BUBLHED

Don't see a problem with that as long as your line stows are correct. Until they are released bag size shouldn't matter. (within reason) after they are released it's coming out of the bag anyway. OP your plan sounds reasonable. You could also try to find a used PD reserve. Have it inspected but not very likely a problem if there weren't too many deployments on it. A 4 year old cypress isn't a bad way to go also. Just thinking out loud get what you want!!! ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

just got my .dst file back. I think it came out good and will look really cool on a black reserve flap. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

Skyhook will only do anything if there is a cutaway. If you have a total (bag-lock, pc in tow) then you will be pulling silver at terminal. (maybie slightly less) Heel up dude we'll be waiting for ya. Good luck get better. Edit to add: Even if you cutaway a bag lock, your reserve will be deploying at or near terminal. high speed + fast opening = increased opening shock. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

"Some people actually do hold on to a bigger canopy for several years." True I can't argue that as I stayed at the same size for a long time. In my second rig. However I think that more often than not that isn't the case. i also feel that downsizing at the smaller sizes is slower. You keeping a 150 might be differant than the OP keeping a 170. He may very well want to be on a 150 in a relatively short time. He may not. If you can afford it great! For me it wouldn't have been wise. I also got that first used rig pretty friggin dirty. I would have hated to do that to my shiny new Vector. Just starting out I would spend all my money gaining experience. The more often you do something the quicker the learning curve and I would chose to stay in the air. But then again I've never had alot of cash to do what I've wanted. OP get what you want and what's safe for you no matter what any of us think. Just my opinion YMV ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

"I only plan on downsizing one size (nothing dramatic) And once I start jumping the 170 I plan on using that rig for several years. I don't plan on downsizing the 170 for at least 2 to 3 years until I am extremely proficient at the Sabre2 170." Famous last words. That is very easy to say now but you may feel very different at 150 jumps or so. "used gear could have unforseen issues, and the resale value wouldnt be nearly as much for a newer rig." Have it inspected by a good rigger to avoid unforseen issues, Resale is much higher if you buy used. You can jump a used rig for a year or two and sell it for almost what you paid for it (I did and sold for exactly what I paid) That would be virtually impossible on new gear Yes a new rig would work great, but so will a used rig. The smart thing is to buy used, get some more experience, then you'll be able to make a much more informed decision. I'd bet that every single one of us has changed there meaning of what the perfect gear is a thousand times as our own personal experience grows. INHO save some money get a good used rig now, start saving for new and in a year or two order what you want then. After a couple of hundred jumps. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Reply To: I always move my chin downward touching my chest in case I get slammed. This is done more to avoid neck injury though. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- That's about the worst thing you could do. With 25lbs of head hanging out in front of your spines neutral position if slammed by a 10 or 12g opening you are seting yourself up for a cervical fracture.(broken neck) keep you head neutral above your shoulders that is the way your spine can most absorb impact. To the op, The brain has incredible abilities to recover. give yourself the time to get better. You are very young take the time to heel first and jump second. BSBD ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

I'm saving for new gear now myself, but if it comes to it I'll pitch in. If the gear store did file a claim and except payment they will have to reimburse there ins company for moneys paid out or otherwise the gear belongs to the ins. company. Unfortunatly you are in possesion of stolen property and I don't think you have a leg to stand on. Most likely again the ins. company owns the gear and hopefully someone will take your situation into consideration as to what happens to it. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

See an ENT and have a cat scan to make sure that there is nothing structually wrong with your sinus passages. Moving will probebly help so you might just tough it out and see if a climate change helps. other wise sinus meds or surgery or both. so I think: tough it out, then if that doesn't help see an ENT. PS I have done Mri and Cat scan for the last 25 years. I've seen my fair share of people in your situation. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

More Balls than BRAINS !!!!! SMF ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

I would think that the dealer would have filed a claim on there insurance to recover some or all of there loss. If it was me I would call them and tell them what has happened, including faxing them your Ebay records. They will most likely be able to work something out with you. The gear has lost significant value and they (if having recieved an insurance claim) would benefit from working a deal that you both can live with. Good Luck!!! Ps, If they do work it out I'm sure that you'll let us all know about it on here. That would really say alot for them and would be good advertisement for there business. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

If it wasn't too small I'd be into it. It's 8 years newer than my last rig.(also vector) Looks to be in good shape for the price probebly can't beat it. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

i used to be a parachute rigger in the army and i started skydiving in Georgia and bought this rig from a guy that was stationed at Fort Benning with me, I dont know how many jumps it has on it, my guess is alot, I only jumped it a few times in Georgia then I moved to Alaska and stopped jumping due to hunting up there!! and now i hunt so much i am completely giving up jumping for now.......but anyways....(i know the main canopy is out of date, i cant remember the regulation for an out of date reserve) the data block pics are not very great, i could not locate a data block on the pack tray, but here is the info on both canopies: RESERVE: Model-Raven; 185; Manufacturer PPC Feb 94 (the repack log only logged 12 repacks) MAIN: Model-Falcon; 195; Manufacturer PPC May 94 The Pack tray is a Vector and is in great condition!! i couldnt find a data block for the pack tray anywhere on it, so I dont know about it... anything else man just give me a call and i can give you the info if i know it.......256-577-1307 This is the return email I recieved from him. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

Exciting, yes. ...However, have you ever read Bill Booth's Theory of Constants? I personally, am ever even more amazed, by that. No matter what we do, we just can't seem to get away from that. Kind of like the saying of "build it even more idiot-proof, and all that produces is bigger idiots"? It unfortunately at least seems to just be, one of those most basic, and intrinsic, human nature - absolute truth's I have to agree with that. I'm just trying not to be one of them. Who knows? Maybie it'll work. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

I'm not a TI, I can speak as a large person who had a small TI. I did the tandem progression years ago. At the time I was 6'3" and 230 lbs. my TI was 5'8" 165. He had absolutely no problem stabilizing us in freefall. What's amazing is that this was after some incredibly bad exits. We were in a C-206 so climbing out on the step HE was the passenger. When on the step ready for exit in order for me to make enough room for him I was curled up into almost a ball. It was impossible for us to do anything but a backloop of the step. Before the third jump the DZO and my TI were discussing my bad exits with me. We went to the mockup and after getting into position discovered the only way for us to have enough room for any kind of poised exit I would have to have my right leg hanging of the step. We still had to leave slightly to the side but were able to get decent exits. This was in 1986, I know that flipping exits are common now, but at our DZ back then they were frowned upon. So even with horrible exits it can be worked out, and a small TI with good technique can make a good instructor for someone much larger than themselves. Hope this helps you or any TI from the passengers perspetive. PS He taught me the flare on the way down and we both flared for landing. Nice easy stand-ups every time. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

I agree that it needs to be fairly big. I'm looking at the reserve flap for the skull. It is being converted into .dst format now, so I'll have to see how it looks then. PS like the bird. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

Thanks. I understood (even if in type I don't explain it well) how the Skyhook works. I didn't however get how the RAX attached. The picture clears things up alot. I don't know how to rig them or install them, but I do "get" how they work, why they work and what they can do for me. I am saving for my vector 3 now. Not because of the Skyhook but IMO that is a bonus. I like Upt products, find them comfortable, user friendly, and it's hard to argue the research and quality that is put into them. Thanks to everyone here that takes the time to actually help and pass on there experience. I will always strive to learn. If I inadvertantly ask or say something that keeps one person safe then I'll be really happy. Especially if it's me. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

Here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqxjHOSKTT0 JerryBaumchen Nice !! Thanks J.B. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

Yeah a little hard to read, but I like the detail especially the fine lines in the Liberty. Nice looking rig. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

That's hot. I like that it's such a different design. Two thumbs up !!! ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

Thanks for the reply. There are sequenced pics of a DRX activation on the Mirage website. If you didn't know better from the pics, it looks like a Skyhook sequence. Blue Skies and Happy Holidays!! ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

So the 2 other MARD systems that are emerging do not have a Collins Lanyard. Good to know. Thanks for the update. In researching for my next harness/container system,I've seen the DRX sequence pics from Mirage. What is the other MARD system? I find the engineering aspect of our equipment fasinating. I think it's a really great time in our sport. Things seem to be advancing at a much faster pace. Very exciting from my point of view. I realize that some things will be great and some will not, but still very exciting. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

Your post sure does sound like it is directed at me personally. You may want to re-read what I have said. I never said wait to get stable after a cut away. I said arch as you were taught. Do you somehow find arching during and immediately following a cut away a bad thing? "Whatever .....New guy" my FJC was in 1986 yep new guy. I agree that a rsl wont make a huge differance unless you really need it, but isn't that what were talking about here? If you really need it I truely hope that you have it. Point is an rsl has the potential to save you more than to hurt you, especially a mard system. IMO And yes by the way I am well read. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

"stuff to do so as not to get killed skydiving" list Skyhook is available on Javelin also I believe. Mirage has there own system called DRX coming out soon that is pretty much the same thing. Most likely changed just enough to not be a patent violation. UPT has other Manufacturers liscensing the Skyhook but as of yet I haven't heard anyone say which ones. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

I don't know of one specifically but one way that can happen is if when cutting away, only the rsl side riser disconnects. You would still have the main attached by one riser and a good chance of an entanglement. Using a system with a collins lanyard helps to solve this problem by helping to ensure the non rsl riser disconnects. This is an important aspect of the Skyhook system. That is basically a RSL with a Collins lanyard, and a faster reserve deployment system. I believe Mirages DRX system is doing the same basic thing. With either of these systems even under a violently spinning mal the reserve is out so fast that it SHOULD prevent the problems you are concearned with in your original post. Don't forget to arch as taught though. All in all for ME a mard system (Skyhook,Drx) is a worthwhile addition to my gear, although as of yet discounting student jumps I have not used a rsl. I am currently saving for my Skyhook equiped V3. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

If the straps are the correct length and just the padding is to short then no biggie. As AD said email the pics I think Mirage will definately take care of you. They wouldn't have to change the harness just add correct length padding to the leg straps you already have. ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!