Throttlebender

Thanks Derek. My concern was that from what I've heard and read, a few people think that the 2-ring allows for some sight picture shift because only one side of the chin strap is "rigid". But if you're not having an issue with this then I'm satisfied. Also, was wondering about the cutaway because it appears that the loop is simply velcroed to the chin cup, and I wondered how easily that might be knocked loose accidentally. Thanks for the reply. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Meh...a bit pretentious. It woulda been more professional ("big time") if they didn't use Soundtrack stock music and Andrew Kramer AE tutorial tips...not to metion if Joe didn't elevate himself to the rest of the world by having a "secret life." That kinda turned me off...but it IS good for the sport. Most people won't recognize the amatuer post production flaws anyway. Really? Do you know Joe? I do, and he's a humble, unassuming guy. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Am thinking of buying either a Cookie Atomic or MXV. A friend has the MXV but with a Bonehead cutaway chin cup. He said that he bought it upon recommendation from someone else. He was told that the Cookie chin cups are difficult to center. I'm assuming that this is due to it being a 2-ring relase on the one side and a ratchet on the other. Does anyone have an opinion on this? Also, what do you feel about the velcro/loop mechanism on the cookie cutaway? Basically, what's the best system in your opinion? Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

What's the saying? "Ya don't have to knock the bottom out as long as you can put a dent in the side." Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Give it a rest guys. Everyone uses an altimeter of some sort. Audible, analog, or digital on the wrist, it doesn't matter. We all use them for cues as to when and where we execute things. The eyes are definitely necessary and the final decision maker. But all this static about which one is best is truly subjective. What works for one person may not work for someone else as well. Hopefully, everyone is using multiple inputs to determine the best course of action, and if they're not, then that's a problem. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Just got the new Para Gear catalog in the mail and read that Icarus Safire 2 is recommended .75 to 1.4 and Crossfire 2 is 1.4 to 2.0. If memory serves, I think the Crossfire range is the same as before, but wasn't the Safire recommended up to 1.6 previously? Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Yeah...only to show up 5 days later poolside in Vegas with a vodka rocks, 50K in Russian gold and a bikini model next to 'em! Well, if that's how it's gonna go, please take me with you

In some cultures, a few of you might be gettin set adrift on an ice flow about now Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Dave nailed it. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

You said Buffoonery Glad it went smoothly Harry. Bet you're wishin you had just bottowed my rig now huh? Let's jump again soon. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

That has got to be the fastest back-peddling I've ever encountered. I'm actually a bit impressed Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Incredibly generous! Good hearted people like you keep my hopes alive for humanity

Fast, Brian , and Simon.....well stated and much more calmly articulated thatn my own statements. Sorry for getting a bit "hot" everyone, but condescending attitudes tend to take me there. Regardless, well argued. Cheers! Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Evidently, you are having trouble understanding a simple statement and must interject stupidity by inserting off-the-wall comments that have nothing to do with the statement at all. Thanks for the non-answer. Read the question again....do try to focus on what it's asking, eh? For your benefit, I'll repeat the two questions: 1. Do YOU have the power to get YOUR DZO to ground them? 2. How many groundings do you want before getting (them) thrown off the DZ? Well, while I'm having to teach, I'll go back over the "point" for you: "It's just a matter of getting the DZO to do it. The S&TA operates under the DZO so the DZO has final say on groundings and bannings." As an aside: You might want to avoid the use of "we". You must know that you speak for nobody but yourself, right? But I do understand why you did it. For your edumacation how about this bit of clarification: If I were the DZO... Young jumper - talk and teach in whatever manner works best for his emotional maturity. Clarify consequences of repeated behavior: a) grounding short term b) grounding long term c) reserve repack d) banned Experienced jumper - talk and remind. Clarify consequences of repeated behavior: a) grounding b) reserve repack c) banned If one had a problem with this and wanted to start swinging fists on part B, then I would have no problem going straight to C to get the emotionally stunted off and away from the rest of us. What ARE you babbling about?! And please try a little harder not to be such an arrogant prick. Simply stated: The DZO makes the calls on appropriate action. Not some handle pulling hippie with a superiority complex. What that DZO's decision will be? Who knows. I also imagine that a DZO might be rather annoyed by having a customer come to them with a vandalism complaint against one of their staff or long-time regulars. Since you allude to the fact that "you" used in the general sense can't influence a DZO's decision to ground someone, why would they accept your arguments for pulling someone else's reserve? Leave these corrective solutions up to the people that are truly in charge. If you see something happening you don't like, then tell them about it and let THEM handle it. DON'T TOUCH MY EQUIPMENT. Is that simple enough for you to grasp? Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Oh we understand Mike, and good on ya for listening and sharing the experience. However, this IS dz.com where no topic is safe. It's mandatory that all originally meaningful discussions get sidelined. It's all these Type A personalitiesin one arena Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

That would be theft. Are you willing to risk having the cops show up at your door? Messing with someone's gear is not the answer. Deal with it properly. Start by talking to the person about the issue - you know, like mature adults do. Resort to the S&TA and/or DZO if necessary. +1 That's the answer right there. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Always a good idea. Do YOU have the power to get YOUR DZO to ground them? How many groundings do you want before getting thrown off the DZ? It's just a matter of getting the DZO to do it. The S&TA operates under the DZO so the DZO has final say on groundings and bannings. What's your point exactly? Are you saying that vandalizing someone's personal property is best because it's possibly easier than speaking to your DZO? Seems like weak sauce to me. To answer your question though, I'd have zero problem speaking with our DZO regarding someone that was being dangerous to themselves or others. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Or you just have the DZO or S&TA ground them. No touchy touchy the handles Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Why shakin your head? You don't think messing with someone else's equipment and costing them money to satisfy your sense of clever entitlement deserves a pop in the chops? How strange.....unless you were just joking of course. And before you go on about safety, I'm ALL for it. But people just don't need to start thinking it's ok to fuck around with anyone else's gear. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

I've heard people talk about doing that before. I wonder if it actually happens. He'd have to be a 300lb gorilla because pulling my reserve handle would be a fast way to find himself looking up from the floor wondering what happened Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

Congratulations Austin! You're officially a Skydiver

Well thought out Chcuk. I completely agree. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

There's a scale in front of manifest, and a dozen rigs you can use to weigh yourself at the DZ. Beyond that, what happened to waiting and seeing how things go? Let's get some jumps under your belt and see how you do. If you 'get it' and seem to do well under canopy, maybe you go with the 170. If not, maybe you go with the 190. Also, there is a 190 student rig at the DZ, and there's no reason you can't jump it provided you prove that you are ready for it (in 15 to 20 jumps). After that, there are plenty of rigs with 170s you can try, again, if you prove you are ready. The rule of thumb with skydiving gear is to only buy what you are ready to jump on the day of purchase. Never buy anything thinking that you'll be 'ready' for it on a certain date, or that you'll lose weight by a certain date (not that you need to, just an example), because if you don't reach your goal, now you have gear that isn't right for you. This weekend, mainly Sat, does look good. Make sure you call Garf and let her know you want to jump so she can put you in the schedule. Try to get an early slot (like load #1) so you can make a couple jumps if you want. Sunday looks like shit, so make the most out of Sat. Completely agree with Dave on this. And by they way Dave, not that it matters, but your approach on this post was really good. You weren't heavy handed at all. Cheers

Paranoia extreme but AWESOME! Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

It's even more funny watching all the non-believers getting wadded up panties worrying about what others believe. You guys complain about people pushing "religion" on you and never realize that you are, by far and away, while pushing your anti-religion mantra, the most vocal and the most tiresome group of the two. "I don't want you to believe in (insert belief system of choice here) so I'm going to hammer you for all I'm worth!" I think if you really think about it harder, you'll probably retract that statement. The religious push has always far outweighed the other side. How many times during a normal day do you hear something about a religious group, church, political situation being effected by religion, etc.? More than you hear about agnostics or atheists I'm certain. Life expands or contracts in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin