katzurki

It's probably just my ignorance of the term in its English incarnation, but what exactly are cut-in laterals, and how do they make a rig better? And also how come Racers don't get them? I listened to John Sherman's explanation on the phone, but I am not sure I caught on. (The calling card was running out, the connection was lousy, and I was sleepy.) (Racers claim they don't need anti-twist risers as well; or rather that their riser design is such that no specific anti-twist tweaking is required; is this really so?)

Okeee... I sent them a letter, let's see if it works out.

Can I have his email?

In Seattle, or the vicinity thereof (I think WA in general, Snohomish DZ preferable). I'll need your help with introducing a wonderful girl to skydiving. Please PM me.

I bought mine prior to AFF :) before you say "how stupid", consider this: I went to do AFF in November, and due to weather being uncooperative did my actual first level in March. That amounted to 4 months of reading, asking, watching, and hanging out. :) Gear turned out great. I recently ran into a bit of money, so before it could spill away from me, I ordered a new container, and sold my original, old, 1992 EOS, the comfiest rig I've ever jumped. Still sneak it from the current owner and jump it on occasion :)

Uh, I hope Racers are up to par :) So which manufacturer has honed the pullout design to near perfection? I read Javelins still utilize velcro on their pullouts.

Which designs do you conceive as questionable, and which manufacturers have superior pullout designs? It's just that I did order my Racer 2k3 with a pullout for reasons I'll post when it arrives...

Keep your eyes open, if possible ask the TM (provided you jump a tandem) not to shove you out, but to let you stand at the door for a few beats and focus... First jumps are the best jumps. Then it kinda settles down >:) Get good goggles.

Oh. I really wonder if there is any inner Japanese manufacturer.

Here's my cheetah galaxy live...

That's not true. http://www.zavod3.ru/catalogue.html?level=position§ion=1&subsection=11&position=2 Impulse Reserve-12 is made of Exacta-Chute nylon (kind of F-111 material). But yes, it is 9-cell. And no, you still need a rigger to repack this thing. You're right about it being F-111. As long as we are nitpicking, the manual says you CAN pack this thing not being a rigger. Not that it's advisable, but you can. (Not that it's advisable to use this reserve at all).

So there are a few world-leading manufacturers that everybody knows, and a bunch of local ones that might or might not be known outside their country (e.g., Russia has a number of container brands that are quite good for the buck and practically unknown overseas -- I know of but one Spirit container sold to a US customer... TSO is probably the biggest problem here). So are there possibly skydiving gear manufacturers in countries like Japan, Korea, China or other countries (rigs/canopies wise)? Or do they all rely on imported rigs?

You people have been SLACKING. Whip your alties out and post :) Wendy? You said you had a Mickey Mouse on your wrist

If leaving the country is not that big of an issue for you, I'd honestly recommend Russia. A hell of a lot cheaper than Empuries, and you can get lots of jumps in at real low prices :) (I've jumped at Empuriabrava... great though expensive DZ, love the sea view out of an open door (I wisely chose a by-door seat :)), though if the wind is across the narrow excuse for a strip of a field they call a landing area, accuracy becomes an important factor. Wouldn't do AFF there simply because of the outrageous prices.)

What are you talking about? Never heard of that.... Name of the reserve? Impulse Reserve 12. The one you don't need a rigger to pack and can use as a main

There is an ugly Russian reserve, 9-cell and all-ZP. Killed more than one person...now banned on most DZs.

So far I have had the impression that, if they do at all, the lines break on opening. Has it ever happened / how likely is it that a brake line can break when you pull it for a toggle turn, or worse yet, when you pull on both during your flare? (The question arose when I rented a rig that had somewhat rusty, sharp-feeling grommets (those small metal rings through which the brake lines pass)... the canopy was hooked up after it had been chopped and spent some time in a puddle a few months back then. It was inspected and I was told I could jump it for today, and they would fix those rusty rings the next day.

Great post. Thanks.

Called JS and talked to Nancy, was a pleasant talk despite the horrible connection (figures, I am half a world away)... green snap toggles, but she talked me into leaving the black D-bag. Also, I very much liked the attention to the fine details shown. now to find the rest of the money...

I guess I'll take whatever Nancy deems best for the rig... :) Sid, can I choose the D-bag color too? And what webbing colors do you have available? :) I normally try to set my brakes after landing, but then unstow them anyway to take the twists out / ensure they are set properly. Besides, with these crappy risers, they tend to fall out of their holders as I walk back to manifest. Lately my packer has been that boy maybe as old as 12 years. Fun :)

Nice, thanks! Though I hope this unusual brake-stowing is characteristic of the Firebolt and not Racer as a whole... or I would be doomed to packing for myself for good :)

What kind of risers do Racer 2k3s come with?

Recently got an Alti-III Galaxy, and it feels pleasantly different from other altimeters I have jumped. Feels very reliable; the needle's movement is creeping rather than jerking (as compared to an old Barigo and a new FT-50). The case is anodized aluminum, which is a big plus - it's not easily scratched. If you do buy one, opt for a custom faceplate -- it's free and neat (but does not come in metric units - I think - and no glow in the dark thing). Alti-2 may recommend making the faceplate's decorations semi-transparent. This is probably a good idea for light background / dark image, but a dark background / light image better stay opaque, I think. I wish Alti-2 would start a gallery of custom faceplates to choose from, or at the very least made a layered PSD template, so you could fiddle with decorations better. It's heavier than Barigo/FT-50, but not tiresomely so; the weight actually seems to reassure that this is one tough altimeter. Finally, the communication with Alti-2 has been nothing short of pleasant.

Good story :) You should have asked if this was Earth, or what year it was...

No...there really aren't short of taking the entire site offline. Copyright is best protected by signatures. It might be just me, but disabling right click is annoying as hell to the end user. While not really protecting your stuff, it does hinder other functions.