Michele 1 #1 March 10, 2003 So the time is rapidly approaching that I will need to make a decision...and have, at this time, narrowed it to the above options. Because I am not simply an airweenie but a jumpsuit weenie, I need your advice... Please tell me which, and why, you prefer one to the other. And make a recommendation for me...keeping in mind that I am not a lightweight, have yet to intentionally freefly, and still crash more often then tippy-toe my landings... Thanks, guys! (And a special thanks to both 'Mama and Jonno5, who've provided me with suits (which don't fit, but they didn't know that)...) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #2 March 10, 2003 Quote (And a special thanks to both 'Mama and Jonno5, who've provided me with suits (which don't fit, but they didn't know that)...) Aw, well, I tried anyway. Can't help you with your suit choice though, I have Merlin Suits. Have you searched the forums? I think there's been a lot of good comments about both of those brands in the past.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raefordite 0 #3 March 10, 2003 Niether! That is without more information from you. RW or Freefly? Do you need to speed up or slow down in freefall? How fast do you want it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #4 March 10, 2003 Hi, Mama, and thanks again... Yes I have. Problem is, I've narrowed it to between these two, and can't make a choice. Merlin's good, but not what I am looking for, undisciplined as I am at this moment...I want something I can use for whatever I choose, both now and later. I don't forsee a near-future where I will be sooooo good as to need a perfect suit, just a good, general all around one for now. With re-inforced bottom and knees.... Thanks again, and looking forward to reading all your opinions. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #5 March 10, 2003 QuoteRW or Freefly? Do you need to speed up or slow down in freefall? How fast do you want it? Dunno, ff or RW...still simply falling... Slow down, although I've heard I'm not too hard to keep up with anymore since I've learned how to "flatten out" (I'm the only one I've heard of who had to be taught to "de-arch"...but that's not to say I don't need to slow down...) and I'm no lightweight. I jump a Spectre 210... How fast do I want to fly the suit? Or how soon do I want it? Don't udnerstand that question, sorry... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rocketdog 0 #6 March 10, 2003 While i can personally vouch for Tony Suits being an awesome, quality buy... all the girls i know who have bought a Bev Suit LOVE theres (partially cause it's slimming =) -- SO -- i would say choose based on options & the materials/colors you like since both SEEM good quality to me!!! see the world! http://gorocketdog.blogspot.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raefordite 0 #7 March 10, 2003 If this is your first suit and your home DZ has multiple discipline of skydiving, go with a RW suit. Tony has a great suit - if you can get it to fit. If it doesn't fit - good luck. "How fast do you want it?" Tony Suits take about 6 - 8 weeks for delivery. Bev makes an even better suit for the ladies. Bev is the best if you need to slow down. She has a great 3 inch or 4 inch wing to help you out - her swoop cord system is my favorite if you reallllly need to slow down. Delivery 8 weeks, unless you pay extra. Michigan Suits are my overall favorite for the ladies. Mike does a great fit . He can slow you down or help you pick up the pace. 3 -4 weeks for delivery. Good luck with your decision! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #8 March 10, 2003 Quote (partially cause it's slimming =) LOL!!!! Uh, well, that's not something which will do anything for me. I need far more than "slimming". "Disappearing" would be good...slimming would do nothing...Thanks...actually, a good suggestion about options/colors. Will keep it in mind! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #9 March 10, 2003 Quality wise, I don't think you'd be unhappy with either one. Compare prices once you've added on all the options you want, and compare delivery times. I believe both will do rush orders for an extra charge. Not sure which Bev would be best for you. A Tony or Swoop Suit would be good choices from Airtime. Best bet would be to call them and get their recommendations. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #10 March 10, 2003 Lisa, which options do I want? The only one I know of is booties...what else is there? (Gawd, I'm sooooo dumb about this stuff. I've never even really looked at someone else's suits...)... Thanks, Raefordite! Appreciate the opinions... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #11 March 10, 2003 QuoteThe only one I know of is booties...what else is there? You want cordura butt and knee pads, preferably padded for the knees. Inseam grips are nice for the people docking behind you, and fat grips are nice for the people grabbing them. A pocket someplace on the outside of the suit is cool too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #12 March 10, 2003 Cordura I knew about...I was kinda hoing the whole suit would be reinforced...the way I land, you know? LOL... Inseam grips and fat grips...o.k., I'll look at that. Pocket...o.k., I'll look at that, too. Thanks, Lisa. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrHixxx 0 #13 March 10, 2003 I own one of each. In my opinion, there is not a better performing RW suit on the market than a Bev with the FX booties and grippers, but it is pricey. My Tony suit is nice for hot days, because it is light. My Bev suit is built a little hardier and has taken abuse better. -Hixxxdeath,as men call him, ends what they call men -but beauty is more now than dying’s when Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TitaniumLegs 8 #14 March 10, 2003 Steph swears by Bev HotBods. She's had two. I agree they're quite possibly the best there is for women's figures. They certainly look great, and she flies pretty well in it. I was less excited about the jumpsuit I got from Bev, but it might be the monster FX grips and some measurement issues. I prefer the Tony Swoop Suit I had before, but the EMTs made sure it won't ever be usable again - unless - The Frankenjumpsuit! Peter (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #15 March 10, 2003 Michele, I have a Tony Suit and a Bev Suit. I like both for different reasons. My Tony suit is made to be a little slower and I fall pretty fast. I really think either company can make what you want, but you need to know what you want. To slow down you want a poly cotton front rather than the slicker stuff like is on the front of my Bev suit. Also if it is a little larger around the arms (little wings) that will help slow you down. Keep in mind that while inside grips on an RW suit are NICE they are not NECESSARY same thing with fat grips. More important to you IMO would be the cordura/padded knees and butt and the small wings. I would suggest you call the companies and discuss with them your options available. I would also contact Michigan Suits because I have seen their work for women and they seem to have the right idea as to what works well for women. (Katiebear and several others have one and they look great and seem very well made.) -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Faber 0 #16 March 10, 2003 Quote ff or RW...still simply falling... first of all find out what you want of thouse things Quote and I'm no lightweight. I jump a Spectre 210... the size of a canopi dont tell if your ligthweigth or not.I jump a Fox 265 in BASE but use a Crossfire 99 in skydives..Its all about saftyI would recomend you to,find out what you want to do in freefall then buy your suit out of that. I have no oppinion on thouse suits,i normaly just jump in my normal close,or a cheap ff suit Stay safe Stefan Faber Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #17 March 10, 2003 Get it made of the materials you want and with the useful options, but don't waste your money on fancy grippers. The standard ones work just fine for the kind of jumps you'll be doing. I have 2 options on my Bev suit... leg zippers (no booties) to tighten up the legs for a faster fall rate and stripes on the grippers for some extra color. There is an inside pocket standard which works just fine for most things. I held a mini mag light in there when I did a night jump. I'm sure it's no problem where you jump, but make sure you get someone experienced to measure you for the suit. They'll know where to keep it tight and where to keep it loose to get the fall rate you want and make it comfortable. Inseam grips and fat grips are for the people you jump with, not you, right? Screw them. If they want fat grips, let them pay for em! Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mountainman 0 #18 March 10, 2003 I'm not sure how you are built, but my wife is selling hers. If it wouldn't fit, Tad's make a good, strong suit and since they are based in Australia, you can get it for CHEAP. Just a thought. (Suit info below in the link with some new pics.) http://www.brandonandlaura.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #19 March 10, 2003 Thanks, guys...I do appreciate it. MM, I've seen the link, and considered it, but it isn't going to work for me. Sorry. I have a very "feminine" figure...and Faber, I am not divulging my weight on these forums...and yes, the Spectre is about safety too...LOL! As for the kind of jumps I'm gonna do, I am NOT sure yet. But I'm finding that jeans and turtlenecks aren't reall working well, and the rental j/s's aren't fitting well and are in a small way hindering my learning curve. So it's time to handle this... I'll let you all know what I decide, although it's looking like Bev might be it. I'll talk to a gearstore person before I decide, and also make sure they measure me for it. Thanks, all, I really needed the help, and you guys came through. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #20 March 10, 2003 I purchased a Bev camera suit with small wings and freefly legs. I love it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stacy 0 #21 March 10, 2003 Michelle- You'll love Bev. Bev rocks my world. Never had a problem with her at all. BOught an FX suit from her over a year ago, she rebuilt the booties for me in a weeks turnaround time, has called me personally to let me know when it's shipped, etc etc. and it's sewn together well enough that people have picked me up by my grippers and carried me around. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,534 #22 March 10, 2003 I bought a very old Bev suit used about a year ago. It fits almost perfectly. No grips, so I shipped it off, and she added them with VERY quick turnaround, and some consultation on color (wanted to make sure -- which is good). I couldn't be happier. I also have a, um, somewhat feminine figure, and it works really well. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #23 March 10, 2003 I currently use one of each...My Tony suit for RW, slows me down nicely... (when i was kid,, we shopped in the "stout boys" dept.)..so the Tony suit with polycotton and somewhat "loose" fit,,, works good... I have had 2 Bev Suit Camera suits,,,, and the fit is great,,, providing you do a thorough and accurate order form... The personalized service and adherence to time delivery has always been good from Bev Suits.....They are even willing to make repairs and updates to one of their existing suits,,, rather than recommend "buying a new one"...I can be rough on a jumpsuit,, but these have been durable... I would say,,to consider the booties, making sure that you size them correctly,,,I find that they are more helpful,, than they are a "hassle".....p s ... I also jump a PD Spectre 210.. I load it 1:1........ and I get very good performance from it... Good luck,,, but order soon.....!!!! spring is almost here!!!!! jmy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #24 March 11, 2003 Oh one thing I forgot about... When I was buying my suit I had around 15 jumps or so. My gear dealer refused to let me order a suit with booties at my experience level. Instead, he put a note on the order form that booties would be added later. Apparently Bev can stitch the legs on differently so that the lower legs can be removed and replaced with booties. Honestly I have no clue if anything like that was actually done, but it's something to consider. (I later found out the dealer I bought mine from has a bit of a lying problem. I never know which bits and pieces of what he told me to trust). Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #25 March 11, 2003 Michele, I'm a big fan of Zute Sute right now, but I think a Tony swoop suit would be good too. I think ANY suit that fits you properly would help, and having your own suit will help you fly more consistently. Whoo Hoo! New suit!!have fun! maura Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
