doublespock 0 #1 May 4, 2004 It happened! I lost my Hawkeye with vid and stills on opening after a tandem video jump. Im not sure how it came off. I did find the helmet. It landed in some soft grass/mud yard. I found it with one of the straps on the side unfastened. We watched the vid and thought maybe one of two things happened, riser slapped the quick release, or my hand did while waving off. Has anyone else ever lost a helmet that has the same type of fastening mechanism as the hawkeye with chin cup? PJ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #2 May 4, 2004 My Hawkeye's chin cup retention is dodgy. I will occasionally pop it loose climbing in to position on the Kingair to film a tandem. That's why I always used the second strap. The retention on my new Flat Top Pro is flawless, so far. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martz 0 #3 May 4, 2004 Are you able to release the strap and the chin cup in the same time. Do the quickrelease do the job for both ??=============================== Ourson # 5 impatient de sauter # 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #4 May 4, 2004 On the Hawkeye, the chin cup is a ratchet, and the chin strap is a fastex-type buckle. It takes two movements. The new FTP has a cutaway handle on the right side of my jaw. I still use the Hawkeye as my PookieCam, but unless I'm shooting backwards, it's pretty much retired. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martz 0 #5 May 4, 2004 I have an Hawkeye LT and I installed a cutaway on the side. I can release both in just one move. I was just curious if you could chop the helmet in one move. P.S. nice pics :))=============================== Ourson # 5 impatient de sauter # 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skynole 0 #6 May 4, 2004 Exact same thing happened to me. I had a funky opening and the riser smacked the quick release on my Hawkeye. Unlike you though, I never did find mine as it fell into dense forest. Besides the tape, anything else survive the fall? The good-news from my loss was that I contacted Jim from ArrowDynamics Inc. and he was understanding of the situation and he offered me a new, custom Hawkeye at cost to him - like $80 or something. I would suggest that you get in touch with him and tell him what happened. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doublespock 0 #7 May 4, 2004 QuoteI have an Hawkeye LT and I installed a cutaway on the side. I can release both in just one move. I was just curious if you could chop the helmet in one move. How did you install a cutaway to do both at the same time? Do you have any pics? I want to make sure my helmet has a backup, and I want to be safe at the same time. I was curious about the cutaway system. PJ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites martz 0 #8 May 4, 2004 on the hawkeye, the strap and the chincup are attached at the same place, so I just put the pin, spring and the cutter pin in both. I don't have any pics, I just copy it to someone here on the forum. Sorry, I just don't remember who.=============================== Ourson # 5 impatient de sauter # 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites doublespock 0 #9 May 4, 2004 Besides the tape, anything else survive the fall? Amazingly, the helmet landed with the lenses facing up. My fisheye still lens is scratchless and works. My diamond .3 lens is also sweet. I even saved my dytter and helmet. the sony cam and my still camera are pretty much junk from impact. O well, at least it didnt hurt anyone PJ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites PhreeZone 20 #10 May 4, 2004 PhreeZone's $0.45 cutaway systemYesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites DaGimp 0 #11 May 5, 2004 not sure about the hawkeye but i agree with Deuce here....the new design of the Flat Tops have the cutaway just under the right side of your jaw and the release latch for your helmet has a protective cover so it can not be released from riser slap. i dont think you can lose that helmet unless you intend to."Professor of Pimpology"~~~Bolas Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jose 0 #12 May 5, 2004 Bummer dude. I have jumped my Hawkeye LT for around 250 jumps now. I have the Sidemount Bonehead box for the PC120. I have had the chinstrap ratchets come undone on me twice. One of the times, it was a violent opening that could have possibly been a riser stike and it broke the spring that holds tension on the ratchet. At this point, I was glad that I had the second clip fastened, as I am sure that I would have lost the whole helmet. I personally think that there is (was) a problem with the older ratchet system that they dont use anymore. I recently ordered the replacement ratchets that comes with both the plastic ribbed straps and the metal strap (retainers). Excuse the crudeness of my description. The new and old styles are NOT interchangeable and the spacing on the plastic straps are larger and more aggressive. I have only jumped the new style a couple times, so I dont have much feedback on the new style, but it does feel more secure. I still clip the other strap as I am now gunshy of the ratchets, but I really hate to as it REALLY limits my cutaway ability. I need to make up a system. Give Arrow Dynamics a call if you have the older style ratchets and get the new ones. They are only 10 bucks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites GravityGirl 0 #13 May 5, 2004 I think this issue has been addressed. But it is ALWAYS important to report this information back to the manufacturer. That is how we continue to improve gear and safety. But in the end, you also have to realize that it is a quick release system. So there is a point where a riser strike may have been a potential entanglement, and your helmet did it's job. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ianmdrennan 2 #14 May 7, 2004 QuoteWe watched the vid and thought maybe one of two things happened, riser slapped the quick release Don't look up when deploying Dork. Quoteor my hand did while waving off. Stop slapping yourself about the face in freefall. That's my job. 3 weeks and counting till I come tear up the skies with your sorry ass again Sorry about the camera, but maybe that's gods way of saying you're a shitty tandem videographer and should skydive with your friends more See you soon buddy. Blue ones, IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jose 0 #15 May 7, 2004 Can you feel it? I can, feel the love that is....... Spoken like a true JACKASS friend! p.s. you sound just like my bro.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ianmdrennan 2 #16 May 7, 2004 QuoteSpoken like a true JACKASS friend! heh...Aye laddy, that I am Hope your bro (and you) are doing well. Stay safe. Blue ones, IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. 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martz 0 #8 May 4, 2004 on the hawkeye, the strap and the chincup are attached at the same place, so I just put the pin, spring and the cutter pin in both. I don't have any pics, I just copy it to someone here on the forum. Sorry, I just don't remember who.=============================== Ourson # 5 impatient de sauter # 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doublespock 0 #9 May 4, 2004 Besides the tape, anything else survive the fall? Amazingly, the helmet landed with the lenses facing up. My fisheye still lens is scratchless and works. My diamond .3 lens is also sweet. I even saved my dytter and helmet. the sony cam and my still camera are pretty much junk from impact. O well, at least it didnt hurt anyone PJ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #10 May 4, 2004 PhreeZone's $0.45 cutaway systemYesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaGimp 0 #11 May 5, 2004 not sure about the hawkeye but i agree with Deuce here....the new design of the Flat Tops have the cutaway just under the right side of your jaw and the release latch for your helmet has a protective cover so it can not be released from riser slap. i dont think you can lose that helmet unless you intend to."Professor of Pimpology"~~~Bolas Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jose 0 #12 May 5, 2004 Bummer dude. I have jumped my Hawkeye LT for around 250 jumps now. I have the Sidemount Bonehead box for the PC120. I have had the chinstrap ratchets come undone on me twice. One of the times, it was a violent opening that could have possibly been a riser stike and it broke the spring that holds tension on the ratchet. At this point, I was glad that I had the second clip fastened, as I am sure that I would have lost the whole helmet. I personally think that there is (was) a problem with the older ratchet system that they dont use anymore. I recently ordered the replacement ratchets that comes with both the plastic ribbed straps and the metal strap (retainers). Excuse the crudeness of my description. The new and old styles are NOT interchangeable and the spacing on the plastic straps are larger and more aggressive. I have only jumped the new style a couple times, so I dont have much feedback on the new style, but it does feel more secure. I still clip the other strap as I am now gunshy of the ratchets, but I really hate to as it REALLY limits my cutaway ability. I need to make up a system. Give Arrow Dynamics a call if you have the older style ratchets and get the new ones. They are only 10 bucks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #13 May 5, 2004 I think this issue has been addressed. But it is ALWAYS important to report this information back to the manufacturer. That is how we continue to improve gear and safety. But in the end, you also have to realize that it is a quick release system. So there is a point where a riser strike may have been a potential entanglement, and your helmet did it's job. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianmdrennan 2 #14 May 7, 2004 QuoteWe watched the vid and thought maybe one of two things happened, riser slapped the quick release Don't look up when deploying Dork. Quoteor my hand did while waving off. Stop slapping yourself about the face in freefall. That's my job. 3 weeks and counting till I come tear up the skies with your sorry ass again Sorry about the camera, but maybe that's gods way of saying you're a shitty tandem videographer and should skydive with your friends more See you soon buddy. Blue ones, IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jose 0 #15 May 7, 2004 Can you feel it? I can, feel the love that is....... Spoken like a true JACKASS friend! p.s. you sound just like my bro.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianmdrennan 2 #16 May 7, 2004 QuoteSpoken like a true JACKASS friend! heh...Aye laddy, that I am Hope your bro (and you) are doing well. Stay safe. Blue ones, IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
