parachutesj

I also experienced some problems with compatibility in the first place with my DVD-R (Pioneer) but after burning them with single speed I haven't had any issues at all. I don't know if it is the burner, the firmware or the DVD's but it works well for me and my customers. I also only use TDK DVD's anymore. A bit pricy but good quality.

I would guess he might be somewhere in the top20. I made a jump with Jim Wallace about a year ago at Perris. He has probably also 20000 by now...

I've only jumped one time in real high winds. It was about a year ago at a Dropzone close to the beach in Spain. There were about 15 people on the load. I did a two way FF and jumping a Sabre 2 at about 1:1.4. I noticed the strong winds early and stopped working at about 5500 and made it back to the landing area. On final, I backed up a bit and did not flare at all. I figured if I would flare, it would probably push me back fast... So, I would suggest, if you're backing up, don't flare and be prepared for a PLF. One girl misjudged the winds and couldn't make it back to the DZ, she landed about 300 yards offshore but was rescued later without any injuries - but it was a close call though... SJ

You're right. It looks like it is more convenient than the cypress. However, if you're used to the Cypres start up it is also easy - I don't think it is a big thing and if I see some numbers in the end I'll try again and if it won't come clear - my rigger will do the job. The only downpoint I can see right now is the fact if you're setting a different landing attitude. How's that on the Vigil? I don't have a problem jumping with people who use Vigils - they might fail like Cypres did or vice versa. On the other hand: if there is more competition there might be more improvements which makes our sport safer. So in the end everybody wins ;-)

Yeah thanks, but who needs all those gimmiks? OK, it is not bad to have more features but my point is: The only interesting part of the new Vigil is - Does it work - and does it work properly. Don't get me wrong but we only know more about it after the first couple serves or failures. I wish nobody will ever need it but you know. It needs to prove its reliability

I've used it for test purpose. It is nice to have and after the first time I used it - WOW!!! Maybe you're doing a nice pic and send it to your friends back home via email or even a small video. Cool stuff, huh? Who will be able to surf and check his emails with a camera? But in real life there is no use for it at all. It is just way to slow. And the navigation is also a pain in the a## just my opinion...

We hat the discussion in another thread. I am just curious. How many jumps or what is the maximum life of a harness? When do you plan to replace it? I know it depends on usage, storage and most importantly where you use it (dessert - heat and sand, lots of UV) and also who jumps it. I think a harness for a girl with 100 lbs is not stronger than one for a big guy. Would you agree to a maximum lifespan (10, 15 or 20 years) and why or why not?

I belive in this too. But it is different how you store it and where you use it. If you jump a lot in the dessert it might wear much faster. Another question: Age isn't the main factor when a rig becomes weaker. For how many jumps can you use a rig (average). Just curious what you guys think...

That is what I did. I sold my perfectly good Vector 2 (12 years) in the US. Yeah, but in that case it is based on a personal opinion. If one says it can't be used anymore and you go shopping for a second or third opinion - you know... In the first place everybody hates it if he needs to trash (or sell it to russia :-) his gear after a certain period but if you think of all the improvements in the last x years it might be worth considering new state of the art gear.

In germany a rig can't be jumped after 15 years. You need a check for every part every 2 years and reserve and rig needed to be replaced after that. You might find a rigger who declares it airworthy for another 2 years but after this it needs to be replaced. I am not saying that this is very good practice in general or has anything to do with your b-12 snaps but it limits some risks. Steffen

It might be safe. But never forget about a 2-out-scenario...

Hi there! I don't want to offend anybody. But I wrote an email to the seller and it bounced back... I asked for the serial #... http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2747083269&category=13363 The text in the auction says that it was bought in the US and is brand new. Maybe somebody recognizes his canopy or what would be much better - I am completely wrong! blue skies SD

Hi everyone! I just wanted to let everyone know that L&B has the best customer service ever. I complained about the short battery life of my pro track and they told me that they had some bad batches of batteries (Newsun) and sent me 3 (THREE!!!) sets of new panasonic batteries free of charge within 5 days. That is awesome. Thank you so much L&B! blue skies Steffen

You might add that a higher pixel rate gives them the opportunity to do a better steady shot. Not saying they are doing this - but I've heard a lot about the differences of different Sony models (all single chip). This might be an argument for higher resolutions.

I jump a PC120 and only once had an "out of focus" due to sun reflections on my filter... What is that about? Never heard of a problem like this...anybody else? Steffen

I've got no glue how they operate, but I guess they will exit somewhere over an area they don't really know and what exact attitude they are at... So a delay of a couple seconds makes perfect sense to me (If they won't pull manually or do a s/l) Steffen

The question would be: What exactly is trash pack? If I look at the different methods at our drop zone, some people need a couple minutes to pack, others up to 30 minutes. I would say my pack is kinda trashy. I route my lines (separated by steering, back and front), count my cells, push them together in the middle of the canopy. Pick up my center cell and twist it a couple times and lay it on the floor. This takes no more than 30 - 45 seconds, then bagging which is much more time consuming. I have always nice openings and never ever thought it might not open. BTW it is a almost new Sabre2. So, would you call this a trash pack?

It was on one load at Perris last summer, my buddy and I were first. Red light, door open, turn around cause of traffic ... green light, we got out. Oh shit - where are we? We estimated it was about 5-6 miles north of the Dropzone. We had a nice landing at the channel and some quad-bike dudes picked us up and another dude drove us with a pickup back to the dropzone, they didn't even notice we're missing :-( Later on, after speaking to Jack G. he said the pilot accidentially hit the green light. They usually spot really well over there but I will never jump without spotting myself. Steffen

Sure everybody does. But there is so much more out there. A couple days ago on german television: A JM and his student open both close by, the student has a malfunction, cut away and tumbles unconscious. The JM cuts away also, catches her, deploys the reserve, she's still unconscious but has somehow collapsed her slider on the reserve??? and lands perfectly. Another nice scene: 3 guys discuss in freefall plans about a robbery. Skydiving on TV stinks! Steffen

Hi, I don't have any experience with this http://www.xdream-optics.de/skyline_english.htm but some people in germay say they are very good. It looks almost like my diamond but is a lot cheaper. maybe you could find somebody with it and try it out or get some comments. Steffen

If you exit that low, always go for the reserve! I'd say if you have to jump below 1500 go straight for the reserve. Steffen

Thanks to all of you! I will try to repair (no, not with my penis :-) and also see a rigger asap. Blue skies Steffen

Hi there! I've just got my Rig back from my rigger. As i started to pack it, I noticed a loop as seen on the pictures on my center cell. The thread is not broken, it is just pulled out a bit. If I try to stretch it, it will go back in its original position. I will see a rigger asap but we don't have a permanent at the dropzone...so i might risk a couple jumps with it. What do you riggers out there think? BTW, It is a Sabre2 with a bit more than 100 jumps on it Thanks Steffen

Ok, here is a question: I've got the elastic setup (#1) on my Odyssey. My brake lines are a bit longer and if I do it like SP recommends it would look like A in my attachment. First of all, it is a pain in the ass to get it through but my main concern is, it will wear the brake lines a lot while stowing the bottom toggle tip. I just did it 3 or 4 times and you can see the wear already. What about my second attachment (B)? This would prevent the brake line excess from tangling a bit better than just leave them unstowed at all. Or might be the best way to shorten the lines 6-7 inches and do it like SP recommends and forget about the wear? Thanks SJ

jumping a side mount. got a riser strike once... ouch.