RMURRAY

I was just at the assembly plant on Friday -it is being built along with the mazda6 at Flatrock MI. If you like the 2004 bodystyle better you will be in the minority - there is no comparison - I'll bet the factory will have trouble building enough of them! rm

dating myself here a bit - but one of my favorite Gil Scott Heron tunes. Written just after Ragan took office... http://www.gilscottheron.com/lybmovie.html what do ya think?

jump it as is - it only shows the rig has been around for a while - nothing wrong with that. rm

If you want to go to that level of detail, JumpShack's replacement parts (cut away handle, reserve handle, free bag, reserve pilot chute etc etc etc are less costly. My rigger has no problem with my racer - if he did whine about, who cares? resale issue is valid for pre-2K3 rigs for sure - that is part of the reason I bought a used one. rm

that is an excellent idea. I think it is obvious, buy used unless I can afford new. Me - I need to pay for a camp and about 300 team jumps a year and that is all I can afford - so I have no AAD... rm

many factors but with a VX at 2.2:1 I go with 500 jumps - which was posted earlier...... rm http://dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=553742;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;guest=6733017

I have an original Timeout. I get the battery here in canada at radio shack. It is not a duracell called for but is equivalent. rm

that's a good one!!! standard is PVC tube I would think. rm

I am not a rigger but from what I have read here from very experienced riggers, this statement is just wrong - you need to have a rigger who is properly trained. Mike at Jumpshack is excellent and can probably see to this. My next one (I have had 2) will be a 2K3 for ease of packing (main),less maintenance and good riser/bridle protection. On the downside, resale in CA may be poor - they are not popular on the west coast. Actually, they are not a popular rig anywhere I have visited - you can view this as a either positive or negative. rm

It still doesn't explain $863.71 though. That would be $513.71 for taxes and shipping? this is a point not talked about much - cost of parts. for a racer... freebag 65 ripcord 36 poptop hat 15 reserve PC 70 cut away handle 30 total 216US I would never have shipped directly to Canada - being in S Ontario we can just have delivered to freinds in NY state! rob

this issue is stainless hardware - at least it was the problem countless others. I can't believe OEMs are still shipping that design in stainess! I would opt for nickel plated hardware myself... rm

nice one - that's it - if I ever have the cash for a new rig is a power racer 2K3...

I talked to Mark about dome sliders a while back. He suggested that he could make any Sabre1 open as sweet as a CrossfireII. I think I will talk to him again about one on my VX. Openings are OK but more consistancy would be great... rm

I didn't say it was the handles fault....picture this - spinning under a wound up highly loaded canopy, need two hands to cutaway, chest strap a little too loose, a double articulated rig and it shifts a bit, a baggy suit --- which handle would you prefer then?

I would leave PD out of it - call MEL (Skyworks Parachute Service) for a dome slider. I will send you his phone number. rm

at least one manufacturer will NOT give you a soft reserve handle. Also, considering what Bill Booth has said, I will stick with what I have - a D handle. My next rig will have one a low profile design. From the ground waiting to load, I have witnessed a low-time jumper kicking and screaming in freefall because he cut away and then could not find the reserve handle (not sure what kind it was) - then his cypres fired... rm

comfort and racer=comfort rm

All I know is my VX at about 2.2:1 is very heavy in front risers. Rears are light. Managable however, especially if you use the harness for the last part of a carving 270. rm

of course, a rigger should NOT work under the influence.

I agree with RiggerRob completely. It is the very same as "does your rigger drink" - no big deal as long as it does not affect his/her work... rm

JumpShack make a 350 Firebolt - have you checked it out? Give mike a call. Not sure - it might not be right for you. www.jumpshack.com rm

sorry, meant to say RWS website.... http://www.relativeworkshop.com/support/rigging_wash.html rm

I follow the instructions on the PD website. Works well... rm

for the latest used rig I bought the guy had it resized for nothing (he had friends at JumpShack) - I am not a rigger but my impression is that for a rig without hip rings it is a no-brainer. I bought a new rig when I had 20 jumps - but am pretty sure I will not be able to afford that again.

I pay 50 dollars Canadian - that is 36.50 US - no whining and it looks great....it's just a matter of training. rm