On the other hand, it would be nice if SEI moved its handles in line with the rest of the tandem industry (i.e. second drogue release handle on lower left). That would make it easier for national aero clubs to take over the role of training new TIs.

Last summer our Twin Otter visited a DZ that uses Strong rigs. I'm sitting on the bench wearing my Sigma, and as the Strong guys stand up to walk down the aisle, I almost grabbed their arms to tell them their shit was falling out of the main containers. It took me a second to realize that's what the rigs normally look like. Nasty!

It is not what the rigs normally look like. It is what they look like when worn by lazy TMs.

Tuck tabs really give me the gripes - they can dislocate in freefall and beat the crap out of your ears. Have tried many things to stop it, but had me wishing for Vector velcro.

Sigmas are the only way to go. Anything else is sub standard.

I asked Jesse about the riser covers (and the reserve ripcords being too short, zero slack), he said, "our Eclipse's don't have that problem."

I'm really wanting to see what Aerodyne has in the works for their new tandem system they're working on. I know that their canopy offering (A2) really impressed me, the first tandem canopy I've jumped besides the Sigma 370 that I would gladly jump or buy to put my own system together. So I have high hopes for their forth coming system.

However, they're going have to work really hard to make it compare or surpass the Sigma system, especially with the new updates for the Sigma (some introduced at this years PIA and the Skyhook released at the last PIA).

I hate getting Drouge slammed

What is drouge slam? Drouge slam can happen on any tandem rig if the kill line is not mantained properly. On the Vector's, Sigma's and the Eclipse as soon as you pull the drouge release handle the drouge collapses and the drag from the bridle and the collapsed drouge pull the bag out of the container. This is commonly refered to as the trap door and makes for a very smooth and soft transion from freefall to canopy deployment. With a Strong rig the drouge does not collapse until the canopy is out of the bag which results in drouge slam every time you pull the drouge release. Which is that sudden jerk that you feel until everything starts to slow down once the canopy is finally out of the bag.
With the invention of the Super drouge this proplem has been virtualy elimintated.
Hope this answers your questions.

I asked Jesse about the riser covers (and the reserve ripcords being too short, zero slack), he said, "our Eclipse's don't have that problem." Um, thanks. That's really helpful. He said he would take a look at the ripcords, but never did.

I think the primary reason I like the Eclipse rig is the price and the Icarus mains. I HATE the tuck tab riser covers. I'd say they come undone and try to beat me about the face on 80% of my jumps on that rig.

I might put PD's Sigma mains in them if they lined them w/ Vectran.

Less bulk, less weight, less chance of bag strip. Downside they don't last as long as Dacron.

What about the Dacron's ability to stretch to take a shock?

I don't believe there's been any instances of bag strip when the recommended stowing proceedures were used (tandem tube stows on the locking stows, wide tandem bands on the rest). Although I could very well be wrong.

For the price, the Sigma is hard to beat. It may cost more up front, but is cheaper to maintain. It is a much nicer rig. If I was buying tandem rigs, I'd buy Sigmas w/ PD-R's and Icarus mains. I might put PD's Sigma mains in them if they lined them w/ Vectran.