AirMan

Mirage makes slip-on covers to protect the leg pads, and I believe they're padded. They also have "Swoop Armor" covers padded with Spacer Foam...but I think they are $60 and $75 a set respectively.

Thanks for the info...sounds like a decent helmet for a fair price. Being a collaboration between BH and Paragear, I figured it would be alright.

Does anyone have any info on this new helmet? Its sure priced well.

I was assigned to Bob's unit at Moody AFB, and used to jump with him at Skydives Tallahassee & Deland. He was an awesome skydiver, an excellent instructor, and a great man. "Those things he did, so others may live" RIP Brother

I'd like to attend if I can shack-up with the Pink Mafia AND have my nipples pinched too...?!

Does anyone have any info on this canopy? I've read all the threads in this forum on their Demon, which sounds like a pretty good canopy, but the Demon is too hot for me. I've checked their website but it doesn't really say too much about the Cayenne. The price on these canopies is rather attractive. Thanks! ~AirMan~

Hold it in your hand like it is a dart. Aim towards the closest trash can. Shoot for the center. Why do you want to use a ring sight and what are you shooting? Haha, so I should just trash it huh? I give up...WHY do I want to use a ringsight? Like I said, I am new to video and I figured I would need one for accurate footage...of RW and/or Tandems. I'd hate to shoot a tandem video of a paying customer and screw it up. I know free-flyers dont use ringsights, and I've seen videographers shooting RW and Tandems without a ringsight, but I'm not sure how. Do I just use a DOT on my goggles?...One of them paper asshole things?

I'm a new videographer setting-up my helmet & cam, and a just added that inexpensive tinted (orange circle w/ dot) ringsight. Anyone else using this particular ringsight? Can anyone provide me some advice/insight on exactly how to align/use a ringsight? Thanks!

Yea, I went to Royal-Lens.com and checked them out! They look very nice...I like their low profile. But for now I'm looking for a little less expensive lenses. Everyone talks about Kenko, but what are some others? (besides a Sony brand).

Thanks for the quick responses and the good advice. My worry is I think I bought the cheapy Kenko W/A lens...the MD-05W! I've noticed everyone else speaking of the SGW HI/Pro series. Has anyone tried this MD-05W?...Should I just throw it away now? Haha! Also, I worry since I will have to use a step-ring (37mm to 30mm) for it to work, and I've been reading these rings can cause their own problems?! Thanks again!

I'm a new videographer, and I want to know what lenses you guys/gals are using? I bought a Sony DCR-PC9 cam w/ a 30mm mount size. I ordered a Kenko 0.5 W/A lens...Is that a good lens for shooting RW and Tandem? Do I need a .45? What are some other good brands? Thanks!

_________________________________________________ Thats good advice, and it's what I'm trying to do, but since they stopped making Diablos it's hard to find any to demo...so I'm just trying to pick some brains for now.

Thanks for all the info and advice. But how hard, or easy, is it to SPIN-Up the Diablo upon deployment? Is it anything like a Stiletto (Spinetto) in this regard? I want elliptical type fun, but don't want the headaches of worrying about spinning mals. I know alot of it depends on body position when dumping, but I'm sure some canopies are more sensitive to this than others.

I guess my next step will be to buy an Extreme VX 74 and crank some serious toggle-turns down around 100 ft. Haha, just kiddin. The buzz is to begin with straight-in front riser approaches, but doing so up high, all the while learning how long you can hold pressure and how much altitude your losing, and then slowly take it lower. Then onto some 90 degree riser carving turns...I guess.

Hey, anyone using the Parasport EVO for a Cam helmet? If so, how is it performing for you?

I've read all the threads posted thus far on the Diablo, but I need more info! I'm seriously considering a 120 or 135. I've been jumping a Safire 139. From what I know so far is, the Diablo is a good, solid canopy but doesn't flare/swoop worth a poop...but then I've heard that 7-cells don't anyways. Anymore help, advice, info on the Diablo would be mucho appreciated!

Thank you all for the great advice! If I didn't know any better, I'd say ya'll are trying to tell me to keep the Safire, learn to swoop the heck out of it, and THEN move up to a more hi-po canopy...hmmmm.

Thanks to all of you who have replied...Its very helpful. I guess what I was really wondering is, if I wanted to go fully elliptical, or just step-up to a more Hi-Po canopy from a Safire, what would be a good next canopy?

I've been jumping a Safire 139, but wish to get into swooping. I'd like to stay with about a 135, maybe a 120 canopy size. I am wondering what is a good, elliptical, swooping canopy to begin learning with? I have 410 jumps total, with which at least 100 are on the Safire. Thanks!

ANyone use an EVO as a cam helmet? How is it?

Thanks....there is some good stuff in there. But, its still somewhat confusing. I guess the best bet is to buy the most that I can afford, haha. The only thing I know for sure is that I want a side-mount cam.

Someone help me as I am confused and overwhelmed. I want to break into video, and have been looking at used Sony PC digital camcorders, but I am confused with all the different models...PC-1, PC-3, PC-5, PC-7, PC-9, PC-100, etc.! Which would be a good, firstimer, cheap, quality PC to get started with?

My story is about the same. I have a Hornet 190 and have about 150 satisfied openings on it, except for a couple of hard ones which were probably my fault...loose nose or lines. Packing it is a breeze, even when brand new because they use a slightly diiferent ZP material. The color-coded lines are great too. My only complaint is that I wish I had a 170 because my exit weight is around 180, so I am underloading the 190 and it's too docile. Anyways, If you get a Hornet I'm sure you'll love it.

I also have a silver Alti-3 and love it. It's very durable, as I found out when I dropped it at the DZ directly onto a cement floor. Everyone said I'd be buying a new one after that, but I took it to work, popped it in a altitude chamber to test it, and it worked fine. Besides, Altimaster stands behind their product, and offer a 10 year warranty (used to be lifetime). Also, they are now making them with removable lenses, and in some funky colors...I really like that Platinum one. I've also heard/read that they are making the face & numbers bigger, but not sure.

My $0.02 worth....Psycho packing IS still Pro-packing, but instead of "folds" at the end, you "roll" it like a sleeping bag. The idea of psycho-packing was just to make it easier to handle those slippery (new) ZP material canopies while getting it in the d-bag. I'm no expert, and only jump a Hornet 190, but I have used this method a few times and couldn't tell a difference. But if you're going to try it, the main thing to remember is to take that 180 twist back out of the lines before bagging it. Oh, and it's easier too if you have a bridle extension on your canopy. Have fun!