bomb420

How about a Raven reserve, think I saw a 212 on there. They land like shit, but at least they save your life. What size is your container? There are a bunch of people that sell used gear that don't advertise what they have. Off hand: pier ltd, western parachute sales, baddog services. Also contact your local riggers, they tend to have things like this laying around. -trunk HYPOXIC

FYI: Kickass skydiver/freestylist Roberta Mancino is up for Men's Fitness Hottest Sports Babe. Vote for her: Men's Fitness Hottest Sports Babe -Trunk HYPOXIC

Neither... I jumped a Katana, Mamba and Crossfire2. I have to say hands down the Crossfire2 is the best out of those three. But its all personal preference. The Crossfire seemed a little detuned from the katana the first time I flew it. Then I realized that the katana was really hard to level out without killing my lift. Plus its piss poor at getting back from bad spots. From my memory, the fronts of the katana had no pressure, which sounds like a good idea until you realize its way to easy to kink the canopy way past its prime. I've had a ton of fun with the crossfire2 and highly recomend it. I started realizing that I was looking at getting into a Katana for the name and marketing vs. a canopy that really worked for me, my style and current progression. Sit back and think why you want a Katana, I did and realized it was for ego. I love PD products, but the Katana was not for me. You are at the same jump numbers when I made the switch. I demo'd all three, and got feedback from some of the worlds best canopy coaches. I highly suggest you at least demo them and figure out which one is the best for you. (As already suggested) -Trunk HYPOXIC

Some info... As the above thread suggests: manual focus, HD Quality, AVC HD 15M (XP) and the rest is fine... You can probably run on auto focus and steadshot and be completely satisfied. The camera is crispy :-D HYPOXIC

For people that wish to install one of these brackets, Terry and I created a PDF with the base dimensions. I appended the install instructions incase they ever get lost or you get one of these second hand. I placed a link on our website incase you ever lose track of this thread. Blue Ones, -Trunk Removable Articulating Ringsight bracket Install Instructions HYPOXIC

Send Amy an email, she'll give you all the info... As posted above amychmelecki(at)hotmail.com -Trunk HYPOXIC

Similar: Cutaway Jump 286 November 2004, coolidge arizona, tension knots Not my pack job either. Just was one of those days where everything felt wrong... HYPOXIC

PIXIE SO SO sorry... how could I forget..... I'm a Idiot! I'm sure Amy will report the standings, but from my limited memory Open: Arsenal represented 1. Steve C. 2. Amy 3. Ty (tied with Mike? but Ty had the highest scoring round) Intermediate: 1. Jeff S. 2. Rolf 3. Trunk (me!) Beginner: 1. little Aimee 2. Johnny 3. Pixie It was a really well organized, super fun event (thanks Amy!) HYPOXIC

nice one! I had a similar one a few year ago. You totally did the right thing. Were you trying to get rid of that tension knot by pumping your toggles, couldn't tell... If altitude permits, that was the only advice I got afterwards as it may clear the tension knot. I sure as hell did not... HYPOXIC

I'm sure Amy will report the standings, but from my limited memory Open: Arsenal represented 1. Steve C. 2. Amy 3. Ty (tied with Mike? but Ty had the highest scoring round) Intermediate: 1. Jeff S. 2. Rolf 3. Trunk (me!) Beginner: 1. little Aimee 2. Johnny 3. ? It was a really well organized, super fun event (thanks Amy!) HYPOXIC

The CX7 rocks and is what I fly. The guy's budget was under $1000 though. With a helmet, lens and case, that does not leave much for a camera. -Trunk HYPOXIC

I'm thinking a good way will be to determine which helmet you like first. You're looking for a top mount which is not always the best for being in a formation but this is matter of opinion. I like Cookie and 2K composites helmets but they will probably be out of your budget with the way the euro is. The Rawa is a really nice fiting helmet, the zeus from bonehead is in your price range and may fit you alright. There is a lot of talk about the tony fly and it looked sweet. Talk around to your local guys get their opinions, try their helmets on... Pretty sure you have snow anyway. Sony's entry level Minidv HC's, such as 38, will probably sufice for your needs. In March they have some slick new MiniDv cameras coming out. So if you can wait, it may be a good idea. Of course then we have to talk about protection..... Boxes for the HC38 or similar may be a little hard to come by, but Bonehead has one that can be modified, others may too. It may take awhile for companies to make new boxes for the next generation cameras so its a risk you take. You can always go without protection and just buy a mount like the gold member or schumacher's, just tuck your head.... Add a royal .5x lens or something you find on ebay and you should be around $1000. Look around, talk around. People sell used gear all the time. It may be best to pick up a complete setup. This is only my opinion, everyone here has one. Used gear is a whole another topic... But what do I know, -Trunk HYPOXIC

This might be a fun exercise for us all to go through and help you and others learn. I guess the first questions are what are: 1) Why do you want to fly camera and what do you want to get out of it. Do you want to fly in the formation or video outside of it? 2) What's your budget look like? You are correct about the 10K. Pretty much any hard drive based camcorders are a bad idea. It's still to be seen how Sony's new hybrid cameras (flash and harddrive) will act. I think your question is like asking what kind of jumpsuit should I buy? It all really depends what you want to do. (And if someone at your DZ has an old one they want to loan/sell to you cheap) -Trunk HYPOXIC

A 0.43 47mm Kenko is really wide and they are relatively cheap on Ebay. It's totally wide enough for FF and an all around decent introductory lens. A .3 you'll have to be literally on top of your subject. Like stated in other threads, the rating (.43 vs. .3) is different between manufacturers and how far the lens is mounted on the camera. -Trunk HYPOXIC

Dude, the person never even turned it on that morning. They pushed the button and nothing happened (no LED/no nothing). To this person it felt like they did not have a cypres. They where apprehensive but only from not having a cypres in their backup rig. BTW, I was holding this persons hand in a three way flower when this occured, I'm kinda close to the incident... This is just a reaction to your "morally indefensible" comment. So easy to throw that out when you where not even there. -Trunk HYPOXIC

Think its because mirage owners are too busy jumping Seriously, My mirage is dope. Sick, Aweome... I beat it to shit out here in the desert and it freaking still looks good. Plus it comes stock with all the bells and whistles, fits like a f'in glove and now-a-days priced comparable to all the big guys with options. See pic.... You will have a smile ear to ear when yours comes in.... I'm still giddy and its been 200or so days. -Trunk HYPOXIC

I believe the situation was we were in a hold at altitutde waiting for a big way or something-another to clear.. Guys ends up like this: If you tried to turn the unit on and it does not turn on/nothing happens, and it does not show a "0" do not jump it. It may have issues. The jumper involved was even sketchy about jumping the rig "without a cypress". None-the-less, being there first hand, I will still jump mine and truely believe this was an unique case that is now documented and avoidable. -Trunk HYPOXIC

From the vector tandem manual: 1) Relative worker must have a minimum of 500 relative works skydives; or 2) Relative worker must be either a current Tandem Instructor or a current AFF jumpmaster. 3) Relative worker must have made at least 100 relative work jumps in a the last year. 4) Cameramen must meet all the above guidelines, and in addition, must have at least 100 camera jumps. HYPOXIC

Its against the Tandem manufacturer's guidelines. I think hypothetically they can loose their rating? Perhaps I'm smoking something... That is besides the fact..... Camera Rating? Aren't you already supposed to be a certified tandem instructor to be a tandem videographer? I know most of us don't, but this is already written up and not followed. Like swooping, perhaps education is more the answer. Of course, we have all heard it before, someone flying a camera before they are ready even after we've all have given them crap. I can think of one newbie recently that we are all awaiting the outcome. But again he'll probably be fine... I think a camera rating is a great idea for jumping with tandems, and needs to be enforced. However, for sport, POV, the 200 minimum is probably still a good number. As for accidents, they generally revolve around the trapdoor or someone too amped, coming in too fast. -Trunk HYPOXIC

I think the black super tack? is probably a better idea than zip ties. They tend to shear after awhile especially in dry or cold weather. As far as how I mounted it, I now use the protector with super tack. And yes I looked around for a while and was a little confused on how to mount it but in all really like the product. (The Viso is cool, but the optima is dope!) Here is how I mounted it: HYPOXIC

Having a nickname of Trunk helps HYPOXIC

* Tendancy to catch falling objects before they hit the ground (ketchup bottles, water, and especially beer bottles) I second the beer bottle opening. A wise man once told me, if you can't open it up within 3feet from where you are standing, you don't deserve to drink it! HYPOXIC

Hey I just finished my first marathon this weekend and used the Polar 400SD during the training. Mistakes I made: 1) Running way too many miles in a week even though I could do it. At some point, your body will give out. Stick to the minimal program. I stuck with level 1 noviceHal Higdon but went to intermediate cause I thought it was easy. My body gave out and took me awhile to recoup. 2) Run or walk but keep your heart rate relatively low. I think max @ 75% or lower. This will allow you to go the distance 3) Have a good shoe store watch your actual pace stride and buy the shoes, get some anti-blistering socks when your at it. 4) Buy body glide for chaffing, its available at sports authority 5) Over training will get you sick, your immune system will go down contray to belief. Be ultra concious, you will get sick. 6) You may want to start out on a treadmill but quickly start running outdoors, its totally different. I think yoga was a good crosstrain since it kept me loose and also helped my skydiving out! 7) Any dramatic changes in distance per week, they say over 10%, will hurt you. I found this true with pace and heart rate. Small changes, you have time! I'm sure there is other stuff. I don't know your body composition, but I weighted 209lbs before and now weight 185, although that is a good amount of weight lost don't expect dramatic change. Most of that came off in the first month of training. -Trunk HYPOXIC

Just two more things really quick, double check that you have IEEE 1394 Bus host controller driver is installed in Vista. Right click My Computer, and select Manage. Then, from the Computer Management window, select Device Manager. Also have you tried powering the docking station? Somewhere along the way I thought I heard someone say some need to be powered, this may be out of my rear end, but its a shot! HYPOXIC

Thanks guys. I don't have the finishline picture yet, but here is one with my folks just afterwards. And also a screenshot of my time card. Walking today is going to be interesting, hopefully I do not have to grab anything on the ground Now who has that Jager Shot I've been craving for? Oh yeah, someone gave me that, "you've gone this far," speech on Friday and I said, "what the heck, this is not a skydiver's mentality, I'm going to do it!" -Trunk HYPOXIC