ArmitageShanks 0 #1 January 31, 2004 It seems to me that BASE PCs that have no load tapes on the canopy fabric seem to get a lot of criticism (even though the PCs DO have load tapes on the mesh). However, I can't believe that an outfit like Vertigo, for example, would sell PCs like that if they were not up to the job? From what I know of Vertigo, they really have their design and production quality dialled-in, and they are super-experienced jumpers (no, I do not work for them!) I have jumped a zp PC with no load tapes on the zp, 8 load tapes on the mesh, BASE, and it was fine. I know there are a lot of people jumping them, and those people must be happy with them. So what's the story? Are we wigged-out by a design that we don't really understand? Are load tapes on the canopy really necessary, or just "the norm" in BASE? (Go check out your skydiving PC, if you still have one... you won't find any load tapes on the canopy of that, just on the mesh. That works fine time after time at 120mph plus...) If you're BASE jumping PCs like this, what do you think? If you're building BASE PC's like this, why? Just curious... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BASE813 0 #2 January 31, 2004 I posted similar to this a while back as I was selling my Vertigo PC's and no one would touch them - due to non load tapes on the ZP skin! - many jumpers reasons for this was mis-informed and thought they could "blow up" - but if you take the PC to the delay it was designed for then this is not an issue. I stopped jumping my Vertigo PC's and bought CR AV PC's coz after watching alot of video and watching my pitch I found the Vertigo Pc seemed to skate around alot compared to load taped / AV PC's - but saying this I have since looked at my log book and taken some analysis and my findings were as follows: On heading to 45 degree - 90% of jumps AV v's Non AV 50/50 this was during me jumping load tapes v non load tapes - and I only put 10 - 15 jumps on my vertigo PC's - but I had about a 50/50 on my vertigo PC's on off headings v on headings - to be honest I changed them because I saw too much video with them skating around compared to spoked PC's being more solid - but on / off heading results differ to these findings. In my low time opinion off headings are caused mainly due to: 1) wind 2) body position not in any order! PC and packing i think has less to do with off headings than these two aspects - but they will encourage off heading if those two aspects are effecting............. just my thoughts (maybe more experienced would like to fuel more debate!) Most people i spoke to thought non-load taped could blow on deployment but I have only heard on one instance of this when someone took a 42 to 10 secs - (and lived) - I dont believe this to be an issue if used at the correct delay - I think it more to do with the "skating" I have found! I look forward to the more experienced views on my views............. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfarris 2 #3 February 1, 2004 QuoteIf you're BASE jumping PCs like this, what do you think? I jump a Vertigo 46". Have only used it 30 or so times from 1-2 seconds. I don't think 30 jumps on one particular PC is enough to say one way or the other. But it has worked thus far. Plus it matches my rig colors. I think I'll keep it. Rod Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Faber 0 #4 February 1, 2004 QuoteIn my low time opinion off headings are caused mainly due to: 1) wind 2) body position not in any order hmm perhaps packing skills aswell Stay safe Stefan Faber Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
base704 0 #5 February 1, 2004 Send 'em to me...I'll jump 'em Meant as a reply to 813...You can get a lot more done with a kind word and a gun than with a kind word alone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3ringheathen 0 #6 February 1, 2004 I was never concerned about PCs blowing up. I always thought the load tapes were to promote symmetrical inflation/reduce distortion of the fabric, thereby reducing oscillation and improving heading performance. Hopefully someone with experience building and testing PCs will weigh in here. I'd ask on blinc, but I'm still having trouble posting over there. -Josh If you have time to panic, you have time to do something more productive. -Me* *Ron has accused me of plagiarizing this quote. He attributes it to Douglas Adams. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andrewstewart 0 #7 February 4, 2004 I'm still waiting for the pilot-chute analysis that BR did on the hundreds of jumps off that particularly big building... Never been published, as far as I'm aware :-( Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #8 February 4, 2004 QuoteI'm still waiting for the pilot-chute analysis that BR did on the hundreds of jumps off that particularly big building... When I asked about that project while giving my PC data to Annie at the exit, her response was: QuoteWe'll make all the data publically available to whoever wants it. When I later asked Annie about the PC data she had collected her response was: QuoteI refuse to discuss the research of this shop with our customers. Dwain later told me that as far as he knew, the data suggested that vented ZP and F-111 were about the same, and unvented ZP was noticeably worse. I realize that knowledge is profit. But sometimes, it's also life--and I think that's more important.-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andrewstewart 0 #9 February 4, 2004 QuoteI realize that knowledge is profit. But sometimes, it's also life--and I think that's more important. Yeah, it's dissapointing from BR. Still, they released the tailgate into the public domain, so I guess they're about even :-/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
