks a changing altitude correctly. A self test can't check whether there are anomalies with high or low temp (the Cypres check does, what the Vigil folks have said about their check didn't include this if I remember correctly). The Cypres warranty is good for the 12 year life. It must be assumed that the (2 year?) warranty of the Vigil does not include anything that needs to be fixed after that period whether it surfaces during a factory check or not. This limited warranty period is a potentially big factor in that cost analysis that many do when figuring a Vigil is the better deal. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  14. sundevil777
    Yes, but if it is past the short warranty period, I believe any costs for repairs/adjustments will be born by the owner. Wrong. The self test cannot check for many things. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  15. sundevil777
    You obviously want a high drag suit without having so much fabric that it looks like you're going early 80s retro. Tony offers a double layer of fabric for the arms, but it is not on their list of options. Other mfgs should be willing to do that also. It is a good way of adding drag without so much loose fabric. Cordura booties and cordura/padded knees will also add drag. I never used the continuous swoop cords on my old Tony suit - not worth getting. Even the extra large 2 in. grippers all around (definitely get leg inseam grips) can add a bit of drag compared to the wimpy size grips that were standard in decades past. I don't know about vented booties. Tony and some other mfgs can do a good job matching you to a suit that will give a proper fall rate if you let them know it is a challenge for you. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  16. sundevil777
    If you are correct in your estimation of 3-4 seconds, then that I think is waiting a bit too long. Watch others, experienced and students, seeing what success they do and don't have with different techniques. There isn't just one way to do it, you can make it work even if you start a bit high or low. Talk with not just your instructors, but ask them for others that they trust to help you out, and definitely rely on video for meaningful review of your technique. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  17. sundevil777
    Why pull on it when a better check is to do it visually? People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  18. sundevil777
    I would like to have one. Those so quick to dismiss it are, in my opinion, nattering nabobs of negativity. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  19. sundevil777
    They are being a bit pessimistic. I renewed mine at the beginning of June, it was processed and card delivered in 2 weeks. At the time they were also saying it would take 4 weeks. Check with your DZ, a lot of them will accept an email showing that you've done it as proof for a while, making the expense of rush processing not needed. As soon as they've actually charged your credit card then you will show up in their DZO-searchable online database as renewed, long before the new card gets delivered. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  20. sundevil777
    The picture shows a skyhook made from blue aluminum which indicates that this is actually a Skyhook 2. Skyhook 2 doesn't require tacking trough the bridle. Please check Vector 3 manual MAN-004, Rev 1 page 26 for reference. Cheers I don't remember the change, I wonder if the change is actually an improvement? Of course it got tested...but... People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  21. sundevil777
    It is worth checking with your DZ if they will accept an email notice that your USPA renewal payment was submitted/processed as proof without paying extra. Many DZs will accept it. Whether it is wise for them to do it is a different question, but many do. I got my new card about a week ago after only 2 weeks. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  22. sundevil777
    Nearly simultaneous punch on the handles is not unusual, I think. An RSL doesn't wait to confirm that both risers have released. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  23. sundevil777
    Taking the console off is not a big deal, just have to have good instructions, no special tools. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  24. sundevil777
    Many cars (definitely Hondas) don't have a boot that seals off the gaps. They just have "blinds" that keep you from being able to see the mechanicals without being a boot which is more typically on the shifter of manual trans cars. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am
  25. sundevil777
    It is only a matter of taking it apart, it can't escape. Been there, designed that... People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am