Ron

My Rolex is the worst watch I have ever owned. It gains time about 1 min a week. My Tag was fantastic. I bought the Rolex for my Dad when he retired....He would not accept it, so I gave him my Tag...I wish he had taken the Rolex...He is retired and can be on "Rollie time". "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I used to do quite a bit when I lived in the TN. area. I did some cave diving here in FL. Basic rules...Someone on here said take a flash light......No, take 3 sources of light. If you can see the exit light, that counts as one, and unless you get some training I would not go any farther that you can see the exit. Never go alone, and even then tell someone where you are going and when you will be back. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

It is not false. A jumper that is innatentive who "wakes up" at 1,000 feet and throws his main...Still screwed up big. The fact that they were so low that the CYPRES fired still shows that they screwed up. I almost bounced around jump #300ish....I was WAY low and got a main out. I was open at around 500 feet. I screwed up...BADLY. I was inatentive and quite stupid to have screwed up so bad to be that low. Quess what? If I had a CYPRES it would have fired, but I threw my main. So I would have two out. This makes your theory incorrect. Nope the two that said they did nothing did EXACTLY that. People can be wrong, or lie. Very few people who are in car accidents admit to looking for a CD in the back seat when they hit something. Plus a CYPRES WILL fire at 1200 or so feet if you are rotationg from face down to standing up when at 1200 feet. It confuses the CYPRES and it fires....Its even in the owners manual I think. They still screwed up big. They still lost altitude awareness. The fact that thye finally did "Wake Up" does nothing to prevent the fact that they DID lose altitude awareness. Just because you have only seen one FXC fire does not mean they don't happen...I have easily seen 10 in my 11 years...Thats just the ones I can remember. Hell we had one at Zhills a few mths ago. And we had one of the first VIGIL fires, there was the girl that was found knocked out (from her landing) with her freebag right next to her...I saw her dissapear behind trees from accross the runway. I saw a guy zip past me while I was at about a grand, and saw his main and reserve fire about the same time. I saw a guy get pulled out of a two way at Quincy years ago....I could go on. I will agree that this poll is not a good sample. Most people who have not had a CYPRES fire most likley didn't bother to vote. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I don't think I am going to worry about the GPS....If it can't be used for navigation, I'd rather just throw my Garmin in my back pack. But I need/want a HR monitor.....SO I think I am going with the Timex Bodylink with HR monitor. http://www.ewatchstore.com/59tibo.html It can be upgraded later to the GPS or with another device that will let me download the stuff to my computer. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

OK I have a story. I was seeing this girl, and she had a big dog. One night while I am behind her *working* her dog licks me....Use your imagination. Lets just say that: A. I had the surprize of my life. B. The dog was never allowed in the room anymore while we were *working* "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Gee what a great deal!!! Sorry, I'm keeping the rollie...But to be honest, I should have listened to my buddy (Okalb on here) and not bought it...It is a very nice watch, that can't keep time. Now I am looking at the one attached...Still the Rolex is pretty. I could juts get one that is a bike computer.....But: Welcome to WCA.. Watch Collectors Anonymous. Hi, my name is Ron and I have a problem.... "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Looking to buy a watch with a Heart Rate Monitor. What I need: HR Monitor Split timer What would be nice...GPS. Any good ones and good places to buy one? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well thanks, you guys rocked. I was amazed at how much you remembered from the last camp I worked with you. No problem...I like helping with all aspects of skydiving, not just how to dig a knee. Plus people like you with an open mind and a good attitude are fun to work with. (One of the reasons I spent my Bday at the camp). Watch the videos to see what I am doing. Imagine its you. I fully expect you to have it by the next camp......Or else Yeah, those guys are so much fun to work with. And they did really well in the CaSL. In 4+ hours in the tunnel over three days they went from a 12 to an 18 in the rookie class. Charles Grubbs, Angela Jones,Scott Mebust , and Ox. were loads of fun. What is it about teams from NC being so much fun? The plan is for Feb 12-13. As always a great time guys...Keep me posted on the final line up of your new team. Ron "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I don't know much about the equipment, but I have been told they are good. I DO know some of the guys working there (Bushman and Jodie) And I trust them. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I have no idea. I had never heard of a Griffen until I was stationed at Bragg...A few guys had them and liked them. I jumped one a few times... Thats all the info I have on them "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

good ideas...Here is the problem... Is the USPA an organization for jumpers? Or DZ's? According to the USPA they are for jumpers, and represent jumpers. So the Group Member program is against that tenent. Being a GM DZ is nothing more than saying you will follow the USPA's rules and sending in money. It is in essense nothing more than advertising in Parachutist and to get referals from the USPA. Last I was told the GM program was not solvent and was supported by individual MEMBERS fees. The group member program needs to: 1.Actually DO something (And they would not even pass a requirment to have a pledge to follow good business practices) 2. Go away. I should not pay to support a program that does nothing when it is run from an organization that is supposed to support ME, not the DZ. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Lycra should last through the jump. If not then your naked...big deal, we like naked chicks on the DZ. Get with an experienced jumper to look over anything that could cause a problem.... I have seen some costumes and extra stuff taken into freefall do BAD things. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

One word...Lazy. Many people don't know how to pack, and never bother to learn. How these people got an license I will never know. IMO you should have to pack, spot, perform a series of manuvers, and land in an appropriate sized area for any license test. Not knowing how to pack is just a sign of being lazy. I know packers that WILL NOT PACK for someone that does not know how, and I respect them for it. Learn to pack. You become very familiar with your gear, and notice problems early. I will use a packer for team training, or when I am working with students...In both cases my time is better spent doing other things. Learn to pack folks, it is not hard. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

how about using the tape to spell NSFW on these kinds of posts? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Like KOZ said. It is a square nine cell canopy. Made in GA. I think. It almost looks like it is bigger in the front than the back. Not a bad canopy, but never really made in a large number even though it was made for a number of years. If I remember correctly, the guy made them himself, and at one time in his basement. I *think* the guy died a few years ago, and that it is not made anymore. But it has been years since I have seen one (maybe 3-4). I have a few jumps on a 120 Griffen, and it was not bad. If you can get one cheaper than a Sabre, its not a bad deal. But not a canopy I would call "Fantastic" and its limited run and the company being so small or out of business makes things like line sets harder to get. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Take Tim up on this. He is a very good rigger (Read anal as hell). I would let him pack my rig in a second. Hell, if it were not for the fact that I live in FL, and can't swing a dead cat without hitting a rigger that has over 1,000 pack jobs, I'd send mine to him. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Around 500.00 for an F111 canopy is not really bad. And at a light WL it is a good canopy. It will not last as long as a ZP canopy...But you most likely will not put more than 200-300 jumps on it before you downsize. So its not a bad deal. I know I jumped more and felt better about the gear once I owned mine. I got my gear on jump #13 no AAD, no RSL. But it was mine, and I started jumping my butt off once I got it. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Yes, it would be better to get the whole system... But I have seen plenty of rigs without mains for sale. But any piece is a step closer...So if the main is the right type/size for her and its a good deal (Which we dont know since she has not told us anything about it...It may be a Nova 100 for 1,000 bucks) Its a step in the right direction. And the coach jumps will be there. She should try to stay current and get a rig...Jumping will be easier/cheaper once she has her own rig. My opinion anyway...I could be wrong. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Ship it FedEx insured to a loft in the US. It will be back in around a week and be legal. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Never anyone elses business/8/0 8 hours of tunnel couaching and several happy campers. No beer owed. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I actually don't agree with the prevailing opinion...(Go fiqure) There was a study done years ago in SCUBA diving. It said that people who own gear tend to dive more than people without gear. In my experience that tends to be true. Same thing with skydiving. If you own it, you will use it more. And while everyone is correct that there will always be a good deal on gear...Coaches will also always be around. I tend to think you will jump more once you have gear. Plus come coaches work for beer and a jump ticket. My opinion anyway. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Sorry, didn't know that...But I don't think they will anyway. One problem with the USPa is they need to decide if they are an organization for JUMPERS, or DZ's. You can't serve two masters. The USPA has the GM program with is nothing more than a listing in Parachutist, and a neat piece of paper to hang on your wall. I don't think Skyride or 1800Skydive is increasing traffic either. It is making it easier (like it is hard to look in a phone book?). I don't like some of the practices of Skyride....Using names, pictures, ect. Stealing websites... All really bad. But the USP is not going to do anything about it. Call the BBB, or them and threaten to sue if they use your info, or work. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I understand your frustration. And I don't think they are a good thing. All I am saying is I doubt that the USPA will do anything about it. I don't think the USPA does much of anything, and I bet they will not get involved in this since they think it will increase business for them. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Sparky...That was EXACTLY what I was going to say. If you Know you are not going to need it...Unpack it. I would ask a rigger or someone with some experience for help to make sure you don't lose/screw up anything. It is simple, but invite an experienced friend over, or run to the DZ.... "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Yeah, read my posts...About how neoprene insulates in SCUBA diving. Very little air in neoprene when you are SCUBA diving. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334