Deci

You may want to read through my article here which adresses your specific situation: http://www.dropzone.com/safety/Gear_and_Equipment/A_Guide_to_Buying_Your_First_Skydiving_Gear_873.html CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

Interesting Poll. It's interesting to note that many are voting (saying) their reserve is bigger than their main... Most major manufacturers only make between 5 and 12-13 size combinations for main/reserve, usually having the same size main and reserve trays. (When I say same I mean a PDR126 is ostensibly the same size as a Sabre2 120, even though they are technically 6 square feet in difference). I wonder if this sizing difference is skewing the poll... In theory, your main should be as big as it needs to be to not kill you in an unconscious/no flare landing. This could be several sizes bigger than your main if you're jumping highly loaded main. There are very few manufacturers that let you build a container that answers the need for a much larger reserve than main. One of them, Parachute Labs, has over 100 combinations of main/reserve sizes. It seems that the reverse is becoming popular in the classic Accuracy field (huge main, regular reserve), as several manufacturers have new containers aimed specifically at that market. It would be nice if those manufacturers actually developed more patters for a greater variety of sizes (Large Reserve, small main) instead of developing Accuracy rigs for a very small portion of the market. CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

I don't think so. While the classic has a couple of features that may make it better (hinging between the main/reserve tray for comfort, main riser covers that don't interfere with the reserve deployment), I just can't get over the styling. The Racer 2k3 styling is more modern-looking to me, and I prefer it. In any case, other than the 2 features listed above, and the styling, there are no real differences between the classic and the 2k3. Just pick which style you prefer. That racer features page basically applies to both rigs. And (I just learned) - you can now get any Racer with the "Racer Swoosh" (like on my rig) sidewall embroidery design as a free option, in any color. CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

Just to throw in my $0.02. Just had this exact conversation with Suzie at Jumpshack a few days ago for a customer's new Racer 2k3. 90+% of racers are built with long mudflaps. 90+% of racers are built with a low chest strap. The one you see on my bard.ca web site (my personal rig) is built with a low chest strap. CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

If it is a Racer, it doesn't have teflon-coated cutaway cables (which would be red or orange in color), which have been standard since 1997. Teflon would probably have saved him from the hard pull. And if the main is not cutaway, and almost fully inflated, he doesn't have much wind speed for the pilot chute to catch wind with. CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

Good advice. Done. CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

You guys are both right. I reworded a bit. CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

It's kind of chicken and egg, isn't it? I agree with choose the reserve first, but I wanted to make a point of getting a reserve at least one size up from the main you intend to jump. CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

My latest article attempts to answer some of the most common questions people have when buying gear: which components you should get and in what order, buying new or used, and sizing. Enjoy! http://bard.ca/want-to-buy-a-skydiving-rig-do-it-this-way/ CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

Exactly my point. No photo showing the completed stitch pattern. CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

While I love the fact that Mirage put so much effort into explaining their rig - a great example to follow - some of their marketing wording is totally wonky. Here's an example: "A Mirage operator puts the finishing touches on a patented stitch that provides additional strength, yet enables the Unisyn harness to be ordered on small rig sizes" What the ? What patented stich? how does this stictch provide additional strength? and what does this have to do with small rig sizes? I guess what I'm getting at is if you're going to try to explain a feature - make sure you are detailed about it, explain it fully, and explain the benefit. CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

Don't worry so much about deadline. Go rock this thing! I'm with you on this one. Don't rush it just to get a new website out. Do it right. Do a professional photo shoot for product shots, with proper lighting. Do several. Pictures are everything. Take your time and do it right once! ;) CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

Yes they do, but it's really not needed in this harness geometry. Racers are comfortable with or without articulation. Without it also saves on weight (metal and a bit of extra webbing). You can get almost any option you can think of... CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

Actually, on a Racer 2k3, while it won't look as pretty, you can in fact close top/bottom in the wrong order and still be able to close - and it will function properly. If you totally mess up and close sides first, then top then bottom, then the topflap won't tuck, but it will still function! On the Classic Racer, you have to close top flap last, but its design makes it pretty obvious. I was going for standard features (mentioning the options if they were included in the pictures) but, yes there are several available options (Tie-die, anyone) CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

Most manufacturers that use Type 7 double the webbing, so yes, while doubled Type 7 is strong enough, it's also double the webbing and (almost) double the weight of webbing. As for the slipping issue. There is a whole history to it. The hardware (metal) parts were designed in the days of cotton webbing, and when they started making webbing from Nylon, Type 13 is the closest approximation to what the old cotton webbing was, with "ridges" in the webbing to prevent the hardware from slipping. Type 7 is thinner (which is why it has to be doubled) and is nice and smooth on its surface, which is why it is more prone to slip. CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

Thanks for the kudos. It's appreciated. I am pleasantly surprised by the reaction that people are having to this visual explanation. As for packing, it just takes practice. The rig in the pictures (my rig) has a 4" Reserve Pilot chute cap, which makes it much easier to seat properly in a small rig. It's all about making space for the spring before you even try to seat it. CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

That is *exactly* why I made this page. I believe the same thing. Wrap the jumpshack website in pretty pictures and visual explanations, and all of a sudden it would be a whole new ball game. CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

(Full disclosure - I am a Jumpshack dealer) I've just posted a page on my website that explains the features of the Jumphack Racer - with detailed pictures! For anyone who doesn't know about this rig, check the page out, it explains in words and pictures the features of the rig. This is something that doesn't exist on the Jumpshack website, so I figured this would be the best place to link it. Enjoy: http://bard.ca/skydiving/jumpshack-dealer/racer-features/ CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

Thanks for the kudos. Anytime. CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

My opinions: 1. You're loading it too high. You should have gotten one size up. 2. You bought a skyhook, that's good, but you didn't really have to, see here: http://bard.ca/should-i-get-a-skyhook/ 3. Both Cypres and Vigil have had growing pains and problems, and both units are now reliable. The software they run is different, so you must read and understand the unit you are jumping with. See here for a full discussion: http://bard.ca/which-aad-should-i-buy-cypress-or-vigil/ I have no experience with MARS AADs - they should send me one so I can review it! CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

I think more importantly than anything else is to establish WHO you are buying from. The community is very small. What I tend to do is to call the local DZO (of the person selling), and ask about the seller, then ask the DZO to speak to the Rigger that's been packing it. Those 2 people can give you a good feeling about who you're buying from and what condition the gear is really in. Phone calls are cheap these days, and it's well worth finding out about who you're buying from. So some people have mentionned using USPS - which is awesome - if the gear you're buying is worth $1k or less - because that's the max insurance that the seller can get for it. For more expensive things, like a full rig worth $4-5k, use UPS. It sucks because it's more expensive, and you'll have to pay a brokerage fee that varies on the declared value. See this page for rates: http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html Whereas USPS typically charges $8-10 for clearing a package. Both ways you'll have to pay taxes (13% most provinces) on top of the brokerage fee. It's the cost of being Canadian, I guess. Unless you drive down and pick it up yourself, and then don't declare it as you cross, which is illegal, but commonly done. CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

I buy and sell to/from the US all the time. I live in Ottawa. If you need advice/help re gear, let me know. CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

I've got a cost breakdown for both Cypres and Vigil at the end of this blog post: http://bard.ca/which-aad-should-i-buy-cypress-or-vigil/ CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

See the other recent thread about tight reserves. I'm not familiar with an OP193 in that size of Wings.... CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca

If you showed up to get that reserve packed, and I knew how much you weigh, I would not pack it for you. Having said this - that reserve would be ok for someone who doesn't exceed the placarded maximum. I've made some of my customers buy different reserve in this exact scenario (tiny micro-ravens). Now at your weight and experience level, you'll proably need a different container as well. As for the DZ, that varies widly. Some would let you jump as long as it's in date, the better places would hopefully ask some questions... CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca