Bluhdow

Neither, just a shitload of boxes. Winner. Apex BASE #1816

Thank you everyone for your input on the container - very much appreciated. Any thoughts on main canopy selection? As I mentioned above I really like the Sabre and prefer it over both the Pulse and Spectre. Anything else out there worth checking out that will fly similary to the Sabre? The main reasons I like it more are: 1. Preference for 9 cell over 7 cell. 2. I have a slight aversion to the hybrid construction of the Pulse. It's not a deal breaker, but it's on my mind. Thank you again! Apex BASE #1816

Coming in for a ridiculously soft, easy landing is very cool. Being able to do that even when you are making an off-landing in someone's yard or whatever is very cool. Haha, then I stand corrected. I will be cool in freefall AND landing softly on my feet under canopy beneath a reasonable wing. Apex BASE #1816

What's the cutoff year for "modern?" I know there are freefly issues with older rigs unless they've since been modified. What would be the hurdle DOM for me to get over? Thanks! Apex BASE #1816

Don't worry about it too much. I've read the downsizing debates on these forums ad nauseum and was actually witness to a horrible swooping incident. I'm well aware of the dangers of downsizing too quickly and intend to focus my attention on being cool in freefall, not under canopy. Apex BASE #1816

I do plan on following Germain's general guidelines. A 190 would be loaded around 1:1 for me. As my skills (presumably) advance I would expect to work down to a 170 within the same container. I appreciate your input but I'm not completely clear on the takaway. Is it that the Javelin allows more flexibility when downsizing compared to the Infinity design? Thanks! Apex BASE #1816

Well, the Infinity's closing loop is on bottom flap. You go bottom to top, top to right, right to left and close. The Javelin had a "tounge" (for the lack of a better word and/or understanding) that had the loop on it coming from the top of the packing tray. Under the reserve. The tounge had to be pulled over the bag, then through the same sequence (bottom, top, left, right). Maybe not all Javelins are like this. Maybe I'm not remembering the container type correctly. But I'm fairly certain it was a Javelin and this closing style threw me for a loop (pun!). Apex BASE #1816

So I'm looking to buy my first rig and I've read every article I could find on the subject. My research has answered most of my questions but also brought up some new ones. Here's what I've been able to piece together so far but I'd like to see if there's anything I'm missing. Now I know that the first post will likely be "Ask your instructors/rigger." Trust me, I will before making any purchases, but I've got to stat somewhere. That being said, here's where I'm at: 1. I'm definitely buying used. I'm not sure how long I'll be jumping my initial setup and I'd also like to learn how to clean/maintain gear on a less expensive used setup. 2. I'm looking for a container that will fit a 170-190 9 cell canopy. Most of my jumps have been on an Infinity container so I'm very partial to those. I've got a little bit of time on a Javelin and I didn't love it. I don't like the unique closing sequence. My question here is, what other containers out there are similar to Infinity in style and packing? Is Javelin the only oddball? 3. As far as a main goes, I've jumped Pulse, Spectre, Sabre. I'm comfortable with all of them but prefer the 9-cell Sabre out of the three. Are there any other canopies out there that would fly similarly to the Sabre? 4. I've got no reserve experience so I'm basically flying blind here. Anything I should be aware of in this area? 5. No experience with AADs aside from turning them on at the start of the day. I've familiarized myself with the difference models, maintenence schedules, etc. Any purchase would go through a rigger's pre-inspection of course. Anything else I should be taking into consideration as I browse the classifieds? Thank you for your guidance, much appreciated! Apex BASE #1816

Thank you all very much for the step through clarification. It is greatly appreciated! Apex BASE #1816

Would anyone care to elaborate on the malfunction itself? I'm still new and I'm not sure what would cause a step through during packing. I've done a few google searches but nothing very clear presented itself. Thanks! Apex BASE #1816

Should have used that 3k to buy a better attitude. I'd bet you'd have gotten a lot more invites that way. Apex BASE #1816

Never been (35 jumps) but I'm planning on going this year. I'm also going to hit up their EXCEL camps. First one (for me) is tomorrow. =) Apex BASE #1816

I saw that truth thing on the SDLV website as well...thought it was odd. Based on that and some other posts I've seen in these forums it looks like there may be some bad blood out there. Apex BASE #1816

That is super, super helpful. Thank you! Apex BASE #1816

I was going to start a thread to ask this but this should do. No need to clog up the forums if I don't have to. This summer a big group of friends is coming in from out of the country and decending upon LV. They've expressed interest in going and doing tandem skydives while in LV. Here's the criteria I'm looking for, if you could help point me to the most appropriate DZ I would really, really appreciate it! 1. I have my A license so I'll be looking to rent gear and jump as well. Thus, a pro shop is necessary. 2. As I mentioned, it will be a large group of tandems. Maybe 10 or so. So a jump plane that could get everyone on the same load would be nice. 3. Closer to the strip is better. We'll either be cabbing or slamming into as few vehicles as possible. 4. Cost is (as always) a factor. My guess is a lot of people do tandems while on vacation in LV and I'd prefer to stay away from a DZ with a high "tourist premium." Thank you for your help. Very much appreciated! And if there's anyone in the thread who jumps in LV regularly and wants to sync up for the day I'd be happy to stay and jump all day. I can always meet up with the whuffos again later in the day. =) Apex BASE #1816

"While ascending and descending in commercial AC, trying to guess the altitude." This. Apex BASE #1816

This is really cool. Gives all of us aspiring wingsuiters a chance to see what the curriculum will look like. Thanks! Apex BASE #1816

Winner. It's like me not stealing $20 out of your wallet and then claiming that my failure to steal costs $20. Apex BASE #1816

Anyone ever use snowboard or ski goggles for skydiving? I did a search and saw someone asked the inverse question, but that wasn't exactly what I was looking for. I've seen clips of people BASE jumping with them, but would they be too bulky and maybe come off your face during a skydive? Just curious, because my snowboard goggles are way more comfortable, haha. Thanks. Apex BASE #1816