So I blew up my fairly new Fusion...

[justinb138 0]

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What is the #1 cause of hard openings?


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Deployment.

[crazydiver 0]

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...since the cost of producing a canopy and the materials is minimal compared to what we pay.

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Really?

Must be why all those canopy manufactures drive Bentley's huh?

The cost of producing a canopy isn't 'just' the materials and labor involved with sewing it up.

There is the design team, testing, marketing, advertising, the workers seems to do a better job with lights on and heat in the winter.

The cost of everything 'else' that goes into making a canopy has to be spread out over the projected sales numbers of an item, these aren't 'Twinkies' they are selling...not a huge market for parachute canopies in the overall marketplace. A manufacturer may 'hope' to recoup the investment if they sell 2000 copies of a certain model...but what if only 1000 sell?

It's been 20 some years since I worked in a loft, but then the 'cost' of producing a 'new' to the market product was in the 50-60% of selling price, if the projected numbers actually go out the door.

When you consider everything ELSE it takes to run the business...profit margin is minimal at best.

That why 'Skydivers' own / run most of the manufacturing companies....if there were all this money to be made, wall street would take interest!

Ever heard of overhead costs? The expenses you speak of are overhead costs that must be incurred reguardless of production volume. For a manufacturer to help a customer out by manufacturing them a new canopy, they ONLY incur labor, materials, shipping, and perhaps the minimal energy costs associated with using the sewing machines and cutting tables.

I agree that the profit margin in skydiving is much less overall, but still a good amount. Pretty much all gear manufacturers are still small companies and they, of course, will not be making millions (or maybe they do...). Regardless, those who own and run skydiving gear production on a large scale do make a good living, regardless of what they lead you to believe.

Cheers,
Travis

[Squeak 17]

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What is the #1 cause of hard openings?


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Deployment.

that right there is comedic timing folks Twardo you cant see this but I'm standing and applauding (an ovation if you will) nice work





Steve the hard opening I've had (2 weree real slammers) were due to ME either packing or position. If I put 500 jumps on a canopy and it opens fine 498 times, then I screwed up somewhere at least twice.

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[bigway 4]

You work in a gear store???....BTW what ever happened to that school you were promoting then not promoting??.....any chance I can get a deal on something from ya

What has this dropzone that I was working Marketing for got to do with anything?
FYI, i was working marketing for a Dropzone where i started this school up in one country and now am residing in another country on the other side of the world and getting work at a different dropzone.... as you do.
This school that i was promoting, i still do try to. I have sent many people over there for this country as well. Please do not get this school confused with the school that i felt was a rip off either. (if you have read those posts).


And for your reference to my concerns over a boogie... well that has nothing to do with this thread.

I am glad you think your posts and opinions are all so correct and perfect that you can try and belittle myself in this thread.
I have never seen anyone try to make other peoples opinions sound like shit cause they do not approve of their other posts. But then again i have never seen someone with as little experience as yourself ofter being in the sport for 5 years.

.Karnage Krew Gear Store
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[airtwardo 7]

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For a manufacturer to help a customer out by manufacturing them a new canopy, they ONLY incur labor, materials, shipping, and perhaps the minimal energy costs associated with using the sewing machines and cutting tables.

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Travis~

I'm not trying to be condescending or stir the pot, but do you have any manufacturing experience?

Do you seriously not understand why a company couldn't / wouldn't adopt a policy of product replacement in circumstances such as this?

Yes...maybe if it came apart on jumps 1-10, but after 150 some jumps....that's ludicrous and economically unfeasible.

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Regardless, those who own and run skydiving gear production on a large scale do make a good living, regardless of what they lead you to believe.

***

And they do so by not 'selling' equiptment for the cost of parts and labor.

I should know, I got a Ford 'Exploder' that I keep taking back in cause it's shit...4 some reason, they just fix it and won't give me another one.

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[bch7773 0]

yeah I could see how a free replacement would be justified if it blew up on the first few jumps.


but after 150 jumps on it... it becomes "your problem" not the manufacturers.

MB 3528, RB 1182

[grue 1]

The real question is, where can I find a box about the same size as my dbag to minimize the shipping cost..

cavete terrae.

[bigway 4]

I think you should send it back to them with your d-bag and the bungees that you were using during the time of your bad opening.

I had an opening very bad as well, just lucky that nothing broke or exploded. I was advised that the bungees could have been a factor.

It may be worth doing it so the manufacturer has everything involved that could have caused it.

.Karnage Krew Gear Store
.

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

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I think you should send it back to them with your d-bag and the bungees that you were using during the time of your bad opening.

I had an opening very bad as well, just lucky that nothing broke or exploded. I was advised that the bungees could have been a factor.

It may be worth doing it so the manufacturer has everything involved that could have caused it.

If you use a packer, best box him or her up and send them with too.

[bigway 4]

Well if you are going to ask them to investigate the problem you may as well give them as much as you can that was involved in the hard opening.
Bungees can be a pretty big factor. That was what i was told by the riggers looking at my problem.. The canopy i had that went off on me was a canopy that is made to take 800-1000 feet to open and it was more or less brand new.

.Karnage Krew Gear Store
.

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

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Well if you are going to ask them to investigate the problem you may as well give them as much as you can that was involved in the hard opening.
Bungees can be a pretty big factor. That was what i was told by the riggers looking at my problem.. The canopy i had that went off on me was a canopy that is made to take 800-1000 feet to open and it was more or less brand new.

Yes yes, you're right, I was just feeling all whitty, didn't mean to be not serious and all...

You're correct. Line stows can significantly influence how a canopy opens. I believe PD published something several years ago saying one should only use small rubber bands for micro-line... no tube-stows... no Ralphy-bands... just the regular ol' small rubber bands. I think the article is still out there on PD's web-site somewhere.

[Elisha 1]

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... no Ralphy-bands...

Ralphy-bands? Dem be them black bands that I have on my d-bag (SkyBands)? I guess I'm naughty then, since I have Sabre1 with Ralphy-bands on the d-bag.

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

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... no Ralphy-bands...

Ralphy-bands? Dem be them black bands that I have on my d-bag (SkyBands)? I guess I'm naughty then, since I have Sabre1 with Ralphy-bands on the d-bag.

Hey, just passin' on info... that's what I beleive PD recommended, don't use anything but regular old rubberbands, the small ones, on micor-line... its just a recommendation... kinda like those yellow speedlimit signs on curvy roads... ...