Will_Evo

Thats the very kind of thinking that brought about censorship in music. This sport is so great because it is left totally to the jumper, and I am sure everyone would like to keep it that way. -Evo Zoo Crew

Those prices seem really high, especially the solo jumps. Why are they charging 109$ per jump after AFF? Also, isn't AFF 7 jumps long? Also you need 25 jumps for an A license so your missing 5 jumps somewhere. I did the 7 AFF jumps and then did solo jumps for the same price as a normal jump ticket except I was on student status. of course there is gear rental...but that doesn't add up to 110 a jump. Id look around some more before you commit. I am of course assuming you are trying to get a USPA A license. -Evo Zoo Crew

Smiling during freefall helped me to relax. -Evo Zoo Crew

Skydive Temple is an awesome dropzone, operated by some of the most amazing people I have ever met. From the first time I set foot into the door for my first AFF jump, to when I go my A license and on, the staff and atmosphere has been second to none. I would recommend this dropzone to anyone, any time. The DZ has an at home feeling, while still remaining a very safe and fun place to be. Overall, this DZ has it all, only thing I wish they had was a bigger plane, but who knows what the future holds. Thanks Skydive Temple for the amazing experiences, I am very sad to be leaving you guys! Blue Skies!

+1!!! That song is terrible! I actually told my friends this...and to my surprise next time I turned my computer on, lady gaga was set as my background and poker face was playing in my itunes....FML -Evo Zoo Crew

Best advice...dont do it, unless of course he believes in fighting for a lost cause. I am in the Army, and am only glad I joined for the experience, as far as believing in what I do...that all melted away with a little common sense and a deployment to Iraq. I hate being a pawn for a government that has personal implications in war, lies to its people and soldiers, and for a government who conducts false flag operations...9-11. My 2 cents -Evo Zoo Crew

I have no clue about the others, I just went off the recommendations from the instructors at my DZ. A couple of them use VISO's and not only say good things about the product, but say the customer service by L&B is phenomenal. -Evo Zoo Crew

I got a VISO at 30 jumps and absolutely love it. Not only because of the logging ability, but for me, reading a digital readout is MUCH easier than an analog. Not to mention I can fine tune my landing pattern start and turn points with the digital readout below 1000 ft. The VISO is also really easy to use, the controls are easy to learn and what not. Anyways thats what I am using. -Evo Zoo Crew

Id say the first thing to do before your next jump, would be to learn what type of canopy you are jumping, and what type of reserve and size you have. Kind of important info to know -Evo Zoo Crew

Peace of mind from what? If it's not the safety of the older gear that you question then what is it? Fashion? Style? I feel like people are purposely trying to not see my point here and disagree with me. For me, myself, it doesn't have to be exactly 7 years it could be 10, but for me, I would rather buy the newer rig because chances are, its younger, had less owners, less jumps(usually), less pack jobs, newer material etc, and of course newer gear could have more jumps on it, but that is why I wouldn't blindly buy gear either, or buy gear that has no history, like a rough jump count, reserve uses and packs etc... I would rather not be the person to be jumping that 20 year old rig that is completely airworthy, and find out a part of the rig has just seen its last hard opening. This goes for canopies and containers. just my preference. I know people using old gear, and I could care less, it works for them, but for me, I just dont see the point in buying said gear when I could have newer, fresher gear instead. I am not putting anyone down for using old gear, like I said, to each his own, but for me, I wont buy it, theres no reason. I might hold on to a rig I bought for a while, but thats because I know how its been treated and how its been maintained, but I will never buy an old rig. I had my first cutaway yesterday, and am extremely glad I had a nice new reserve packed. Once again it gave me peace of mind to know that that reserve is at least maintained well, and is of the most modern design there is(In reserve technology). I cant imagine having to cutaway to a 20 year old reserve, I just dont see why, your reserve is your last hope, shouldn't you have the best? Anyways, Im done with explaining myself. If you still dont see what I am saying, then so be it. -Evo Zoo Crew

You are interpreting it wrong. When you get down to it, fear of old gear is just not rational. There are plenty of people out there jumping gear much older than 7 years. My first rig was 14 years old when I bought it and in great condition. I put 200 jumps on it and still keep it around as a backup and would (and have) jump it again if I have the need. You've stated that you wouldn't jump gear more than 7 years old and also gone on to elaborate that you feel this is a safety issue. I'm sorry, but the statistics just don't back that up. Gear failure just doesn't figure that highly into morbidity and mortality statistics for skydiving. By far, most injuries and deaths are caused by user error. Failure of the gear itself barely rates a blip. As far as the new innovations being safer point, that's not necessarily so, either. Magnetic riser covers... I've seen more than a couple closed incorrectly so that they're more likely to come open in a fast head-down attitude. That doesn't sound safer to me. Many of the latest innovations in canopy design have been about how to build better and better swooping machines, while swooping is the discipline associated with a disproportionately large share of injuries and fatalities in the sport. If you want to be safe, learn. Improve your skills. Learn about why we do things the way we do and know your gear, how it works and what it's limitations are. A shiny new rig won't save you if you're a clueless git in the sky and saying that you won't jump gear more than 7 years old because of safety is just irrational gear fear. Inspect it regularly and maintain it as per manufacturers recommendations, but to toss out a perfectly airworthy rig because it's passed some arbitrary milestone in your head is just silly. Ok I understand the explanation of the post. And just to clarify, I did not say that old gear is not safe, in fact I said the opposite, I said I understand it can be airworthy, and I do not put down anyone that does use that particular gear. What I DID say is that its not for me, I said I, ME, MYSELF would rather buy newer gear for peace of mind for ME. And I COMPLETELY agree regardless of age of gear or kind, learning in the sport and becoming aware of safe and unsafe actions is the main way to be safe in the sport. I am not mad, just to clarify, I just don't like people putting words in my mouth. Blue skies man -Evo Zoo Crew

''I'll borrow a phrase picked up from a knowledgeable old timer: "I think skydivers, these days, all squat to pee." +1 LMAO - Fucken priceless and sooooo true I hope I am interpreting this wrong, because to me, it seems like you are putting down skydivers who are safe in the sport/go above and beyond to be safe. I am pretty sure we all jump out the plane, we all spend time under the canopy and we all eventually make it to the ground, now the level of safety involved before, during and after said events, are what makes this sport possible. Why would you have anything negative to say about that? :/ -Evo Zoo Crew

I think I packed 6 or 7 of them, I paid someone to do a couple for me. lol would be cool except I am moving in a month to DC. haha I do recommend Skydive Temple though, they are the closest DZ to Hood and have an awesome staff and atmosphere. _Evo Zoo Crew

haha, yea yea, nah but it was def a good weekend. Got 10 jumps in and did alot of awesome new stuff. Loving every second. -Evo Zoo Crew

Im with you, I dont think I will ever buy gear more than 7 or so years old. I understand that a rig and canopy can be in great condition even past that age, but at the same time, with time comes innovation, id rather pay a bit more for a rig and canopy with less jumps and newer more comfortable options. Its gotta save my life, so Ill spend the extra grand. Just the way I feel about it, money can be replaced, I cant be. :\ -Evo That's funny as hell to hear. This year I downsized from my 2005 Mirage to a 2001 Javelin, and trust me, the age was not a factor. It's even funnier being how much gear I sell and buy - I am yet to have to stumble upon someone selling their stuff because it's "too old". This of course raises the ethical question - if you think that gear that's 7 years old (btw, why such an ambiguous number ?) is not good enough to jump - would you still sell it to "unsuspecting newbie" or do you just trash it ? I don't think 7 years is a magic number, really anywhere from 7-10 is fine. Just in my opinion I wont buy gear that old, I just dont see a reason. If I had to choose between a 1990 rig and a 2000 one, only difference was 1000$ in price, id opt for the newer one every time. Like I said, money is money, I make it everyday, but I can't be replaced, and if an extra grand gets me a rig with 900 less jumps, then Im all over it. Just a personal preference. As far as selling to a new guy, its up to them, they might not feel the same way as I do. Like I said, I understand gear can be completely airworthy past 10 years old, but as a personal preference, its not for me. -Evo Zoo Crew

Im with you, I dont think I will ever buy gear more than 7 or so years old. I understand that a rig and canopy can be in great condition even past that age, but at the same time, with time comes innovation, id rather pay a bit more for a rig and canopy with less jumps and newer more comfortable options. Its gotta save my life, so Ill spend the extra grand. Just the way I feel about it, money can be replaced, I cant be. :\ -Evo Zoo Crew

First time jumping my own rig. First time jumping a caravan. First time jumping frpm 13,500 ft. First 3 way hybrid. First 3 way, head down exit. First 3 way, RW with right and left grips. First horny gorilla. First tracking dive First successful sit fly, with stable body position for 30 seconds. First time flying a 170 sq/ft canopy. I pretty much owe the DZ a keg...FML -Evo :-D Zoo Crew

Wow...just wow. Its over, we are sorry, what the hell else do you want? -Evo Zoo Crew

I agree but I have heard stories of parts breaking on there alti for different reasons aka, hit the door on the way out, and L&B fixed it at no cost. So I mean maybe for once great customer service is real? We can all dream right? Zoo Crew

Everyone has been nice about this? And while this is a "good" thing, Im trying to analyze why it is necessary to tell people on a forum you hardly know? To me this is a sign of insecurity, maybe a inside feeling that if you tell people you have a girl, that you'll be more confident about it...not trying to be a dick, but I have always been mystified by people who, on a forum and in real life, feel the need to make sure everyone knows. Certainly not because your in love. Anyways congrats, but maybe hold off telling people about a new relationship until you have some investment in it, seems rather childish to me, like when you got your first bf or gf. -Evo EDIT: Amen to the post above. Zoo Crew

You must be lost in your own world! The best looking girls are from Texas! BTW you aint gonna piss us off by your lack of knowledge, we know the truth yea the best looking girls are from Texas....if you have never been out of Texas. Sorry man, Texas girls in general can't keep up with Florida Girls. BTW I live in Texas currently...military. Zoo Crew

I highlighted one that I must disagree with lol. yes there are gorgeous women in every state, but I must say the average population I have seen in Texas cannot compare to the average back home(FL). lol this is going to piss Texans off...but I hate living in Texas. -Evo Zoo Crew

Where the hell in Florida did you go? You must have been in Northern Florida, or the Everglades. To me it sounds like you are describing Alabama, Georgia and Arkansas...Florida may be "in the south" but we are definitely an exception to the "dirty south" culture. Check out Pensacola, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Daytona, Miami...you'll see the other side of the great sunshine state. Just to clarify I grew up in Tampa, and cant wait to move back ASAP. -Evo Zoo Crew

I did the same thing, when I did my first tandem, about 30 seconds into freefall I had this gut wrenching fear of the opening of the chute. Now, that I pack my own chute, understand what where can cause malfunctions and know that what is packed in my container is my work, and I know I did it right, the opening is way more enjoyable, and I can start to worry about on heading openings, and things I can adjust during the pack to change the way it opens. It'll ease up over time, you just dont know the equipment well so you dont know what to expect. -Evo Zoo Crew

I am buying my last few bits of gear I need this weekend. In total for everything(main, reserve, container, aad, alti, jumpsuit, helmet, goggles, cypress maintenance and reserve repack) I will have spent 4500. Really nice gear though. Check with your DZO, thats how I found my rig. -Evo Zoo Crew