fogobo

I put 1000 on a Safire 2 and the openings were firm, but comfortable. Just put 5 jumps on my new Safire 3 and the openings were very slow and soft. It snivels quite a bit in comparison.

Need to figure out how to do the same on a Cookie G2

I read a camera article lately but can't remember where (getting old). It was a comparison by a skydiver of the small video cameras, drift, go pro, contour, etc. Can anyone help me find where it is?

The cutter is protected by being in a pocket. The pocket has a hole cut in it to allow the closing loop to pass through. The hole in the pocket has a much larger diameter than the hole in the cutter. In the attached photo the cutter has rotated while moving the open rig around so the pass through hole is below the closing loop.

yup

The cutter is protected by being in a pocket. The pocket has a hole cut in it to allow the pull up cord to pass through. The hole in the pocket has a much larger diameter than the hole in the cutter. In the attached photo the cutter has rotated while moving the open rig around so the pass through hole is below the pull up cord.

The cutter is protected, but not the opening where the pull up cord passes through. The area of the reserve container below the pilot chute is shaped like a funnel with a grommet at the bottom. This area collects debris (like other rigs) and directs the debris directly towards the cutter opening. This is a cutter issue. A small cellophane washer to cover the opening, provided by the cutter manufacturer might be an idea.

Some may treat their gear like shit, but if it only takes one crash and burn (which has happened to all of us) to fill your reserve tray with debris, that is not a good thing. Protecting the small opening between the pull up cord and the cutter assembly would not be a difficult problem to solve.

I talked in an earlier post that the free-fly handle was slippery. Well if your hands are cold or you are wearing gloves. watch out. In my opinion its shape also prevents a firm grip. Was thinking about using my reserve on a cold jump last week because I had to struggle with the handle.

Got to talk about the free-fly handle some more. I talked earlier about it being slippery, well that is only part of it. It is also hard to grasp because of its shape. Lately I had a couple of times when the reserve handle was becoming an option. Anyone else having a problem?

Advance update: Put 200 jumps on it now and I feel I can now give my 7 a critical review. The rig still looks like new with no broken stitching or Corura failure despite more than a few crash and burns. Might say there is too much padding. After opening sometimes you can't tell if you are wearing it, scary. Also makes it difficult to stuff it into a gear bag. The fabric covering the back pad is getting fuzzy looking, no holes or anything but it is being roughed up by some of the packing surfaces. The hook knife that was provide is not equal in quality to the rig, it looks real cheap. Bought a new one. The anti-slip springs on the leg straps are a very nice feature. Makes getting the rig on and off a little more difficult, but after opening the harness is still nice and snug. The free fly handle is difficult to get a firm grasp on because of its slick covering. Never had any line twists from the D-bag turning, but it takes me longer to pack and it is a pain stowing the lines in the pocket with the magnets. The D-bag is still very very nice but I am changing is out for a Vector stowless. The 7 bridle is sewn to the D-bag, the pilot chute is sewn to the bridle, and the free fly handle. It takes a rigger to change the D-bag. Needed a rigger, new pilot chute, bridle, and free fly handle to change bags - $250 not counting the new D-bag at $120. Setting the brakes, stowing toggles and excess brake line may take a little time, but it is very secure. No worry there. Real nice magnetic riser covers. The 7 has more magnets than a MRI machine. This is all minor shit that is doesn't really make that much of a difference. Still think it is great a rig and as safe as it gets. Would buy another and of course from Chutingstar.

I have a cordura pocket not elastic. The pilot chute lies very flat in the wide pocket with no pressure to be pulled out or squeezed out.

Safire 2 159 & PD 160

I got my Advance Seven from Chutingstar and without a doubt it is as advertised. First of all I had the harness sized by the owner of Basik Air Concept, Jerome Bunker via a Skype video. I'm tall-ish with a short body and my previous rigs that came from the manufacturers had to be returned for resizing. The Seven arrived in less than eight weeks and it fits like a glove. Attention to detail and workmanship are excellent. It is not too dissimilar from many other rigs, but seems to have all of their best features, plus a few of their own. I bought the Seven without ever seeing one and the service I got from Basik and Mike Gurwell at Chutingstar gave me confidence in my choice. I asked a million questions and they never missed a beat. I never felt I was getting jerked around. Parts are also easy to get so you don't need to worry if you lose a free bag, etc.

I know a lemon comes along once and awhile and I sorry that Nancy had to play defense. I'm actually pissed off by the fact that a great system like the Racer has been left behind to die on the vine. So much potential wasted. Without innovation they are stuck in the past and can't make it to the present, while others are thinking about the future. New owners perhaps. I wish them all luck.

Nancy, With all due respect, as a customer, it has been less than a happy experience for me. I feel I was let down after I purchased what I thought was the best rig out there. As for being a bit unfair, that is not true. Please think about it from my point of view. You pointed to others for most of the problems. When it leaves the door its the manufacturers responsibility. The harness didn't fit because I have an atypical body type? The measurements from the order form were not followed. The twist in the cable housings as Tim said shouldn't have been there. The twist was also in the bad direction. I forgot to mention that the Teflon was split when I received the rig. It was blamed on the cable manufacturer. The riser cover problem was blamed a a bad reserve pack job, of which one pack job was yours. The hookable helmet was blamed for the RSL ripping it off. All helmets are hookable. My head was buried in my chest, because I was warned about the RSL. If the riser covers remained secure after testing, why was the modification needed at all? Jammed reserve bags, why mention it. Please take my criticism as it was intended, an opportunity to reflect. When your very close to something, and have invested so much time and effort in it, it is hard to have a critical perspective. Blue skies

I do forensic work and with data to support your findings, they are meaningless. The following is my experience:When my 2K3 arrived the harness did not fit. There was a difference between what was on the order form and what arrived. They fixed it harness nicely for me, but when they shortened the main lift webs the reserve and cut-away “D” handles get pinched out of their pockets. The cut-away cables had a half twist at the mud flap, which they fixed. It arrived with splits in the red Teflon covering over the cut away cables, which they replaced.

Had a cut-away and the double RSL ripped my helmet off and the Teflon covering broke off from around the cut away D handle, which they replaced.

When doing head down the magnetic tuck tabs kept coming undone. Shipped it back and was told there was too much fabric at the top of the reserve that pushed the tuck tabs out of position causing them to let go. The tuck tab problem happened even with a reserve pack job by Jumpshack. Jumpshack modified the side flaps at the sides of the reserve by adding metal rods along their edges and putting magnets on the reserve side flaps to help hold everything down. The Racer is not a common rig anymore so finding a rigger that crafts the shape of the reserve nicely is hard to find, and now the shape of the reserve is more critical. The customer service was great, but why was so much required in the first place. The 2K3 although an improvement, it still shows its belly flying roots, and it needs a lot more than a few more magnets. There is a lot of potential in the Racer. It needs to be looked at from a new point of view otherwise they are just shooting themselves in the foot. Market share will not increase as is. I just purchased another rig.

It is the bulk at the top of the reserve that is causing the problem. Was a great rig. It is now fallen behind the times. The potential is great that I admit, but without some innovation the Racer is doomed to be forgotten. If you are not on the east coast the chances are you will never see a 2K3. I didn't mention that the cutaway cables came with splits in the teflon coverings and had to be replaced, and after a cutaway the teflon broke away from around the d handle. The handle and cables had to be replaced again. To prevent this from happening again I changed it to a pillow handle. Do you think that this information is not important to anyone looking to buy a 2K3?

They are shooting themselves in the foot. When my 2K3 arrived the harness did not fit. There was a difference between what was on the order form and what arrived. The cut-away cables had a half twist at the mud flap.
Had a cut-away and the double RSL ripped my helmet off. They fixed it harness nicely for me, but when they shortened the main lift webs the reserve and cut-away “D” handles get pinched out of their pockets. When doing head down the magnetic tuck tabs kept coming undone. Shipped it back and was told there was too much fabric at the top of the reserve that pushed the tuck tabs out of position causing them to let go. The tuck tab problem happened even with a reserve pack job by Jumpshack. Jumpshack modified the side flaps at the sides of the reserve by adding metal rods along their edges and putting magnets on the reserve side flaps to help hold everything down. The Racer is not a common rig anymore so finding a rigger that crafts the shape of the reserve nicely is hard to find, and now the shape of the reserve is more critical. The customer service was great, but why was so much required in the first place. The 2K3 although an improvement, it still shows its belly flying roots, and it needs a lot more than a few more magnets. There is a lot of potential in the Racer. It needs to be looked at from a new point of view. I just purchased another rig. I have a real nice 2K3 for sale. Interested?

Do you do head down with your 2K3?

Flair is not very powerful and decreases over time

Got my new 2K3. Watch out it isn't free-fly friendly as claimed. Riser covers come open while doing head down. Jumpshack said they will test the rig and resolve the problem. Not happy at all.

I am sending my 2K3 back to Jumpshack because the riser covers open while free flying dead down. They said they would correct the problem. You may want to do send them yours. Be safe.

I have a new Racer 2K3 with magnetic riser covers and they come open almost every time I do head down. Anyone else have the same problem?

I have had 8 round reserve rides back in the day with no problems. Also put 100 jumps on a bag deployed lo-po reserve that I jumped as a main when I was doing style (was 1/3 the weight of a PC). I recently had a square reserve ride with no problems. In terms of reliability, are there any numbers that support whether a square or round reserve is more likely to open?