P-dro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7Av5XLBzKA&feature=related

AFAIK, the current official record is 44 points, held by a russian team, Black Cats... I am wrong ? The previous record was 42 from French National four way team in Pujaut 2002, they had already broken the one second per point wall in 1997 with a 36 points jumps Otherwise I think. that Deland Fire posted a 47 point FMPOE jump at the Shamrock en 2006

C'mon, let's be serious!! How many accident can you quote?? Even if not mandatory 95% of cars sold today have airbags, and a very significant proportion of cars have them (at least here in France). If the problem you mention would exist, we'd hear about a least once in a while... Same for RSL, they have limitations, but in the last 3 year, how many people have been killed by a rsl ? how many may have been saved by one? It's just a question of proportion. It saves more life than it costs. I understand very experienced jumpers that prefer remain in full control of their EP. But what worries me, is that I see a lot of junior jumper who assume that to be a cool skydiver you must not have a RSL, without really comparing pro and cons. In the end I think it must remain a question of personal choice. On the AAD front it's simpler since it's mandatory here for everyone, but we still have had 2 fatalies in the last six with turned off AAD. And apparently reading incident reports, some recent fatalities in the US could have been prevented by using one. So if any safety device had to be made mandatory, the AAD would be in my opinion a much better bet (except of course for competition swoopers, but it's a very specific user base...)

Start with a Sabre2, it's a good introduction to the Katana with a longer recovery arc, but more forgiving and less ground hungry than the Katana...

Negative altitude? I think it must have happened once or twice in 150 jumps, usually on hot days, but only with minor variation (like -1 m). Concerning canopy alerts, each time I checked, they spot on or very very close (maybe 2-3 meter max). But your argument on the hardware is good, even if I have a slight preference for the Neptune (more features, more user friendly but more expensive)

I'm not sure the OP is really ready to swoop (and should not trust blindly your altimeter for swooping, it's only a tool to get the best setup before engaging your swopp) Futhermore, I've not seen any discrepancy between my Optima and my Neptune, either in freefall or under canopy. So it's not always the case...

Because the the Neptune/Optima combo works well too. No need to be aggressive...

Optima + Neptune, thant what I use since AFAIK Viso doesn't log jumps either... The interest of the Neptune is that it can be used either as an audible or an wrismount altimeter (it's bulkier than the Optima though, my helmet is a bit tight, i'm not sure I could fit a Neptune in, while the Optima is no problem)

PD Storm !!

Put 5 jumps on the Storm. I liked it very much: excellent opening, very strong flare even on a hot day with no wind at Gap (1800ft altitude) even loaded at 1.5, very reactive on front risers. The only thing I didn't is the fabric that makes packing a bit awkward (especially when the aspect ratio is different from the 9 cells I'm used to)

Same here. Excellent helmet but my lens is getting quite scratched after 250 jumps and several hours of tunnel. Have you any advice to clean it without scratching it?

No more details on the Stom ?

BKR, I have misunderstood the discussion we had concerning LES. Sorry fr the mistake.

Eric fradet's system is now available on Basik's new container, the Seven under the name LRS. http://www.basik.fr

Nobody has tried it yet ?

Bill, you already made this statement and I was really surprised at the time. But this year I have a Xfire 2 169 in my container, after 100 jumps on a Safire 2 last year, I made 60 jumps and I totally agree with your observation. I am really surprised by the Xfire2 and a bit disapointed: hard front risers, very difficult to maintain in a dive when the recovery has started. In this size and kind I prefer the Katana a lot or even the Safire/Sabre... Big surprise for me

Bill, You know the Saifre well, could the Storm a good choice for someone used to Safire/Sabre kind of canopies? Or would it be a bit calm ? Can it be used to do some weekend swooping ?

can't wait

Any chance someone might have a scan? Funny that PD publishes an ad and still nothing on their websites....

No other news ?

Ok, now tell me when the Ghost 2 is being released ?

My remark had nothing to do with moving the cutter: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1726796

Yeah, especially when your gear is involved in several close calls and at least 2 fatalities...

I've never noted any significant differences between my chest mount altimeter and either my RPotrack or Neptune....

Nope, I hoped there would be some news at the PIA, but no....