bomb420

Never even thought of that before. I've become really lazy and never stow the excess. Thank you for teaching me a lesson! Glad your friend is ok. -Trunk HYPOXIC

Perhaps its not for this thread, but as far as innovative freeflying moves there is so much that can be done with hybrids. I think it was steve over at Elsinore during chicks rocks that was really pushing it. He made me start thinking. We lauched a 8 way hybrid out the door of and otter,with the 4 already hanging!, then worked on 2 hangers breaking off and switching positions then repeating with the other 2 hangers. Or we also tried stair stepping two 3 way hybrids. Now how about barrel roll a hybrid to head, or reverse belly to sit and visa versa in one flow? Amy's big way attempt made me start thinking about outward facing center bases for hybrids with pods. It may allow for more stucture when we start going bigger. Now I'm off on a tangent... HYPOXIC

I was thinking black gaffers tape will probably be the best choice. Hell I work for an electronics manufacturer and I'm sure some of the geeks would get thier rocks off doing this at our show. Hmmm depending on my next focal........ HA! Felt bad for the Intel and Motorola spokes people... HYPOXIC

Hey there is probably nothing wrong with listening to altitude, just make sure you can hear the pilot in case of an emergency. Turn it off before the jump or leave it on the ground incase its going to be too tempting for you. Those cessna rides get mighty long, I used to bring a book. Oh and make sure you have a flash based ipod. HD ones don't last too long (but may when you're only going up to 10k) Of course, as with any new thing, talk to your instructor or better in this case pilot. HYPOXIC

Amy thanks for putting this together again this year! Let me know if I can be of any help. -Trunk HYPOXIC

Stratostar, so others thinking about picking up camera may learn, "almost killed myself twice and almost killed a tandem once," what happened? I hope we can share our disaster stories so others may learn and make their own educated choices. I remember almost taking out two people on a freefly jump. I was hauling A$$ towards them because I wanted to get the shot and they were directly in my sight. It amazed me how fast a simple sight turned my friends into a bullseye. That probably was after 400 jumps or so after flying a sight with tandems (against manufacturer's rules) for about 100. Don't quite know my point, but even changing body positions, flying a camera can make you unsafe. I really can't remember issues early on and think it was because A) I partied a lot between now and 6 years ago (not so much now) B) I did not realize how dangerous it was at the time and glossed over scary situations -Trunk HYPOXIC

Me 3. Shoot, I need to learn those hd moves again. HYPOXIC

Although I agree with USPA's 200 jumps number before flying a camera, I know a ton of us that have started early on in our jump career. Hell I started at 104 and somehow survived. Although, I did not do my first paid tandem until jump 354. What are others experiences? Looking back do you think that recommendation should be made higher? What about multi-tiered or sign off systems. Or do we think our customers don't know any different and young-ins will undercut us? (BTW I rarely do paid work anymore and just do it for the fun of it. ) HYPOXIC

Toys toys toys... Come on we've all been there and its only $19 for the lens. That's not even a jump ticket and will totally work for him. I've seen many of these lense get ripped right off, that plastic is not that strong. Of course if this happens the camera does not look pretty anymore and at best can't take a wide angle lens cause you cracked the mount. How many times have you ran around a party with just a helmet camera? Wait perhaps that is just me? Edit: made a tad more group friendly HYPOXIC

hmmm Been awhile since I partied with the Flying Hellfish and Rodriguez Brothers at the same time. Last time there was a lot of nakedness, at least that's what the pictures show, I really don't remember. May need to go out to SkyFest just for that. HYPOXIC

Yeah I was listening to music for a few jumps there and then did not level out during my hook early enough and needed to Jab out of it. I was so "flowing" with the music and into the groove that the visual of being low did not register. I was lucky. I think its the same thing you need to do after a crappy skydive. "Ok skydive is over, let me think about the landing, I can think about the skydive on the ground." Clear your mind and focus on the task. Listening to music is the same. You need to realize what it's doing to you and do what is necessary. I will tell you what though, there is nothing as cool as having a great song playing and having the volume "turn up" on opening when everything gets quite. After an fantastic skydive, its amazing! I think it's the same as picking up a camera, wingsuit, etc. Know the dangers, the benefits, talk to others and see if you are ready for it. I guess the hellfish quote is appropriate here: shoot their website is way too distracting, HF#615, forgot about the quote. -Trunk HYPOXIC

DSE, Thanks for the awesome update! I'm excited to see the hybrid devices and perhaps run them through the wringer. Anyone say anything to you/give you evil looks when you where whacking the cameras? That would be a sight to see... HYPOXIC

Ha, get your jump numbers up and go to the Rocky Point Boogie in Mexico! That was my first boogie and I have not been the same since. It's the last weekend in April. Something screwy always happens to me down there. In fact that is where I got the nickname of Trunk. A few Lodi guys come down each year, grab a ride/flight with them. Oh and watch out for Policia (Damn Vegas guys!) Blue Ones, -Trunk HYPOXIC

Benji Beyond dope. Finally had a chance to watch it all the way through and I think it just revitalized my determination. Man and I just got out of debt , "Curtis, Amy, Fruitcake I need some coaching! Pronto" HYPOXIC

I ended up having Lasik with Intralase to cut the flap almost two years ago. I was jumping within 2 weeks as per doctors orders. It could be marketing, but from my understanding the Intralase bevels the cut therefore making it sit more securely then standard flat cuts. Again though take everything on DZ.com with a grain of salt and error on the cautionary side of your doctor. -Trunk HYPOXIC

Anyone take a look at the new SD cameras. They look narrow and are extremely inexpensive: DCR-HC52 is only $249.99. May not be a bad choice for someone wanting to side mount and be part of the action. Probably will not be super great quality, but may be a decent replacement for the PC101 consumers out there. Link. Edit: added dim: (WxDxH) HC52: 63x85x115mm PC120: 57x118x113mm Anyone see this in person? I am unable to make it to CES this week had a ticket and all... HYPOXIC

Isn't it the exact same body as the Cx7? If so, Cookie and others have one as for the Cx7 specifically. They probably do not know Cx6EK is the exact same camera(bodywise). -Trunk HYPOXIC

What can be more geeky than someone on a laptop in the bent prop for hours during new years eve? Benji, nicely done. That's a great collage of everyone. Interesting crop of stephanies picture, works well HYPOXIC

I did not miss it. I was on the second load... Funny though how I almost did not get picked up way out in the middle of no where. Must have pissed off the bus driver So when is the contest this year btw? HYPOXIC

And I thought i got off scott free this year... what the heck am I doing? HYPOXIC

Hacksaw to Brain and Beer! Love it. So well done. HYPOXIC

I dig it. See this thread HYPOXIC

Come on girl, you know I got your back.... HYPOXIC

Probably the best choice with just an 'L' bracket to mount it on top. For comparison purposes, and to allow others to make their own decision, here are some pics of the CX7 vs. a PC120bt (which seems like the widest PC form factor) I have a side mount bonehead "D-box" case for the PC120bt with the following internal dimensions (bonehead's website: A: 3.65" B: 4.75" C: 3" D: 1.75") -Trunk HYPOXIC

They will MSRP for ~$75-$80 and are shipping to distributors now. HYPOXIC