has contributed 12 reviews

(Review ID:897)

11 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

I like it

Rated by: tinfoil on 2004-01-07 (user profile) (user reviews)

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

Pros: Good Looking (don't trust the picture), Safe, Excellent CS
Cons: Nothing I can think of

I've been jumping that Talon rig that was made a few months before they started calling them Talon2's (I can't see the difference between them) for a few months.

All the flaps are well secured, done a little bit of FF with it and nothing came open. Less then an inch of bridle showing on my container.
The main is easy to pack, and seems to have the worlds shortest closing loop. On my container the loop is attached to one of the flaps, not to the bottom of the main packing tray. It’s different, but it works.
You rigger might need a little skill while packing the reserve, right now my left riser cover pops open all the time because of how the reserve bridle of folded. Its an easy fix I’m sure but a pain when you on a trip.
The few times I needed to call the company, they have been very helpful and friendly, answered all my questions.
I think it’s a great rig, made by a great company. My next rig will definitely be made by Rigging Innovations Inc.

Oh, and the Velcro toggles are great, all the excess break line is stowed between the toggle and the riser, but it doesn’t touch any of the rough Velcro.

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(Review ID:409)

4 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

My very first Rig!!!!

Rated by: lazerq3 on 2001-10-24 (user profile) (user reviews)

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

I purchased the Talon2 T4 with the multiflex option and just love it. Granted I'm really new to the sport and havent jumped a lot of diff containers but this is a great rig. I mainly fly formation but have recently started learning FreeFlying. A couple of times I've tumbled ass over end trying to learn a new position and never had any problems with the tuctabs(riser covers),or with the reserve flap coming out!!The bridal exposure from the right flap to the boc pouch is minimal( approx 1/2 showing), and has never came out. I pack a PD170 main/ 181RavenDash M reserve. Both fit very nice with plenty of room to downsize. Very comfortable container. Little hint: get a nice sturdy plastic brisel brush and brush it off after the days jumping and it will look like new everytime you bring her out!!! A well groomed rig is a happy one!!!

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(Review ID:391)

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

Talon2.....the only one for me

Rated by: flipper on 2001-09-21 (user profile) (user reviews)

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

my first rig was the old style talon....it worked well and fitted pretty good as well. when it came to time to get a new rig i went for the T2 with hip rings...when i first gott the rig the rings squeaked a bit ...i have now done about 500 jumps on the rig...i have a tempo 150 reserve in it and a stiletto 120 main....it fits very well and is very comfertable...on the one occasion that i have had to use the resrve it was right there within a couple of hundred feet....no worries..i do mainly freefly and have never had any of the covers open in freefall...i cant say this for the other rigs i have tried ...(jav..vector...etc etc etc )...to sum it up...i reckon that i wont ever own any other type of rig ...

flipper

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(Review ID:136)

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

Cost-effective, comfortable, well-designed, easy to pack and visually appealing.
Rated by: Brett Parker on 2000-01-12 (user profile) (user reviews)

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

I purchased a new 'Parachutes Australia' Talon 2 a few months ago. My previous rig was a Racer Elite. I echo the other comments - the Talon 2 is cost-effective, comfortable, well-designed, easy to pack and visually appealing.

I particularly like the monkey-grip PC handle, BOC bridle cover, elimination of velcro and the riser tuck tabs. I find the chest strap to be rather higher on the torso than on the Racer, so the alti can be right in your face under canopy. The 3 rings are also right at the top of the shoulders when you wear the rig.

The walrus teeth on the main top flap are a bit thin, and may distort. PA provide an RSL with every rig, which may or may not be your preference (the APF requires every Aussie jumper to use an RSL or AAD).

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(Review ID:137)

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

Fix for problem with opening of the reserve pin cover.
Rated by: David Wertheim on 2000-01-03 (user profile) (user reviews)

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

I've had the same problem with opening of the reserve pin cover in vertical positions. My rigger got in touch with Rigging Innovations and they came up with a solution.

On the reserve pin cover they attached an elastic band which is tightly tucked under the top stiffener (where the end of the reserve pin is tucked under the fabric pouch). Forgive me if this might sound vague, but English is not my native language. If you just take a look at the rig will be clear, otherwise I could send a picture to those of you who might be interested.

Since then I've had no problems with exposed reserve pins. Reserve activation is not limited by this modification as I experienced last year.

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(Review ID:138)

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

Offers safety, comfort, fit and style in a rigger friendly package in a range of prices that makes i
Rated by: Alan Binnebose on 1999-12-24 (user profile) (user reviews)

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

Since 1991 I have purchased five Talons. My two most recent are Talon2's. Over the years I have been lucky enough to be able to jump many of the major brand rigs available today, including the Javelin, Racer, Mirage, Vector, Eclipse, and even a Dolphin. I keep coming back to the Talon. Why? Value for the dollar. I have yet to find another rig that finds the balance between features and price.

I currently jump two Talon2's. One has a fully articulated harness and the other has the standard harness. The ringed harness is very comfortable and flexible, but squeaks when you move. I have found the standard harness to be just as comfortable at a much lower price. The only rig I have found to be more comfortable is the Racer. I feel that comfort is a function of fit. When you buy a Talon, make sure you get one that fits you and it should be comfortable. The Talon2 is available in a broad range of sizes, making it easy to find the right combination of main/reserve containers and harness fit. One of my rigs has the floating leg pads while the other has the standard leg pads. They are both comfortable and I can't honestly say I have a preferance.

I find that the style of the Talon2 is appealing. I know it may seem trivial, but I want a rig that looks good. The Mirage rates number one in my book here, but the Talon2 offers plenty of style options that enable it to rival any Rig for good looks.

The Talon2 is a very rigger friendly unit. It has a straight forward design with a single pin reserve that can easily be packed with a minimum of tools and effort. I prefer not to have any of my reserve exposed, including the top of the reserve pilot chute. Is there an advantage in deployment speed when you have a Pop-Top type of reserve? Possibly, but I am not convinced. I believe the spring and packing method are more critical. When packed properly, the pilot chute of my Talon2 deploys to the full extension of the bridle when activated on the ground. It needs to be fully compressed in the indent created by the molar reserve freebag. This also presents a neat appearance and ensures that the reserve tuck tab stays in place.

Safety is a major concern of mine when selecting a rig. I have a high level of comfort with the Talon2. Velcro has been eliminated with the excetion of one small patch on the bridle. Speaking of the bridle, there is little or none of it exposed. If you choose the BOC protector flap option, it virtually eliminates any exposed bridle. I have compared the kill-line bridle and pc that come with the Talon2 to the Monkey Fist and prefer the Monkey Fist because it is shorter, wider and stiffer which seems to give it less of a tendency to twist up. I have never had a problem with the tuck tabs on the riser covers or the main closing flap. I am guessing that I have over 500 jumps on my two current rigs, including some sit and head down jumps and even some funneled zoo loads and everyting has always stayed in place. I have the hybrid cable housings on one rig and hard on the other. Both seem to perform about the same when performing the "three blokes test".

One thing I think is often overlooked when discussing the Talon2 are the velcroless toggles. I really appreciate the slender design of these toggles. They are easy to stow and they stay put. The top tab is fully covered by an elastic stow that prevents the slider grommets from dislodging them while pulling the silder down and collapsing it. The slim profile also makes it easier to pull the slider past them without hanging up.

I have also found the customer service at Rigging Innovations to be superior. They are not alone in that category, but if I had ever had poor service from them, I doubt that I would be as loyal to them. The bottom line here is they are prompt, friendly and they deliver.

In summary, I have found the Talon2 offers safety, comfort, fit and style in a rigger friendly package in a range of prices that makes it an excellent value.

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(Review ID:139)

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

Talon 2 has a five to eight year technological lead on most other rigs.
Rated by: Rob Warner on 1999-12-01 (user profile) (user reviews)

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

I have been jumping Talons since the '94 Talon was introduced ... even worked at the Talon factory when it was still in California. I still jump a Talon 2 because it provides the best combination of fit, flexibility, reliability and ease of packing.

Fit - the first time I jumped my '94 Talon, it was the first time I didn't notice my rig in freefall. Unlike all my previous rigs, I no longer had to struggle with the harness. My '94 Talon was just "there" somewhere near me in freefall. The rounded edge, floating leg pads on my Talon 2 are the same way. They are just "there", out of the way when I walk to the airplane and providing just enough padding that I don't notice them under canopy.

The Talon 2's biggest advantage is it technological leadership. While other manufacturers are taking the first stumbling steps in learning how to build ringed harnesses ("articulated" for those who like big words), Rigging Innovations has been sewing ringed harnesses for 8 years. Sure R.I. took a while learning how to size ringed harnesses early in the learning curve, but that was a long time ago, The Talon 2 is still five to eight years ahead of its competitors. Speaking of being ahead of its competitors, the Talon 2 is way ahead when it comes to tuck tabs! Most of the other manufacturers are still trying to retrofit tuck tabs to existing designs. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and start from scratch when designing a container to incorporate tuck tabs from the start.

I like packing Talon 2 reserves because the fifth generation freebag makes it so easy and your rigger does not have to waste time fussing with any obsolete flaps. Would I buy another Talon 2? Probably not. If money is tight next year I will probably buy an R.I. Genera because it has a better main pin protector flap and its fixed harness is almost as comfortable as hip rings at a fraction of the cost. If money flows smoothly next year I will probably invest in an R.I. Voodoo because again it has a better main pin protector flap and the latest in fully articulated harnesses (hip and chest rings for people who like small words) for head-down flying.

In conclusion, I like my Talon 2 because it fits great and is easy to pack. The gear freak in me admires the fact that my Talon 2 has a five to eight year technological lead on most other rigs.

Rob Warner
FAA Master Parachute Rigger
In case this sounds like a factory endorsement, remeber that I bought my first '94 Talon BEFORE R.I. offered me a job at the factory.

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(Review ID:140)

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

Not as flashy as the new Mirages, but, in my opinion, a far better value.
Rated by: Jim Jette on 1999-11-08 (user profile) (user reviews)

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

Size Tested: T2 w/ hip rings
main: Sabre 135
reserve: PD 143

I have owned two different Talon 2's. I liked the first one so much I got another when I downsized.

Fit - The ring harness is very comfortable both in freefall & under canopy. 15 min CReW jumps were no problem for me. The rings do squeak against the buffers when you walk to the plane.

Features - The feature I appreciate most is the Talon's almost total lack of velcro. Riser covers have tuck tabs and stay put in deep channels. The tuck-in reserve flap is low profile to minimize snagging a line. The main flap closes firmly & easily with tuck in "walrus teeth" -- again no velcro. I never had anything come open on me, although I usually belly fly.

Packing - On some of the larger sized rigs (T5+) I've noticed the mains pack kind of funny and the corners of the deployment bad protrude up by the reserve. My T2 packs very nice. Main closing loop is anchored on the bottom flap -- not at the base of the pack tray -- so you will have problems using too small a main. The reserve bag is molar shaped, forcing your rigger to do a visually pleasing pack job.

Other Stuff - Most riggers frown at the soft cutaway housings -- Rigging Innovations will supply you with the parts to retrofit a used rig with hard housings for $20-30. Their service was friendly and prompt when I ordered my housings. They even helped me determine if a rig I wanted to buy out of state would fit by referencing serial numers of the rig I owned & the one I wanted to buy.

Overall - Rigging Innovations makes a solid and reliable rig. Not as flashy as the new Mirages, but, in my opinion, a far better value.

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