KellyF

Wasn't that Eric Fradet's system? I remember you doing something with it, but I don't remember all the specifics. The Sorcerer hand deploy system won't work very well with the outward opening riser covers found on most sport skydiving rigs

You can deploy the reserve independent of the main. I know, I used to build them When you pull the reserve handle on a Sorcerer, you simultaneously disconnect the RSL, pull the reserve pin, and pull the reserve PC out of it's pocket (or the reserve container on the really early ones). A Direct Bag RSL isn't of much use on a freefall rig if it doesn't allow the reserve to be deployed independent of the main

Do you know what the Pat. number is? Calvin, I think the Sorcerer system would be more ideal for what you're looking to do

While I have the utmost repsect for everyone at PD and stand behind their products and R&D 100%, they have also been known to grasp at straws to explain unexplainable deplyment issues (such as 3/8" tape for rubber band stows causing surging on opening). I only point this out because my crystal ball forsees rumors of blanket statements such as "tuck tab riser covers create hard openings", when in fact, not all tuck tabs are created, or function, exactly the same. That being said, I can certainly see where some riser covers, packed improperly and deployed with a shoulder low, could have an adverse affect on how a canopy opens. I just might have to play with some of these rare earth magnets that have been collecting dust on my desk

The royal blue that we currently have is very similar to the pic you posted, maybe a shade or two darker. Fabric dye lots change all the time, but there seems to be more of a variance in the blues and purples that we get than in most other colors. As far as the floating laterals being retrofitted, anything is possible, but it's not practicle in the slightest VSE on Facebook

VSE was started in 1998, and full production on the current model Infinity started in 1999. There were some prototypes and sponsor rigs built in '98 though, so the easiest way to tell is by the serial number. All the current models have a serial number over 6000. As far as the "kink" issue, the initial idea behind that style of articualted harness was more for leg movement than upper body movement. Sandy Reid (as I understand it) was working with very flexable freestylists that took advantage of the upper body flexability that is provided when the main lift web and lateral strap are connected via a ring when he developed the Flexon in the early '90s. Mick and Rob: thanks for the support

I've been hearing this statement quite a bit over the last couple of years for some reason. While MANY rigs on the market have a "kink" in the MLW, the only way it will weaken the MLW is if it is loaded in a fashion that harness/container systems don't get loaded. That "kink" will not be there when the jumper is under canopy. Rigs have been built this way for over 25 years, yet I've never heard of a MLW failing because of a "kink". We have had prototypes in the field for over a year and over 1000 jumps on a couple of rigs, but we've never had any reports of a durability issue. If no one reports an issue, we can't fix it. The rigs with rigid stabilizers did sometimes have problems with the bottom corners of the backpad coming unstitched, but that has been fixed because people let us know. Look closer at that pocket- the velcro is sewn on in a fashion so that it peels automatically no matter which direction the handle is pulled. The ones with type 8 rear risers are non-articualted harnesses- pretty standard procedure throughout the industry. Airtec approved our Cypres installation before the Infinity went into production. We asked for the cutter to be placed on the kicker flap due to the metal top of our reserve pilot chute. They asked us to make some changes in order for them to approve the install, the changes were made, and the install was approved. You are right that it is more of a rigging issue than a design issue though- you should never be able to rock a reserve PC back and forth, and if you can see the edges of it under the flaps of the rig, there's probably a less than ideal situation there (i.e. loop too long, reserve too big for container, or too much bulk in the center). The angled tab is not what makes our pin cover special- it's simply a feature to help preserve the tab from rough packers that try to force the tab into place past the bottom flap grommet when the bottom flap was not pulled completely closed. What makes our pin cover special is as Slurp stated- the location of the closing loop and the construction of the center flap. If the closing loop is located on or near the reserve container, it will change the geometry of the tuck tab system depending on the length of the closing loop and the size of the parachute in the container. In order for a tuck tab system to work properly, several points need to be aligned properly, consistently, and that's what the Infinity does. This is simply not true either. In order for a riser cover to lock, the riser needs to pull from under the tuck tab pocket. If it is putting pressure on the underside of the pocket, it increases the bite the pocket has on the tab. With some rigs (esp. those with large pockets) this is a true concern since there isn't much to keep a riser from getting deep under the pocket in a situation such as having a shoulder low on deployment, so it's recommended to place the risers on top of the pocket. The design of the Infintiy secondary riser covers and reserve top flap (that also has the riser cover tuck tab pockets) directs the risers to the outside of the rig, where the risers pull on the covers themselves to open them. The "looseness" that you refer to is a required part of the system to prevent the tuck tabs from having too much pressure on them and getting a bend in them, rendering them all but useless. As I remember it, it was not a full 1/4", and I asked you to show me or send me some video of the riser cover opening, which I have yet to see four months later. As you may recall, I was quite surprised to hear about Dave having a problem with our riser covers opening before deployment, because we had never heard of it in the six years of manufacturing the currrent version. If I left you with the impression that I wouldn't fix it, I'm sorry. We always stand behind our products and make right what's wrong. But sometimes, without actually SEEING what's causing the problem, it's hard to FIX the problem. All I can really think is that it can't be that much of a problem if someone with three rigs doesn't feel it necessary to be without one for a week or so to fix the issue. What kind of flaw is this? Is it a safety issue, or durability? I think an explanation is due since you've just announced to the world that we have a "flawed" design with no other description, and it's certainly never been brought to VSE's attention as far as I remember. Often, it doesn't matter who takes the measurements, but accurate measurements are always the best place to start. There are still things to interpret and educated guesses to be made. Sometimes we don't get it right the first time, as is the case with everything ever built by man. If the harness is too big and the rig has already been assembled, we will resize the harness and repack the reserve for free if the job requires it, but that also requires the rig to be returned to us so we can do the work on it. If it's never returned to us to be fixed, it can only be assumed that the fit isn't that bad. Dave should be able to tell you that we have worked with him to keep him as happy as we can since we built a completely new rig for him after his second rig was made out of a new batch of cordura that had a different shade that he wasn't happy with. We have all order forms on file dating back to 1991, so I have no explanation for the legpads being taped in the wrong color. I'm sorry if this was a bit long winded, but explanations often take longer than observations

I bought a smoothie a while back for something like $4.52. I gave the girl a 5 spot and 52 cents. She missed one of the pennies and gave me back 99 cents in change So much for thinning out my wallet! She didn't even bother to ask if I had an extra penny........ VSE on Facebook

Hmmmm.......... "Alien Skin" fabric...... VSE on Facebook

Hi Mark, if you like, give me a call on Monday and I'll do my best to answer any questions you may have about the Infinity and any general gear questions you may have

Hi Jim, Are you using the main D-bag that came with the Infinity? I would assume that you are since you mention that the VooDoo bag was really loose. Is the new bag tight enough that you may be loosing control of the packjob a little when you are putting it in the bag? That's the first place I would look. If the canopy comes out of the bag on heading consistantly, it's hard to pin the problem on the container or bag. However, if teh opening feels different after that point, you may want to look at things like the rubber band stows and pilot chute. Is the PC the same size as the one you were using before? FWIW, you should be able to stop the spin with your rear risers without having to release your brakes. The rears are a much larger control surface than a toggle

I believe RI was the first to release them around '86-'87. The first pair I saw had standard size rings on them. VSE on Facebook

Being a VW nut, and having recently blown my motor up, and being the manufacturer of your rig, I would like to request a slot on this load BTW, if you want to start to part the car out, go here: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zeroforum?id=812

Hi David, we recieved your order June 19th, the day after our embroiderer left for a two week trip to China with her family. Naturally, that's going to make a 3 week deadline tough since embroidery is the first step in producing a rig. If we don't make the deadline by a few days, we'll work with you on the fee, but don't call "foul" until the party's over VSE on Facebook

I know you specifically mentioned canopy manufacturers, but just as an example, some of our hardware costs have more than TRIPLED in the last 4 years Some critical materials have been harder to get in a timely fashion also. VSE on Facebook

When one set of risers is loaded, the other set gets moved over to the side and out of the way

Hi Alan, give us a call tomorrow and we can get you squared away- 253-445-8790

How about "Shart"?

True, but the poster seems to have the belly band snug in the pics, but there is a fair amount of space between his body and the edge of the backpad (where the belly band is sewn in) that will make the belly band loosen considerably when the main is out of the container. Like you said, routing it under the MLW, and tying into the center of the backpad, would eliminate the geometry change. And nothing's perfect. And.........I could be wrong

Is that your rig? Have you tried to pull the rig off when the legstraps are close to our knees? I suspect that you'll still be able to pull it off, but I could be wrong

Correct. Early throw out pilot chute systems had the pilot chute mounted on a belly band "where it could be seen" and easilly grabbed for deployment. However, it was quite easy to accidentally twist the belly band when donning the rig, thereby giving yourself a pilot chute in tow upon deployment. As far as interferring with a BOC, depending on where the hardware is located, and the length of the excess strap, a loose end could find it's way near the bottom corner of your rig, making it a bit more difficult to deploy the pilot chute.

OMG!! NERD ALERT!!!!!!

I was working for a major canopy manufacturer for the 240 knot drop tests that I mentioned previously. VSE on Facebook

I really would like to know where this information comes from. I know from first hand experience that a standard safety stow freebag works at up to 240 knots (276mph), so it's proven well beyond the speeds that the vast majority of skydivers will ever see (even accidental reserve deployments while free flying). Blaming a reserve failure on line dump after an accident (without some sort of video evidence) is pure speculation and should not be stated or accepted as fact. (Bag strip, on the other hand, could actually be witnessed by the bag leaving the jumper without lines coming from it, or a canopy coming out of it when it's the right distance from the jumper.) Deathtrap has the sequence of events correct, and I'm not sure where there can be some confusion. Additionally, even IF all the lines were to come out of the stow pocket, in order for their weight to pull the locking stows free of the safety stow, they would either need to be stuck together, or be at line stretch. There is no way that a loose coil of line floating in mid air (or laying in a pack tray) can have enough force to pull a locking stow free. Imagine a chain 10 feet long coiled up on the floor- it might weigh 20 lbs., but the only way you're going to feel that weight from one end of the chain is if it's all hanging from the end link. The speedbag is not a "bad" design, and Jump Shack surely believes in it. Personally, I don't think it's necessary, and it does complicate the packing and manufacturing procedures a little. Realistically, if you're packing a speedbag equipped reserve that you didn't pack previously, you should replace all the rubber bands to assure they are the required mil spec. VSE on Facebook

10/10 So what's your next rig going to be? VSE on Facebook