cadurso

After lots of surfing and research I ended up getting a RED Skycap http://www.the-house.com/re8sc2b6zzredskycap.html snowboarding helmet. It offers rated impact protection, its not hugely thick, and hey it even has a fitting name. You can put a ditter inside the ear pocket (fits better with some trimming), its got adjustible vents and a soft lining. I've only jumped it 20 or so times and some stiching around the ear pad is already coming out but for $50 instead of $200 I can't fault it. Just something to maybe look into. If you get any snowboarding helmet make sure to take off the goggle holder thing on the back as it seemed like it could be a snag point.

I have a Protrack clipped into its mount and attached to the outside ear section of my Protec with some zipties. I did have to drill some holes so the ties would line up better and sit smoother against the helmet, but its a Protec so drilling holes in it is no big deal. I have been a little worried that the Protrack will come out if its clip in freefall for some reason, but nothing like that has happened to me yet.

I was in a similar situation to you. But I didn't have to jump my near gear at a boogie, just Skydive Arizona. Still it was more pressure that I didn't really enjoy while trying to feel out my new canopy. Also, at SDA they don't like you to open higher than 3,500 - opening altitude at boogies probably depends on what DZ they are at. From going through it, I would suggest you wait until you can jump at your home dz (where you are most comfortable) and open high, or do hop&pops as someone else said.

I'll be making my first trip out to Skydive AZ on Friday, March 2nd and will be out there at least until the 13th. Anybody know if they usually do events for safety day? ..........anybody happen to be driving to/from the airport and Eloy on either of those days? I'd love to pay for your jump rather than $110 for the shuttle. Hopefully there will be some friendly people out there that won't mind taking a newb up with them for some jumps. I'm planning on staying in the bunkhouse. Mods, if this should be in the bonfine please feel free.

I love the idea of that new pin.

great videos, thanks for posting the links here. I was really interested to see what the improvements on the Vigil are and now I got to see the info direct from manufacturer!

I choose the Vigil. Its cheaper initially + less planned downtime/maintenance. Although it hasn't been around as long as the Cypress it has still been proven effective (and I feel if its REALLY my time to go, then its my time to go anyway). I also think Vigil will continue to grow as a company and resale value will be higher than a used Cypress in the future.

When I was going through AFF, I experienced the same thing - as I'm sure everyone does. I found that keeping the legstraps fairly tight was better than having them loose. Not tight enough to cut off circulation, but if they are loose at deployment the shock hurts.

Good point, but I'd still have to go for #1. I'd want her at my next party