chutingstar

Disclaimer: I make a semi-stowless bag for many rigs. sizes, etc. I doubt that anyone can tell why that is their opinion. I have built them for 210 sq ft canopies. I have not heard back from the customer(s) that they are having problems. Jerry Baumchen Jerry and Kamran, We carry, sell and support all the major manufacturers main d-bags (standard & semi-stowless), plus many 3rd party semi-stowless and stowless d-bags. Some will only make semi-stowless/stowless d-bags up to a certain size because they don't work as well in the larger sizes due to parachute sizing/bulk issues that can change how certain designs work. Kamran we are answering several questions on your full rig purchase, and can definitely explain more in depth with you. Each of the skydivers who work here can have different opinions on gear, and we let them give advice from their experience. We also look to help jumpers keep the price down on new rigs by sorting through the "nice to have" and "have to have" options. So not going with the semi-stowless bag on your new container order was just part of that advice on the price vs. the benefit...in addition to all the other advice on your options questions. Kamran, you can contact us directly for more info as you continue to make your final decisions. Take care, Mike ChutingStar.com

They are in stock now, and we always have more on the way when we run out...or we can convert a Velcro to Velcroless or vice-versa. http://www.chutingstar.com/skydive/rig-parts/rsls/replacement-mirage-rsl-lanyard ChutingStar.com

Klamerus, Sorry to hear you've had so much trouble reaching us! If you can leave your phone number or e-mail, we can get right back in touch with you. Henry and Laura are in the shop Monday-Friday, 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Our phone number is 770-445-4000 ext. 1. Our main e-mail is [email protected] or you can send a note through the web site here: http://www.chutingstar.com/contacts/ Mike ChutingStar.com

piifish and pchapman...to answer what I know... -- The Argus units have a sticker placed on the unit after it passes the 4-year service with the year of service and the control number. That is the indication that the service has been completed if you have the unit in your hands. -- Yes, once the service is completed (and passes), any units that were overdue for service are then able to be used again. -- I too was told the service had to be completed by the end of the calendar year of the 4th year. So the 4 years + 3 months is news to me. I've sent pchapman's note to Aviacom for them to respond on dropzone.com and/or for me to get the info and clarify. -- I've corrected the chutingstar.com site on the batteries to what I've been told...which is 6 months. But I've asked for clarification on that as well. Mike ChutingStar.com

For those of you still jumping Argus units out there...and I know you're out there because we get in several units every week to ChutingStar for the 4-year service...there is a new Service Bulletin just released by the manufacturer listing the unairworthy units that have not had the 4-year service completed. See here: http://tools.emailgarage.com/Pub/Asset.ashx?Id=2a80d6f1-76bc-4d46-833c-1ca92f79fc67&MessageId=952021071 For more info, contact the manufacturer here: [email protected] ChutingStar.com

Fixed, thanks for pointing that out. They didn't give us a full list of the features either. We're having to piece it together from what they did tell us (not much) plus the manual plus follow-up e-mails with Vigil America and AAD. Mike ChutingStar.com

When I spoke with Vigil America about ordering the Xtreme unit today, they said it's not for sale. It's only available to their sponsored athletes. They may offer for it sale in the future...but not right now. Mike ChutingStar.com

Jenny at Vigil America informed me via e-mail that the battery price for the 2+ will be more than the Vigil 2, but that they are not charging for the battery change...just the price of the battery. But my take is if they aren't "selling" Vigil 2+ batteries separately...than the price is whatever they want to charge for the battery/install. Not sure how you separate the 2 if they are doing all the work and have the battery. The price of both has to be factored into whatever price they set (which is currently unknown). She did also say that Vigil doesn't have plans to certify/approve riggers or lofts or service centers to do the battery replacements. Mike ChutingStar.com

Nice catch...I didn't see that in my first scan for differences. But it's clear in the manual...that definitely takes away one of the selling points (for those that didn't want to have to worry about scheduling downtime due to an AAD serivce). I do wonder if AAD or Vigil America will end up approving Master Riggers or "Vigil Lofts" for the replacement...or if they do want to now get into the AAD battery/service business...be it 5-10 years from now. ChutingStar.com

Vigil 2+ Manual is available (link below)...although still no units yet and we just sold our last Vigil II unit today here at ChutingStar...now the waiting for the 2+ begins: http://www.vigil.aero/wp-content/uploads/Vigil-2%2BUsersManual.pdf ChutingStar.com

Boyfriends, girlfriends...why not...maybe we can make a little more love in this world. ChutingStar.com

If anyone has purchased gear from Andrew Dibble in the last 90 days, please contact myself, Mike Gruwell, directly at [email protected]. Thank you. ChutingStar.com

This shows a demonstration of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3odAtvITlXM ChutingStar.com

The new visor from Parasport for the Z1 is still being manufactured. They should be at Unfeathered, as well as to other dealers such as ChutingStar, in about 2-3 weeks. Mike ChutingStar.com

I try to buy as much as I can from Mike. My Vigil2, Optimum, Safire2, camera helmet + mounts, gear bag and a ton of little things. Only dealer I know that responds to emails in the middle of the night.

Guinness or Red Hook please. ;-) Thanks for all the kind words...we don't please everybody, but we sure try. Mike ChutingStar.com

Well damn...can't remember the specific conversation on this, but had someone point this thread out to me and that I should give my thoughts on this...so here ya go: I don't think I've ever told anyone to avoid ZPX altogether. I know I've had conversations with jumpers that it's not worth the extra expense unless you absolutely need to get this canopy to fit into a container made for a smaller size. I don't see ZPX as a better or worse fabric that ZP...just not worth the extra money. The only real downside is that it hasn't been used in skydiving for the 20+ years that ZP has...so we don't have a track record as far as any wear/use/deterioration issues of ZPX as compared to ZP. But ZPX isn't a fabric you just shouldn't outrigtht buy...nothing has shown that yet...and hopefully it won't. But for most jumpers, I recommend saving the $200 and sticking with ZP. Mike ChutingStar.com

The support and service is continuing to remain the same as for the U.S. most of the servicing is coming from Para-Concepts and ChutingStar. Anything we can't handle is forwarded to Aviacom. The same level of testing that applied a few years ago, applies today. As for parts, that is not known as far as how long those will be available and/or if Aviacom will continue to make these parts available for many years to come. I know the company wants to, but what it is able to do may be different. Pricing will vary depending on the level of available service, parts, etc. Anywho, it is what it is for now... Mike ChutingStar.com