flr169 0 #1 June 1, 2005 Hey all.... I'm looking at an icon container to possible buy.... Looking for people's opinion on this container ..... Also your thoughts on a PILOT 150 canopy.... thanks everyone MikeLife's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting - "fcuk me what a ride!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nbblood 0 #2 June 1, 2005 Check out this thread. Blues, NathanBlues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chopchop 0 #3 June 1, 2005 The Icon is a very nice container. Lots of cool features like the riser guides, the extended link for lower cutaway pressure, the bridle tuck tab and of course, the badass hook knife / bottle opener. The Pilot is an excellent beginner / intermediate canopy that performs well at low wingloadings but can also handle a high wingloading. Soft consistent on-heading openings, strong flare and light riser pressure make this a very fun yet forgiving canopy. As long as you are ready to fly a 150, I don't think you would be making a mistake by purchasing this equipment. Have fun. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrogNog 1 #4 June 1, 2005 I've sat behind an Icon lots of times. Cute rig. (The gal wearing it didn't hurt, either. ) -=-=-=-=- Pull. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fergs 0 #5 June 1, 2005 I've had an Icon / Pilot / Smart combo for a few months now. Pilot: It's loaded about 1.5 lb/sq' and behaves very well. Immediate previous canopy was a Spectre and sabre before that. The Pilot is much more responsive, in my opinion. It turns fast yet opredictably and planes out well on landing. Opens softly and always on heading - I psycho pack 100% of the time. I certainly like it! Icon: Previous 2 regs were Mirages, Vector before that. icon is very well made and extremely comfortable. Reserve container easy to close. Smart: Cannot comment on performance, as it hasn't been used and possibly never will (nah, I won't mind a malfunction, but hey never seem to happen to me - last one was cpl thousand jumps ago). But it's pack volume seems smaller than I'd expected. Overall: Good solid gear, well made, some nice features, nice main canopy. Great value for money. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flr169 0 #6 June 1, 2005 Thanks everyone for the responses...Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting - "fcuk me what a ride!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #7 June 1, 2005 Does it have a custom 3 ring system? It wouldn`t be practical if you want to demo a canopy....and thats coming with the risers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #8 June 1, 2005 QuoteDoes it have a custom 3 ring system? It wouldn`t be practical if you want to demo a canopy....and thats coming with the risers. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Aerodyne's mini-force is a minor variation on 3-Rings. The harness part is almost the same as the other 98% of rigs, with housings perhaps being slightly longer. Mini-force risers are slightly longer, but most other rigs already have enough slack to accommodate mini-force risers and a rigger can tell you in one minute if your old harness is compatible. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #9 June 1, 2005 I love my Icon. I think it's the most advanced design of the containers on the market. The mini-force rings are interesting, but not the chief point. The design excells in many areas, such as the ease of harness resizing when you sell it or get fat, nice beefy cuttaway handles that are the easiest to grab and feel of any I've seen, the best hard riser housing design I've seen, and countless other smart enhancements. I have one stiff criticism, which is that Aubrey is completely dropping the ball on post-sale service. Despite 4 emails reminding him, he's consistently "forgotten" to drop a simple replacement part in the mail, leaving me one very unhappy customer. Aerodyne in North America needs to do some serious thinking about customer support if they want people to recomend their gear. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aubsmell 0 #10 June 1, 2005 QuoteI have one stiff criticism, which is that Aubrey is completely dropping the ball on post-sale service. Despite 4 emails reminding him, he's consistently "forgotten" to drop a simple replacement part in the mail, leaving me one very unhappy customer. Andy, I have been corosponding wiht both you and Doug about this, there was a bit of confussion in the beginning, one was ordered to replace yours (purple), I instructed the rigging loft to send you a temporary replacement, that you would return to us when you got your color specific one. For some reason it didn't go out. Laura shipped a red handle three weeks ago to your Chicago address. (728 W. Jackson St), although I believe I told you it was coming to the DZ. Either way, I have been on vacaiton, I have no clue why you have not recieved your handle. But I am right now putting a black one in my back pack, and I am going to personally bring it to you at Hinkley this weeekend, and I will by you your favorite flavor beer. Even with the very best customer service, sometimes strange things happen. In the end you will probibly end up with 4 cut away handles, the first one that was a bit too sort, the one I'm bringing this weekend, and the red one wlll probibly show up at the same time your purple one shows up. Peace out, I'll see you this weekend, cut away handle in hand. Aubrey"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
genoyamamoto 0 #11 June 1, 2005 Quote Smart: Cannot comment on performance, as it hasn't been used and possibly never will (nah, I won't mind a malfunction, but hey never seem to happen to me - last one was cpl thousand jumps ago). But it's pack volume seems smaller than I'd expected. Got to jump my smart this weekend. It was easy to fly and land, had plenty of flare to work with. The cutaway handle on the Icon is REALLY NICE. I have a d-ring for my reserve but am seriously thinking of getting a pillow reserve handle if they are built like the cutaway handle. Gotta go... plaything needs to spank me Feel the hate... Photos here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #12 June 1, 2005 Quote Laura shipped a red handle three weeks ago to your Chicago address. (728 W. Jackson St), although I believe I told you it was coming to the DZ. That explains part of the problem, then. I've moved, and now live accross the street at a different address. USPS mail gets forwarded but UPS and Fedex doesn't. See you this weekend, and maybe I'll have a beer or 4 for you too. Apologies about the rant. In case anyone else is reading, Yes - I do LOVE my Icon. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flr169 0 #13 June 1, 2005 The reason the question about the icon... I'm looking at 2 sets of used gear... 2004 icon with a 150 main and reserve and cypress and approx. 100 jumps 2003 racer with a 150 sabre 2 and a 160 reserve with a cypress and about 15 jumps on it,,,, the racer i can try on before i buy because its close by but the icon is too far away....but a refund is good for 10 days..... the price is within 400 bucks between the 2 with the racer being the cheaper one... so now what do u all think..... ========Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting - "fcuk me what a ride!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #14 June 2, 2005 Racers are REALLY comfy rigsYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
philyus 0 #15 June 3, 2005 Go Icon.... Had mine for a few months, used to have a racer and the icon and pilot main are great! blue skies Phil Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #16 June 4, 2005 Hey Aubrey, I think your service sucks too. I like Corona with lime! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aubsmell 0 #17 June 6, 2005 I'll be in NorCal at the end of next week ~ around the 23rd.. 1 Corona it is... if you said my service was great, you'd get a whole six pack..."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
GravityGirl 0 #18 June 6, 2005 Good? No! Your service rocks! Don't forget the lime. And you know how we have green grass in the landing area in Spring. Brown (Gold) in the summer? Well. It's black and smoldering right now! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #19 June 6, 2005 QuoteI'll be in NorCal at the end of next week ~ around the 23rd I assume your wingsuit will be along for the trip, so look me up when you get into town. Be safe. Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #20 June 6, 2005 QuoteWell. It's black and smoldering right now! I had a great view of your smoke out during a few rides to altitude today. BTW, Crack pipes and tall dry grassy fields dont go well together.... Be safe. Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fergs 0 #21 June 6, 2005 Aubrey, mines Guiness in Pint glasses - lots of them. Oh, and I think your service is great - but am happy to pretend it sucks if it means more beer. Blue Skies, fergs Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indradhanush 0 #22 June 6, 2005 hi ICON is epitome of al rigs. there are lot of small good things which is not noticeable form outside, like reserve fre bag, where there is separate channel so that cypres loop does not come in contact with the cloth matrial, alos small poccket for main closing loop, quality of stitching is good and riser insert are there with cut in back pad. to me it was one of the niceswt rig. i have skydived using 15 different rig. this one is the best. The Pilot the name itself suggest its the best canopy i ever found for the intermediate gets faster under high wing loadinglife is a daring adventure or nothing at all Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fffff 0 #23 June 7, 2005 ICON : great rig i love my I-4, very comfy, great fit, lots of "options" are standard. Pilot: Perfect canopy, great soft, on-heading openings and powerful flare, nice swoops. Smart; good to know its my plan-B, jumped a Smart 150 demo, it flies like a 7-cell should. later F ------------------------------------------------ NIL VOLENTIBUS ARDUUM. (nothing is difficult for those who really want it) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
