Unstable

Hey Can I provide some advice about what thing that meets your criteria NOT to buy? This Mammer Jammer . I thought I would be ultra cool throwing my rigs and stuff, wheeling this in to the DZ, setting up for a good weekend and wheelin' it home. What I didn't consider is a. with 2 rigs, its heavy b. It slides all over my truck bed unless I strap it down and c. I can't get it into our out of my house without either unloading my rigs, having another person help, or banging every corner and doorway between where I keep it and my driveway. Lesson learned. =========Shaun ==========

Yup - I've seen this as well recently, but it was on an old Vigil 1 unit that was being pulled out for battery replacement per a recent SB. I am surprised to see this on a 2+ however as I was told by Vigil it was a known issue and addressed... =========Shaun ==========

I find your initial comments on customer service of Mirage Systems a bit puzzling - but I understand everybody's experience is different. Personally I have had those experiences with UPT and Sunpath, but never Mirage (and I've ordered parts for some old RTS units). Did you have multiple issues with Mirage or was it a one time experience? =========Shaun ==========

I would imagine if you don't learn to bust clouds in England you would never jump. =========Shaun ==========

We had a big hole, Didn't you see it? =========Shaun ==========

Jump and then act surprised if anybody asks about the clouds. =========Shaun ==========

Of the thread so far, I think this post here is the most correct. =========Shaun ==========

I disagree with this logic. I expect a reserve PC to cleanly extract a reserve freebag from the container without requiring a MARD. Period. Every time. If you have a container that requires a MARD to do so at sub-terminal activations, I would consider that a major design flaw. Why? Do you have evidence or documentation to support this claim? =========Shaun ==========

Surely there are individuals from Sunrise Manufacturing monitoring this thread. In many other cases where gear design was called into question, representatives from the manufacturer joined the discussion with facts, data, and perhaps alternate points of view. Would somebody from Sunrise care to join the discussion? I mean this not as an invitation to debate, but I don't believe anybody knows the design intent and qualification data as much as they do. =========Shaun ==========

I would argue that they do! But jumpers won't buy it. =========Shaun ==========

My Experience was with Mirage, but the exact same scenario, to the T. Customer of mine bought it to fit existing canopies, and the container made was 1 size smaller for both the main and reserve - significant difference. - packed up the system was an absolute brick. I believe manufacturers need to start with a sound design in the first place, and not rely on overly-tight fitment in order to keep flaps in place and sealed. =========Shaun ==========

At WFFC 2002, I won a raffle for one of the pink original Vector 3 demo units - early early models. I think I still have it in my loft. You are correct, it had larger stiffeners in the reserve side flaps. =========Shaun ==========

I think this is a key piece of information - thank you! =========Shaun ==========

This thread seems to have a lot of opinions and not a lot of facts. To the OP - would you be so kind as to give us the size of your main and reserve container (Should be the W-number either on your packing data card or on the data panel tucked into your mudflap). I'm curious as to how Sunrise sized this particular rig. Let's look at the W-number and see what we can conclude. I have had issues with manufacturers before 'custom' making containers for canopy combinations that are way, way, way too tight. =========Shaun ==========

Alright so what was the correct answer? =========Shaun ==========

And people continue to pay it. It's amazing. Individuals think that they can put 200-300 jumps on a rig, let it sit in a closet for 3 years and then think they can ask full retail or 'what they paid' on a 6-year-old rig because it's 'new'. No. I have a theory on this - and it may be more related to a mentality I see at least in a certain subgroup of jumpers. They equate price->Quality , Quality->Safety and then use the reverse logic to assume price->safety. Thus, overpaying $2000 on a new or used rig means that it is much 'safer' than the same equipment at more reasonable costs, or at least makes them feel safer. New jumpers are especially susceptible to this thought process. *Edited because apparently I can't spell or type this morning. =========Shaun ==========

Can I share the worst gear bag? This Monster I thought it would be cool to roll onto the DZ with my big gear tub, sort my 2 rigs like library books, have a little shelf for altimeter etc... Worst idea ever. It weight a ton, takes easily 2 people to load up into a pickup, and I can't get it into the house without dinging every corner along the way, and it slides around in the bed of the truck. =========Shaun ==========

And people buy them. I wonder how long that can last or if Parachute Systems is lowballing to break into the market. =========Shaun ==========

I think a major factor in this that may not be accounted for is brand and brand loyalty. Some brands carry a higher resale. I don't want to turn this into a gear-bashing thread so I'll leave names out. I am a dealer for brand (let's call it..) Y. A gentleman at my DZ jumps brand X. Brand X is what all the cool kids around here jump, Brand Y has a loyal following but not overly popular. This guy decides he wants to downsize to really takes a liking to my brand Y - we are able to sell his 5 year old X rig for more than we get him into a brand new custom Y rig. I believe that effect is contribution directly to the brand and perceived value of it. For my friend, it all turned out very well for him. =========Shaun ==========

Absolutely - hybrid construction elliptical canopy. I went from a Sabre2 150 to a Firebolt 164 and due to the construction, had to significantly shorten my main closing loop. =========Shaun ==========

I was just wondering why everybody in Canada jumps a Sidewinder! What is it with Canadians and their Sidewinders? I don't know - I have about 3 Reflex customers who love their rigs. The construction and quality control seem excellent, I have no complaints with them or problems packing them. =========Shaun ==========

While we have your attention RiggerMick - any chance the Reflex will come back? They still have a core following (at least around here!) =========Shaun ==========

A few years ago I was at a DZ where manifest radio'ed the pilot to inform him one of the jumpers on that load had an out of date waiver and was not allowed to jump. He rode the plane down. Never seen anything like that before or since. =========Shaun ==========

Agree. The 2x baglocks I recently chased into a cornfield for friends were both caused by incorrect assembly of the main deployment bag and main PC. =========Shaun ==========

+1. This guy. This guy has it right here. Run a couple hundred (thousand) pull tests at different angles, comparing both pull tests and grommet wear to a control (standard pin) sample, both from brass and Stainless steel. Also compare closing loop wear for various types of closing loops in common use. Data like that would remove opinions of the design and show whether or not it is superior. I'm just hung up on the 'Who has time for a pin check' advertising gimmick. What the actual fuck. *Edited because apparently I can' type or spell today =========Shaun ==========