Chris-Ottawa

NICE! Thanks I assume 3mm would be about what was used in the above photos? I saw some 1 or 1.5mm at the scuba shop and it was pretty thin. Ordering right now! ________________________ FYI...I just ordered a linear foot of 3mm from seattlefabrics for $17 because as far as I could see, foamorder doesn't ship to Canada. Thanks for all the help everyone! I think I'm good to go for the summer now (or at least once I get it all together!) To do list: -Install "L" bracket that BillVon is helping me with -Install cutaway mod coming from chutingstar -Make neoprene cases -Order a Hypeye D Pro -INstall Hypeye D Pro... OK, so I've still got some work ahead of me... Thanks again! "When once you have tasted flight..."

Thanks for the pictures! And where might I ask did you get the condom from? I'm trying to make one but can't get a hold of any old neoprene. Best I could find was a baby's wetsuit for $50. I may go that route, but I need enough to make them for my XSi and the CX100. BTW...I picked up the camera tonight and WOW...it is TINY. Should work great with the Optik and the XSi on top. I hear alot of discussion about HD lenses etc... How many people are actually leaving the video in HD format and putting it on Bluray for your customers? If it's going on DVD and being played in DVD players, it's simply wasting space, time etc.... I'm thinking for regular(commercial) use, record in SD, for end of year stuff, go HD. I just think that the SD video looks pretty damn decent and I was curious how it compares to a non-HD miniDV cam's output. "When once you have tasted flight..."

INdyz, I tried to send you a PM, but you have it disabled. Could you take a picture of your setup for me? I'm side mounting the CX100 on my Optik as well. I want it as flush as possible so I'm going to drill a hole for the Hypeye. Thanks a bunch! "When once you have tasted flight..."

Thanks Bill, I sent you a quick PM with some details. As another follow up question, does anyone know how far the 90 degree Hypeye D plug sticks out from the side of the camera? I'm asking because i want to keep it as tight to the helmet as possible, but know I need ot leave room for the Hypeye. Anyone with the CX100/105 and the 90 degree D pro that would be willing to send me a measurement on how much the "D" connector stands out from the right side of the camera? Or if this is maybe a null issue? Thanks a bunch! "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey everyone, I haven't had a chance to go through this entire thread yet, but I'm working on it. I'm looking for 2 things in regards to the CX100 since I'm picking one up today and havent come across it in the thread yet. 1) Is anyone making a sidemount "L" bracket for this cam. I saw Cookie has a sidemount "box", and a generic sidemount bracket, but I'm sure the general bracket will be huge (overkill) and the sidemount box is more than I want. Wondering if anyone has created or can create an "L" bracket for it. I'd be willing to pay for someone to make me one if they have access to a metal shop. I just want to keep it as small and compact as I can. 2)Does anyone know where I can get ahold of some neoprene, or get ahold of premade neoprene covers for a Rebel XTi and the CX100. Again, willing to pay for these if someone is making them. Thanks a bunch! "When once you have tasted flight..."

I'm pretty sure the Mirage is the sexiest rig out there and I'm glad I bought one. I used to have an Odyssey and loved it, but I'm loving the Mirage even more. This is my baby with an Optimum 126 and Katana 97. I've only got about 150ish jumps on her. First pic is fully packed and ready to go Second pic is "New meets Old" Third pic is the day I got it, with nothing in it Fourth picture is exactly where she belongs...In the Air! "When once you have tasted flight..."

Haha, do you realize how much of a moron you're being? My post offered information and I was asking what exactly you were trying to see so I could provide the best possible pictures. Would you have been happy if I provided a picture of the MLW? I bet not. What about the BOC...I bet not. Maybe a profile shot, front shot, straight on rear shot? I could have also got a body builder to wear my rig and it would look like a tiny purse, or I could have worn it myself and it would look like anyone else wearing a rig that fits them. You wouldn't be able to tell if I was an M4, MXS or an M8 unless you knew my size. Hence my question, what exactly are you trying to accomplish? But don't bother responding to my question anymore, it's not worth my effort. Hey check this out...right on the home page, Ward is in his wingsuit wearing a MZS....or is it a MXS, or an M4? http://www.miragesys.com/ "When once you have tasted flight..."

No need to be an asshole...just wondering what your purpose is. I could show you a picture of an M4 and you couldn't tell the difference unless you had something to reference. Are you trying to see how small it is, the shape, what? I'm willing to bet that my MXS.5 will be awfully similar to the MZS. Anyways, good luck finding "a picture". BTW...there's "a picture" of a MXS.5 to the left of this very post...just look very closely. Hope it's what you're looking for, it was taken while it was being worn. See, I can be a smartass too! "When once you have tasted flight..."

I have an G4.1 MXS 1/2 which is the next size up? What exactly are you trying to do? "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey, I've had great experiences with the classys. I've bought and sold quite a few things. I bought my first rig, second canopy, jumpsuits, sold jumpsuits, canopies altimeteres etc. There's a certain amount of common sense you ca use. I recommend these things: -Ask questions (specific ones) -Size, serial number, wear and tear etc...very specific. -Ask for more pictures. This ensures they actually have the rig. As for something like a picture of just the serial number etc. -Call them. Each item I've bought or sold, I have spoken with the buyer/seller. Often, this can help you get a better deal too. It's no different than buying a car from someone. Ask questions, try to find out as much as possible, protect YOURSELF. "When once you have tasted flight..."

I highly doubt that it would affect the rig/parachutes, except if anything was damp/wet. If it was all dry, things get stiff, but not enough to cause problems. The biggest problem is loss of feeling in your hands. Ask and Canadian...some of us do jumps all winter long and it's the same as summer, only colder. I'm exited from a Cessna at 10 grand while it was -12 celsius (10F) on the ground...-30 Celsius at altitude (-22F). It's pretty unpleasant, but everything works...except your hands. As for a cypres...batteries freezing are NOT good. I wouldn't want it to explode and spew battery acid all over my reserve...eating away at it until the next repack or use and it desintegrates. Here is a god example of what happens when your pilot chute is "damp" and you jump in cold weather. It's a base jump (not me), but it's pretty scary. You can see how the PC is frozen together and almost costs this man his life. http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqivh3meJOM "When once you have tasted flight..."

Well, I think everyone knows what this is going to be about but I feel as though it should be well known. L and B has provided exemplary service to me. My Optima has been slowly cracking for quite some time now, nothing I was concerned about though. The screen had a 1/4 inch crack at the top and the top of the plastic had 2 splits in it where I've seen a few others have had the same 2 cracks. I would not have returned the unit for this as it's fully intact, functional and not hampering any part of it in any way. I spent 3 weeks in Florida over Christmas and ended up polishing off the remaining power from the batteries I've had in the unit for just shy of 2 years. When I pulled out the battery tray, the unit basically "popped'open. The 2 pieces of plastic on the front and back of the unit separated. Now it was affecting the unit. So I contacted Mads at L&B and recieved nothing but polite, happy emails. He asked me to sent it in for verification. 1 week later (today) I have a package in the mail from L&B. It contains a brand new Optima, spare batteries and a rubber protective cover. All at no charge to me. I am absolutely pleased but not at all surprised based on what I've read about L&B's customer service. I am incredibly pleased that I chose L&B's equipment for my dytter but regret that I didn't also chose them for my altimeter. The ONLY reason I didn't buy the Viso, was because it wasn't available when I bought my first Alti. With 100% certainty, all my skydiving computers will in the future, come from L&B A huge thanks to Mads and his entire team/company! "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey, Sounds like you need a fast suit. Oddly, I was in your shoes about 2 years ago. I ordered Kurupee in a "tight" config, and I'm 5'8" and 125 lbs. If you can get supplex...go for it, but as far as I know, Kurupee only uses cotton...and they double layered my arms and legs...that means SLOWWWWW... I got the high collar, works well. Maybe warm in the summer, but you can leave it undone. I got velcro...Elastic may slide up, unless they put stirrups. I no longer use the suit because it's too slow. I do occasionally use it if I'm doing a jump and want to, or need to go slow. It's actually my "baggy" suit, even though it's supposed to be tight. I can get sub 80 MPH tracks with this "tight" suit, and sub 100 on my belly. Sit...like 125, 130. Great suit, just not for me... "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey, Looks like this sparked a good advice thread. Something I would like to add as I feel it will assist the situation is the fact that I said nothing aside from the fact that it is a parachute and the agent that had a bunch of questions was asking me stuff that any whuffo would. Stuff about skydiving, not the gear itself, aside from the cost and safety aspect. I feel he was genuinely interested. The agent that told me she would have to open it, was not at all being mean, and as I was loading the plane about 2 hours later, she was at the gate outside the plane. She apologized and said since they've never seen one before, they like to use it as a training aid. When it was in the scanner, she told me that the Cypres came up showing as an electronic device, and having hollow areas in it, indicating "air cylinders" (normally). This is when they asked me for more information on what it was and that's why I provided the cypres card. It really was not a terrible order, more of a close call. "When once you have tasted flight..."

Agree on the gear bag, but I feel that if I'm open about it and not seeming to "hide/cover" anything, that they'll be a little more lenient. When I go through security, it's actually all US border agents or whatever they're called. So technically, I think I could print out the FAA manual. I do have letters from westjet saying it's allowed as well as a reference to the FAA manual from DZ.com, plus the cypres card. I only had to show the cypress card. Oh and FYI...I thought my rig would look a bit different than the cypress card shows as it's a bit old I assumed, but not at all...It look IDENTICAL, including colours and everthing. I guess the point in this is stay calm and talk your way through it. Gear bag, yep, you're right....would have saved me some looks/questions. "When once you have tasted flight..."

Morning, So, here I am, sitting in the terminal waiting for my flight. Had a bit of trouble getting through security with my rig as carry on and I have time to tell the story. First of all, I absolutely flat out refuse to put it as cargo and have them lose my parachute only to offer me $200 in compensation. No F-ing way. So, throw everything on the belt while getting some funny looks by the other passengers and mostly the security personnel. The first guy that sees it, lights up, eyes wide saying what is that. I briefly say it is a parachute. At this point he goes off and starts asking alot of questions and drawing a bunch of attention, nothing bad, just curious questions. A couple other staff come over to check it out. They finally get it through the belt and the one lady comes over with a smile/grin/fuck you type look. She says "do you have electronics stuffed in there. SO I carefully explain that there is an electronic device that opens my parachute for me. She says ok, I'm going to have to get my supervisor. Off they run and about 15 minutes later, supervisor appears. During this time they stopped the whole line and left the parachute in the middle of the x-ray machine. They hum and haw, ask me a bunch of questions, then I hear the cursed words. "We'll have to open it to be sure". I'm thinking....FUCK. Lady comes over and says... "Since we've never seen one of these before, can we open it up to verify what the electronic device is? I again, carefully, explain what it is and offer up some of the printed documentation I gathered before the trip. This is where I say "THANK YOU AIRTEC". That x-ray card saved me a repack. I also had to show them that it turns on and I can disable it and the supervisor said, he was ok with it, just be sure to swap it. So they swab the hell out of it and say it's good to go. This is when security guys with all the questions at the beginning walks back over with more questions. And he grabs my handle and says "DO you just tuck these away. I QUICKLY said, "that's the handle I use to activate my reserve if I have a malfunction, we probably don't want to pull that right now. He quickly let go and just walked away. Now that I've held up the line for about 30 mins, thinking everyone behind would be pissed, I had a whole bunch of the approach me and ask questions, or make crash jokes. I happily answered their questions, but didn't want to draw more attention so I kept it minimal. Thankfully, it worked out and hopefully i make it easier for the next person through. Anyways, just thought I would share. I'll be in Z-Hills in mere hours... *This occurred at the Ottawa International airport (Canada) "When once you have tasted flight..."

Dude...Honda is the only way... The Yammi looks nice, but that's all it's got. The CBR also looks mega sexy. You know you want Honda! This is the toy I bought this spring...fucking brilliant bike. Scary as fuck though (Fast + responsive)! "When once you have tasted flight..."

I agree about the sizing..I bought a MXS 1/2 this fall.. and on me, it looks fine. A bigger guy at my dz put it on and it looks like a purse made into a backpack. It's ridiculously small, but on me...it's just right. (MXS 1/2 is the second smallest container Mirage sells) You're gonna love the Mirage..sometimes it feels like I'm wearing nothing. This is the first time I've "shared" my container. Don't want to see an identical one out there so I've avoided it up to now! I'm sure there already is people out there with the same scheme though. Note the batman picture....perfect illustration why you want articulation....love it! "When once you have tasted flight..."

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Perfect! Never thought of the space center. That will be good fun! Anyone have ideas on anything/anywhere cool in the everglades? Not sure if they have swamp boat tours or anything, but that would be fun. I'm sure Florida has so many great places to go aside from Disney! Thanks! "When once you have tasted flight..."

I'm staying at Zhills for the duration, see campsite # 43...Tenting it. (I'm not aware of a site #43, but that's where I'll be...same place as last year if it's available.) I meant things off DZ...like, things that people who "don't" skydive think are fun. Like hookers, crack and Ferris Wheels...oooh, and go karts Haha! "When once you have tasted flight..."

Ok...I'm gonna be in Florida on Monday and will be staying for 3 weeks. I'm looking for advice from some locals and/or regulars who have ideas for activities other than jumping. I'm 25 so I'm looking for stuff besides the lawn bowling and horseshoe clubs. I currently plan to hit up OWC in Orlando for some Wakeboarding, The tunnel in Orlando, and the keys. I need more ideas on some cool stuff to do! Any ideas are appreciated! Thanks in advance "When once you have tasted flight..."

I walked onto the plane (Westjet) with the rig on as a backpack, had nearly no issues at all. In Canada, customs scanned it, called over a supervisor, he said to rescan it and I heard what they were saying. "See, it's dark blue indicating that it's a hardened steel. You'll see things like this on...blah blah blah." Then they asked me if there was brass knuckles attached to the rig. I thought "WTF?". They scanned it again and allowed me to view it, the "brass knuckles" were actually the 3 ring circus and the cutaway housing. Surprisingly, it DOES look like brass knuckles...if you were missing a finger. All of this took about 5 minutes, including it being swabbed. When I left Florida, I walked on with it again at Tampa INtl, they scanned it and said/did nothing. However, for some reason, my friend's rig set off an alarm at the Orlando Airport, supervisor came over and said, "ah it's a skydiving rig, it's fine". All in all, fairly easy process, but I did have loads of documentation which i had no intent to bring out unless necessary and simple discussion didn't take care of. i will be doing the EXACT same thing when I leave for ZHills in 2 weeks again. Surprisingly, i got a few interested looks at the rig, but with trying to avoid drawing attention to it, I didn't acknowledge anyone. Not 1 person approached me to ask about it, however it did draw some attention from some travellers in the terminal. The saw it was a backpack with legstraps and were curious what it was. here's a good thread with some good info http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3033127;search_string=Airlines%20(WestJet)%20and%20parachutes;#3033127 "When once you have tasted flight..."

Hey, I'm up in the great north (aka Canada) and we jump year round at a few DZ's. It's definitely not warm, but still very fun and beautiful. The key to getting warm gloves is that they HAVE to be windproof, not resistant. Latex gloves help, but if your outer layer isn't windproof, the wind is simply going through them and basically touching your skin directly through the latex. It's tough to find the right glove...until now! I've found a pair of windproof gloves made for biking. They are rated to -7 C (19 degrees F). I haven't had a chance to take them on a jump,but I can tell you that I've been on my CBR 600RR doing 170 Kph down the highway holding out my hand for about a minute and NOTHING. Not cold, painful or anything. The gloves also have silicone grips on the fingers and the 2 smallest fingers are together. And they have 2 fluffy patches to wipe your snotties as well! Haha They're also VERY thin and not restrictive at all! I've attached a picture. If you can't find them, I'd be happy to pick some up and send them off your way. I bought them at Mountain Equipment Co-Op. Later! http://ecom1.planetbike.com/glove9004.html "When once you have tasted flight..."

$38 (cdn) for 9.5 or 10k here (Cessna) $35 (cdn) at another DZ with a Caravan going to 13.5 Makes sense huh? "When once you have tasted flight..."