illusioneer 0 #1 September 18, 2007 In an effort to slow my free fall speed, I am thinking about getting a camera suit with wings. My range now is 135mph to 155 mph... to fast for rw. Do you think a camera suit is a good option? Does anyone have any ideas for me? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VideoFly 0 #2 September 18, 2007 The problem with RW with a large-wing camera suit is the sudden lift you’ll get when reaching for grips. Even with a tight and close grip, your wings provide excessive lift unless you keep your elbows against your ribs. With some practice, you can compensate with your legs and arch, but other jumpers might have a hard time moving with you. A small wing suit might help but it might place you in a somewhat vertical position, kind of like a mantis, but with some force pushing you backward when you want to be driving toward the center of the formation. You might want to try a good old balloon suit with ample cloth between the waist and underarms, which may be better to give your entire body more lift. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrenchyDiver 0 #3 September 18, 2007 Rather than a camera suit, you could consider a suit with swoop chords. Basically it gives you kind of a mini wing between the mid upper arm to under the armpit when you pull on the chords. That would be a more suitable solution than a camera suit. Hispas Brothers President HISPA #2, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildcard451 0 #4 September 18, 2007 QuoteIn an effort to slow my free fall speed, I am thinking about getting a camera suit with wings. My range now is 135mph to 155 mph... to fast for rw. Do you think a camera suit is a good option? Does anyone have any ideas for me? Jesus man, what do you weigh? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #5 September 18, 2007 QuoteQuoteIn an effort to slow my free fall speed, I am thinking about getting a camera suit with wings. My range now is 135mph to 155 mph... to fast for rw. Do you think a camera suit is a good option? Does anyone have any ideas for me? Jesus man, what do you weigh? Brandon, if you click on his screen name, you will find his canopy size and wing loading. With some easy math, it isn't that hard to figure you, you lazy f#ck.50 donations so far. Give it a try. You know you want to spank it Jump an Infinity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
illusioneer 0 #6 September 18, 2007 268lbs and falling Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 0 #7 September 18, 2007 QuoteDo you think a camera suit is a good option? Nope. Wings and taking grips don't mix. rehmwa has posted a couple of times about jump suits for big guys. Do a search. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #8 September 18, 2007 Get in touch with BIGUN. He's a member of the Anvil Brothers and may have some good council for you. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #9 September 18, 2007 The best advice is to call up a suit manufacturer, and talk to them. I don't recomend camera wings. They seriously impede tracking, which can make break-off tricky. I also don't recomend swoop-cords - these are designed for "swooping", or more accurately - late divers who need dive at a high fall-rate and then slow down quickly. This isn't what you're looking for. You're looking for a suit that just plain helps you fall slowly. A while ago I ordered a "big boy suit" from Tony Suits, and was very happy with what they came up with. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildfan75 1 #10 September 18, 2007 Quote rehmwa has posted a couple of times about jump suits for big guys. Do a search. Bill's wife, Kim is Skimmer Suits. She makes a suit called "The Big John" designed from making a suit for a guy at their home dz with a "very healthy fall rate". I almost had a Big John on order but we figured that it would be too much suit for me. Kim did an awesome job on my suit and I now have range. If I went low on something before, it was over for me, and now I can get up. If nothing else, visit her website (www.skimmersuits.com) and take a look at it. If you have someone local, print out pictures, show them, and ask if they can do something like that. Swoop cords will also help slow you down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #11 September 18, 2007 QuoteI almost had a Big John on order but we figured that it would be too much suit for me. Kim did an awesome job on my suit and I now have range. Credit where credit is due, wildfan - Let's not forget your huge improvement in using the proper mantis body position to add range to your fall rate. Especially on the slow end. Your skill and technique is another big reason you're flying so well lately - making us locals very proud, BTW. So I'd like to credit Skimmer's design (it's good in the areas I think are important), but you've personally had a great year and are flying better all the time. These threads, I normally talk about body position and suit features (but no particular brand, I really hate the blatant advertising some do on here), but the OP can search on those. Good luck to him. Illusioneer - here's one post on the topic. In the end, you have to find out what works for you. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2945121#2945121 ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerwink 0 #12 September 18, 2007 Quote 268lbs and falling I hope you realize that unless ALL your gear is TSOd catagory D you are you are operating in the danger zone and way over the limits of your gear. Quote Wink Down To Earth Inc. Master Rigger Parachute rigging is simple. It only has to be perfect. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
illusioneer 0 #13 September 19, 2007 it is 300 lb gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #14 September 19, 2007 A guy that I used to jump with was over 300 and around 6'5". He had a big cotton suit. A panel sewn in between the thighs that covered half of the area towards the knees. Lots of wing under the arms and swoop cords to bring out the extra fabric. He didn't have a lot of lateral movement, but he could do in-place turns and had a 120 fall rate. Our last jump was a rotating spider with him in the middle doing 90 degree turns. Find a good suit maker and mention the crotch panel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnskydiver688 0 #15 September 19, 2007 According to your profile you jump a 280 Navigator with a 1.07 WL that puts your exit weight at 299.6 which is right on the edge of the TSO.Sky Canyon Wingsuiters Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
illusioneer 0 #16 September 19, 2007 uh....yup it does, but I am actually down a few lbs from there Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #17 September 19, 2007 Quoteit is 300 lb gear! that's heavy gear ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
