Cinders

Haha well Harmless I certainly think you can afford to be completely self-reliant when you have a C license, 300+ jumps, know how to pack your own canopy, know how to check your own gear. :) No, really, they're trying to kill you lol, original post, don't remember doing that! Thx for the reply everyone, I guess the "warm and fuzzy" from the meds made me that give-everyone-a-hug guy.

Man, I love this sport. I'm high on percodan due to injury right now, but I just needed to post this. I love the camraderie in the plane. I love getting in the door, the cold wind. I love jumping out and looking up at the plane against the infinite blue sky behind it. I love flying my canopy (sometimes make sound effects. Life needs sound effects). I love leaving there and feeling mellow and relaxed for the next week at least. My wife makes me go if it's been a while and I'm getting edgy. There are some jackasses around, but screw em! Don't ruin my fun. I look at my rig, it's my first. It's used. But I love it. It's like my motorcycle, I feel like I should hug it from time to time. Took my YEARS to save up my money to buy it. I love percodan also, lol :)

Doh! Forgot to ask, I see there are freefly pants. Can you get a matching top/bottoms? Or is it just pants? Would be nice to have pants on and put top on before going up.

Have a FF (firefly) suit, but not really happy with it. Came with the wrists and ankles too small, neck too small, and crotch a little high. Had it for about 3 years or so. Wouldn't order FF again, just left a bad taste in my mouth for the money. Had a few modifications done to it, but I'm thinking of getting a whole new suit. New design, colors, that sort of thing. What do you guys/gals recommend? I'm thinking of a flame design. Would really like external pockets that are secure, too. (BTW, have done some research, but now looking for personal opinions) :) P.S.S I'm on percodan right now, sorry if this comes out weird :)

Why "canopy guide tones"? 1 beep means left 2 beeps means right 3 beeps.... you should have payd attention to the previous beep LOL! Thanks for the info so far.

Hi all Looking for a good audible with freefall tones and canopy guide tones. I'm looking at an Optima 2. I don't need a log computer or a water resistant one, in particular. Cheaper would be better. Thanks!

N/A

Anyone have/use one? I like the way it looks and has a goggle strap channel on it. Searched, but no first hand accounts. Thanks

What's good for a slider stop? I asked around the DZ, heard from rubber stoppers to tabbed stiffeners. Also heard "slinky", but no follow up information on that. Bought a used chute, pretty nice overall, but too dumb (and inexperienced) to look if it had a slider stopper of some sort and had a near insta-opening (used different packer this time) and the slider over my toggles and almost on top my helmet. Appreciate any info. Wondering if there are any safety issues with specific types or brands or if a rigger sewing some stiffeners is best? Thanks all

Numbers You have numbers? Mine keeps showing some "Enter Credit Card #" message when I push the red button...

I notice it on nearly all rigs, some greasy, black stuff in the plastic window for the cypres display. Is that some sort of water-proofing grease? Can/should you clean it out?

I really don't know anything about "what fits" in different containers. I don't want to press a safety concern by jamming too big a chute in a container or a too small one (can this cause problems?). Is there a rule of thumb or chart or is it just personal experience? I'm trying to get a container where I could downsize eventually. I can relax in a 210 main and a 190 is no problem, but I give it my full attention. So basically, if I ever move to a 170, what are my options? 190 sized container? Would 210 still be do-able?

$4000, looking to get used gear (190 or 210 main). Need full rig. How much should I allot to each item? Container should cost roughy X and main should cost Y, etc. Trying to balance out everything, no joy with full rig. Containers seem to cost the most, more so than a used main, is that right? Should I shoot for spending $3000 and save some more and buy the best AAD I can afford and that becomes my life partner, moving rig to rig with me over time? Thanks

Thanks. Crap, I'm retarded. I already emailed this ^ link about info, didn't notice it was the same as the other one. Makes sense.

Thank you :) I'm the retard that will ask everyone I meet the same question, then try to get an average of the answers and stick with that. So "effing" what ?!? Cinders has been registered at dropzone for exactly six days. This question is important to him. If you, or anyone else doesn't like his question, you are free to not participate in the discussion. Seriously folks, over the last several years we have dealt with just about every topic under the sun. Is it time to CLOSE these forums and put the whole thing on "search" auto pilot ? I think not. Welcome Cinders, feel free to ask ANY question you like and FUCK those who are so put out by you that they can only WHINE about it. Amen.

Not to be insulting (in case the owner is valid and reads this) Does this look like a scam or stolen gear? http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/detail_page.cgi?ID=71802;d=1 Searching for rigs in that size and saw this one. Advice?

Hey hey, quick question: Working my way into FF, been using rentals for 130+ jumps until I saved enough. I'm about 215, 6'. What containers accomodate us heavier types? I'll be using a 190 or 210 main. Looked at several threads, but with extra research, I notice several of the containers don't list up to my size main. Is it just the stores or is that all the company makes? Is this website a decent place to look, their prices seem a little off compared to others: http://www.gravitygear.com/store/Container_Systems.html

Dumb question, but is that totally safe? Doesn't slide around inside or cause any issues? Sounds like a good idea, never thought about buying a new container, but getting a used canopy. Is this common?

Ok, working on my list of mains. I'm a little overwhelmed working on the the used list and putting together a rig. Can't even find ANY chutes in my size, but then trying to find a compatible container, with AAD and find a reserve that'll work, etc. Anyone know a good place to look for used gear? I've tried the back of the USPA mag and my local gear shop (which is very small, unfortunately, but only one in my size came through there in the last 3 years). Here are some links I've tried and there are a few more I've forgotten already that had nothing also. BTW, none of these have my size or even close. http://www.chutingstargear.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=36_37 http://www.totalcontrol.com.au/product-details.asp?iTopCatID=62&iCatID=107 http://buildarig.com/mains.htm http://www.parachuteshop.com/ http://www.actionair.com/pdf/UsedGearMasterList5-08.pdf http://www.baddogservices.com/ http://www.dropzone.com/links/Gear/Used_Gear/index.html (master list)

Thanks. Most names that pop up are under that namebrand, so searching for others. http://www.skydivestore.com/getgear.cgi?Main~Canopies& carries PD, PA and NA, but not much info on like Voyager and Fusion from PA. I'll look well into Pilot and Safire, sounds like a good contender for intermediate chutes. Sabre2 is a solid, trustworthy chute to me. Always opens, once in a while with a poor heading and ALWAYS with the outside cell collapsed, but nothing a brake pull won't fix quick. Little slow to respond and landings in low wind can vary a little. Navigator, I don't generally like. Have 30+ jumps on this one, always off heading openings and fairly rough ones at that, compared to the slow Sabre2. Having some bite in my thighs is common and I usually flinch when I pull, knowing its coming. But.... maybe some of this could be due to the low wingload. All they have is a 230, so its more than 1 sq ft to 1 lbs for me. Doubt it though, but possible.

That's awesome, thank you so much! Also, thanks to everyone else for the info. I'd really love to get used, I'm definitely not hellbent on new. Can used containers straps be altered?

Thanks for more input :) Katana is high performance? I read reviews stating its a soft opening with solid, gentle landings. Had 50/50 on it having 180 degree off heading openings, while the other half said perfect headings. I did think something would be different about it with that odd shape. Not a CRW guy, so I'll put the lightning further down the list. What makes it a CRW type? On heading openings? I'm working on my freefly, and I eventually want to work my way into videotography.

Sry to post again, but here's some chutes I'm looking at, if you know anything very good or at all bad, I would REALLY appreciate it: Spectre Sabre 2 Silhouette Katana (hard to find reviews on this one) Navigator (jumped this before, had some rough openings and several openings in a turn) Lightning

Thanks guys, really appreciate it. Got like 5 years in this sport, tired of rentals sucking down my jump money. Can't wait until I can get like 4-5 jumps in instead of 1-2 for the same cost. BTW, looked at used gear. I have a hard time finding my WL size, I realize I'm a bit heavier than the average bear and not searching for an extreme ratio WL. I was looking for a 190 main, really. The gearshop I go to is watching out for me on that size, but few pop up and go fast. Tried the resellers in the back of USPA magazine, but they don't have much in the way of used. Anyone knows a good reseller, I'd love you for a link :) Ok, I gotta tell this story, for the laugh: Going up, sitting across from a guy with a nice black/purple container. I make a nice comment and he replies, but with a thick Canadian accent. I'm in south USA, so I'm surprised a little. Long story short, he's here for the Twin Otter (he said they're made in Canada, but I have no clue) and to test his "new chute" he got on eBay. I'm thinking: 'risky, but if it checks out ok...' Me: "Take it you had the packer go over it?" Him: "Why? I just peeked in the side. The guy packed it for me and since he's had it, it'll be a better job than me, not wasting a good pack" Me: "Seriously? Dude, last week's newspaper might come flying out when you pull! .... Hey, can I hold your wallet until you make it down?" He didn't think it was funny, but the whole load overheard and tried to talk him out of it. Apparently it all worked ok, glad for him, but! Holy crap! I think he thought I was a dick for my lack of faith in my fellow human.

Well,you're right and wrong about the search. First thing I did was that and a lot of people ask generalized questions which aren't any help. I did get some notes down. I've looked at the canopy sellers sites and would write down the names of rigs in my WL range and then search on that. Mostly either super specialized questions that don't get a definite answer (usually rolling the nose, with lots of varying opinions) or so general that it doesnt help either :) Jumped MOSTLY sabre2 on rentals. Seems like a great stable chute, but I don't want to blindly go with that. I've had a few groin area rashes from hard openings, but usually smooth. I notice the outside cells usually never inflate on opening and require a brake pump, but never a spin or failure. Sabre2 seems good and stable for me, but maybe a little on the slow-response after I got used to it. Maybe just try a smaller WL? Thanks for the replies guys. Trying not to look like the total "duh, what do I buy?", lol. Looking for intermediate chutes that have a good reputation. I have some notes, but want as much input as possible. I'm not a rich guy by far, so this will be my rig for a LONG time (winning the lottery, aside). Taken me almost 4 years of putting a couple hundred aside a month to get the money for this, with work and college keeping me down! Thanks for the welcome too. Sorry to be another burden with redundant questions. I'll take the slap in order to get that one reply that leads me to something perfect for me that I would never have found.