piisfish 135 #1 October 18, 2006 From one recent skyhook thread in the gear forum, it seems a part of tandem equipment is/was called crystal ball. What is this ball ? On which equipment is/was it used?scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #2 October 18, 2006 The crystal ball was the RSL handle on the Vector Tandem and the Sigma. The original one was clear (thus the crystal ball moniker), then they became white, now they are gone - replaced with the yellow tab because of the Skyhook.Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 135 #3 October 18, 2006 was it used to release the RSL ?scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USPA 0 #4 October 18, 2006 No It was intended (apperently never used) as a secondary reserve handle, since on a tandem you couldn't use the reservehandle with your right hand. (passenger was in the way). Making the reserve handle a loop made the ball redundant. Also the ball frequently interfered with the 3 ring system, making it possible for the system to lock up. (don't know if this ever happend during a live cutaway). Also for the trivia: The yellow tab didn't replace the crystall ball, it was always there.The trouble with skydiving; If you stink at it and continue to jump, you'll die. If you're good at it and continue to jump, you'll see a lot of friends die... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 135 #5 October 18, 2006 any pictures/diagrams available ? so if I understand correctly the ball is a duplicate for the reserve handle, but on the other side ?scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USPA 0 #6 October 18, 2006 see: http://www.relativeworkshop.com/pdf_files/09121.pdf For a picture See: http://www.relativeworkshop.com/pdf_files/09351.pdf Page 14 for function explanationThe trouble with skydiving; If you stink at it and continue to jump, you'll die. If you're good at it and continue to jump, you'll see a lot of friends die... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 135 #7 October 18, 2006 It is Crystal Clear now thank you scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #8 October 18, 2006 QuoteThe yellow tab didn't replace the crystall ball, it was always there. You are correct sir! I mis-spoke - pulling the yellow tab would disconnect the RSL, pulling up and out on the crystal ball would deply the reserve. Thanks for clearing that one up.Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
psychoswooper 2 #9 October 21, 2006 QuoteNo It was intended (apperently never used) as a secondary reserve handle, I personally know of 2 cases of the ball being used . And these were pre-Cypres days, so 4 fatalities were averted. You can see my post about them on the " skyhook downsides" thread Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites USPA 0 #10 October 21, 2006 I read it, that's why I used "apperently" instead of just never. Did you contact Bill Booth already on those cases? And were they on Vector II ? In case, they're still redundant now... :)The trouble with skydiving; If you stink at it and continue to jump, you'll die. If you're good at it and continue to jump, you'll see a lot of friends die... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites NelKel 0 #11 November 6, 2006 Sup? Actually if you looked at the Vector II system you will notice the crystal ball is a direct link to your reserve pin, and the reserve loop is a secondary attachment to the reserve pin. You will probably have to inspect the system for clarity of my statments, but for a T-I exiting the aircraft and going strait to reserve handle will activate the reserve, however it will confuse the T-I because he will most likely not be able to complete extract the reserve cable. The way it was made would prervent extraction of the entire cable because it would jamb shortly after clearing the reserve loop. The reserve pin (connected to the crystal ball) would jamb against the cable housing._________________________________________ Someone dies, someone says how stupid, someone says it was avoidable, someone says how to avoid it, someone calls them an idiot, someone proposes rule chan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skydiverek 55 #12 November 6, 2006 QuoteA -I exiting the aircraft and going strait to reserve handle will activate the reserve, however it will confuse the T-I because he will most likely not be able to complete extract the reserve cable. The way it was made would prervent extraction of the entire cable because it would jamb shortly after clearing the reserve loop. The reserve pin (connected to the crystal ball) would jamb against the cable housing. From Bill Booth: "I designed this RSL 25 years ago in response to problems associated with the conventional ripcord-cable-through-ring method. It is still the only RSL system that does not damage the reserve ripcord cable each time it is used. However, it was not an attempt to build in a "ripcord stop". The Velcro joint on the reserve top flap and static line lanyard, should allow the static line pin to rotate, and the reserve ripcord eye to slip off, before the pin is anywhere near the housing." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites NelKel 0 #13 November 7, 2006 should allow the static line pin to rotate, and the reserve ripcord eye to slip off,<<< Skydiverek, In a perfect world? the key wording in Bill's statment is "should allow". I happen to know for fact it has happened. It has caused the T-I to take a second look at what he pulled, relax a bit during reserve inflation, then we told a rigger about the inability to completely extract the reserve cable. We looked at the rig, still opened, and found the reserve pin all the way up to the cable housing preventing the complete extraction. Once we pushed it back and forth a bit it slipped off. So it can happen, and has happened. Ofcourse this is little potatoes, because the reserve pin will clear the loop regardless of weather the Crystal ball or the reserve handle is pulled._________________________________________ Someone dies, someone says how stupid, someone says it was avoidable, someone says how to avoid it, someone calls them an idiot, someone proposes rule chan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Pablito 0 #14 November 7, 2006 The crystal Ball goes only on the Tandem Vector 2 and the sigmas equipped without a Skyhook. If the sigma has a skyhook the crystal ball is highly recommended to remove it. Cielos Azules Pablito "If you don't overcome your fears they will overcome you first" Shady Monkey/6Segundos Rodriguez/AKA Pablito Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skydiverek 55 #15 November 7, 2006 QuoteIf the sigma has a skyhook the crystal ball is highly recommended to remove it. And here is WHY, since someone is probably gonna ask: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=626144#626144 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
USPA 0 #10 October 21, 2006 I read it, that's why I used "apperently" instead of just never. Did you contact Bill Booth already on those cases? And were they on Vector II ? In case, they're still redundant now... :)The trouble with skydiving; If you stink at it and continue to jump, you'll die. If you're good at it and continue to jump, you'll see a lot of friends die... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NelKel 0 #11 November 6, 2006 Sup? Actually if you looked at the Vector II system you will notice the crystal ball is a direct link to your reserve pin, and the reserve loop is a secondary attachment to the reserve pin. You will probably have to inspect the system for clarity of my statments, but for a T-I exiting the aircraft and going strait to reserve handle will activate the reserve, however it will confuse the T-I because he will most likely not be able to complete extract the reserve cable. The way it was made would prervent extraction of the entire cable because it would jamb shortly after clearing the reserve loop. The reserve pin (connected to the crystal ball) would jamb against the cable housing._________________________________________ Someone dies, someone says how stupid, someone says it was avoidable, someone says how to avoid it, someone calls them an idiot, someone proposes rule chan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverek 55 #12 November 6, 2006 QuoteA -I exiting the aircraft and going strait to reserve handle will activate the reserve, however it will confuse the T-I because he will most likely not be able to complete extract the reserve cable. The way it was made would prervent extraction of the entire cable because it would jamb shortly after clearing the reserve loop. The reserve pin (connected to the crystal ball) would jamb against the cable housing. From Bill Booth: "I designed this RSL 25 years ago in response to problems associated with the conventional ripcord-cable-through-ring method. It is still the only RSL system that does not damage the reserve ripcord cable each time it is used. However, it was not an attempt to build in a "ripcord stop". The Velcro joint on the reserve top flap and static line lanyard, should allow the static line pin to rotate, and the reserve ripcord eye to slip off, before the pin is anywhere near the housing." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NelKel 0 #13 November 7, 2006 should allow the static line pin to rotate, and the reserve ripcord eye to slip off,<<< Skydiverek, In a perfect world? the key wording in Bill's statment is "should allow". I happen to know for fact it has happened. It has caused the T-I to take a second look at what he pulled, relax a bit during reserve inflation, then we told a rigger about the inability to completely extract the reserve cable. We looked at the rig, still opened, and found the reserve pin all the way up to the cable housing preventing the complete extraction. Once we pushed it back and forth a bit it slipped off. So it can happen, and has happened. Ofcourse this is little potatoes, because the reserve pin will clear the loop regardless of weather the Crystal ball or the reserve handle is pulled._________________________________________ Someone dies, someone says how stupid, someone says it was avoidable, someone says how to avoid it, someone calls them an idiot, someone proposes rule chan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pablito 0 #14 November 7, 2006 The crystal Ball goes only on the Tandem Vector 2 and the sigmas equipped without a Skyhook. If the sigma has a skyhook the crystal ball is highly recommended to remove it. Cielos Azules Pablito "If you don't overcome your fears they will overcome you first" Shady Monkey/6Segundos Rodriguez/AKA Pablito Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverek 55 #15 November 7, 2006 QuoteIf the sigma has a skyhook the crystal ball is highly recommended to remove it. And here is WHY, since someone is probably gonna ask: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=626144#626144 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
