Argus website - dealer update

[skyhigh_0701 0]

Hi,

Just wondering...

I saw on the argus-site that his dealers have been listed. Anyone seen an actual Argus yet? does anyone have more info or even comments??

Thanks!
Skyhigh

[dragon2 2]

Yeah, we have some people with an Argus in their rig now at our DZ.

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[tombuch 0]

Yup. The owner of the company actually came by The Ranch on our Safety Day and offered a presentation. It's a good looking AAD, but I'm still not keen on using off-the-shelf batteries, or the limited maintenance schedule at product launch. I had been concerned about the potential to accidentally change the opening setting for a different discipline, but that was cleared up at the presentation, and it doesn't bother me anymore.
.

Tom Buchanan
Instructor Emeritus
Comm Pilot MSEL,G
Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

[TrickyDicky 0]

whats wrong with off the shelf batteries?

wasnt that a major selling point for the new L&B products?

UK Skydiver for all your UK skydiving needs.

[tso-d_chris 0]

Quote

whats wrong with off the shelf batteries?

wasnt that a major selling point for the new L&B products?

If the batteries do not work in your altimeter, your alti won't work. If you get a bad battery in your AAD, it could potentially cause more serious problems.

For Great Deals on Gear

[tombuch 0]

Quote

whats wrong with off the shelf batteries?

wasnt that a major selling point for the new L&B products?

I think off-the-shelf batteries are great in a helmet, iPod, flashlight, or anything else that isn't safety critical.

An AAD is packed inside a reserve and MUST work when needed. Off the shelf batteries may be manufactured without any quality control. They may work, or they may not. They may leak, or they may not.

A TSO'ed reserve parachute and harness/container are manufactured under a strict quality control program. All the advantages of that quality control are thrown out the window when untracked batteries are introduced into the container.

The United States skydiving industry is asking the FAA to extend the reserve repack cycle at the same timie that new AAD's are being introduced to market without an approved quality control process, and no assurance of battery life, performance, or security.

Now you may feel that's all fine, and you may choose to take the risk of cheap batteries in your AAD. But I consider the potential of DZ owners using cheap untested batteries in their student and tandem rigs. That really bothers me.
.

Tom Buchanan
Instructor Emeritus
Comm Pilot MSEL,G
Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

[USPA 0]

I have one in my hands right now. Got it last sunday from the company itself. Small, light and easy to use. Looks like a great product to me. Replacing batteries every year for only $ 10,-. Redundant electronics and every 4 years it's calibration can/will be checked, but in the field, making it lots less expensive.

Also the unit is waterPROOF, not resitant. It has an IP67 qualification.

The trouble with skydiving; If you stink at it and continue to jump, you'll die. If you're good at it and continue to jump, you'll see a lot of friends die...

[USPA 0]

That's why a number of brands are tested for their quality. The Argus manual says all brands should work, but they recommend a certain number of brands. They also recommend a minimum remaining shelf life of 6 years. The batteries which are supplied have a remaining shelf life untill 2015 if I recall correctly (I will update that if incorrect). Also the unit itself checks the batteries for at least 14 hours operation + able to fire cutter. (I have been told it in fact checks for 24 hours operation, but that not officially in the manual).

Time will tell if the argus will live up to it's promises. But the persons behind the product are all skydivers and REALLY dedicated to making the "perfect AAD"

The trouble with skydiving; If you stink at it and continue to jump, you'll die. If you're good at it and continue to jump, you'll see a lot of friends die...

[wimdevos 0]

Explaining (IP)Ratings
Just fore all who do not know what that is


Example: Protection level offered by an IP 67 rated protected product
6 = Totally protected from dust
7 = Protected from the effects of immersion between 15cm and 1m

Protection against solid objects
First Number
0 No protection
1 Protected from solid foreign objects of 50 mm and greater (e.g., accidental touch by hands)
2 Protected from solid objects of 12 mm and greater (e.g., fingers)
3 Protected from solid objects more than 2.5 mm (e.g., tools and small wires)
4 Protected from solid objects more than 1 mm (e.g., small wires)
5 Protected from dust; limited entrance (no harmful deposit)
6 Totally protected from dust

Protection against liquids
Second Number
0 No protection
1 Protected from vertically-falling drops of water (e.g., condensation)
2 Protected from direct sprays of water up to 15° from vertical
3 Protected from direct sprays of water up to 60° from vertical
4 Protected from water sprayed from all directions; limited entrance allowed
5 Protected from low pressure jets of water from all directions; limited entrance allowed
6 Protected from strong jets of water (e.g., for use on ship decks); limited entrance allowed
7 Protected from the effects of immersion between 15cm and 1m
8 Protected from extended periods of immersion under pressure

IP Numbers with Hermetically Sealed (HS) or Environmentally Protected (EP) Ratings
Rating Protection
EP Dust proof, not protected from moisture or water
IP65 Dust proof, protected from splashes and low-pressure jets
IP66 Dust proof, protected from strong water jets
IP67 Dust proof, protected from temporary immersion in water 1 meter deep for 30 minutes
IP68 Dust proof, protected from continuous immersion in water under more severe conditions than IP67
IP66/68 Dust proof, protected from strong water jets and/or constant immersion

[tso-d_chris 0]

Quote

Also the unit is waterPROOF, not resitant. It has an IP67 qualification.

The CYPRES2 is water resistant to 5 meters for up to 15 minutes.

The Argus is water resistant to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes.

That seems pretty comparable to me.

I don't think you will find any consumer electronics that are "waterPROOF." They all have their limits.

For Great Deals on Gear

[USPA 0]

I wasn't comparing to the cypres, with the water resistant remark. Both cypres2 as the argus are waterproof.

The trouble with skydiving; If you stink at it and continue to jump, you'll die. If you're good at it and continue to jump, you'll see a lot of friends die...