chutingstar

JerryBaumchen

Hi iranian,

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Hi friends
I intend to order my new rig and in this matter I contacted to Chutingsar to get some info .
I asked about semi stowless bag and they suggested that for a Sabre 210 , this kind of main bag will not add any benefit .
Anybody knows why ?

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

Machine-710

Jep, rig itself is RSL ready and so are the risers (Mirage). My problem is that RSL lanyards with velcro are difficult to come by. Even Chutingstar is out of stock.

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

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

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

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]

skez

on chutingstar website it says the vigil2+ has field changable batteries etc then the paragraph bellow it says it has to be sent away for battery change lol

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

Titanman2789

I emailed Vigil to ask about this. The website lists the Xtreme mode. This is the response I got

"The vigil 2+ will be available with the Xtreme mode. This means not a multimode unit but only with the Xtreme mode and the only differences are: activation speed with 43m/s instead of the 35m/s in Pro mode and does not activate anymore below the 300ft instead of 150ft.

We stay at your disposal.

Best regards,

Edwin Bollaerts

Project Manager

[email protected]"

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

SmokinJoeKS

If Vigil is going to charge the same price for having them change the battery as we can have it done now in the field, plus a few dollars for shipping, then there is no significant increase in the cost of ownership over the life of the AAD. On the other hand, if this battery change turns into a de facto inspection and recertification like that required by Cypres, and is priced accordingly, then the long-term cost of ownership (up to now a big selling point for Vigil) will increase more significantly.

Also unknown is the cost at the loft. If this turns into an inspection requiring the entire AAD to be removed and sent in, the rigger will have to charge more than if he can simply disconnect the main box (which contains the battery pack) and send only that in to Vigil.

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

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.

pchapman

A negative: Battery change can't be done by a rigger any more. They say not to open the case, don't give instructions, and say it voids the warranty. Have to send the unit in to Vigil service centre. That's a big change from the "don't need to send it in" philosophy. Same battery pack number and expected lifetime and mandatory 10 yr replacement.

They still say "No scheduled maintenance required", but that might be considered debatable since it is now "send it in at 10 years for the battery" (unless the battery already was changed).

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

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I didn't know they sold boyfriends at chutingstar. When you returned him, did you get full credit for another?

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

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

This shows a demonstration of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3odAtvITlXM

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

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I'd only add Chutingstar to that list.

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.

That sucks, how many people are up in the middle of the night to read them.

Sparky

Well, I was ordering the parts for my rig while I was deployed to Iraq, so... I was.

and anyone in OZ or NZ ordering from them

It's a sickness I suppose as I don't sleep very well if someone's question is hanging on my mind. Good fun. And yeah, the other side of the world is well awake when I'm up at 3 a.m. It's the 24/7 cycle of life these days.

A good number of skydiving manufacturers have had serious bouts with being extremely difficult to communicate with and dropping the ball on huge issues. I too think customer service in skydiving, especially with some manufacturers, is lacking and they don't seem to think it's worth taking the effort and time to improve. Many are high on themselves and/or don't seem the long-term benefit of sacrificing some profits for making something right. Eventually they'll just go away...or finally wake up.

Mike

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I figure I’ll give them a case of beer for buying my first rig.

Guinness or Red Hook please. ;-)

Thanks for all the kind words...we don't please everybody, but we sure try.

Mike

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I'm trying to decide zpx pilot vs pulse. was told by chuting start to avoid zpx. Mike has to have a reason.

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

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

The range has been wide for sure lately. We've recently sold used Argus units on our site for around $900, and I've shipped some out for international customers that they've found from other drop zones for around $500 each.

Some countries don't have any restrictions on AAD type/use. And many containers in the U.S. allow the Argus.

We currently have new units from the last batch made by Aviacom that are selling for $1150 and were manufactured in May 2011. Owners of Mirage, Wings, Infinity, Basik, Racer and Dolphin rigs have still been buying new or used Argus units. These aren't selling as frequently as Cypres2 or Vigil II units, but they are still selling for more than $0 and being used by skydivers.

http://www.chutingstar.com/newgear_en/argus-aad.html

We've also just had our busiest month for servicing Argus units last month with 30+ units serviced in November and 6 more to do next week. So the Argus is not dead or worthless by any means.

Mike

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I just bought a new pair of risers from chutingstar.com but I'm not sure if they are compatible with my rig. The RSL ring on my old risers was in the middle of the riser. But the RSL ring on the new risers is on the left side. Does anyone know if this set up is okay?

Send Mike (ChutingStar) a picture with the question and ask his opinion/recommendations.

We spoke today and he is sending these back to us for an RSL ring on the correct side.

So yes, the RSL routing can't be correctly completed with the risers he has...the ring needs to be inboard on the correct side.

Mike

Here is the message I received from Candace at Vigil USA today, that was passed along from AAD:

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Indeed, there is no software upgrade available or mandatory.
If there are software evolution, it is because there are some minor hardware improvements no more.

So there isn't an available software update at this time.

Mike

Here's a do-it-yourself guide that may help if you don't end up sending it in to us.

http://www.chutingstar.com/expertadvice_en/photo-video/16-camera-helmet-mounting-tips.html

Mike

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From what I can gather, the cutter manufacturer designed their device for severing reefing lines on cargo parachutes. These would likely be different materials, under different loads and geometries, than a reserve closing loop. Argus bought the cutters as stock items. Why? One reason could be that CYPRES would have patents on all of their proprietary technology, so to avoid a patent infringement Argus probably had to use a different cutter design. They couldn't afford to develop their own cutter and just picked out something they thought would work. The fact that the cutter manufacturer will no longer have anything to do with Argus suggests they have decided that their stock cutter is not appropriate for the Argus application.

The above paragraph from Bryan Burke is not true. Aviacom's cutter was specifically made for skydiving and to fit in skydiving rigs. The company that did make the cutter for the Argus is a company that makes cutters for other applications, and the Argus cutter was specifically made for the skydiving application. It is no secret that Aviacom is still trying to develop another cutter because the current cutter manufacturer does not want to be in the skydiving market anymore due to liability reasons in relation the low-volume of business and high risk compared to everything else that cutter manufacturer sells. This information is straight from the owner of Aviacom, Karel Goorts.

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Skydive AZ currently bans the Argus whether or not the rig maker OKs it for the simple reason that if the loop has been partially cut, it could open any time, including during the climb-out. That could take down an entire Otter. We view it as no different than having a main closing loop that is too long or worn. The rig might be TSO'd and in date, but it's not safe and it is not right to expose everyone on the plane to an unfortunate purchase decision by an individual skydiver.

The reason/argument for banning the Argus due to the possibility of a partially cut loop letting go at climb out is a bit far-fetched, especially with all the other reasons that this can happen which are near impossible to monitor or control. At least with an Argus, if the unit truly had a partially cut loop sitting in the reserve tray following a jump, someone could look/see Replc Cutter on the display before the next jump and know the cutter had fired.

But this scenario is no more plausible than a misfire by any of the three major AADs on climb out.

If making this argument for banning the Argus, it seems you would need further rules/precautions if this "canopy over the tail" were the true scare. It's more likely for a main pilot chute to get loose on climb out, or a damaged reserve or main loop to give way, or an accidental pull of the reserve handle on exit or a reserve pin to get dislodged...or any other AAD issue. Grounding a skydiver with an Argus because of this long-shot occurrence should theoretically ground everyone since it is easier to monitor this possible scenario than most of the others.

I personally own/jump all 3 AADs, and a rig without, and feel no more/less secure with any of them. The electronics and mechanics of any of these can fail or misfire at any time...none of them are perfect.

Mike

Hey Laurenco,

Sorry for the delay. Check your e-mail.

Talk soon,

Mike

You'll want the lens just past the side if the helmet.

But you're bigger problem will be side-mounting the flat-sided cage to the side of the rounded Rawa Vision. That doesn't work too well.

Rawa makes boxes that match the curve of the helmet. It makes for a cleaner setup. Flat-sided boxes or cages don't work well on the side of Rawa helmets.

Here is a Rawa box that would work:

http://www.chutingstar.com/newgear_en/rawa-cx110-150-camera-box.html

Note the curve on the side-mount version.

Mike