axelandr

Do you mind posting the direct link..? I looked around the PIA site but couldn't find any docs with pack volumes.. OR, do you know of a similar, but updated, version of the pdf you attached..? Alex.

I found myself in the same situation coming off student status - being quite tall (6'3") and around 200 pounds it was hard to find a decent used rig which would fit me properly, so I opted for a new rig. To keep as many options available in one rig as possible I did the following: Got an Icon i5, built to fit most canopies in the 150-range. This meant that it would normally have no problem going up or down 1 size, which basically gave me a container for canopies in the range of 135-170 sq feet. Now, in addition, seeing that I couldn't jump a 170 straight off student status, I bought a 188 Pilot ZPX. The ZPX fabric packs about 1 size smaller so I have never had any problem fitting it into my container.. It increased the range of my Icon to 135-190 sq feet and gave me a rig which offered 3 potential downsizes without changing my rig.. Even going into a fairly aggressive downsize scheme would bring the rig up to about a 1000 jumps before considering to change it.. Good thing is that it holds the size of reserve in the upper range - I put a 175 Smart into it, which would basically mean that I could put a 190 Optimum (packs smaller) into it as well.. (That doesn't change that I just sold my Icon to get a Vector a couple of weeks ago, but I have kept the same mindset ordering the Vector.. it was just a more educated/informed choice after jumping the Icon for 170+ jumps and knowing more what I was looking for) By playing around a little with pack volumes and container sizes you should be able to get a custom rig which will allow for you to downsize at least two times.. If you're getting ready to jump a 170, get a container built for 150 and you'll be able to go to a 135 the day your skills allow it.. Packing shouldn't be a problem - just invest some time in it (pack pack pack on your living room floor!!!), get familiar with your own equipment, get good advice from your local heroes and you'll pack that shit in no time!

Highly recommended if you're into freeflying.. Mikey is an exceptional coach and a great guy to hang out with.. just did 5 hrs with him in iFly SF and it couldn't have worked out better!

+1

I visited Lodi a couple of weeks ago, jumped quite a bit and in general I really liked the place.. true, there is a couple of things an inexperienced jumper should be aware of before going, but nothing big if you know this in advance.. pro-activity, as mentioned before, is the key.. nobody will permanently hold your hand at Lodi, but you might get them to do for a little bit until you get the sense on how Lodi works.. just ask!

although I'm nowhere near to going HD yet, I did some FF-coaching with PJ Jackson in DeLand just before christmas. He's really a cool guy with LOTS of skills and could probably be your man if you decide to go to DeLand, FL. He also took me to the Orlando tunnel where he's allowed to coach inside the tunnel. Good fun, great guy, learned a lot! Alex.

Have you tried emailing Sandy at AD about that? maybe she can hook you up with someone in your area who can offer you a free/discounted re-pack next time your due.. In my emails with her she clearly said that this mod is suppose to be at no cost to the users, and I would say that having to do a re-pack prematurely is something they should consider making up to you. Specially seeing that there were no need to pop the reserve in the first place.. Try emailing her, she's always very helpful (from my experience) and answers fast! Alex.

they didn't touch mine either.. I specifically asked this before shipping it out and my rigger assured me that popping the reserve would't be necessary. It's a quick fix, took a little less than an hour and only involved modifying the tuck-tabs.. Alex.

Just got mine back - turnaround time of 6 days w/ shipping(!), thanks to Sandy/Herman at AD and Mike at Chutingstar! SkyDesign in Norway was also brilliant in making the matter a priority. Good to be back in the air..

Mike and Chutingstar offers amazing customer-service.. I have no idea how he put up with me during the 3-4 weeks it took for me to complete and finally place my order.. newbies have A LOT of questions taking a quick look at my emails, he probably answered about 70 times without even being sure to get a sale.. and he answered quick!

1+ :) probably not very helpful as you say there isn't any more money left for buying stuff, but Mike is indeed great! alex.

Just picked up my new Icon i5 from Chutingstar.. so far put around 10 jumps on it and I'm very happy with it and how it turned out :) here's a couple of pics for you... they're a bit fuzzy, but you get the general idea of how it looks :) alex.

keep emailing emaling emaling.. eventually say that you're gonna come to spain and pick up your suit and whatever else you feel entitled to as compensation.. alex.

I'm sorry to say that I gad the exact same problem with Matter.. I ordered a suit in early May, estimated delivery time 6 weeks. After a while Matter stopped answering my emails. This was around estimated delivery time and as weeks went by my suit didn't show up.. I tried calling, emailing ad mass, but it took a long time before they finally answered that the colours I ordered wasn't in stock. they would however provide me with a new suit free of charge, which would be produced and shipped within a week. This never happended, so now I was 2 suits short somewhat.. After about 4 1/2 months the first suit showed up. Everything ok, except the huuuuge delay. I insisted on the 2nd suit as to make up for the time waiting, and this finally showed up this week. Two times Matter sent me the wrong tracking-number, as a statement of shipment. This wasn't hard to prove wrong however, as it didn't correspond with my emails and info given. All in all I got 2 suits, but I would much prefered that the actually delivered the suit I ordered and PAYED for in early May. I would not order from them again, mostly because of the shitty customer service and lack of transparancy and honesty towards me as a customer.. Alex.

I somehow seriously doubt that, or consider it quite a phenomenon. then again, if you've seen it with you're own eyes it's kinda hard to contradict.. normal going max heart rate however is somewhere just above 200 bpm, depending on age and such, so to me 300 seems a bit to high to sound believable.. but fun stuff, I think I'll wear my Polar for one of next jumps to see what part of the jump really excites me the most.. I think it might be the ride up and the last couple of mins before the door opens.. alex.

sounds good, beer is on me if we find each other there - just look for a tall, blonde norwegian with a shiny new Icon on his back a.

sounds good.. any of you guys who'll be around in the 2nd week of December? I'm flying in from Norway to pick up my rig at Chutingstar and enjoy some days at Skydive The Farm.. would be cool to have someone to jump with, solos not really my thing.. ;) alex.

yup, that's what I thought.. oh well, might throw in a trip to NC or Orlando then.. anyone want in? :)

ah, that's what I thought.. after a bit of googling however, this link always turned up but it seems like it might be an automated site which puts in whatever town you write in the google searchfield.. http://www.windtunnelskydiving.com/locations/georgia/Georgia-Atlanta/Atlanta-indoor-skydiving.html but I guess that one is a no go then.. alex.

I'm flying into Atlanta in December to pick up my new rig at ChutingStar and would like to get some tunnel-time done while in the area.. anyone know of a good place to go? would also like some suggestions when it comes to coaches in the area, as I'm a total newbie, I have never flewn in a tunnel before.. appreciate any help, Alex.

thanks for all answers, I've done a bit of research now and decided to go for an XZP-main in any case, which actually solves my problem without any issues at all... as for questioning my reasons for wanting an I5 over the I6 I think I explained them pretty well in my first post, so no need for the sarcasm.. I'm not getting the size smaller for cosmetic reasons. When it comes to resale and whatnot, I reckon there would be no problem selling a container made for a 190-main.. However, that was half the reason for my original question - I couldn't care less if a 190-container is easy to sell, I would like to keep an expensive custom rig for as long as possible, and hopefully trough 2 complete downsizings.. I don't really get the need to question that in a sarcastic tone.. Alex.

I'm seriously considering buying a custom Icon I5 and I'm in the final stages when it comes to deciding on options and canopys and whatnot.. I need some input on the cosmetic design, however.. Could anyone with a fairly new Icon post a pic of the rig? I'd really like to see some different versions, colors etc.. I know there's a thread on this already, but the rigs are all from before AD changed their setup, meaning you can no longer have the arrow pointing downwards(V-design).. I'm not a big fan of the new design but maybe someone has more of a creative side than me and has already come up with a killer look! :) thanks Alex.

ok, so I read up on this thread http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3766147 and it more or less answered all my Q's.. seems I have to go for an Pilot 188 ZPX if I want a confirmed fit.. anyone know about the Sabre 2/Saffire? Alex.

So, my heading says pretty much everything. I'm looking into buying an Icon I5 but would like to know if I can fit a 190-canopy... Will it be a problem putting for instance the Sabre 2 190 into this rig? I know it's not officially supported in the I5 as it only "supports" canopys in the 150-175 range, but I also know that most containers normally fits a size bigger and smaller without too big a problem.. could someone please confirm this? :) Reason for wanting to do so is that I would like to keep the rig as long as possible, seeing I'm buying it new. If a rig might survive downsizing two times I would much rather buy it than getting one which would only let me downsize to 170.. If anyone from Aerodyne (I've noticed your quite active around here) would like to contribute, please do! I would very much appreciate the input.. The reserve would probably be the Aerodyne Smart 175. Alex.