conor

I'm hoping to buy a Sony DCR-PC105 to be used with a Hawkeye helmet. I'm just wondering if anyone has any experiences with fitting a CamEye to this setup? (Or with a PC103, its the same shape and size as the 105). The LANC port on this camera is on the right hand side of the camera (as it points away from you) just level with the bottom of the eye piece. Has anyone fitted a CamEye to this camera/helmet combination, or is it likely to be compatible? Cheers, Conor

Hi it's me the original poster. I know that the altis are just a backup. I'm just wondering what type of alti do the pros use mostly? The watch altis or the bog standard altis?

I understand that most of the top swoopers are using altis to help them gauge what height they should start their swoop at. Is there any particular alti that is recommended? How much do they cost and where can I get one? I doubt they are using a standard Saphire alti (like my one). It doesn't seem to be too accurate at the level required for swooping (i.e. may give a reading plus or minus 200ft). Any ideas?

A number of people asked me to keep in touch and to let them know how I got on with my problem regarding my Velocity openings. I sent the canopy back to PD and they scrutinized over it for a number of weeks. They recently got back to me and advised that there seemed to be an inherent and unfixable problem with the canopy and so have very kindly offered me a replacement. Top marks to PD's aftersales service!

Hi it's me again - poster of the original thread. Thanks to all for the helpful advice. It seems that the general consensus of the replies is that I am not packing it the way it wants or am not working the harness correctly during deployment. Although I don't believe this, I am willing to accept that it may be the case. I have printed off the thread and do intend to follow the tips given. I am usually quite careful at packing and in the harness during deployment. A few suggested that I might be underloading the canopy (I'm just at 1.5). Another possibility but others (heavier people) have jumped my canopy and also had problems. The canopy is with PD. I am interested to hear what they have to say. I will keep you all informed. Thanks, Conor

Not sure if this is the most appropriate forum but this is most likely the place where I'll find people in the know. Basically, I have 200 jumps on my Velocity 120 (loaded at 1.5) and I am consistantly getting "funky" openings. Funky means: very snivvelly, often turning erratically during the snivvel, occasionally causing slack lines, sometimes just one side opens and flies around the other, dramatic surges. Openings can take up to 700-800 feet. I had about 950 jumps on Stilettos before I started jumping the Velocity. People give out about the unpredictable nature of Stiletto openings (personally I quite liked them) but the Velocity openings are a whole new ball game. Initially I thought the snivvel was due to the new Vectran lines but it is still causing me problems after 200 jumps. I have spoken to a few other Velocity jumpers and none have reported these problems. I spoke to PD and they suggested I try a smaller slider which they happily supplied. I tried it and it doesn't help much. I have now sent the canopy back for inspection. By the way, occasionally I do get good clean on-heading openings but more often than not it gets funky. No chops yet but it seems like its only a matter of time. I note there was a tread on dropzone.com on Vengence openings. My problem sounds similar to theirs. Sorry that this has turned into a bit of a ramble. Basically, I'm just wondering if anyone else has had similar problems with their Velocity. (Date of manufacture is Sept 1999 if that matters). Blue skies Conor PS - No its not my body position.