Kirils

I've jumper the Mirage, Jav, Vortex, Stunts, Reflex, Dolphin and Vector III. Every one of these manufactures has had bad times and good. Mirage has made an incredible comeback and has in my opinion has the best customer service and it is at the top in quality. The Jav has had some problems with delivery schedules and friends have reported QC problems...but it still is a great rig on par with the Mirage. I have 4 chops under a Reflex and it was the best of the pop-tops. The VectorIII is awesome, with excellent construction and comfort. nuff said... Bottom line...demo them all and find the one for you. They are all good...you decide what is great for you.

Actually, I PREFER the ASTRA to the Cypres. That external off/on switch can be used under canopy to help prevent 2 canopy's out. The batteries can be purchased at most stores (I get mine from Target) Look at the savings on batteries and maintenance and you will see the real value of the ASTRA. I have gotten rid of both my Cypres units and replaced them with ASTRA's.

I heard a rumor that PISA, which has always been the low price-point leader, is going to raises it's prices up to par with the rest of the industry. look for that $900.00 Heatwave to cost $1600.00 by years end. Thank you AR! "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

I've had both. No question about it, go with the Dytter. The time-out works OK and the price is good, but it's more prone to damage and the customer service is non-existant. (If you aren't Austin Powers, would you really consider buying something from a company called "The Cool and Groovy Fridge Company?) The folks who make the Dytter stand behind their product 100%. "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

I'd personally perfer the Wings to the Dolphin. The construction on the Wings seems superior. I'm not shooting down the Dolphin, it was my first container, but if the price point is close I'd go for the Wings.

Take your clothes off please...it's OK, I'm a Doctor! Really!

If you jumped without an altimeter, would you be able to pull at 3000'? Don't use an audible till you are altitude aware. It's is extremely important to become altitude aware with depending on your altimeter. If you have a violent mal you might not even be able to see your wrist mount or hear the audible. Be smart..be safe.

Very nice! I'm ordering another one today from Roy! Your coulors are similar to mine, I have some black in the center and on the slider and stasbilizers. It's a great canopy, but please fly safe my friend.

Wear BIG, LONG shoes!

The packer at Parkrman (Dana) will pay for your reserve repack if his main packjob causes a chop. What a guy!! We need more like him. "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

My experience is similar. Dropzone.com has provided me with great purchases and in doing so I have found new friends. E-bay has been a nightmare of fraud and deceit! Lately the auctions on this site have not seen much participation. I encourage jumpers to use dropzone's auction before E-bay. Let's take care and protect our own. .

I personally have been burned severely doing online used gear purchases. Sadly, if it's outside your state there is little recourse (unless the US mail is involved). Recently, I have known a couple other jumpers who have gotten ripped off. One guy paid top dollar for a canopy sold on E-Bay. It was damaged so badly it wasn't airworthy. Even after getting an attourney involved, he never saw any restitution. Do you have a horror story you want to share? What's your experience? What action did you take? What were the results?

I fly a Xaos 21 and love the way it handles in winds and gusts. In my humble opinion, it's the best opening canopy in it's class. My experience with the Velocity is limited, but it to was a good opener and handling was good. "More ground hungry than the Xaos?" I thought the difference was minimal. The one complaint about the Velocity was the higher front riser pressure needed compared to the Xaos. Overall I think the Xaos is a bit more balanced in performance. It really takes years for a new canopy to reveal it's true nature. "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

Save bucks and get a better canopy buying a 170 Hornet. Downsizing (like the SabreII) is really over rated. Get the 170 and learn to fly the shit out of it... then consoder the 150. Take canopy progression SLOW and you will jump for a lifetime!

Very cool...my congrats! It just keeps gettin' better and better and better and better......

Looking at your profile, I don't think they would make a difference. After you have 1000 jumps and you choose to downsize to highly loaded x-braced or elipitical and you swoop another 1000 jumps...then you might see a noticable improvement in swoop performance with the trips. Until then, it's a waste of money. Loosening your chest strap will work almost as well on a swoop.

I was recently told that the new trend in skydiving is to switch to base style PC's with a vented top (apex vent) They are supposed to spin and occillate much less and conquesently make deployment safer and more reliable... Any thoughts, or have any of you made the switch?

What's next? A 300 way freefly head- down of course!!!

I'm junking my Stiletto, and buying a new Hornet. I will then dedicate my jumps to the Hornet and the Xaos. It's the best 2 canopy combo I can think of.

Straight stuff here: If you "haven't mastered a 170 yet" you are really making a mistake moving to a 150. Don't be stupid and end up a statistic. Read the fatality reports and you will see downsizing too early kills people. Fly smart and fly safe! "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

The Hornet is the best all round damned best ultimate fine tits wounderful easy packin' smooth opening canopy I've ever jumped. I'm buying a new 135 from Roy soon. Take my word, I never lie BUT... demo it first, and demo it again before you make up your mind. Canopy's are like women...we all have preferences. "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

The kid says "cool, a bit flamboyent, but still, cool" "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

I see it was carefully posed so not to apppear overweight... "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

The kid says "Cool!!!" dated but "cool"

The kid say's the colors would be good for Humpty Dumpty. "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish