SkydiveNFlorida

Ok, just reading a thread about Katanas, and I see a lot of people like to say that they are just a crossbrace w/o the braces, or that they are just a step down from a Velo, etc. What are the real differences here? When does it become important to have the crossbrace vs the non-crossbrace? If it truly is just a matter of keeping form in the canopy, at what w/l is that actually necessary? Just satisfy my curiousity and answer these few questions and make any other comments about the differences between them. I see comments like the one below and I get curious about the real differences. Is the only difference simply the crossbrace keeps its shape better, and the Katana has less riser pressure? Then why would anyone want a Katana if the other keeps shape better and is the same performance? thx. -A

That man is dangerous. HA! Stay away from Dave and his Tequila! ;) -A

Wow. I know this kinda stuff has been posted on here, but sounds like not everyone knows so in order to check that the length of your lines is ok you should: If you can get to full flare, hold it, and not get a stall, your lines are probably too long! If when your brakes are released you can't see some slack in the lines above your head (you should be able to look up at your lines, all be taut except for brakes which should be bowing a bit) then your lines are too short. If you can stall your canopy at half flare they are too short. If you pull your front riser down and you get bucking, they are too short. Glad to hear you guys have fixed the problems. Spectra does shrink, so check now and again and don't forget to untwist your brakes, too. :) -A

Kinda bright, but looks much better on! That was very nice of you, JT. -A

Hi, Mark. Hope all is well with ya. I just wanted to comment that I think that things need to be shared on the forums, this is how people pick products. Just like we share positive comments about companies who are responsive, helpful, have awesome products, etc... we also need to share the bad. This is how a consumer makes an informed choice. Just thought i'd throw that out there. I know that some people get mad that others share bad experiences on the forums but I appreciate it when i'm looking to buy a product. That way I know the bad going into it, no surprises. Angela.

Really? But if I own it, I SHOULD be allowed to desecrate it if I wish. If I am not allowed to do as I please with it then obviously I don't really own it, i'm just in possession of it. Just a brief moment of clarity in your world of "Descrating /= owning" -A

So, it seems pretty shitty that one symbol of the majority's beliefs may be held above the symbols of others beliefs in this regard. We can put the 10 commandments (obviously religious!) in a government building, but not a nazi symbol? HA! I think that they should hang a nazi symbol and a star of David right next to it! As far as banning the confederate flag goes... I see people argue about everything it stands for, but let's be real here... most people who display this flag are racists. (I know that because I have some in my (distantish) family, so i've been around these people and their (equally racist) friends!) -A

I agree. I actually marked something as sold today. First I almost did the edit thing, but I decided to poke around to find how to get the red "sold" like i've seen around. I found it, but it isn't obvious at first site. :) Angela.

In some forums they have an option where if a thread is inappropriate or questionable you can click some certain button saying "report this post". It would be kinda cool if there were an option for that here. That way if you want to report something, you don't have to pm a moderator with a link. It would be as easy as clicking on the report button, including an explanation of why you are reporting a post, and clicking submit. Then, maybe it could automatically forward to an available moderator who governs said forum. I recently encountered a post from someone who has a signature line that imo borders on advertising. I am not sure how to report it effectively, or if I shouldn't bother and a moderator will see it eventually. Just a thought that might help keep it clean:) Angela.

Must have mirage, must have mirage.. lol! j/k Seriously, I like Mirages, they are very nice rigs. But, this is now bordering on advertising and I thought that wasn't really allowed on here. It's one thing when a customer toots your horn, but when an employee does so it is advertising. Keep up the good work on your rigs, though. No offense meant toward the product. jmo, Angela.

I changed it without any dropping of data. .... Well, obviously that is the idea! Thing is, you didn't lose data, and most wouldn't lose data... but, if someone does there is a problem. I didn't care that much, though, since most of the data was unreliable (I had some hop n pops on there that quoted my pull altitude higher than my exit altitude and logged upward of 100 seconds of freefall!! ) Anyhow, I can see the need for both products, but I don't like the neptune for logging period. It isn't accurate ime, and regardless of how intuitive it is, it isn't convenient (button button finally jump menu >> press button to choose jump, page down to view rest of jump, page back to jump screen, scroll down to last jump, press button to chose jump, page down to view rest of jump, scroll back to jump screen ...) GIVE ME A BREAK!! That is NOT convenient! Too much time taken in scrolling back and forth, not to mention that the buttons aren't that easy to depress. Again, I love it as an altimeter, but imo it is not the best device around for logging. I understand the need for it with Birdman, though, but hopefully by the time I ever want to do something like that L&B will have something useable. jmo, -A

You think you would have figured that out without a manual? - Jim Does it really matter? I don't have a manual and my boyfriend showed me how to use the Protrack in about two minutes. I can change altitudes and log my jumps with no problem. If once someone shows you about the 1111 2222 thing you can't figure it out, then you might have a problem getting a job at Burger King. It really is that simple and if you can't use the Protrack or don't want to take the 2 minutes it takes to learn how, then go ahead and use the Neptune, but the logging is really MUCH easier with the Protrack. -A

I agree with Gus. I have a Neptune. I like it for swooping, as an alti, but that's it. It's log feature has failed me multiple times (logged way off of what actually happened, logged flights down in the plane, hell, when the battery, I replaced it thinking it would keep the data,... nope, wiped clean started back on jump 0.) Not to mention that going through all of the screens to log the jumps is a hassle, everything is on one screen, and one button away to the next jump on a Protrack, that is not the case on the Neptune, I find it very inconvenient to log jumps from it. Like I said, I like the Neptune as an altimeter, but if you are not using it on your wrist i'd get the protrack or wait for a new L&B product that can log for wingsuits. jmho, -A

1:1 on Stiletto 150

I have a busy life, had medical problems for a while, classes that were difficult, and overall just a lack of motivation to go jumping. Today I went out and did 3 hop n pops. I had one fun headdown exit (exit was high!), and one really nice swoop... When I was headdown with my boyfriend, when I was flying around under canopy, when I nailed that swoop..... I remembered why I love this sport! So, don't forget just cuz things prevent you from going for a while. When you can't go, you can't go.. but try not to forget how much fun you have out there like I did. Ok, just felt the need to share:) Blue skies and safe swoops -A

Oh, man, that sucks bad! :( I hope they are keeping him on good drugs in there! Best to you, Kramer!! Big hugs! (()) Angela.

No comment at the risk of agreeing with Rhino. I must need to take another look at my stance. I also come from a home of smokers. Ear infections, throat infections, bloody noses, blah, blah, blah. It really seems it should be criminal to forcefully expose children to that. Now, if you are an adult and choose to live with a smoker that is one thing, but a child has no choice and that sucks! But, I hear Vallerina's point about parents who feed their kids McDonald's everyday and the voice of reason steps in... PARENTS DO ALL SORTS OF HORRIBLE THINGS TO THEIR CHILDREN... how on earth can we ban everything that is harmful to children? It is just not possible. And, where would all of the children who were removed from their homes go? There wouldn't be enough space for them! This is the world we live in, and unfortunately people (who breed) make stupid decisions that not only affect themselves but the innocents around them. I think it is wrong to smoke around your children... but realistically, there isn't much I can do about it if you do. -A

BAD MOVE! Don't complain next time then, and it WILL happen again. Certainly not your place to judge unless she stops paying rent. You have made your bed with the food thing. Again, not for you to worry abuot. If you have a problem with her smoking weed, find a new roommate, otherwise myob on what she does with her time and money as long as she makes rent! -A

lol!! Yes, the non-thread-starter's profile is WAY more important than the topic! I just want to add that watching LoudDan swoop his Sabre2 170 (I think it was a 170) was wild! He could make that thing move!! I have never swooped a Sabre2... but i've got full faith in it after watching Dan. I started swooping on a Stiletto.. it has a short recovery arc which makes it difficult to dial in, I cut it close an aweful lot trying to get a good swoop, because if I pulled my turn 25 feet too high i'd plane out 25 feet above the ground, it was horrible! (This was a 150 loaded 1:1). I like the Samurai a lot, it has a good amount of dive to it and if i'm too high I can still salvage a decent landing because the riser pressure isn't insane and it keeps diving. Most would say if you change canopies to get used to the new one before swooping it, but i'm sure you knew that... i'm not saying shit at risk of being a hypocrite;) -A

Oooh, no, you might have to shop for yourself! Just be straight with her, tell her you can't afford to have her eat your food. Tell her that you will shop seperately, and ask that she buy her own food and not touch yours. And, the suggestion that her judgement is clouded by drugs is obserd! Sure, weed makes you hungry, but it isn't like she's taking bars or smoking crack or something, it's marijuana! If you haven't smoked it or at least been close to those who do, then don't make judgements! She's inconsiderate and nothing more. -A

If you can consider not knowing what Tom Cruise said about Brook Sheilds "ignorance" that strikes me as pretty ignorant. I know that I must be reading your statement wrong, though. Personally, I don't give a damn about Tom Cruise, or the rest of the Hollywood craptors. I am content with watching the occassional movie. Nearly everything is worth more of my time than Tom Cruise, lol! I didn't even have cable or antenna for a long time, my boyfriend likes Sci-fi so we have it. I will admit I like the Jon Stewart show, though Oh, and the occassional pseudo-porn on HBO. -A

HA! Funny this guy just voiced thta the members of Congress care more about a symbol than the freedom it represents (which would, btw, include burning said symbol!) Ok, just thought that was sad. It'd be another sad day for "freedom" if this amendment is passed. -A

I personally like to work out a price first, with the assumption that everything is in the condition stated. If it is not, then you can return the item or try to bargain. I wouldn't appreciate if you wasted my time having me ship somthing out then when your rigger says i'm asking too much try to bargain with me. I would tell you to send it back to me and i'd be pissed that I wasted money shipping it to you! Now, if it were the condition of the item that were a problem, and it was not as described, that would be a different story. Not everyone is looking to bargain, especially if the item is as stated it would be, you should work that out in advance. If you don't know if the price is fair from the description, ask someone you trust before you have it shipped! For the rig you are talking about, i'd bargain now, then if there are problems with it when you get it, rebargain then. Angela.

Absolutely not! Stop answering the phone, you'll feel much better! -A

Me, too! I have a sinus infection and a final exam in Organic chem tomorrow. Ugh! :( -A