JALUV2

Mike is a well known rigger but he cant help every jumper in the US with your rig. I think that good riggers are familiar with the rigs that that are on their DZ. unfortunately for you you really dont have any over here. I think that people end up buying a rig that is not only popular with the other jumpers at their DZ, but what their riggers recommend. Im not saying you have a bad rig. Just saying that it will be a pain and a long wait for people if there are major fit issues or a manufacturing defect that made it past your quality control. Dont tell me that will never happen. It happens to all manufactures, that is why riggers inspect brand new rigs when they first put them together for people. Take the Atom for instance. The only ones you see in the US are the ones the European jumpers bring over. They are a really good rig, but your not going to find to many US jumpers buying them. They are not familiar with them and don't know enough to trust or not trust them. You may make the best rig in the world, but I dont think you will do very well in the US, unless you open a shop here and get them out to DZ's so jumpers can demo them and see that they are as great as you say they are. Good luck though. After 3 years of selling gear at SQ1...if a person was buying a US made rig from Overseas. They had already seen and demo'd that type of rig on a trip to the US. The majority of them also came here to pick them up. A lot more europeans come here then US jumpers going there. Can we demo your rig? DO you have them available at gear stores for people to jump them and make a decision based on there own experience with the fit, comfort and most of safety of the rig? Might help your cause if you could make that happen.. I have a feeling you may be wrong about this. With Mike backing the product and his outstanding customer service it might just catch on. I am the only one @ my DZ with one and it is definitely peaking peoples interest! Most of them have had nothing but good things to say about the rig and I am sure Mike may be getting a couple more orders soon! but I do agree they seem to be leery about something from France as time and parts come to mind. All I know is that Mike can get them to me if needed in a timely manner! It took 22 weeks for my custom Vector 3 from florida but only 8 weeks all the way across the ocean for my "7"

This is my "Seven" and I absolutely love it! What I think is cool about mine is that If I get sick of the colors I have now, I have the option to add more or different colors to mine by switching out the pilot chute and freebag. I was sold on getting one after I had the opportunity to pack Mike's own personal Seven when I went through his riggers course. I received fantastic service from both Jerome and Mike! I was expecting to get it in 12 weeks but it was at my door in 8, How awesome is that?

I had doubts before also but my Core works great and is just as accurate as my N3 audible

Wow such a harsh judgement! I must admit that the pictures of stock rigs that you see and the colors are not optimal and pleasing, but Jerome does allow you to custom order and choose the colors! I love mine and have gotten a lot of compliments so far. It seems that people are reluctant because it is from france and out of the country but I can tell you first hand that it is an awesome container and will be my next when I downsize. I have custom ordered 2 different containers so far a vector and a Basik, between the 2 Basik wins hands down on time delivered and with a perfect fit! I know that chuting star is the only U.S. dealer and if you have any concerns about that you shouldn't! Mike is an awesome guy and will make sure you get what you want! Also, I had the opportunity to pack Mikes own personal Basik 7 when I went to his riggers course and I can attest that there are no gimmicks just amazing innovations that are well thought out and simple! thats why I bought mine two weeks after the riggers course and couldn't be happier!

I received my 7 about a month ago from chuting star and I would like to say that I absolutely love my new 7! I could write about this container in some length but I think what Mike Gruwell said in blue skies magazine has it covered. http://www.basik.fr/en/images/blueskiesmagazine_seven_mikegruwell.pdf%B2.pdf Also I received my new container well before expected and could not be more pleased with the service I received from chuting star, I believe they are currently the only U.S. dealer. Jerome had some questions about my measurements being a little off and adjusted them to his specs after contacting Mike and myself and it fits absolutely perfect! I believe once more people see this container over in the U.S. it will take off! I know the next time I downsize or need a new container it will be another 7 Great Job Jerome and a special thanks to Chuting Star for making it happen!

I was thinking about asking the same question about getting a tacsew machine. I am going to bring in some canopy material and test this tacsew gc6-6 http://industrial-sewing-machines.com/sewmach/mach_detail.asp?brand=Tacsew&Model=GC6-6&ProductType=Industrial+Straight+Stitch+Machines I can get the whole setup brand new with table, light and an adjustable servo motor for $600 Anyone else have any info or comments?

(unless I misunderstood at the time...) That's the stuff that I've used ever since getting a chance to talk to BB. As a relative newbie, I figure I'll listen to my elder's until I have a good reason to do differently. But that's just me. The only caution he gave me was that (at the time) ACE also sold a Silicone Spray Adhesive in a similar can. Make sure you know what you have in your hand! JW I saw this exact can at a local ACE HARDWARE and upon reading the ingredients list on the back of the can it states that it has "Acetone" in it and I put it right back on the shelf! No way was I going to purchase anything that has acetone in it and put it anywhere near my rig! I will be looking and searching for the food grade silicone, perhaps the SCUBA silicone that some have mentioned will do the trick. Just a heads up! Acetone is extremely volatile. Therefore, if you spray it on a rag, and wipe in on the cables, it will have vaporized long before you can even reinstall the cables. Also, acetone doesn't hurt nylon so it's not realy an issue regardless... Thanks for the heads up, I did not know that! I just knew that the wife uses acetone to remove nail polish and I thought it was in the lubricant itself...So it sounded dangerous.

(unless I misunderstood at the time...) That's the stuff that I've used ever since getting a chance to talk to BB. As a relative newbie, I figure I'll listen to my elder's until I have a good reason to do differently. But that's just me. The only caution he gave me was that (at the time) ACE also sold a Silicone Spray Adhesive in a similar can. Make sure you know what you have in your hand! JW I saw this exact can at a local ACE HARDWARE and upon reading the ingredients list on the back of the can it states that it has "Acetone" in it and I put it right back on the shelf! No way was I going to purchase anything that has acetone in it and put it anywhere near my rig! I understand it evaporates very quickly but it is in there along with propane, petroleum distillates, napthenic oil, and ethanol. So I will be looking and searching for the food grade silicone, perhaps the SCUBA silicone that some have mentioned will do the trick. Just a heads up!

Another thing to consider is the ability to raise the visor. I tried a cookie gas and it was a wonderful helmet but I could not raise the visor to clear my ears under canopy and during this time of year my allergies act up and If I don't equalize my ears they will be blocked for weeks.

Yes that is a loop on the cutaway handle. Upon trying the rig on it does not appear to stick out that far but seems like it would be really nice in the event of a cutaway. Also the reserve pillow is bigger than the one on my Vector 3 and has a more positive feel to it. this is the way it came I did not special order it that way and I have yet to jump this rig but it sure feels nice! Also there is a friction adapter on the leg straps, I like the way it is set up but time will tell how much wear it will cause on the leg straps without careful consideration when taking off or donning. all in all it appears to be a top quality rig with a lot of innovative features!

I just got my new 7 in from Chuting Star and it looks awesome! I had the opportunity to pack the reserve on Mikes own personal 7 when I went down for the senior riggers course and I just had to have one! The wait was supposed to be 12 weeks but I got mine in just under 8 weeks! Just need to pack my main and can't wait to try it out! Great job Jerome and Great service through Chuting Star! Also thanks to Warren Cleary for the nice clean reserve pack, Looks good Warren, It better open! lol

Very Good Advice, especially the bite your tongue part, Unless of course you really want to punish yourself! However I can guarantee you one thing... You will become an expert at PLF's

I know this is my 1st post but I thought it was appropriate to start my new account on a positive note! I recently attended Mike Gruwell's Senior rigger class at Chuting Star. Mike ran an organized, well structured program from start to finish! It was not an easy task as a newer jumper and someone not used to playing the game "Twister" on a 2 square ft. surface 12 hours a day using muscles the normal human would never use in a lifetime! I also have put a new spin on the word "grueling" as in, It was a Gruwelling experience to put yourself in these types of awkward body positions for so long! On a serious note, Mike ran an outstanding program with great instruction and knowledge. He took the extra time needed to accommodate me and my needs. He transformed me with little experience and a lot of doubts, into a confident senior rigger! (yeah I know a license to learn, I will be working locally with a master rigger in my area.) Anyone interested in getting their senior riggers rating should not hesitate to attend Mike's class in the future! It was well worth my time, money and effort to get this type of top quality instruction! If anyone would like to ask questions or would like any further information about my experience feel free to ask! A Very Special Thank you goes out to: Jack Hammer, Warren Cleary, Miki Baranowski and all the other fantastic people I met at Chuting Star and STF P.S. I would also like to thank Hans Paulsen for the offer to stay in the bunkhouse at STF during my stay there! No offense Hans but I probably wouldn't have finished the class if it was not for the relaxing/rehabilitation time I had to spend in the Holiday Inn Express hot tub after Mike finished torturing me throughout the very long days! LOL Thanks again Mike for all you have done for me, especially the opportunity and hard work you had to do in order for me to test out for my ticket before I left!