Braz933

------------- Ummmm... the "other ways" that credit card companies and insurance agencies have to recover are to raise rates. That means that you, me, and everyone else pay more out of pocket if we want to use their services. ------------- Insurance companies are in the gambling business. They take the premiums we pay, and use that money to make more money, hoping they never have to pay out a claim. They know the game they are playing. My insurance went down quite a bit recently, and it is not because there were less people crashing or stealing cars in recent years. It was due to changes in the law that allowed for more competition in the insurance industry where I live. ------------ Are you suggesting that it's okay for someone to steal as long as the cost of the theft is distributed amongst a lot of people but not okay if it just affects one person? ------------ Not at all. I am saying that the original theft\fraud took place 4 years ago. Any chance to catch the guilty party has long since passed. Most likely, the dealer has recovered most, or all of his loss. The dealer should realize the OP had nothing to do with the original incident, and cut him some slack...given the OP has no way to recover a loss in this situation. If I were the dealer, that is what I would do. If the time frame was shorter (say this scenario played out over a few months rather than 4 years) then my opinion would be different. ------------ And no, I'm not suggesting that the OP stole anything. I think he shows a lot of backbone by simply asking his question here and I truly hope things work out for him ------------ As do I.

I agree. For starters, the gear was bought with a stolen card 4 years ago. (I would be interested in knowing how the sale was made...in store or over the internet). The OP bought the gear USED over 2 years ago. There is no way to tell how many times this gear has been bought and sold. It is even possible that the ebay seller was not the person who committed the original fraudulent purchase from the dealer. As far as catching the original culprit, that is simply not going to happen. The dealer and the credit card company have insurance, and other ways to recover from this type of loss(write off), which by now they certainly have done. That said, I don't think it would be reasonable for the dealer to expect the gear to be returned.

Thanks to everyone for the info..it definitely changed my perspective. So here is what my perfect newbie rig would be, given my goal of the softest opening possible: Container = Vector 3 with magnetic riser covers (and skyhook because it is clearly a great product, unrelated to soft opening) Main = Pilot or Spectre (probably 210sqft for my size) Reserve = TBD Lines = Dacron AAD = TBD, but leaning toward Vigil. So....what are the odds I will be able to find this stuff used? From the few trips I have made through the classifieds on this site, I figure I will be buying some, if not all, of this stuff new. Whatever....I will not compromise. If I can't get it used, I will buy new. So be it.

Thanks. I'll check out Vector3 and Vigil. Is the Vector3 the only container that has magnetic covers?

Thanks for that video link. It explained a lot.

Wow...I'm glad I asked.

Yes...I know the AAD has nothing to do with hard opening, and I would not be concerned about how the reserve opens or flies...just that it works.

Thanks everyone! Great stuff! At this point, if I were ordering a rig, it would be... Main = Pilot Lines = Dacron Container = ?? Reserve = ?? AAD Brand = ?? It is my understanding that the container has nothing to do with reducing or increasing the odds of a hard opening..correct? If that is the case, any advice on which container would be best for the Pilot main? I realize Aerodyne makes containers..and I have not researched containers yet...just thought I would ask.

"to the OP, it could be that you hear more stories of slammers on the Sabre family, because between the two, there is a SHIT load of them being jumped." The pocket slider on my Sabre1 makes it open absolutely perfect. I never actually jumped it without the mod, didn't feel it was worth waiting to see if I would need it" ------------------------------------------------- You can't argue with numbers. However, with the Sabre line being responsible for so many hard openings...and involved in more than a few fatalities...I don't think that I would trust one.

"Also make sure you know the difference between the original Sabre and the Sabre2." ------------ I am clearly no expert, but "Sabre?" seems to be synonymous with "more likely than not to slam you!" Sabre or Sabre 2...no matter. Seems both have a tendency to slam people more often than other canopies. Again, I have no experience...I am just basing my statement on the posts of others. I don't mean to offend those that jump a Sabre...rather I admire your bravado...kinda.

I must say I am a bit surprised to see Sabre2 in your post. I recall reading more than a few posts about people getting slammed hard by the Sabre family of canopies. No?

Ordered min e few days ago!

Are you jumping a Pilot, or did you change to something else? Maybe I misunderstood your post. Thanks.

Sounds interesting. Any idea how much a mod like that costs?

I forgot to mention the Silhouette in my original post. I have always thought the combination of materials sounded like a great feature, and considered it an option for me...but it is rarely mentioned. Not sure why that is, but I would never be one to slight the underdog!

Ok, who makes Pilot? Thanks.

I have read through several threads about which canopies open the softest, as well as ways to mitigate the risk of a hard opening. Most of those threads are at least a few years old, so I wanted to revisit it. My goal is to put together a rig with the lowest possible chance of a hard opening...and yes I know nothing is 100% guaranteed, but that is no reason not to try. For starters, let's ignore packing methods, body position during deployment, or any other "operator error." Just want to focus on the gear. However, mods to the gear that aid in softening the opening would be good. In reading the old threads on this topic, a few points stand out. 1) The Spectre, Safire, and Crossfire canopies have the best reps for soft opening. That may have changed by now. Any new contenders? 2) Dacron lines seem to be the way to go. Is this still true? 3) Mods to the slider, such as having a pocket sewn in, seem to slow things down. Any new developments in this area? Thanks in advance..

So how are you doing at this point..post op? Did you have an open surgery or the laproscopic? Did your surgeon tell you if jumping would, or would not pose a risk of reinjury? I had an open repair done in 1995 on my left side, and a laproscopic repair on my right in 2005...so I feel your pain

Thanks!

Thanks for the response. I am way past any kind of recovery concerns. However, once and a while I feel some pain, and it scares me, makes me think the repair might blow out if I put enough stress on it. I read another thread here where a guy got a hernia from a hard opening. That is what worries me.

oops, I meant 1997 for the first one. An inguinal hernia is the type in the lower abdomen\groin area. The one in 1997 was on the left side. The one 2005 was on the right side.

I have had 2 inguinal hernia surgeries. First was in 2007. Second was in 2005. My question is this...has anyone had ever had inguinal hernia surgery, and had it happen again because of jumping? Thanks, Braz

I was not aware of that. However, 100k is not very much money in terms of advertising. I still think more effective marketing marketing would help. On the other hand, I also think you are 100% correct in saying "Another reason is that students and up jumpers are segregated, especially at the larger DZs. The first time jumpers enthusiasm gets quashed by their whuffo friends instead of being encouraged and built up by up jumpers." I have experienced that myself. I am constantly told by my friends that I should invest my money instead of planning to spend it on jumping, etc, etc. Being able to establish a connection with people in the sport, even if it is only online, makes a huge difference...for me at least. Fortunately, I have met several people on this site that have been very friendly, and gone out of their way to try and bring me "into the fold." I appreciate it very much.

Of course the economy, etc. are big factors, but I think THE SPORT NEEDS MORE PROMOTION. Skydiving is surreal to most people. It does not even enter their thoughts unless they are watching a movie or TV show that happens to have a skydive scene. The USPA and the various DZ's around the country have a product\experience to sell. It is a great product, but IT IS NOT BEING MARKETED EFFECTIVELY. Of course, marketing costs money, which is why it has not been done. I would suggest the USPA and DZ's get together and chip in for a good marketing campaign. One that is designed to promote the sport, not any particular DZ. I'm talking about well placed print, TV and internet ads. Big bucks I know, but I think that is what needs to happen.

Be that as it may...I still admire you.