gazza

I have just bought a 2K Composites Fusion Helmet and it looks like am the first one so I thought I would supply you all some details on this new great product from 2K Composites using Zkulls technology. Why buy a Fusion ?? I was looking for a camera helmet that would allow me to easily fit and remove video and stills camera assemblies to the helmet with the minimum of fuss. And maximum speed so that I can change the use of the helmet quickly. I used to have a 2K Composites FF2 which was a great helmet but this was in the days of the PC range of cameras which would side mount nicely. Now cameras have changed from the PC format to the HDR shape. I needed to look for an alternative. Having worked at Skydive Empuriabrava for a couple of years I contacted the shop to see what was available and hence coming across the new 2K Composites Fusion helmet with the RCB Labs Zkulls mounting system integrated into the helmet. This is a brand new helmet that has only just come out. ( see photos) Firstly I looked at buying this helmet due to the comfort of the FF2 that I used to own, anyone that has ever owned a 2K Composites helmet knows that they have always been a good fitting, comfortable and quiet helmet due to the good build quality and finish. Ok about the helmet. It comes with the Zkulls quick release mount system already integrated into the flat top and the flat side of the helmet so no fitting or drilling of holes required for mounting camera equipment, for more details of the Zkulls mounting system check out their web site at www.rcb-lab.com As it is integrated into the helmet it is a flush mount which looks really neat. The helmet is made from fibre glass and came in a very attractive metallic black high gloss finish. The chin cup was fitted with a factory installed cut away system which I feel is a must for anyone flying camera, you always hope that you will never need it but its like insurance….. you don’t want it but if you ever do you are really glad you got it fitted!! The chin cup is comfortable and fits really well, the straps that attach to the chin cup fit inside the front of the chin cup so no untidy ends. Looks smart feels comfortable and the cut away works well so exactly what you need. There is plenty of space in the helmet to fit two audibles if you are using the new optima and solo, if you are using the old shaped Protrack or ProDytter you can still fit both but it is a little tight. There is also plenty of room in the helmet to hide all of your wiring for the camera switches and video leads without feeling it when you put the helmet on. I have two video cameras that I wanted to use, I have my old reliable PC101e and a HDR-HC5e, these cameras were fitted into two Tonfly camera cases, one for each of the cameras with the RCB-Labs Zkulls mounting system fitted to the camera box. The PC101e can be top or side mounted and the HDR-HC5e is top mount. For the stills camera I bought a base plate with the Zkulls mounting ring fitted which is designed to fit my Canon 400d camera. All of this sounds quite involved and a couple of years ago would have meant quite a bit of drilling and cutting at home but not now, all this kit was off the shelf and just bolted together so all I needed was a screwdriver a pair of pliers and a couple of hours to assemble it all. Using the Zkulls mount is great, it is easy to mount or dismount the camera assemblies and also has a nice feature in that the mounting can be adjusted 5 degrees up or down instantly which is really handy for filming tandems and freefly, even the stills camera bite switch just fitted straight in as it has a plug and socket that allows you to route the cable through the Zkulls mount. The camera bite switch is unique also as it is totally waterproof and does not use a cover to do this that you will eventually chew through. Where do you get all this….. Contact 2K Composites (www.2kcomposites.com) and ask for the fusion, RCB-Labs for the Zkulls mount, camera switches and mounting plates (www.rcb-labs.com) skyrats (www.skyrats.com) for the Tonfly camera boxes. What’s it like in the air…… perfect !!!! Cost ….. 2K Composites FUSION €480 with mounts and cut away system Hope this helps …… Gary Burchett

I use seperate batteries for the camera and the PC101, hacking into an infolithium battery is not as good idea, they are pwerfull battery and have an electronic charging circuit that you dont want to play with. i use these batteries as everyone has got them. The battery is mounted on the helmet I have tried the connectors listed in this thread but found that they come out in freefall and are a pain to connect up in the plane and wear out very quickly. As i said spend your money on a decent quality connector as this is what is going to fail first. I use a waterproof 8 way micro plug with a pre wired cable assembly, not cheap but reliable. At the end of the day it dosnt matter what you build, it will only be worth the cheapest component you use as this fails first and then you have nothing, remember most problems are caused by bad connection. Hope this helps

Been reeding the threads, I use a 480 TVL camera attached to my PC101E, a bit of software modifying with an RM95 remote opens up the VCR functions, you guys with a PC101 in the US dont have that problem we have to sort out in europe. Control I have a special single button remote unit that plugs into the Lanc for camera control but works in VCR mode instead of camera, works exactly the same as a cam eye II with the indicator led indicators. This sorts out the control problem so you dont have to play around with the camera before your jump, easy, simple and works Power Power for the camera is supplied by the standard sony Np-FM50 batteries as everyone has got them, needs a special board to get them to 12v. The camera will work at 7.2V but the quaility is a bit iff, better to run at 12V. Cabling Getting good conectors and cable is the important bit, anyone that works with cameras knows that this is the part that fails first and gives problems, i use a screened single 8 core cable that carries Lanc, video and audio (if you want it) i use a high quality plug and socket assembly which is easy to connect on the way up to altitude. It is worth spending the money on the connectors. you have to work out your own way of getting rid of the cable connection if you have to cut away your helmet should you need to but if you have no obstuctions on the helmet this should not be likely. Always keep it in mind as you never know. Is is always best to plan for it and not have to use it instead of trusting to luck.

Just read the reviews, interesting that common sense seems to have left the building and given way to complaining. some people have to find the negative in everything. "Long narrow landing area", what do you need to land on, if you cant land on that you need to practice your canopy skills if you can no make the landing area, what are you going to do if you have a malfunction? look for the nearest airport to land on.. sorry thats not going to work. "Bit of a zoo" so can ant drop zone that is busy, empuriabrava is the busiest DZ in europe not some tiny little dirt track with a crop duster running off it, you get jumpers from all over the world with different experience levels, If you dont like wahat happens in the air then you are not thinking enough and are taking things for granted. It is your responsibility if something is not right with seperation or what people are doing is to help the situation by taking positive action in the air and on the ground. OK thats enough, i jump there and love it and yes i have jumped at other drop zones, to all those people out there complaining take your complaining somewhere else and before judging other people have a look at what you are doing. europe has over 200 drop zones so you have plenty to choose from, if you dont like it why do you come back time after time.