Terminal-V 0 #1 January 7, 2005 Hey everyone, I was just wondering what was the differance between getting the narrow chest strap and the regular chest strap on the Icon. any benefits to one or the other? Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
larsrulz 0 #2 January 7, 2005 The chest strap is not a load-bearing strap, so the reduction of overall strength shouldn't be an issue. In my opinion the main differences between the regular and narrow is comfort and useability. The narrow one is a bit more comfortable from the rigs I have tried, but the regular one enables you to use a chest mount altimeter, which as someone who primarily does RW, I got a regular. I got a strong urge to fly, but I got no where to fly to. -PF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,422 #3 January 7, 2005 Quote The chest strap is not a load-bearing strap, Personally, I disagree with this statement, although there are engineering folks with more experience whose opinions are always welcome. First, in today's realm of freeflying; 1) pull-time is pull-time irregardless of body position, and 2) what if the FF'er is in a less than horizontal position and has etiher a main or reserve deployment. Second, at the very least - I consider it a load-containment strap. While the real bearng of load is on the main lift webs and leg-straps, does one want to go for less on the strap that keeps the main lift web contained during the opening sequence? But, I'm neither a manufacturer or rigger, I just played one on T.V. Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrogNog 1 #4 January 7, 2005 On other manufactures of rigs, I have seen a difference in how easy it is to thread/unthread the chest strap through the hardware depending on the strap thickness. This was concerning when looking at water landings. On one rig, there was NO WAY I could undo the chest strap in preparation for a water landing because the fold-over at the end of the webbing was so thick. If possible, I would recommend you try on both and see what you like. Also think about if you plan to land in the water and or otherwise want to be able to undo your chest strap under canopy. -=-=-=-=- Pull. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #5 January 7, 2005 Quote I was just wondering what was the differance between getting the narrow chest strap and the regular chest strap on the Icon. any benefits to one or the other? I like narrow chest straps since they're easier to loosen under canopy, especially when wearing gloves. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #6 January 7, 2005 For the most part it is a comfort issue. However. If you plan on doing hybrid jumps in the future you may want to consider the wider chest strap. I personally feel more comfortabel with a wide chest strap if I have someone hanging off of me. I can still loosen the chest strap under canopy. I don't think that should be a concern for you at this stage, but something to consider if swooping is in your future. As far as water landings go. You should be able to get out of any rig quickly enough. Dirt dive it. Just as you will practice EVERY proceedure when you get your new rig. Familiarize yourself with ALL handles, and keep touching yourself, uh, I mean rig, until it is part of your muscle memory. That includes touching your hook knife and undoing your chest strap in a timely manner. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #7 January 8, 2005 Quote Second, at the very least - I consider it a load-containment strap. While the real bearng of load is on the main lift webs and leg-straps, does one want to go for less on the strap that keeps the main lift web contained during the opening sequence? If the chest strap is tightened to much, the MLW is not straight and part of the force of snatch force and opening shock is transferred to the chest strap. And you are right, it was not designed to be a load bearing components of the harness. The load should be entirely to the MLW of which the leg straps are an extension of. At the same time the hardware on a chest strap is only rated at 500 pounds, not 2,500 pounds like the the adapters on the leg straps. As far as easier to loosen or undo the chest strap, the adapter on a 1" Type 17 is the same relative size to the webbing as the larger adapter is to wide webbing. If anything, I would think the wider chest strap would be easier because the size makes it easier to work with when wearing gloves. Sparky SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #8 January 8, 2005 For BM jumps I tighten my chest-strap a lot, so the MLW is not straight anymore. Also when I borrow my friends rig, which is slightly too large, I tighten the chest strap as far as it will go. This is a narrow chest strap. It leaves me with like only a fingers length of chest strap... How easy is it to load it up or over 500 pounds? Am I taking a large risk in jumping my friends rig like that? ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #9 January 8, 2005 Quote For BM jumps I tighten my chest-strap a lot, so the MLW is not straight anymore. Also when I borrow my friends rig, which is slightly too large, I tighten the chest strap as far as it will go. This is a narrow chest strap. It leaves me with like only a fingers length of chest strap... How easy is it to load it up or over 500 pounds? Am I taking a large risk in jumping my friends rig like that? You are not taking a large risk. But you are loading the MLW in a way that will prevent it from taking as much of a load. What is the reason you tighten the chest strap up so much? With the BM suit and the position you fly in there is not much chance it will slip off of your shoulders. For a number of reasons it is not a good idea to jump a harness that is to big or to small for you. All the pieces are designed to work as a unit when the angles are right. Start changing this relationship and all that changes. Handle position can vary greatly, the yoke can ride up on deployment and cause neck injuries to name a couple. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggermick 7 #10 January 8, 2005 Quote Hey everyone, I was just wondering what was the differance between getting the narrow chest strap and the regular chest strap on the Icon. any benefits to one or the other? Thanks. A little off topic but still relavant. Mick.http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_reply_write;quote=1;parent_post_id=929949 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #11 January 8, 2005 Quote What is the reason you tighten the chest strap up so much? With the BM suit and the position you fly in there is not much chance it will slip off of your shoulders. Not while flying, but the opening is the issue. Esp if I'm still flying forward a lot (for instance after getting rid of a pilotchute in my burble) I feel much happier if everything is snug round my shoulders because that's where the opening shock is going to be, with my canopy opening all the way while still behind me. You also get the cleanest deployments while still flying more then breaking, but you also get the nicest bruises on your shoulders that way Anyway my BMI always says to tighten your cheststrap more than usual for BM. But usually I already have mine tight ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aubsmell 0 #12 January 9, 2005 Quote On other manufactures of rigs, I have seen a difference in how easy it is to thread/unthread the chest strap through the hardware depending on the strap thickness. This was concerning when looking at water landings. On one rig, there was NO WAY I could undo the chest strap in preparation for a water landing because the fold-over at the end of the webbing was so thick. On the Icon, the narrow chest strap end is not folded over and sewn, instead the end of the strap is, impregnated with a small piece of type 17, so that it is just thick and reinforced enough not to slide right through if you are loosening your chest strap aggressively, but even if it is wet, it won't be hard at all to unthread through the hardware. I jump a narrow chest strap, because I think it is nominally easier to loosen under canopy, and we don't offer the wide strap with chest blings, I mean rings."Those who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #13 January 9, 2005 Quote Quote What is the reason you tighten the chest strap up so much? With the BM suit and the position you fly in there is not much chance it will slip off of your shoulders. Not while flying, but the opening is the issue. Esp if I'm still flying forward a lot (for instance after getting rid of a pilotchute in my burble) I feel much happier if everything is snug round my shoulders because that's where the opening shock is going to be, with my canopy opening all the way while still behind me. You also get the cleanest deployments while still flying more then breaking, but you also get the nicest bruises on your shoulders that way Anyway my BMI always says to tighten your cheststrap more than usual for BM. But usually I already have mine tight You asked if you were taking a risk. I told you yes, but not much of one. If you tighten you chest strap to the point the MLW is drawn together you are miss using your equipment. If the rig fits you, it will not come of during deployment, and the bruises you get are not the fault of the equipment. It is the way you are using the equipment. In the future if you have a question concerning gear, just ask you BMI and save everyone else time it takes to respond. I am sorry you did not get the answer you wanted to hear. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #14 January 9, 2005 Quote In the future if you have a question concerning gear, just ask you BMI and save everyone else time it takes to respond. I am sorry you did not get the answer you wanted to hear. Well aren't we friendly... I DID ask my BMI, like I said. He said to tighten the cheststrap te prevent flying out when opening. Apparantly HE thinks this IS a risk. The result of his advise, like I said, is that my MLW isn't entirely straight (on my own rig, when I'm wearing his, it's way worse like I said). Apperantly this is a risk, also. I wasn't fishing for an answer, just explaining why I tighten up so much, like you asked. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #15 January 10, 2005 Saskia, I owe you an apology. Caught me at a bad time and I took it out on you. My problem not yours. I am sorry.If your chest strap is hooked up and the harness fits, there is very little chance you will fall out. Even with a BM opening. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #16 January 10, 2005 OK thanx, and thanx for the apology Hope the bad times are better now ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #17 January 10, 2005 Quote OK thanx, and thanx for the apology Hope the bad times are better now My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
