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Skydiving Gear and Equipment: Altimeters, Audibles and AADS: Airtec GmbH : Cypres 2 : Reviews

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has contributed 4 reviews

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(Review ID:1941)

30 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

Best AAD choice in my opinion
Rated by: 377 on 2008-02-20 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Cypres 2 in Unknown Tag: 'cat_linked'

Pros: Time tested basic design with improvements
Cons: Expensive, high maintenance costs

We have all been there, CYPRES 1 expiring soon, thinking about becoming a rigger so you can sign your own pack cards keep your CYPRES 1 in your rig for another decade (cause ya just know it isnt worn out), etc, etc. Sooner or later reality sets in. You bite the $1xxx ++ bullet and make a choice for a new AAD purchase. To me it isnt even a close call. I want the product made by the company with the most experience in skydiving AADs. That company is Airtec. Look at that 777 that crashed short of the runway in London a few weeks ago. The software controlled engines wouldnt respond to to pilot or autopilot commands and the 777 essentially became a glider. 777s have been flying a long time, but some new combination of events came up and a malfunction occurred. Cypres 1's have been around long enough that all the big bugs have already been worked out
(RF interference, rate gate set too low for extreme swoopers, etc). Cypres 2 is a very mature product and as an electrical engineer I REALLY like that. I also like Airtecs attitude as shown when they had misfires on a plane (C 130) used in one of the Thailand Huge Ways. The misfires or lockouts were not really the fault of the AAD (aircraft pressurization problems) but Airtec immediately dispatched a rep to Thailand with replacement AADs. No other AAD mfr was as responsive. They also (in conjunction with SSK, their US affiliate) test test and test. They are always looking for potential faults and ways to improve. When I was at WFFC one year they had black box pressure sensing recorders strapped to volunteers to investigate what happens on a high speed tumbling exit. Will a VIGIL or other cheaper AAD work OK? Yes, they will, but for my money I want the oldest most tested basic design available even if it is less than state of the art (Hey Airtec, don't you think it's time to upgrade that ancient seven segment LCD display?). I know Airtec will support the product and that they have a very solid company in the US )(SSK) so that not everything has to go to Germany for work. I talked shop with the SSK folks and I was very impressed with all the circuit and software design choices made by Airtec. Every AAD design has had misfires, but Airtec has the lowest rate in my expereince. Airtec claims that no Cypres properly set up has ever failed to fire when needed. That sounds pretty eextreme, but I am glad if it's true. Was I tempted to buy an AAD that was cheaper or had no factory maintenance requirements? Sure, but then good sense kicked in and I bought a Cypres 2. As an electrical engineer and a father with two kids I wanted an AAD that was well engineered and would deliver my kids' Dad to the ground alive if everything went wrong. I have had two cutaways but never an AAD fire. All things considered, I chose the Cypres 2 as the best AAD solution for me: mature, well designed and well supported.

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(Review ID:1598)

11 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

A Potential Lifesaver
Rated by: bob.dino on 2006-07-17 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Cypres 2 in Unknown Tag: 'cat_linked'

Pros: Reliable, proven,waterproof
Cons: Not the cheapest solution

The Cypres2 does what it says on the tin: it fires at 750ft if you're still descending at over 35m/s.

With more documented saves than the competition, the Cypres2 has proven itself to be very reliable over time.

The only downside to owning one? Its lifetime cost is a little more than some of its competitors.

If you're in the market for an AAD, it comes recommended.

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(Review ID:1404)

25 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

I had to dive for this one
Rated by: sumdumguyinpoo on 2005-10-13 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Cypres 2 in Unknown Tag: 'cat_linked'

Pros: ok if it gets wet
Cons: dunno

While driving down a state highway one night, I got clipped by a drunk driver on a turn. His car forced mine off the road and into a creek. I was relatively uninjured, but as soon as I was out of the car it sank like a brick. I did what any straight thinking skydiver would do and dive down for my rig. It was some task to find in the dark and underwater, but I got her out. If you could have seen the look on the state troopers face when he saw me soaked with my equally wet rig slung over my shoulder you would not have been able to contain your laughter. After all was said and done, I went and had everything checked, dried and repacked. The Cypres II was fine, not so much for my cell phone.
I have never been in a position where I needed to use my AAD, but I do feel a bit safer that its there. It has never fired on me, nor have I ever seen one fire w/o good reason. Now stuff happens and nothing is flawless... seriously, we jump out of planes for fun and we all knwo the risk. I would rather have it there than not. But as I have come to understand it, there is a higher risk for swoopers and high performance canopy pilots. I am neither. But what I cna say is that for every DZ I have ever been to and for every person I have ever asked, they all, save one, have recommended the Cypres II. So if experienced skydivers are telling me to use one and DZO's are recommending them, then I am going to continue to use it until somethin' better comes along. I hope this helps.

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(Review ID:1197)

6 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

shopping
Rated by: pjrigger1 on 2005-02-12 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Cypres 2 in Unknown Tag: 'cat_linked'

Pros: leader in AAD's
Cons: intiial cost

I have been shopping for an AAD. These guys seems to have been the leaders in the market. More costly than some others available on the market. I believe I will bet my life on this one. It will cost more in the short term, but piece of mind and the history these guys have is comforting. I did have a chance to meet Girard in Eloy AZ a few years back. He was out in the field checking on his products. That says alot to me.
MM

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