billmorford

Well, I'm back! Made my 1st 2 AFF jumps last weekend at Skydive Pa! Almost exactly 35 years to the day of my previous one. Jump went well. I need to work on my body form, and stretch those back and stomach muscles a bit to get a better arch, but had 2 stable freefalls, 2 unassisted deployments, good canopy flights and relatively soft sit-down landings (I think I was flaring too slow and too low). Planning to go back this weekend to see if I can get past cat b (I missed one of my manuevers and had my head down). I can honestly say I'm a skydiver again, instead of I used to be a skydiver. :)

I agree, the side hand mount is easier to read. That "side" hand mount can be done with an ordinary hand mount by just putting the loop on the index finger only, and rotating the whole thing so it sits between the index finger and thumb. The altitrack is a visual altimeter. The Viso is ridiculous because it shows the "tens" unit of feet in freefall, which turns out as just a blur, which is worse than useless. Also, I think the Neptune's digits are much easier to quickly read than the Viso. If you can find a used Neptune II, put the armor case on it, that is the way to go for inexpensive. I stand corrected. Thanks! I have spent so much time perusing Paragear online that my eyes get buggy and I start confusing items that look alike or have similar names.

Thanks for the input. I haven't been able to find any real reviews about the AloXs. It looks nice, and I like the side hand mount, but until it's out there for a while, and a proven piece of equipment, I will probably stick with my Altimaster II in my chest and maybe a Galaxy on my hand. Once I'm sure my body and mind are still up to the challenges and stress, and I'm ready to go full speed ahead, I will probably go for a good audible like the Altitrack. I like all the different alarms that can be set on these new units. :)

I didn't think the Xenia club was there anymore. I didn't see it listed in the current USPA list of DZs anyway. I never jumped there, but I did visit a couple of times. There was a pretty well stocked rigging loft and pro shop there. I bought most of my basics (altimeter, packing mat, gear bag, 1st jumpsuit.... etc from that shop. I bought my SST rig from them too. I don't get over that way much anymore, though. I used to work for NCR, and as such would be in Dayton for weeks, even months at a time for training and special assignments fairly frequently, so Waynesville and even Xenia wern't much a drive to get to. A lot of good memories about my times there.

Thanks, Bob. I made my visit to one of the local DZs (Skydive Pa) just to scope it out and felt very welcome right off the bat. It turns out the owner and I went to high school together, so we had a lot in common right off the bat. He looked over my logbook and recognized at least a couple of the names of former instructors and jumpmasters that had signed it, and was very encouraging, telling me that a tandem introductory jump was not necessary, and that he thinks AFF will be a perfect fit for me. The next weekend class is in 2 weeks, and I plan to be there to start AFF that Saturday morning.

Hi, all. I'm a former jumper who is trying to get back into the sport, and as such I'm looking for some new gear, primarily gloves, helmet, altimeter, goggles, jumpsuit, etc... so I have my own basic setup that fits me well. I have a good working Altimaster II on a chest strap mount, but I think I would be more comfortable with a wrist or hand mounted electronic altimeter. I see there is a new one out there, the AloXs from Parasport, that looks interesting as it is fairly compact, has a large display and offers a hand side mount that angles the instrument toward you without turning your wrist substantially. It is also less expensive than some of the more popular electronic models. My question is: Has anyone had any experience with this product? Any pros or cons? Any feedback regarding it's reliability and accuracy? I have searched for reviews about the AloXs altimeter but have found very few, not enough to make an informed decision anyway. Thanks for your attention, and I look forward to hearing about any experiences, opinions or feedback about this product. Bill

Hi, y'all, or rather "Hi, fellow Yinzers" (its a 'Burgh thing) I'm a "retired jumper from way back who is thinking hard about returning to the sport. I had my start at the WSPC in Waynesville, Ohio (now Skydive Cincinnati) in 1980, and over the course of 3 or 4 years managed to make 31 jumps (that I can document) with about half being at WSPC and the other half at Indian Lake, Pa. I haven't thought much about jumping for a long time, but recently reconnected by way of Facebook with some of my old friends from the Waynesville club. Now I think I have the bug again, and I'm seriously thinking about jumping back in (pun intended). I'm sure I have about a thousand questions to direct to the appropriate forums regarding some of the changes in the sport since I last jumped, especially those dealing with new technology, new disciplines like wing suiting and free flying, and new drop zones and facilities like wind tunnels. A lot of things have changed, but a lot have stayed just the same, from what I have seen, and I think my motivation this time is not so much about the adrenaline rush and feeling of freedom that comes from jumping, but rather the bond and comradeship that forms between those in the skydiving community, a bond I still feel with some of my old friends, some living, some who have left us too early, even though I have not seen them or participated for many years. I am planning on taking a little road trip this afternoon to investigate at least one fairly nearby drop zone to get the lay of the land, meet the management and watch the operations, and I am inclined to think that I'm going to just say "Screw being retired! When's the next class? Sign me up!" Wish me luck, and hope you all are having a great day in the sky! Bill Pittsburgh, Pa btw.... yes, that really is me under that old PC in my profile pic.