woppyvac

After a scorching hot day, in the middle of July, tons of running around the hanger, gearing students, work jumps, etc. Doing and shirt & shoeless sunset high pull with a bottle or two of 'gatorade' is about as close to the gods as you can get. Woot Woot!

I know why most folks get this... but being that you are a newer jumper why did you get this option? Woot Woot!

This has to be a troll.... Woot Woot!

Might also look at the Firebolt by Parachute Labs. It's becoming very popular. Opens incredibly soft, strong flare, easy to pack, & fun to fly. At a 1.0 WL it'd be docile. If you call them I believe demoing it was basically the cost of shipping etc. Try it. Woot Woot!

your profile says 35 jumps... might wanna go used for awhile then buy when you've downsize/figured out what really is the best options for you. etc. lots of info on this topic via a search. Woot Woot!

The search option on this site provides a gaggle of info on this topic. BUT to emphasize on a couple things. YOU are are low number but excited jumper. THAT IS 100% COOL. BUT you should think about buying a 'used beater' as opposed to a 'new car...' As you progress you are gonna dink, dank, slid, splash, etc. your first rig until you get more comfortable in the saddle. THAT is 100% normal. I encourage folks to buy something that FITS, is FUNCTIONAL, and FLIES according to your experience. If you really wanna step outa the gates with a new rig. Look at Parachute Labs (Jumpshack) Shadow Racers and the Rigging Innovations Generas. Those will give you new, molded, and safe rides FOR CHEAP until you are prepared to get your final saddle etc. Lastly - AND MOST IMPORTANTLY - talk to your instructors and riggers. Woot Woot!

lol - now here is a question i've never seen before! Woot Woot!

History: I was on my 2nd custom rig (no need to disclaim whom) for the last three years but wanted a backup rig for camera work. Looked around and got a 'steal deal' on a 3rd hand Racer Elite set up. Over the next few months I gradually found myself wearing the Racer more often than my custom rig because it was just that much more comfortable. After awhile I made the custom rig my backup and my 3rd hand Racer my go to ride. Eventually I decided I'd rather just have two Racers and ordered a Shadow 2K3. BINGO - made one of my better skydiving decisions! 1st - COMFORT - I fits like a glove! I'm 5''11, 200lbs, jump a 150 main/reserve and this thing was cut perfectly to my measurements. It molds to my back and hugs over my shoulders like only a Racer can. I've put on/jumped numerous rigs but my 2K3 trumps them all. 2nd - COST - $1,500.00. BINGO! Parachute Labs & company were also kind enough to allow me to tag on a custom reserve pilot chute cap to my rig for a few more bucks. So even though it's like a Ford Model-T when it comes to color, "You can have any color you want - as long as it is black,' I was still able to give it my own personal branding and for relatively cheap. 3rd - CONSTRUCTION - Very Solid. I inspected and tugged on every part of this rig. It's going to hold up and for quite awhile. This is going to be my main ride for the next 5-10 years. Other Pros: Along with my customized cap I was able to get a low profile ripcord handle, a pull out pilot chute and pud handle, kill line pilot chute, snap toggles (LOVE THESE), and it comes with magnetic riser covers (LOVE THESE). It is definitely freefly friendly and tops all around. Cons: As I stated it comes in one color and you are limited on any other bells and whistles. However, it's still a ton of bang for not that much buck. All in all this was a great buy and I strongly encourage folks to take the Shadow 2K3 into consideration when looking for their next rig. It's an impressive set up and for the sales tag it's being marketed at - worth the look. Blue ones.

wings. bang for buck if those are the only two rigs you are looking at. cut in laterals really are only needed if you are thinner than your rig. they keep the rig from shifting on your back in freefall by hugging your body. if you are the same width as your rig.. i'd forgo it. I've owned a wings, mirage, and racer... Racer is my preferred, then I'd go mirage, then wings. Woot Woot!

Your first rig is most likely going to get beaten up... your still new and learning (which is 100% groovy) and will slide, find mud, land off, etc. So buying a new rig isn't what I advise folks for their first 100-300 jumps. Kinda like giving a 16 year old a new car instead of a beater. HOWEVER, if that doesn't appeal to you... there are good cheap alternatives to new rigs. Look into Racer Shadow 2k3 and Rigging Innovations Genera rigs. They are a good way to get new for cheap. Woot Woot!

To the OP. For me... choosing a rig because of it's RSL / MARD is like buying a car because it can self parallel park... Cool feature. But I'd rather have the the controls in my hand. I prefer to KISS 'keep it simple stupid' -- cutaway handle then reserve ripcord handle. Woot Woot!

I've been monitoring this post because I'm quiet fascinated in this new device. I find it exciting to see expanding options for all the systems out there. However, the trail of progression for the IOpener keeps getting puddled with arguments over regulation interpretations and various other jargon. Personally, I like the puller idea because I view my AAD as a backup to my backup and would prefer to have my reserve extraction initiated the way it was originally designed, via the pin being pulled. All the other comments over FAA, cutters, authorization, etc. are mute factors until the product is finalized anyways... I'd like to see more Q&A over the system than folks court rooming interpretations etc. **One I have... Whats the pressure being exerted on the housing itself when the device is activated vs. how much force is required to rupture the housing? Woot Woot!

Nice. Woot Woot!

This thread is jumping tracks... John did you get that Javelin/Puller video up on youtube? I'd like to see it when available. Woot Woot!

^^^ Yep. Woot Woot!

Why not just Ask Brian if his patent has expired? Never understand why folks ask the public rather than the source... Airlocks are more time consuming to make. Time ='s money. Jumpers like their money... often times a lil more than they do the addon of airlocks. etc. Woot Woot!

Groovy! Woot Woot!

Canopy is brand new.... are you sure that the lines are in trim? Woot Woot!

Parachute Laboratories Firebolt. I bought it because of how soft the openings are. It's an excellent canopy. Woot Woot!

Never heard of this company until now... main market is in europe i'm guessin? Woot Woot!

This test, with the main in, should be a definite. Woot Woot!

Thank you. Woot Woot!

Is there a 2 pin M2 AAD option or one coming down the pipeline? Is there US HQ that I can call? TY Woot Woot!

truth. and just because everyone and their mother runs to the bigger named manufactures doesn't mean they are the best options. on a fluke i demoed a firebolt. best fluke i've made in this sport. try em' all. Woot Woot!

I'm more thinking along the lines of Skyhook pin... There are times, not often, where I drop a swear word or two trying to finagle that darn pin into place. TY for the heads up! Woot Woot!