axelandr

While you might be able to get a better price somewhere else, whatever small amount you might be saving is worth paying for the outstanding customer service Mike and his team is offering.. especially if there is a problem with whatever custom-made gear you bought... Mike will go out of his way to solve it for you! I've bought 2 complete systems from Mike and I think we probably reached 60-70 emails both times from contact was initiated until gear was in hand - all of the mails were more than timely replied to, often within the hour (as many others also point out) and always with the feeling that they were happy to help.. I won't go anywhere else for new gear, even if there a buck or two to save... Alex

I've never heard of the 50 jumps / 1000$-deal. Can you confirm this and maybe provide a bit more info, please? What's the time limit, are they all full-alti-jumps, any drawbacks except the time-limit..? Do they have special on hop n' pops aswell if you buy them in blocks of 50? Thanks, Alex.

Chuck, do you mind updating your link? It just takes me to the standard news-feed page on facebook.. Alternatively, provide som more info on what and who you are refering to.. Thanks, Alex.

wow, even better! :) can't wait for this to open. btw, are you guys hiring? A.

and good choice of helmet - the 2X is by far the most comfy helmet I ever tried, and I tried a lot of em before going for the Tonfly one..

and btw, the subscribe function doesn't work - might wanna ix that if you (or they) want ppl on their mailinglist.. tried with both chrome and safari.. A.

wow, that is brilliant news for those of us who pass trough brussels on a regular basis.. any more info on the tunnel itself? Skyventure, Bottrop/Voss-copy..?? Alex.

Thanks, I checked it out but unfortunately it didn't seem to be much going on in California around the time I will be there.. Looks like a nice course, though - thanks for the link! A.

My intentions is basically what I wrote in the original post - getting 1:1 coaching from a coach, not necessarily from anyone able to swoop. Not all swoopers are coaches, which is also why I asked for your help to point me in the direction of someone who belongs to both categories. As for following a normal canopy course, I'm not at all against the idea and is definitely something I'm considering to do as well. I do however believe that a personalized approach covering a longer period of time and/or more jumps might help my progression. I find it hard to believe that a custom made approach would not be better than a generic group session, as it will leave more time for discussion, debrief, to-the-point Q&As etc. I might of course be wrong, but prior experience tells me otherwise, which is why I wanted to check out this possibility. I'm focused on having a safe approach to my progression and at the same time avoid picking up bad habits I might have to "unlearn" 500 jumps down the line. As for my choice of DZ, I see that the name Lodi kicks up the regular sparks; Personally, I like the vibe, I have already done quite a few of my jumps there and somewhat know the place and I will be in that area anyway. Of course there are other DZs in the neighborhood which I might check out, but Lodi will remain my main choice because of other factors than jumping. I do appreciate the input and would once again like to ask if someone could point me in the direction of someone who does coaching there.. It seems to be the only thing this thread hasn't generated yet..

Re-posting this as my prior post on the same subject didn't really generate much in Safety and Training / maybe you guys are able to help me out

Sorry for the late reply, been out of range for a couple of weeks - thanks for answering to my questions! What am I looking for? I'm looking into becoming a safer canopy pilot, all the while approaching more high-speed maneuvers. I would like to be able to safely conduct front-riser approaches, both straight in and 90 degrees and get to know the early basics of high-speed landings.. My plan was to invest in a canopy coach who could follow me throughout 50-100 hop and pops with both pre-jump briefing / definition on what to work on and video debrief of my landings. Not on every jump, but someone who could define a progression plan for say 100 jumps and then follow up every now and then with useful input.. What I'm looking for is basically whatever the coach deems necessary, as I have never had any 1:1 coaching on CP and would like to start off learning the right stuff straight away instead of correcting bad habits 500 jumps down the line.. Anybody know of any good names to contact in Lodi? Alex.

Don't know if this post should go here or in Swooping and Canopy Control, but I was wondering if someone knows about ppl offering to do personalized canopy coaching in Lodi? If so, please feel free to point me in the right direction, either by replying here or sending me a PM. I already know about TJ, but I'm currently checking out the possibilities for a 3-4 week stint across the pond later this summer and would like as many alternatives (in Lodi) as possible..! Thanks, Alex.

The setup you're asking for can easily be done with for instance a Tonfly 2X helmet combined with the Zkulls Hero Overkill mount.. See pics here: http://www.chutingstar.com/newgear_en/zkulls-hero-overkill-dual-mount.html and here if you want more options on the mount, by using the Zkulls Hero Overkill PRO mount, here: http://www.chutingstar.com/newgear_en/zkulls-hero-overkill-pro-mount.html The Tonfly helmets are, IMO, by far the comfiest helmets I have ever tried, but as helmets are put on your melon they are prone to the individual shape of it.. try before you buy! Alex.

Does anybody know what the canopy range is on it.. how big can you go? Alex.

what do you mean - you have 5 jumps on the new V3? any more information to share..? or even better, photos? Seems like you have some inside info here - do you mind sharing when Sonic think they will release it to the market..? Thanks, Alex.

if TJ is not available or you for some reasone you wanna go with someone else, try to look up Stephanie Soria.. she's a pretty badass freeflyer aswell! alex.

safety is for sure another factor, didn't really consider that in my previous post.. safety issues aside, I still find my 2X to be miles ahead when it comes to being comfy, compared to the Bennys, Gaths, Giros, Berns or other multi-purpose helmet I've tried.. Can't really see any issues with taking my 2X into the tunnel (have done so on numerous occations), on speedstars or on regular funjumps (Idem) either.. if you don't wanna jump the camera, untwist it from the mount, pop in a 2nd converter-thingie to cover the hole and you're ready to go - takes 2 seconds.. both cheaper and easier then buying and carrying 2 helmets around IMO.. another added bonus is the audible pockets which you won't necessarily find on the low-range helmets.. I believe this adds to the safety-aspect as well (as long as you add the audible(s)), although it won't help you much on impact.. Alex.

I find myself both agreeing and disagreeing with you on this... The 2X doesn't have mounts on it (converter mounts integrated into the helmet), meaning it can be jumped just as safely without a camera on top.. As for buying 2 sets of helmets - if he wants to go with something fancy, quite a bit more comfy (and thats an understatement!!) than your average Benny or Gath, and has a wish to fly camera in the future, I don't really see why not to go with the 2X in the first place.. If your saying this because you assume the OP will take forever to get to fly a camera and that he NEEDS to get the newest, fanciest, shiniest toy available at that time, then yes, buy 1 now 1 later.. somehow I don't think this is necessarily the case.. Alex.

The Tonfly 2x is a VERY NICE helmet, its miles away from any other model I ever tried, and I tried quite a few before deciding on the Tonfly.. no worries about the comfort of the chincup - takes a little getting used to, but all in all you'll find that the helmet will sit better on your head, as tightening the chincup will add to the stability of the whole thing.. no more having the helmet flapping around your head in freefall, providing you have a nice tight fit.. added bonus is that it wont get stuck in your beard like normal chinstraps.. if you're sporting one, that is.. as for soft or rigid rachets, go with the soft if you think it'll be more comfortable (they probably are), but I haven't had any problems with my rigid ones.. If you're getting prepared for camera work sometime in the distant future, make sure you get the cut-away system installed right away (normally they won't charge for the installation if you get it straight away. installing it later on might set you back some dollars).. I prefer to have mine mounted on the back of the helmet, although standard Tonfly installation will have the release mounted on the chincup.. No difference except cosmetics, but I think it lookes better on the back. You just have to remember which side it's on.. Honestyly one of the best pieces of equipment I have ever bought! Alex. Alex.

I jumped this config last year, Icon I5 with a 188 zpx and a 175 smart, all components brand new, no problem whatsoever on the fit. don't think the reserve was super tight, so if the 193 optimum packs 1 size smaller it shouldn't be a problem, but ask aerodyne before buying.. i can't really see any problems concerning packing of the main either, my brand new zpx slid right into the bag without too much effort. a.

Stephanie Soria at Lodi combined with the iFly SF Bay about an hour away. Killer combo!

Just wanted to check if anyone has used a JVX Everio for skydiving lately.. Todays Woot is a JVC Everio HD Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom for 120$ which is a pretty neat price.. Is it worth looking into for skydiving purposes? Alex.

old thread, I know, but it might be worth a shot to revive it.. anyone out there with any recent experiences with suits or gear made in Pakistan? I'm currently based here and thinking it might be worth a shot to try to have a freefly-suit made, maybe based on my Boogieman-suit or have them do a copy from photos etc.. I'm not really expecting it to be nowhere near the quality of Boogieman, Sonic, Vertical, Liquidsky etc, but seeing I'm here I might just give it a shot.. it doesn't cost much and I won't have any cost of shipping or customs.. anybody with recommendations on where to go? Frexer, Jumspwear (can't find a site for them), another company..? any input appreciated, Alex.

The ZPX Pilot will pack like a 170 normal Pilot, or maybe even a bit smaller, whereas the Sabre will pack like most other 190s.. I had no problem packing my zpx 188, they're quite easy to pack even brand new.. Alex.

form what I can see it seems like at least two of them have OIS and not EIS.. I might be completely off, so please correct me if I'm wrong.. http://www.sony.co.uk/comparison/hdrcx210eb.ceh/hdrcx190eb.ceh Alex.