Chocolate 0 #1 June 13, 2012 Looks like I should have made my first post in here. I am new to this whole forum, blogging, threading thing. Anyhow, does anyone know where to find a weight belt that will hold 21 lbs of weight and a decently priced RDS? ($400 is ridiculous in my opinion). Is there such a store that caries equipment for swoopers? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rugby82 0 #2 June 13, 2012 Try www.lookma.de. I think you won't find a cheap RDS anywhere.Blue skies! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chocolate 0 #3 June 13, 2012 Thank you for that! The weight belt is awesome. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
voilsb 1 #4 June 14, 2012 The problem with an RDS price is mostly in the rings. The slider itself is at most $25 in materials, depending on construction. But getting quality rings made that won't tear up your lines is pricey.Brian Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Electronaut 0 #5 June 14, 2012 QuoteThe problem with an RDS price is mostly in the rings. The slider itself is at most $25 in materials, depending on construction. But getting quality rings made that won't tear up your lines is pricey. The labor in making the slider is where the cost adds up as well. Making a slider is not a quick task. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
voilsb 1 #6 June 14, 2012 QuoteThe labor in making the slider is where the cost adds up as well. Making a slider is not a quick task.I'd say that's a minor part of it, unless you charge $75 an hour or something. I can churn out a pretty good copy of a Para-Concepts RDS slider in about 4 hours, so someone with some decent sewing experience could easily do one in a couple hours or less.Brian Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chocolate 0 #7 June 14, 2012 It seems to me that it comes down to companies charging a premium for the "specialty" equipment because as jumpers we have no other choice. There is very little competition to drive the prices down. I am sure that the larger companies, like UPT, have decent purchasing power on the stainless hardware and milling process or there would easily be an enormous fee for upgrading hardware to stainless. Either way, I am on the hunt. FYI, if any of you pilots are looking for weight belts but don't want to pay 300 dollars or more check out SeaSofts harness. https://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-154/044064/Seasoft-Seawolf-Diving-Weight-Harness.html I haven't tried one on yet but it looks like it will do the trick for under 200 bucks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rem 0 #8 June 14, 2012 why rds? for just release the slider? or the deployement bag and pilot chute? because you can instal a "lanyard" on your daily slider, stow the slider in your back, and the bag and pilot chute in your sweat. you can sew a weightbelt for 2$, only the lead was expansive.niques tout, chies d'dans... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites