Skydivesg

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Everything posted by Skydivesg

  1. I do have an Ozone already. My worry is that there aren't any really true flat spots on the helmet. If you're referring to the section over the ear (see attached picture), it's not really flat from memory (but I'd have to check my helmet to be sure). Wouldn't a left hand side mount be less likely to snag the PC/bridle on deployment? I'm actually not very familiar with the Ozone. If you're concerned about the snag hazard then don't do it. I've have a pretty aggressive throw on my p/c and I can't remember the last time I ever had to deploy without being rock solid stable. Frankly, if you're concerned about your main p/c or bridle snagging with something on your helmet the you're not ready to jump any camera. Based on your jump numbers - why are you in a hurry to put any snag hazard on your head? Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  2. The only thing I can find on this issue is Chuting Star suggesting that the Ozone can only be top mounted: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3567604 Have shot them an email to confirm. Do you have an Ozone now? It sure looks like that mount would fit nicely on the right side of that helmet on the flat spot. It's best on the right side anyway. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  3. So the waterproof housing got slimmer? I didn't know that. But then that's what you're here for..... right. TGF DSE........yay! Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  4. Did you shoot that in 170 degree setting or 120 degree? Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  5. I'm not familiar with the Ozone but I have that same mount for my G2. Cookie came out with that mount for the AS15 which was a bigger camera. Then the AS30 came out which was a bit smaller but the mount still worked. Now the AS100 is smaller still, but the mount still works albeit plenty of room in there. I have the AS100. I bought it April 1 (almost as soon as it was available). The camera is awesome. I love it. It is so easy to operate and it fits well inside that Cookie mount. The video image is superior to anything else I've seen. I have it on good authority that Cookie does not have plans to make a new G2/G3 mount just for this camera. I really see no reason that it wouldn't work on the Ozone. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  6. Isn't that what PD said about the original Sabre? I put 1000 jumps on a Sabre 1 - 170 and the only time I had a hard opening was when I rushed to put in the bag (4 or 5 times) to make a load. I knew I was going to have a bad opening and I did - user error. My son then put another 400 on the canopy and never had one hard opening. But then he's always been a better packer than I. Question for you: When people with few jumps and with various canopies, (regardless of brand) complain about multiple hard openings what is the first thing you suggest they check? Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  7. First off: I've been using large rubber bands and double wrapping all the stows for about 15 years. If anyone tells you this is bad, they have no clue to that of what they speak. Double wrap all the stows. Second: Go to this site, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhEHdKemr1M watch these videos and compare them to what you are doing. Almost all hard openings can be traced back to how well (or poorly) you are controlling the slider during the bagging process. If you jump at Elsinore, I know someone who jumps a new Pulse who will be more than willing to help you out. Third: PD does not want you to have hard openings and they will do everything they can to correct it. If you have not contacted them - shame on you. [email protected] Please come back on here and report your outcome so others can learn. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  8. Are you using it for stills. If so what lens? And how do you like it? I'm considering it for tandems. Yes? Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  9. Personally I don't like how high the Gopro is on any helmet. Which is why I bought the recently released Sony AS100. It get's great video, better than the Gopro IMHO. It attaches to a side mount plate sold by Cookie. I can shoot 170 degree or 120 degree should I choose. I can take the mount off and put on the regular plate with 2 screws in less than 60 seconds. For me it was a no brainer. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  10. Over the years I've coached quite a few people on "save your life tracking" skills and even though I've never used this term, I've heard it from people a number of times with no explanation of what they mean. In my mind this term goes against what I teach because to me, it means a diving track. Will someone please explain what is meant by "semi-steep angle"? Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  11. This question is for anybody. When you use the wifi to a smart phone controller can you actually control the playback on the camera like a remote. I'd like to hook it up to a tv via HDMI and then control the start - stop - rewind - slow etc via the smart phone if possible. Any one know about this? Am I asking for too much? Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  12. Seconded. As has been stated in the past, you may request maintenance for your Vigil just like Cypres. It's just that it's not mandatory. Just to add a little clarity for those who are not well informed, I've copied this Offer for Maintenance form from Vigil. Some Vigil owners choose to have their device checked every two years. *********************************************** Offer for Maintenance on Vigil II Civil For those countries that require a scheduled maintenance, we offer the following: Description of a 4 year check-up 1) Check of the original warranty Q.C. Hologram 2) Disassembling VIGIL 3) Control and Test of the Cutter Unit 4) Control and Test of the Control Unit 5) Replacement of the Battery Pack 6) Replacement of the rubber sealing ring 7) Control and Test of the Pulses Plus Element (integrated in point 10) 8) Calibration of the Pressure Sensor in the tolerance of ± 1,5 mbar 9) Upgrade of the main board software to the newest version available. 10) Final operational Test (7 jumps simulation in pressure chamber Go & NoGo) 11) Assembling all Vigil sub-parts 12) Check-Up and Test of the complete assembly 13) Analyze report 14) Service card with new silver Hologram(s) Remark: The Vigil doesn’t need a scheduled maintenance but can be done on request for Vigil II civil Extra info: The Vigil (cutter, pulses plus, electronic) has a life expectancy of 20 years from original date of manufacture. The battery has a minimum life expectancy of 5 years or 2000 jumps but must be replaced after 10 years from its date of manufacture. ***************************************** Everything between the asterisks *** is from the Vigil form. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  13. You are basically correct in your assumptions however, let me clarify something. This is where I hope they use two different terms in the new manual. I'm going to use a term that many in skydiving use, even though it is not currently in the Vigil manual. (based on my suggestions, I hope that is about to change) The term is: "disarm altitude". When a negative altitude adjustment is made, the disarm altitude is also lowered by the same amount as the negative correction. I.E. - I take off at 1500 feet MSL which is my "ground zero" and land at 600 MSL so - I turn on the Vigil at the take off spot and adjust the altitude to minus 900 feet. This means that after I take off in the plane and as I climb through 150 above "ground zero" (1650 feet MSL) the Vigil goes into active "Airborne Mode". It is set with a minus 900 feet altitude correction so it will still fire or "Activate" at the normal altitude above the new landing zone because I told it I'm landing 900 feet lower than where I took off. The new "disarm altitude" will now be 750 MSL (in other words) 150 feet above the landing zone which is 600 MSL? With this altitude correction for the new lower landing zone, the firing (Activation Altitude) is still 840 feet above the ground at the new landing zone. It knows this because I told it so, using the "Altitude Correction". Please let me know if this makes sense. Sometimes when you are writing something it make perfect sense to the author but is confusing as hell to the reader. I hope that's not the case here. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  14. I have been making certain they are aware of this and other threads and have been giving them my perspective on all of this. They have been quite receptive to my input. They are taking this new manual very seriously. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  15. Not with my current setting because I've been using the 120 degree setting. I am changing though to the 170 setting for some one on one coaching. But I don't care if is has some helmet as I'm only using it as a debrief tool. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  16. I've been in close communication with AAD / Vigil regarding this release and the re-writing of the manual. At this point I'm not at liberty to discuss anything yet. They have asked we wait until the new manual is published. They are fully aware of the need for clearer terms in the manual and I know they are making every effort to address that. They are also taking a lot of input from the US side and it appears I've had their ear as well. In the mean time may I suggest that we not get too crazy with speculation of what that jpg means especially the part regarding active altitude. There are some very nice improvements that have been made including the hardware. That jpg was sent to the sponsored athletes and dealers on Monday. The timing of that was, in part, because the factory stopped production to set up for the new changes. Because of this temporary stop of production, Vigils have gone on back order and the company wanted their dealers to know why. They are currently writing the new manual and I for one do not want to rush them on this very important element. The new Vigil II + should start shipping around May 1 and the manual will be ready before that. As soon as I'm allowed, I will post exactly what the new active altitude settings mean. I believe it will be before they publish the new manual. In the mean time, please be patient. Sandy Grillet Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  17. I agree - and what you just wrote @ me was sent to Vigil 60 seconds ago. And they are listening. And I'm hopeful the new manual will be more clear. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  18. I'm not sure you've seen it yet but I sent you a picture of the fabric from UPT to you via a facebook message.. We do have it available as a fabric for your Vector order. Hit me back on FB. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  19. I'm not ignoring your post but as I just mentioned in the post above, I would like to address setting a Vigil to activate at a higher altitude for the vast majority of jumpers who take off and land at the same location/elevation. In an attempt to keep confusion to a minumum, I suggest we disuss your scenario in another thread. But again, lets wait for the new Vigil manual. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  20. It's not misleading if we stay within the parameters of my explantion. I think mixing things together is what often causes confusion. This is from my post above. I don't doubt people would like the answers to the questions you've posed, but for now I think we should let people digest the simplest form of "Ground Zero" and how to set their Vigil to activate at a higher altitude - which is the general subject of this thread. I'm not sure how many people regularly land at significantly different elevations than they take off, but based on my travels, which are extensive, and conversations with manufacutrer's tour reps, I'm willing to bet the vast majority of jumpers take off and land at the same location/elevation. So in an effort to not muddy up these waters maybe we could go to another thread to discuss taking off and landing at different elevations. But before that I would like to see what Vigil does with this new manual. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  21. Vigil II + announced yesterday. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  22. Terry, allow me to give you credit for being man enough to admit your confusion on this issue. Many people (in fact I believe most) would not have the integrity to come on here and post what you just did. Kudos to you and thank you for that. Sandy Grillet The reason I am so sure of myself in regards to how the Vigil works is because of the hours of time I've spent reading and working to understand the manual along with a multitude of phone calls and emails with upper management at Vigil in addition to two separate (hour long) seminars and Q&A with Candace Procos - Director of Vigil America, Mark Procos - General Manager of UPT Vector and Distributor for Vigil America and Joe Smolders Director and President of Advanced Aerospace Designs in Belgium, maker of the Vigil aad. But I agree - the manual could be more clear when it comes to the "Altitude Correction" and everything regarding that. However, I do have it on good confidence that the manual is in the process of being rewritten to coincide with the new Vigil 2 + which was officially announced yesterday and will start shipping around the first of May. In the mean time, please allow me to take a stab at an explanation. For this - let's assume we are taking off and landing at the same location. The Vigil has two altitudes and one ground level setting aka - "Ground Zero". The "Ground Zero" setting is accomplished by turning on the unit at the take off zone which for this example (and in fact for most of us), is at the DZ. Think of it as "zeroing" your altimeter. Now that we have "Ground Zero" - the unit measures the atmosphere every 32 seconds but once it senses that it has increased or climbed in altitude to 150 feet (50 meters) above "Ground Zero" [or- for you pilots - AGL (above ground level)] it then goes into Active or "Airborne Mode". In "Airborne Mode" it reads the atmosphere, barometric pressure, speeds etc., 8 times per second. It stays in "Airborne Mode" until it senses that it has descended below the "Airborne Altitude" of 150 feet or the term many people like to use (but is not used in the manual) the "disarming altitude". No matter how hard you try and no matter how many people disagree - this 150 feet "Airborne Altitude" can not be changed. And it is separate from the "Activation Altitude". I wish it stated it that simply in the manual and hopefully it will in the new version. The 150 feet "Airborne Altitude" is locked in to the "Ground Zero" reading. It will always be 150 feet above the ground. It simply does not change just because you change the "Activation Altitude" [Altitude Correction]. Taking a look at this excerpt from the manual, you'll see that even though the activation altitudes are different for each mode, the 150 feet does not change. And to take it one step further - you'll notice that the only difference between "Pro" and "Tandem" mode is the altitude correction of + 1200 feet. I think the mistake being made by many people is the same mistake I was first making, which was reading between the lines in the manual and trying too hard to make a connection between the "activation altitude" and the "airborne altitude". Once I realized there is no connection between the two altitudes, everything became a lot more simple and made sense. It is my understanding that Vigil will be adding a section to the new manual regarding the use of the "Altitude Correction" as a permanent answer to the desire to increase the "Activation (firing) Altitude". I also believe they will address the ambiguity of the 150 feet "Airborne Mode" I hope this helps. Sandy Grillet Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  23. I just bought the AS 100 and put it in the old AS 30 side plate mount on my G2/G3. The camera is a lot smaller but the tripod screw that holds the waterproof box in place is more than sturdy enough to hold the camera in place. I much prefer the side mount as I like to get my flip up lens all the way open while I'm flying my canopy. It's also less likely to get knocked off. I do some very tight exits with head jams etc. And with the help from DSE I've been learning more and more about the settings. Thanks Spot. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  24. As a member of the PIA and speaking as an authority on the subject of aads, I believe you do the skydiving community a grave dis-service by suggesting that Cypres is the only aad that can increase it's firing altitude. Surely you must know that Vigil has had the ability for the user to set an "altitude correction" for many years now. In fact, it can be increased in increments of 150 ft (50 meters) up to + 6000 ft (+ 2000 meters). Maybe you didn't know that once the altitude correction is set in the unit, it becomes the default every time the unit is turned on until the user changes it back (or to some other altitude correction). I doubt your statement was intentionally misleading but when young jumpers read this stuff, they get confused by those of us, who should be more knowledgeable, making statements that are less than factual. We all make mistakes but for the benefit of those less knowledgeable, I believe we all need to be more careful in the future. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.
  25. I've been a load organizer at Summerfest since before it started as a boogie. Don't let people scare you. The landing area at Skydive Chicago is huge. There are areas you can land where almost no one is a factor. We have load organizers for all levels and we have a couple of them who only organize smaller groups with newer jumpers. Look me up when you get there and I will make certain you get introduced to the LOs and that you get placed with the right people. And we don't just organize you - we coach you. It's an awesome event with almost every manufacturer in the US attending. Great parties, free camping and showers, dinner at the Tiki Hut every night and a fire works display that will leave you amazed. You will not regret attending Summerfest. If you need more guidance just keep asking and I'll help out. Sandy Grillet Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.