narcimund

My boyfriend and I each got one. His was too small and he sent it back for a bigger one. All three helmets had INCREDIBLY stiff visor action. They were so tight we had to strain to pop them open or closed. It took all ten fingertips pushing hard before the visors would SNAP! into place. We seriously wondered if they would open and close or break first. After a 1/2 hour visor loosening session ("Up! Urgh... {snap}. Down! Grunt!... {snap}. Up....") they finally loosened enough to use them. They're still loosening every time they go up or down. We wonder if we have more than a few dozen jumps left before they loosen TOO much and start popping open in freefall.

(By the way, Sky Systems includes an instruction sheet that warns that all the visors have this problem and suggests loosening it this way. If I were Sky Systems I'd fix the problem, not document it. Speaking of documentation, Sky Systems really ought to update the instruction sheet. Terribly confusing stuff for what should be a simple product.)

My boyfriend's helmet had another (possibly related) visor problem as well. The visor has become misshapen. The lower edges bow inward now, so it can't be closed just by pushing downward on the top edge. He needs to use his thumbs underneath to push the edges into position and his fingers to pull it down.

Finally, their sizing chart is wrong. We both know our head sizes and their chart said I'm at the smallish end of "extra large" so it should be slightly loose. Instead it's extremely tight, but bearable. He was supposed to be at the upper end of medium and literally couldn't get it on his head. He's wearing an extra large now and says it's great.

Now seriously, none of this is going to break us. We're adaptable. But who needs extra challenges like this in freefall or under canopy? Equipment should help, not complicate things. And who decided two-handed visor operation was a good idea?

For over $300 each, we expected them to function better. I'm reminded of the BMW brand motorcycle helmets. One button pops the whole front of the helmet open (snick}. One finger pushes it back {snick}! That's elegance. If only BMW made sport helmets...

Added several months later...

Well, my Oxygn did what it was supposed to do - it saved me an injury. I got someone's foot in the face on a jump and the faceplate was shattered. I ordered a new one and it came with an instruction sheet for a different model, so I had to figure it out on my own. When things didn't fit together on reassembly, I called Sky Systems for help. The customer abuse agent who answered seemed to think it incredibly funny that I was having trouble with a simple problem. Even after I told him I didn't appreciate him making fun of me he kept doing it.

In addition, the new visor came with weird white streaks all across it like someone had smeared mayonnaise on it then let it dry. I assume that's an antifog coating but I'd rather have fog.

What a terrible company!

Added yet a few months later (12/02):

OK, yet another problem. Now my boyfriend's A3 lost a faceplate in freefall. Just popped open and snapped off. 60 seconds of terminal wind into his eyeballs.

There are several AADs on the market. This one costs more than the others. If the others seem like a better value, buy them. There's no monopoly here -- just a popular product with a premium price.

If you think you can create a better AAD for a better price, do it. If it's as easy as some people seem to think, quit your job and go make your fortune in the world. Otherwise buy what's available and smile. Or don't buy one.

Personally I'm glad I've got mine even though I'm pretty sure I'll never need it. I like knowing it's there. Cypres is worth the extra $ to me and it's an honor to pay it, at least until a better AAD comes around. If the inventor of the Cypres is getting rich off of it, good for him!

My new Safire2 149 is loaded about 1.33. My first two jumps were stand-ups, so I don't know about all this whining about the landings of the Safire1. Perhaps the landing issues are gone with the new design. Personally I think the issues were just people wanting all canopies to act the same. So the Safire requires a full extension of the brakes. So what?

2 jumps isn't much to review on, but both openings were soft, on heading, and error-free. The ride was fun. The landings were safe and fun.

Glad I bought it.

Added several months later:

After a season with it I'm still loving my Safire2. Turns are crisp and vigorous with light toggle pressure. Good penetration, easy to fly at my midrange experience level, and it looks damn good, too.

One cutaway due to an out-of-control spinner that was probably due to me untwisting the lines the wrong direction while psychopacking. Can't blame Icarus for that one.