likestojump

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Posts posted by likestojump

  1. theplummeter

    ***You are the ONLY person that says Micro-Raven flew fine.

    I saw three Micro-raven landings. None of them walked back to the dz.

    and wasn't brand new Infinity back in 2001 started at around 1000 dollar without any options??



    I've heard this a ton of times on the forum but after a spinning malfunction and cutaway the Raven opened quickly and on heading, and I had a nice stand up landing at 5000 feet in Longmont, CO at ninety degrees. I also rode another Micro Raven 150 that didn't do as well, but saved my life and led to a gentle PLF that probably could have been stood up had I been more confident.

    I don't hate the reserve and planned to keep it with my new container. A jumper at my dropzone made an offer on the container with the reserve so I ordered a new one, only to have the original deal fall through.

    Just to be clear - a lightly(ish) loaded Raven (only available in 181,218,249 and 282 sq ft) and and overloaded MicroRaven (available in sized as small as 109) are fairly different animals.

  2. katzas

    ***in his first post, Paul (Likestojump) was a little bit sarcastic against the original poster, but also provided a vlauable (and free) tool which is the Cypres cost calculator.

    You two should now get a couple of beers and meet for some get back together sex



    No--his reply was not "a little bit sarcastic" it was an attack on me--with no dispute as to the analysis itself. I believe I mentioned that I used the Cypres online calculator to determine the true value of that AAD in question. It is a useful tool as you point out.

    One of the most useful words in the English language is "why".
    I, and presumably many others who read the attack asked the question, "why would someone go to such lengths to attack a simple financial analysis--a reality check if you will--of an ad that clearly overpriced a piece of equipment" The answer to that question may be that the attacker has a motive that we do not understand. A bit of research reveals a possible solution. He sells used gear. A monger of any product salivates over an uneducated customer. The irony is that at least one potential customer has expressed a reluctance to deal with him based on his response. Education is a wonderful thing.

    As to your suggestion about beer and make-up sex--I am quite prepared to receive and accept an apology from him. However, carnality goes beyond the pale of tolerance.

    I don't deny or hide the fact that I sell gear. The fact that I have moved tonnes of nylon makes me extremely knowledgeable as a buyer, as as seller, and as a rigger. I don't cheat people, and I don't dwell on uneducated customers. If you've ever dealt with me and started asking me uneducated questions I'd either do my best to educate you, or send you off to an unbiased party, s.a. an experienced jumper or rigger at your local DZ.

    now, again, let me spell this out for you :

    You have no demonstrated any credibility to give advice. Having made your first jump in Orange in 1966 is undoubtedly an awesome bragging point, but it does not automatically make you an expert in anything. For the record I have made my first skydive from a Beech 18, but that's just another useless fact.

    You have on multiple occasions referred to George Galloway's private statement to you about unwilling to pack gear over 15 (and later you flip-flopped that number to 20) years old, and you repeatedly tried to sell that as a fact, rather than an opinion given to you in private.

    You have on multiple occasions stated incorrect data (Cypres service being $200, Cypres2 life being 12 years).

    Lastly, in this thread, you took a very uncommon problem (someone advertising a life-limited product as NEW, without regard that it had been on a shelf for a very long time) and asking an unrealistic price for it. This does not deserve it's own thread. This is not a recurring problem, and anyone with half a brain asks for DOM on an AAD, and most other things.

    Additionally, I have never stated or suggested that you should not be posting on the forums. I do however have a very firm belief that people should not be giving advice about topics they are not an expert on.

    If you have the time, please see the threads where username ChrisD had posted. He is another old(ish) timer like you claim to be, who came in all internet-(un)educated and started posting pages of letters filled with no value.

    If you have time after that, read some posts by a username "Sangi". His story did not end well.

    "Common sense ain't too common nowadays"

  3. My point is that if someone with no credentials starts giving advice on every little thing, without giving proper facts, then the forums will be forever polluted.

    Here's a simple advice on buying Cypres AAD's :

    use this calculator : http://www.cypres-usa.com/usedcypres.asp

    Simple advice on buying other gear (and this gets repeated every other day) :
    Ask experienced jumpers and riggers that you know.
    Have the gear shipped to the rigger if you feel uncomfortable.
    ChutingStar has a good guide written : http://www.chutingstar.com/more/skydive/expert-advice/34-gear-buying-tips

    Pretty simple. Definitely unbiased, and definitely a lot more credible than posts from a random person on the forums who has a history of unfactual drivel.

  4. As katzas pointed out to me via a PM (with a lot of nasty words), I apparently am trolling his honorable quest to educate the masses.

    Apparently re-hashing old information via new posts with ALL-CAP titles is one's divine right when they are on a mission from conscience.

    My apologies for pointing out the obvious.

    When the poster makes first hand advice mixed with phrases like "The life of a Cypres is about 12 years", the value of such advice isn't very high.

    Let's not forget the OP's undying belief in one specific Master Rigger's reluctance to pack canopies over 15 years old which by katzas's reading became the end-all advice to all who would listen.

    All hail katzas, The Great. I am sure he's a long time experienced jumper, rigger and overall good guy who is just too shy to speak of his accomplishments.

    PS I am 100% sober at the time of writing of this message

  7. skydived19006

    ***Mel does like to get up on his high horse and tell everyone else what is right. Hope he does right for you.



    I figured that a little public peer pressure could only be a good thing in this case. Some people might dig in and get pissed about being called out in public. Lord knows, it wasn't my first option.

    The last time he pulled a similar disappearing stunt on me and I went public, my canopy showed up UN-repaired with no paperwork. When I finally got him on the phone he gave me the same sorry story he gives everyone about his "other" job and how he got his son to send it back, which is why there was no note included.

    I asked him to write me an apology letter and sign it with his USPA and FAA credentials - at that point he suggested that he would like to discuss that with his brother in law who is an attorney.

    You make your own judgements. I made mine.

    If you got the time, I'd file a theft complaint. That may finally teach him how to not conduct "business".

  8. riggerrob


    So good luck in finding a young rigger who knows how to pack a round reserve. Even more luck finding a grumpy, old grey-bearded FAA Master Rigger has a dusty copy of the manual for your 20-year-old round reserve. Forget about finding a skydiving instructor (less than 40 years old) who has jumped a round canopy!
    Hah!



    Weird. I am a younger rigger, not old grey-bearded one. I have ratings and I haven't been jumping anywhere close to 40 years. I got plenty of round manuals, I have packed (and continue to pack) plenty of rounds, and I have jumped and landed plenty of various rounds (both reserves and mains).

    sorry, just wanted to brag :)

  11. katzas

    Has anyone used goggles or sunglasses with a cam built into them? The newer ones are 1080P HD and are being offered with 5.8GHz wi-fi capability. I don't know if this allows real time freefall transmission or not. You can put an SD card into the glasses/goggles to record the dive. This would seem to eliminate one problem with externally mounted cameras on helmets. Comments?



    An immediate problem I can identify is quality. Smaller lens = lesser quality. I bet low light performance will suck majorly.

  16. JeffCa

    *********
    I'm not aware of a local dealer for helmets where I jump. I'll ask the next time I'm there. Assuming there isn't one, what is the next best alternative?



    I've heard that internet dealers will often send you 2 helmets in different sizes. You return the one that doesn't fit in un-jumped perfect condition.

    WHO DOES THAT ?

    I won't name names, but I was told that some of the biggest do it. It's not as outrageous as it sounds. They send you 2 helmets, on condition that they'll charge your card if you don't return 1 of them. Or they charge you for 2, you return 1 and they refund it. Pretty basic, no?

    Conceptually, yes, it's very straightforward. But I really meant for my statement to be just as straightfoward : I'd like to know which dealers do this. Please feel free to PM.

    thanks !

  17. katzas



    Liability or other reasons? Well, as to liability--absolutely. Knowingly packing and certifying a reserve that is that old may indeed lead to a liability issue.......for a reason. As to other reasons why he wouldn't pack it--I specifically asked him whether or not a canopy that old was safe to use (as a reserve--in this particular case a Raven). He responded to my question in the context of safety--not about liability. I suppose he could mean that he just doesn't like to pack reserves at all--but I doubt it.

    A master rigger looks you in the eye and says, "I won't pack this" in response to your question about whether or not it is safe to use. I think most people would conclude he is trying to tell me something and maybe I should listen to him. I wasn't asking him to pack a 20 year old Raven, I was asking him if it was, in his expert opinion, safe to use. I got the message.



    What you are saying points to inference - Unless told specifically, you are assuming that the person meant what they did not say. You may be wrong. Or the person may just not have wanted to give a direct answer. We won't know until they state specifically what their stance on the issue is.

    katzas


    PD requires inspection at the factory of their reserves periodically--and puts a defacto limit of 20 years on the useful life of a reserve canopy. They have also, in several cases, refused to return a canopy to a skydiver (and offered a discount on a new canopy or a direct replacement for no charge) that they believed was unsafe in some way.



    And the statements right above is where you loose your credibility...

    You are rehashing invalid information along with what I think are just urban legends.
    PD most definitely DOES NOT put a 20 year life on their gear. I have had them re-cert, repair and just plain inspect 20+ year old reserves on multiple occasions.
    I do not for a second believe that PD would refuse to return a canopy. They simply cannot do so under the US laws. The canopy is the property of the owner, and PD has no rights to it. To not return it is to commit theft. PD can refuse to service and can refuse to certify anything that is sent to their factory, but that's where their rights end. They cannot deface, destroy or steal your property. This is not different than the reason why there still are Ford Pinto's on the road - Ford cannot force the owners to sell them back, or to modify them. They can only suggest to do so.

    katzas


    Vigil and Cypress both have expiry dates on their AADs. Could you use one past it's expiry date? Maybe. Would you? Also maybe. But I won't.



    I won't either. As that would be illegal from FAA's standpoint.

    katzas


    I have yet to see a reason to use really old gear. Can you provide one?



    This is the question that can be debated forever. The bottom line is that no one is forced to use old gear. Everyone is welcome to buy and own whatever their heart desires. If YOU have a personal rule of owning things under 18 years of age - then you can always trash things as they become too old for your safety. There are no rules necessary for you to do that.

    My PERSONAL reasons for using older things is that I have many rigs that seldom get used, but I like to have at my disposal. I could not justify having them be nice and shiny 5K pieces of gear, but can certainly afford for them to sit around when they cost me under $1K

    katzas


    My first jump was on a B-4 container with a T-10 in it. Would I use one today? Nope. If you want to--fine.


    No argument there. But I'd like to know how you squeezed a T10 into a B4.

    katzas


    I haven't said anywhere in our conversation that you can't or shouldn't use twenty year old stuff. I HAVE said that, in my opinion--and in the opinion of a guy who has had thirty years experience in design, manufacture and research of parachutes--it isn't safe. That is the choice I make--you can make your own.


    Is your opinion based on facts, or just hearsay and your understanding of the between the lines reading of what one Master Rigger had to say ?

    PS since in one of your posts in this thread you claimed $250 for Cypres service, and then pointed out that you are US based - I would like to count that as another strike away from your credibility. The service is $160 + shipping.

  18. JeffCa

    ***
    I'm not aware of a local dealer for helmets where I jump. I'll ask the next time I'm there. Assuming there isn't one, what is the next best alternative?



    I've heard that internet dealers will often send you 2 helmets in different sizes. You return the one that doesn't fit in un-jumped perfect condition.

    WHO DOES THAT ?

  19. katzas

    *********Like the other day, I saw an ad for Raven 2 DOM 1997, Zero ride for 700 bucks.

    You fucking serious?? 700 bucks, that thing was brand new back in 97 at 700 bucks, this shit ain't gold, after almost 20 years later you can not sell it for same price you've got it for.



    Anybody buying a 17 year old reserve and depending on it to save their ass is, in my opinion, nuts. Somebody selling that same reserve should be tarred and feathered. I don't care how many riggers sign off on it--the rigger who signs off doesn't have to jump it--I do. I have a lot of respect for most riggers--but they ain't god. The president of the company that makes Icarus canopies was nice enough to send me an email stating that, as a master rigger, designer and builder of parachutes he would never pack a reserve made by his company or anyone else's that was older than 15 to 18 years. That's good enough for me.

    Can we agree to disagree ? I have two large rigs used for jumping large canopies, round canopies and for flag jumps. Each one houses a 1992 and a 1993 RavenIII reserve. I sure as hell don't for a second think that those reserves are unsafe or for a second hesitate to use them.

    Furhtermore, I've jumped plenty of 18+ year old gear, again, with no concern due to the age alone.

    Care to state some FACTS as opposed to opinion ? Some people worry about liability, but I'd love to know of some tests done to prove that gear approaching or passing the age of 20 years is not fit for use. Until that time comes, I will continue to inspect and if deemed safe and airworthy to repack such gear.

    Sure we can agree to disagree.

    As to fact vs opinion--well, I did state that it was my opinion. However, we all rely on riggers to tell us what is and what is not safe. A highly respected master rigger, designer and builder of a very popular line of canopies tells me that he wouldn't sign the packing card on any reserve older than 15-18 years----I have absolutely no problem believing him. In my opinion I will not take a canopy to terminal that is pushing 20 years old when I can afford newer gear. I can't think of a single reason why I would. Having said that, I wouldn't mind doing a hop and pop with a Para Commander again (your photo reminded me of that canopy). I'll be at Cross Keys in July--maybe we can continue this over a beer or six. First round on me.

    I wouldn't ride a unicycle. That doesn't mean that they are dangerous.

    This highly respected and experienced Master Rigger only stated that he won't pack those parachutes. I don't see any statements saying as to why. Could be liability. Could be some other reason.

    You going to fly me out to Crosskeys ? COOL !

  20. katzas

    ***Like the other day, I saw an ad for Raven 2 DOM 1997, Zero ride for 700 bucks.

    You fucking serious?? 700 bucks, that thing was brand new back in 97 at 700 bucks, this shit ain't gold, after almost 20 years later you can not sell it for same price you've got it for.



    Anybody buying a 17 year old reserve and depending on it to save their ass is, in my opinion, nuts. Somebody selling that same reserve should be tarred and feathered. I don't care how many riggers sign off on it--the rigger who signs off doesn't have to jump it--I do. I have a lot of respect for most riggers--but they ain't god. The president of the company that makes Icarus canopies was nice enough to send me an email stating that, as a master rigger, designer and builder of parachutes he would never pack a reserve made by his company or anyone else's that was older than 15 to 18 years. That's good enough for me.

    Can we agree to disagree ? I have two large rigs used for jumping large canopies, round canopies and for flag jumps. Each one houses a 1992 and a 1993 RavenIII reserve. I sure as hell don't for a second think that those reserves are unsafe or for a second hesitate to use them.

    Furhtermore, I've jumped plenty of 18+ year old gear, again, with no concern due to the age alone.

    Care to state some FACTS as opposed to opinion ? Some people worry about liability, but I'd love to know of some tests done to prove that gear approaching or passing the age of 20 years is not fit for use. Until that time comes, I will continue to inspect and if deemed safe and airworthy to repack such gear.

  23. JeffCa

    ***
    It still baffles me why someone wants a precision life-saving device and is ok with never having it tested on regular basis.



    Because it seems like a marketing and money-making tactic. Doesn't 4 years seem kinda arbitrary to you? I mean, why aren't you sending in your unit every year for testing? Are you crazy? A lot can go wrong in 4 years. It baffles me why you wouldn't want your precision life-saving device tested every year. I have my teeth cleaned and my reserve re-packed every 6 months, so why not test your AAD every 6 months? That would be a "regular basis" to me. 4 years is not a "regular basis". If it can last 4 years, why not 20 years? What's so special about 4 years that 20 years can't also do? Do you have knowledge of how many units are found to be out of spec during these inspections? Is it zero or close to zero? I dunno.

    If I believed that this was truly necessary for these devices, I'd have a Cypres. I don't, so I have a Vigil. And we don't seem to be flooded with reports of malfunctioning Vigils that failed to fire. Although I'm really getting mixed messages about what Vigil does and doesn't require these days.

    You are spewing garbage.

    but - my personal experience is about 1% of the units I have sent in required further testing and ended up going to Germany for further work. All at no cost to me (but with a delay).

    Also, to SandyG - no one in this thread said, or even inferred that Vigils don't offer maintenance. Them offering it as opposed to mandating it are two completely different things.

    I stand by my comment on not wanting to board a plane 10 years out of annual. And to the OP - I suppose the concept of an annual or a 100hr inspection for planes is just as arbitrary as the 4 year check on the Cypres...

  24. skez


    Only reason I wanted a vigil instead of a cypress was so I didnt have to send shit half way across the world just for batteries etc. .keeping in mind I just want something that fires if im unlucky enough to need it...dont really care about the added gimmicks etc




    Bzzz. Cypres 4 and 8 year services do a lot more than just change the battery. It's a full unit test and an update as necessary. See page 4 and beyond : http://www.cypres-usa.com/english_maintenance.pdf

    It still baffles me why someone wants a precision life-saving device and is ok with never having it tested on regular basis. Would you get into an airplane that's 10 years out of annual ???

  25. All the Xaose canopies that I've seen had metal rings at the bridle attachment. You could easily get away with using a slink or a rapide link.

    as far as the label - the older ones easily chewed off, Precision will replace them, but unless you know the SN, they'll put UNKNOWN on the new label. See attached.