AndyMan

My $.02 is that I do regret buying the Sigma 15mm. I don't do much freeflying, I spend most of my time doing 4way and larger RW, with the occaisional tandem. I dislike the 15mm for two reasons: One - I've never needed anything that wide. Shooting with the 15 requires me to crop every shot. I would much prefer to properly frame the shot by flying properly, than have to crop later. The flipside is that someone who's starting off who doesn't have great framing skill can use the 15 to fix their shots later. Two - The fisheye effect on the Sigma 15 is not pronounced enough for "artistic" effect, but far too pronounced for normal shooting. Fortunately it tends to exist near the edges, where I have to crop anyways. If someone just wants to buy one lens for jumping, I personally would go with the Canon 20. Someone who does a lot of freeflying might want the Sigma 15. At some point I would like to replace my Sigma 15 with a Canon 20. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

It's true! Valerie did 4way. Who knew she actually knew how to fly? See attached for proof. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

I hate the fact that I have to go through a dealer all the time, I always have better experiences when I can order straight from the manufacturer. All my jumpsuits I've measured myself fit better than the ones my dealers have. I know I get good advice when I get it from a variety of sources instead of just my local dealer, too. On more than a few occaisions I've seen local jumpers get bad advice from their dealer only to have to sell their gear and buy a second item after a short time. I've gotten better prices when I order directly, and I get the gear quicker when it's shipped straight to me. I think the nutshell is that someone buying near gear really has to do the research themselves, by going around to a variety of sources and figuring out which ones give good advice. Once they do that though, that takes away from the value of the dealer. The value of a dealer SHOULD be that they give good advice, but I've seen bad advice even from good dealers. Personally, I'm very happy whenever I can bypass a dealer. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

It could be in the viewfinder itself. I have a few on my Digital Rebel. I do periodically clean the mirror and the glass above it, and the specs don't go away. My local camera-geek store (Helix) told me dust in the viewfinder is pretty common, and if I didn't care about it they recomend leaving it there. Still, it's may be worthwhile to have a pro look at it, to see if that's what's going on. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

The closest thing to a quickrelease that doesn't obstruct the bottom of a video camera is a Bonehead DBox. Yes, it still obstructs the camera, but it quickly opens to allow you to remove the camera, without having to undo any screws. It's the fastest way that I've seen to get a tape out of a bottom loading camera. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Allstate in Illinois. Don't quote me on the rate, though. I tried to look it up, but they don't break out that line item. I do remember it being very affordable. $1,500. max "per item", $10,000 max total. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Our home insurance company offered a "sports" rider for $10/year. It covers us for pretty much anything that can happen, including theft from ourlocker on the DZ, and loosing a main during a cuttaway. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

No. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

If you want airlocks, get a Samurai. If you don't want airlocks, I can't imagine why you'd even think of a Vengence. It just isn't that good of a canopy. The only reason anyone ever bought a Vengence was because they wanted Airlocks made by PD. I don't think either the Vengence or a Stiletto is a great canopy for swooping. The recovery ark is to short, so you end up having to do your turns way too low. There are better canopies for swoopping. I would look at a Sabre2, or Safire 2. Both will dive longer than a Stiletto or Vengence and give fun, fast landings. If you insist on going Eliptical, I would look at a Crossfire 2 or Samurai. Their longer recovery arc not make you turn too low. I've got 500 jumps on a Stiletto, about 20 on a Vengence, and 200 on a Samurai. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Next years Nationals should have some interesting competition! The Knights vs Blackwater. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Blackwater, a company that provides a wide range of "security services", including armies for hire and private seal-type teams.... is starting a demonstration skydiving team. http://www.dailyadvance.com/news/content/news/stories/2006/04/18/20060418edablackwater.html Amazing. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

If you're going to go that big, why not a Dash 8? There's got to be plenty of older ones being given up by comuter airlines looking to upgrade to CRJ's ? _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

The only PD reserve I would not overload is the 281. I am not willing to jump a 281 square foot reserve, so I regularly overload my PDR143, but not by much. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

How do the IR transmitters on the flashes work? I understand they've got IR transmitters to help with focussing in very low light. Are these transmitters obstructed when the flash is lieing flat on the helmet? Is there any advantage to have the flash "standing up" ? _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Nutshell: anyone who's had a faulty CCD with their Sony camcorder (which manifested itself in a blank screen) can get the cost of that repair work refunded. See below for details. _Am UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA Case No.: 05-CV-1979-JAH-RBB SUMMARY NOTICE TO CLASS OF PROPOSED SETTLEMENT Date: February 16, 2006 Time: 3:00 p.m. Courtroom: 11 The Honorable John A. Houston BRUCE CHABANSKY, Individually and On Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated, Plaintiff, v. SONY ELECTRONICS INC., Defendant. NOTICE TO ALL PERSONS NATIONWIDE WHO PURCHASED, NOT FOR RESALE, CERTAIN CAMCORDER OR DIGITAL STILL CAMERA PRODUCTS This notice is to inform you about a proposed settlement of a class-action lawsuit titled Bruce Chabansky v. Sony Electronics Inc., (the "Action"), the Court's conditional certification of a settlement class in that Action, and of a hearing to consider the settlement. The Action alleges that certain digital still camera and camcorder models sold and marketed by Sony Electronics Inc. ("SEL"), and manufactured by a separate entity before March 2004, are defective in that they include a component known as a CCD imager that fails at an abnormally high rate causing a blank liquid crystal display ("LCD") screen and electronic viewfinder or causing a distorted image to appear on the LCD screen and electronic viewfinder rendering the camera and camcorder incapable of taking pictures and recording video, respectively. SEL denies these claims, and denies that anyone has been harmed or deserves compensation in relation to these claims. The Court has not made a decision on the merits. If you purchased one of the models at issue, at retail, or received one of the models as a gift from the original purchaser, you may be a member of the settlement class ("Settlement Class") that will be a party to a settlement agreement that resolves and forever dismisses the Action. Under the terms of the settlement, members of the Settlement Class are eligible to receive a CCD imager repair-or-reimbursement remedy from SEL under limited conditions. Please see the complete notice of the proposed settlement at www.SonyStyle.com/ccdsettlement or telephone (866) 703-7669 to obtain a copy of the complete notice which includes details regarding the requirements to be eligible for the repair-or-reimbursement remedy and how to receive the remedy if you are eligible. If the proposed settlement is approved by the Court, the person who filed the Action and two others who filed a similar lawsuit in Wisconsin will receive an additional service award of $1,500 each, and the attorneys for the plaintiff in this Action will apply for an award of attorney's fees. These awards and attorney's fees, however, will not affect the relief available to members of the Settlement Class. All claims of the Settlement Class members which were or could have been asserted in the Action based on the facts alleged therein, will be forever released, if this settlement is approved by the Court. If you wish to remain in the Settlement Class you need not do anything. If you do NOT wish to remain in the Settlement Class and participate in the settlement, you must exclude yourself by writing to the attorney for plaintiff in this Action, Steven N. Berk, at: Cuneo, Gilbert & LaDuca, L.L.P., 507 C Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002. If you wish to object to the proposed settlement, you must file your written objection with the Court at: Clerk of the Court, United States District Court, Southern District of California, 880 Front Street, Room 4290, San Diego, CA 92101-8900 by JUNE 1, 2006. To properly exclude yourself or object, you must follow all of the detailed instructions and formats set forth in the complete notice, available at www.SonyStyle.com/ccdsettlement or by calling (866) 703-7669. The Court has scheduled a hearing to consider the fairness and adequacy of the settlement to be held on JUNE 22, 2006 at 3:00 p.m., before Judge John A. Houston, Courtroom 11 of the United States District Court of the Southern District of California. DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT CONCERNING THIS NOTICE OR THE LAWSUIT, EXCEPT TO SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT. If you would like more information about this notice, this case, or the proposed settlement, you may write to the attorney for plaintiff, Steven N. Berk, at the above address or visit a web page that has been created to provide information about the proposed settlement, located at www.SonyStyle.com/ccdsettlement Product Models at Issue Camcorders CCD-TRV118; CCD-TRV128; CCD-TRV318; CCD-TRV328; DCR-DVD100; DCR-DVD101; DCR-DVD200; DCR-DVD300; DCR-HC20; DCR-HC20 M; DCR-HC30/S; DCR-IP5; DCR-IP55; DCR-PC101; DCR-PC105; DCR-PC120BT; DCR-TRV18; DCR-TRV19; DCR-TRV19M; DCR-TRV22; DCR-TRV240; DCR-TRV25; DCR-TRV250; DCR-TRV260; DCR-TRV27; DCR-TRV33; DCR-TRV340; DCR-TRV38; DCR-TRV39; DCR-TRV460; DCR-TRV50; DCR-TRV740; DCR-TRV840; DCR-TRV950; DCR-VX2000; DCR-VX2100; DSR-250; DSR-250/1; DSR-PD150; DSR-PD170; and DSR-PDX10. Digital Still Cameras DSC-F717; DSC-P10/S; DSC-P2/S; DSC-P31; DSC-P31M; DSC-P32; DSC-P32M; DSC-P51; DSC-P51M; DSC-P52; DSC-P52 M; DSC-P7; DSC-P71; DSC-P71M; DSC-P72; DSC-P72M; DSC-P8/L; DSC-P8/R; DSC-P8/S; DSC-P92; DSC-P92M; DSC-U10/S; DSC-U20/B; DSC-U20/LJ; DSC-U20/S; DSC-U30/H; DSC-U30/LJ; DSC-U30/S; DSC-U60; DSC-V1; MVC-CD250; MVC-CD250 M; MVC-CD400; MVC-CD500; MVC-FD100; MVC-FD100 M; MVC-FD200; and MVC-FD200 M. __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

For about a year a while ago they wouldn't even release the SIM electronically. I have email from the executive director plainly telling me that they couldn't afford the loss of income from "giving away copies". I was disgusted, and sent nasty-grams to all members of the board. I was pleased to see a short time later the SIM appear back online. The USPA does not release the IRM electronically because they know they have a captive audience with instructors who are suposed to purchase new copies every few years, plus every coach candidate who needs one for his rating. Why give it away when you can sell it? To me, it's a great example of the USPA putting their business interests ahead of the sport. It's totally, and completely lame. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Nope. I watched one once, and enjoyed taking some pictures. After about an hour I wandered off to do something else. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=45507; _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Did staff members from neighboring DZ's manage to show up? _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

In your local CPC region, how often do fulltime staff members compete? At my DZ, fulltime video and AFF Staff are some of the better canopy pilots, but because they're working it's tough for them to compete in the CPC events. Surely this is a problem others have delt with? __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

It depends on the photographer. At one extreme, the big names like Norman kent and Mike McGowan will rarely, if ever, sell high resolution images. If they do, they'll be pretty expensive. At the other end of the spectrum is someone like me. I often sell high resolution digital copies of the stills that I take. I do add my name and website to the bottom portion of the photo - like this: http://www.skydiveradio.com/pic_of_week/POTW5.jpg. Personally, I sell the digital image for the same price as an 8X10 print. If someone is going to print the picture I'd rather it be me. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Anyone know what happened with th Skydive Arizona lawsuit? _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

I've developed a strong dislike of Epson after my last experience - it broke, and I tried getting it fixed. There were not any reputable service outlets anywhere in Chicago. The Epson website listed a few, but when I visited them I found them to be run down, dodgy, and not trustworthy. When I enquired about pricing of the repair, none of them would give me a quote upfront, they all demanded $150 just to make a "real quote", even before they fixed anything. The repair would be ontop of the $150 quote. HP, Lexmark, and Canon - they all have service provided by large centers with good terms. I threw away the Epson and will not buy another. So, given that I don't think you should buy an Epson, what should you buy? It has traditionally been good advice to "avoid HP" - they're inks have traditionally sucked and their prints would smudge, etc. That's changing though. Read this: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06022701hpb9180.asp, and then go buy an HP. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Specifically I think you're talking about Lithium Ion batteries. If they're to be disposed, they must be disposed properly. This is especially true for smaller batteries, like those in your cellphone and laptop computer - since they're small, there isn't much of a market for recycling them. They tend to get (illegally) tossed in the garbage, and end up in land-fills. This isn't really any different then older lead-acid batteries. Currently small ones get (illegally) tossed in the trash while larger ones (like a typical car battery) get recycled. Larger Lithium Ion batteries - like those found in Hybrids - get reclycled and re-used. The value of the spent batteries is several hundred dollars, far more than the cost of recycling it. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

I once shot a video like that, the DZ completely refunded the video charge - all of it. The DZ offered the student a complete refund, or completely free video on a different jump. The student chose the refund. The DZ ate the cost of my slot, and I felt like a jack-ass for a few hours. If the video is as bad as you describe, the DZ has no business taking any money for it. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

I know this doesn't help nor answer your question, but I've had similar experiences with Merlin suits. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.