Praetorian 1 #1 February 9, 2004 What is the benefit of Soft/cloth/S-links VS "traditional links" any downside? My PD reserve (being shipped to me as we speak so I haven't seen it yet) come with "rapid links" what are these? any reason to worry/consider replacement? Good Judgment comes from experience...a lot of experience comes from bad judgment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #2 February 9, 2004 Rapid links are the metal links with the barrel threads. Short answer, Slinks are much stronger. Long answer...well, you might want to do a search, they've been talked about a LOT. Personally, I swear by Slinks on my main AND reserve.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Praetorian 1 #3 February 9, 2004 Ok so I should check for info before asking questions I just found multiple threads covering this never mind (unless you want to weigh in on the rapid links part) Good Judgment comes from experience...a lot of experience comes from bad judgment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #4 February 9, 2004 QuoteOk so I should check for info before asking questions That's a very good rule of thumb. Just about everything has been covered, some things have been covered more then once. If you can't find the answer to your question with a search or the found threads didn't answer your question to your satisfaction, then please feel free to ask! Never be afraid to ask a question, but a lot of the time you'll find that its a good question and its been asked before.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GroundZero 0 #5 February 9, 2004 Rapid(e) links are metal links. Both do an excellent job on main or reserve. Ask your local gear sales/rigger types and you'll hear differing opinions. But the only important part is they both do an excellent job. Chris (I prefer soft links, unless I have to change canopies to risers often... then I love Rapide links!) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nightjumps 1 #6 February 9, 2004 Ya know as big as we are, I am usually a laggard on new, smaller stuff. I've done the homework, I've looked at them, I helped a guy at SD chnge out his link to slinks, I went out after him and watched the deployment... But psychologically... it just don't seem right for us biguns, man. Guess I just need to suck it up and try a set. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
linestretch 0 #7 February 9, 2004 My preference is the rapid links due to ease of use and I don't like my slider coming past the links on opening, especialy when doing camera. I don't want my slider anywhere near my camera. If I never jumped with the camera, I would most likely have the slinks, they are nice.my pics & stuff! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grega 0 #8 February 9, 2004 ease of use You need a wrench for that "ease of use" I find soft links easier to use than rapid links. Have you tried PD soft link stoppers? they prevent slider to get past soft links."George just lucky i guess!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #9 February 9, 2004 QuoteMy preference is the rapid links due to ease of use and I don't like my slider coming past the links on opening, especialy when doing camera. I don't want my slider anywhere near my camera. If I never jumped with the camera, I would most likely have the slinks, they are nice. Have you tried the new PD slinks slider stops?...they do work nicely and prevent the slider from dropping down. Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #10 February 9, 2004 Slinks are stronger, lower bulk, easier to install (no tools, torque stripe, or lock-tite), inspect (they don't loosen up), and maintain, have the option for slider bumpers (that don't wear out as quickly as silicone bumpers) to prevent the slider from coming down past the links if desired, have been proven by use in the field to fail less often than rapid links (in fact, I haven't heard of properly or even improperly installed Slinks failing), and they do not damage the slider grommets which then damage the canopy's lines. Slinks are better than rapide links in every way. Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
linestretch 0 #11 February 9, 2004 Quoteno tools, torque stripe, or lock-tite ok, I'll give you the wrench part, but the rest? Whatever..... It's a personal opinion. I'm sure I'll step up to slinks someday, but am happy with the rapid links. When I go in due to a failed rapid link, be sure to put everything I said in here in the incident forum, otherwise, to each is own! (rapid's don't break down like slinks either....)my pics & stuff! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #12 February 9, 2004 Quote(rapid's don't break down like slinks either....) please expand on this.... Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TimDave 0 #13 February 9, 2004 Slinks are like suspension line. It will wear out at some point. The steel rapide link should last longer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #14 February 9, 2004 Yeah, but when a Slink fails, it fails on opening, it doesn't just bend open and hang onto your lines, possibly releasing your lines at 50ft on final. That, IMHO, is one of the best reasons to use a Slink.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #15 February 9, 2004 QuoteSlinks are like suspension line. It will wear out at some point. The steel rapide link should last longer. In theory, but so far this hasn't proven to be the case. Too many times tightening and loosening Rapide links and eventually they wear out. I would (and did) replace Rapide links or Slinks for each re-line of the canopy. Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grasshopper 0 #16 February 10, 2004 QuoteYeah, but when a Slink fails, it fails on opening, it doesn't just bend open and hang onto your lines, possibly releasing your lines at 50ft on final. That, IMHO, is one of the best reasons to use a Slink. and one of the best reasons not to use it on your reserve.________________________________________________________ Abbie drove me to Idaho and all I got was this lousy sigline Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grega 0 #17 February 10, 2004 Quoteand one of the best reasons not to use it on your reserve. You missed the post saying that Slinks are stronger than rapid links... And since neither rapid or soft links for reserves aren't weared, soft links are better for reserve too!"George just lucky i guess!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeemax 0 #18 February 10, 2004 i could be wrong, but doesn't PD say not to use slinks on a reserve?Phoenix Fly - High performance wingsuits for skydiving and BASE Performance Designs - Simply brilliant canopies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #19 February 10, 2004 no - it says to only use PD reserve Slinks on its their reserves and not ordinary Slinks. (or for that matter Slinks made by any other manufacturer). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeemax 0 #20 February 10, 2004 Thanks for clearing that up, i knew i'd read something about it.Phoenix Fly - High performance wingsuits for skydiving and BASE Performance Designs - Simply brilliant canopies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #21 February 10, 2004 Quoteand one of the best reasons not to use it on your reserve. Its not your normal slink, either, the Reserve Slinks are recommended by PD to use with their reserves, since they are many times stronger then the metal rapid links and stronger then the normal Slinks. I use them and swear by them on my personal gear.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DShiznit 0 #22 February 10, 2004 Then for the paranoid, why not use reserve slinks on your main? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 563 #23 February 10, 2004 PD Reserve Slinks work great on most main canopies. The only disadvantage with Reserve Slinks is that they are so much bulkier that it is difficult to install Slink Hats. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DShiznit 0 #24 February 10, 2004 Quote Slink Hats. AKA slider stops? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 563 #25 February 10, 2004 At last count, at least five factories were building reusable soft links: Parachutes de France, Performance Designs, Precision, Flight Concepts and Aerodyne. Parachutes de France invented reusable soft links back in the mid-1990s. French soft links wrap twice around and have stainless steel rings on the end. Performance Designs solved the last piece in the puzzle when they used a lark's head knot to connect their trade-marked "Slinks." PD uses a folded piece of tape for an end lump. PD introduced two versions of Slinks. Heavy-weight Slinks - with yellow stitching - are specifically labelled for reserve and tandem use, while lighter-weight Slinks are made for main canopies. Precision Aerodynamics was third with their "Wrap-It" link that resembles a PD Slink except that Precision uses brass rings. Precision is unique in that their Wrap It Links go three times around. Flight Concepts solved the whole patent issue by simply tying a large ugly knot in the end of their "Cinch Links." Hah! Hah! Flight Concepts is unique in that they are the only factory that has not certified their links for reserve use, though I did encourage them to include Cinch Links in their current program to certify a new reserve canopy that will hit the market this summer. We'll see ... Finally, Aerodyne introduced their version which contains the best of both worlds. From a distance Aerodyne links resemble P.deF. links, but they use a lark's head knot like the rest of the manufacturers. To date we have only heard of one failed Slink and that was caused by a rough edge on a slider grommet. Doo! We have also heard of one accident caused by a steering line catching on the end tab of a Slink, but that was caused by an odd-ball method of stowing excess steering line ... The bottom line is that reusable soft links are stronger than steel, easier to install, but only last as long as a set of lines. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
