Vectracide

Scott, Yeah, I only plan on using this for canopy work. I might try some freefall systems, but that would require some extensive mic mouth cup to work. As for the Pro-tec helmet, I went to their site and found only one that is similar...is this it? http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47948078&parent_category_rn=4501607#specs The pro-tec is slightly heavier (minimally), and holds the same CE EN ratings that the Charly helmet does. Basically bike and snow impacts only. It is quite a bit cheaper though. Is is as slim and sleek as the Charly? Also, where can I find the Aero-Oregon kevlar liner kit? Thanks ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Does anyone here have one of these helmets? These are designed for paragliding and handgliding. I am considering purchasing one for a better level of protection for swooping and for being able to install a communication system in for full alti canopy coaching. I am mostly interested in how wide they are.....so if you have seen one and can comment on how it compares to our current selection of skydiving helmets, please do. Thanks http://www.finsterwalder-charly.de/html_eng/helme/insider.php ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

For the love of god people........he_is_a_troll......nothing more. I can't believe that people don't see it. Stop feeding his needs...and for god's sake....stop making posts about it. Let it go. Ignore him. It's bad enough that people like him try to make this site into Rec.skydiving....but your attention to it is just perpetuating the situation. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Ahhhh....another Simon victim. You actually gonna compete this year with that thing? Were looking at some unusual venues for this season's CPC.....nothing in stone....but it could be fun. You should come down and swoop with us...... ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Did Chachi know it was a prototype that wasn't working as intended? If he did, which I suspect, what a knucklehead. But knowing him as I do....I can see this. Did you ever get it back? ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

I belive that user name Chachi had 2 mals with one of Mels systems, but I am unaware of what exactly was the cause of the problem. His mals were close together in jump #'s, and IIRC, the slider would hang up in some fashion on he way down, causing line twists. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Hey. If your #1 desire in skydiving is becoming a canopy pilot then look towards taking as many canopy coaching clinics as you can get your hands on. Be prepared to pay good money to become safe and confident. Find a canopy course as fast as you can. There are alot of good pilots at your DZ, some of which I have competed against. Take the time to introduce yourself to some of the swoopers there, and tell them what your goals and intentions are. Now finding the right person to ask might seem a quandary, so ask your DZO, the S&TA and perhaps your rigger which person on your DZ is the best person to take coaching from. Remember, not every person that you see swooping is the right person to take advice from. Be very selective to whom you let influence you. The best way to start the learning process is from someone that coaches for a living. Here are some names: Scott Miller...hes an East coaster. Brian Germain...another East coaster. JC in Perris...or any of the other guys there such as Clint Clawson (whom I took some coaching from)....the list goes on and on. its important that you start with a known, reputable person to learn good habits first...and this will also give you the ability to see what is good and not so good advice for the future. Of course....a boatload of clear and pulls from full altitude to play with your canopy is always a winner. Just don't do it with others at your skill level. 2 people in the air under canopy experimenting with new things is not a good combo. Keep your head on a swivel, look before you act, know the limitations of your canopy thru experience, and have fun. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Really....I am surprised that the designer of a canopy is allowed to have the design rights to that canopy when it is produced by a company. Now I have no knowledge of how the industry in this way works...but what I am reading from you, is that a guy named Jyro designed the VX, and perhaps even the Crossfire and owned the rights to the design. Did he lease the rights to Icarus, but then decide to release them again with modifications under a different name to another company? With all the copyright and such going on in this world, its just surprising seeing the succsessful design of several canopies by one company being shared with another. Although, it can do nothing to but create new and exciting canopies for us to fly, so I encourage such sharing of technologies. As far as the Crossfire...here's a link to the GLS XF... http://www.nzaerosports.com/GLSXF.htm Thanks for the info dude... ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Great news. I have heard nothing but the best about the Spain facility. In fact, I called them to find the canopy I ordered and that was the only way I was able to get any answers to where my canopy was. Its good to know that there is someone other than the person I dealt with working the US side of things. I personally know Wyat as well, and I know hes passionate, to say the least, about what he does. I was aware that Daedalous was a different company entirely, but I was under the impression that there was some communication between Icarus and them. Isn't the JVX based off the VX? And the new GLS XF based off the Crossfire2? ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Well its good to hear that they have made positive changes. I will admit, since my personal experience, that yes, I have not dealt with them again, so things might be very different. I wonder if since Deadalus was created, things took off in different and postive directions. When I dealt with them, everything was in Spain, with only reps here in the states. If you don't mind me asking, cause you appear to be a rep., what has changed in the last couple years....such as manufacturing plants, reps and such. I apologize for my previous comments if they aren't accurate anymore....I just had a whalloup of an experience. Cheers. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Be prepared to wait even longer. Do a search and you will find a long history of extended wait times, and not the greatest communication/customer service. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Shit....a day late and a post short.... ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

After reading this whole thread, I have come up with a startling conclusion that I never expected to find. I might die in a tunnel. It's possible right? If the really good guys can break themselves doing it...I sure could. Now since JP has shown us the dangers out there, I began to wonder how he does it. How does someone that has spent so much time tunnel flying, be injury free? It's more dangerous that skydiving people!!!!!! Well, after some research, I have found the secret that he has been keeping all to himself. Somehow Jason knew of the legend, perhaps it came to him in a dream...I dunno. Perhaps it was a faint sound he heard coming from JP's locker at SV in Co. every time he walked by. Now this is almost as good as finding that lightbulb that never burns out in the warehouse of inventions the government keeps from us. Somehow, JP has found the secret, the tunnel muse if you may, and we must hunt him down and take it from him for the benefit of everyone. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Oh please don't say that his piece of information will solve this conundrum forever...... I was almost about to kiss off the BASE and swoop forum to hang out here........ Wheeeeeee.......... ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Yes, I understand what he was trying to convey, and I got it...not that I totally agree with it, as I thought Chachi did a good job conveying his message. Am I missing something here? Was the refererence to the thread that got locked? I was just trying to keep on topic, that's all, but perhaps...I am not getting an analogy here.... ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

This has what to do with the topic? Please keep comments on this matter to the topic at hand, as it is too important to derail. it would be greatly appreciated. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Yes, SSD does have a very good system for swoopers, but this example isn't very normal. SSD has the luxury of space to have such different landing areas, seperated by a private runway. It is an ideal area, this is why we hold some of the CPC events there. There is in fact no 270's allowed in the main landing area, but IIRC its only 90's. Do people pay attention to that? Nope. Its mostly the locals that break the rules, as they are the first ones down, from video's and such. For DZ's like ours, Snohomish, it would be impossible to split our landing area at the airport, as its too damn small to begin with. I could imagine the possiblitiy of having a swoop pond on the other side of the runway, but that would require a shuttle for every load to get back in any decent amount of time. In Eloy's case....yes, it would be very easy as there is ample space to create another landing area. The issue here is, are they going to be there much longer, and why put cash into another grass area when SDAZ could be a figment of our imagination in the near future..... Now if and when it opens up somewhere else in the country......I would place money on the table that there will be very segregated areas for HP landings, and you could see a potential swooping haven for competitiors. But hey, this is only in my head.... ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Great research there Airborne. I just so happen to have a Crossfire2 119 for sale with around 600 jumps and the last 200 or so on a vectran lineset. Interested? ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Jim's bro....Brad. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Well Tracy.....that's because YOUR a badass...... I suspect Jason took that pic? ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

If your going to fly at a WL less than 2.0, there isn't much point in getting a crossbraced for swooping. The twitchyness that you are describing, mostly comes along with high performance crossbraced canopies...even some very HP non crossbraced canopies can be somewhat twitchy. Its kinda like the Red Bull acrobatic plane.....now that little SOB is a twitchy Mofo, but look what it can do.....same with canopies for the most part. If you are going to stay in the 1.6-1.8 range....try a Katana on for size. I believe that you will find that it opens fine if you dont fly it...just keep your feet and knees together and relax. As for the dive on that canopy...well, its a diving machine for a non-crossbrace. It almost dives as much as the Velo. This is what I fly at 1.8, and I compete against all the big boys in the CPC...and do quite well for what I'm flyin. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Your problem is MS Paint. Its not worthy of my son to draw stick figures with. Get Photoshop, or similar photo editing program to do this kind of work with. ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

What up Stacey.....ya freak. Well, you have left out the most important thing to consider, PC or Mac. No matter what PC you get to edit, you will have to deal with all the fun things that a PC requires. Spyware, anti-pop up sofware, anti-virus, not to mention the payments to each of these once a year to keep them up to date. Then there is the crash issue....nothing better than uploading a couple gigs of video to have your computer shit itself from the influx of data. If your lucky, it takes it, but rest assured....it will crash/lock at some point in your editing process when you haven't saved it for 10 minutes or so.....yeah...that's fun. Don't forget about the fact that no matter what editing software program you use...it will not work hand in hand with your other programs, like your picture or music program for importing reasons. Buy a Mac and all these problems go away....as in...there are never there. Seamless integration between progams, such as iPhoto, iTunes and iMovie HD. No viruses...no paying some dude for a program to take a virus that he put on there in the first place...... I can say all this with no worry because I have had many many PC's, some store bought (which were the biggest pieces of shit) and several homebuilt ones (that were much more stable platform than a Dell ever wished it could be). I still have one that the wife uses and for very basic things. The best computer investment I ever made was getting a Mac. I have a Powerbook G4 17". It has a HD screen, 2 gigs or ram, very portable and extremely capable of editing large sized movies. I will never buy a PC ever again. Consider it......you wont be sorry. ps....how's the drama goin out there? Ever thought about working for MH? I hear there's quite a few openings..... Brad ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Sometimes I don't even remember my dytters going off.....er.......what? ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....

Well, everyone's experience will be differnet. I know by looking at my own videos, that if after opening I say "goddammit!".....its been a hard one. Every time..... ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate.....