Tandem pilots, What is your favorite Tandem Rig?

[bclark 0]

Just thought I would get some opinions about different gear. I have 400+ tandems on Strong gear and just cross trained to Vector 2 / Sigma.

[Hooknswoop 19]

I have Eclispe, Vector II, and Sigma ratings. The Sigma is the superior tandem system, hands down. I refused to get rated on the Strong.

Derek

[slotperfect 7]

I am Vector, Sigma, and Strong rated, with most of my jumps on the Vector and Sigma.

The Sigma is the rig I enjoy the most.

As far as canopies go, the Sigma 370 is my fave, although I have not jumped the Icarus Tandem canopies. I would like to sometime just to confirm the raves I have heard about them.

Arrive Safely

John

[bclark 0]

Why did you refuse to get rated on Strong? I agree that the Sigma is probably the safest rig on the market, but I think Strong gear beats the shit out of the Vector 2 tandem.

[luvmysabre 0]

Why do you say the Sigma is your favorite, or the best? What makes it better than Vector or Eclipse? I am working toward a tandem rating. That's my goal. I want to buy my own system. Thanks.

[bclark 0]

The biggest advantage to the Sigma is that the main container cannot be opened prior to releasing the drogue. The biggest cause of tandem fatalities, (besides TM's not following procedures) is out of sequence deployments where the main container opens prior to the drogue being deployed, or in droguefall. With the Sigma, you must deploy the drogue to activate the drogue release ripcords, and subsequently must pull the drogue release ripcord and free the drogue to open the main container. Strong gear is close to being as secure as the Sigma now, as it has a double closing loop system. This prevents one broken closing loop from opening the main container. Also the old curved style closing pin is now a long flex pin which prevents the drogue bridle from extracting the closing pin upon full extension.

[Hooknswoop 19]

The Sigma eliminates several possible malfunctions. It is very simple to use and comfortable. No to minimal trap door effect. Built in Collins lanyard and now, Skyhook. Great riser protection. Great reserve pin protection. Pre-flight is simple and is done with only opening one 'quick-tuck' flap. Check Cypres 'On' through window. Pre-flight: check reserve pin through window (which can be replaced in about 10 seconds with no tools), open main flap (quick tuck), check arrow on disk, check kill line, check straight and bent curved pins, check bridle routing, close main tuck flap. Done. Takes about 15 seconds to do. Good reserve system. The container stays closed until you open it, main and reserve. If the packer forgets to cock the drogue and the TI doesn't check it, it will probably cock itself after the TI throws it out. Main release handle pull forces are low. Different texture handles for main, cutaway, reserve and RSL. Drogue fall is smooth and comfortable for the TI and the passenger. Passenger harness is the most comfortable available and doesn't require the TI or passenger to move the leg straps after opening. The laterals do not load up on opening.

The Sigma is to the Vector Tandem System what the Micron is to the Vector II. The Eclipse is a copy of the Vector II

I like the Sigma tandem main, but prefer the Icarus tandem main. It isn't that one is better than the other, they are very similar. It is more of a chocolate/vanilla, Ford/Chevy type of choice.

Derek

[slotperfect 7]

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Why do you say the Sigma is your favorite, or the best?

Intended to educate, not fuel a "less filling vs. tastes great" type debate about Tandem Rigs . . .
HERE is the full presentation on the Sigma from RWS website. Narrated by Bill Booth.

Arrive Safely

John

[diablopilot 2]

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As far as canopies go, the Sigma 370 is my fave, although I have not jumped the Icarus Tandem canopies. I would like to sometime just to confirm the raves I have heard about them.

It's nice, but right now I'd have to go with the Icarus 365. The toggle pressure is lighter, and you don't have to stow/unstow the brakes.

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[Rdutch 0]

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Just thought I would get some opinions about different gear. I have 400+ tandems on Strong gear and just cross trained to Vector 2 / Sigma.

Sigma 70% of all possible Malfunctions eliminated, need I say more.
If you are buying the rig yourself, why wouldn't you buy the safest rig on the market? As for the canopies, we have both the sigma canopies and the Icarus canopies, I still have yet to see an Icarus Tandem Malfunction, but I have heard a lot of complaints from tandem masters about funky openings, but that is to be expected when the brakes are set by rubber bands.
Spend the extra money and go with the Vector sigma, Also now the Vector Sigma comes standard with the Skyhook, one more reason to purchase that rig, over the other's.

With sport rigs its apples to oranges what's a good rig, but as far as tandem's the Sigma wins hands down.

Ray
Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

[diablopilot 2]

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but that is to be expected when the brakes are set by rubber bands.

Just wanted to make clear that there is no "set" for Icarus/Eclipse tandem mains. They open in full flight. The rubberbands (if used) are just to control the slack or excess line durring deplyment. Reduces the chance of a lineover. Works most of the time, and when I have had lineovers they are real easy to clear on the Icarus/Eclipse.

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[crutch 0]

I have been rated on all the rigs, have over a hundred jumps on all but the ellipse. I have owned a strong, a vector II and now have a sigma (with the sigma canopy) In order of preference from worst to best, strong, jumpshack, vectorII/ellipse(a virtual copy) and the sigma stands out heads and tails above the pack. The strong rig is big and bulky, too much stuff is hanging out in freefall, and I have lost faith in their canopies after watching several blow-up (including a reserve, no ijurys luckily) with little support from Ted over finding a solution. On top of which, if you own a strong, you are constantly paying for updates on the system. The jumpshack rig is the most comfortable for the jumpmaster, least comfortable for the student, Canopies still don't reach the potential of the other systems. But one of the easiest rigs to fly in freefal. Oh, very easy to misroute ripcords and closing loops, needs very good inspection before jumping. The sigma is just the next generation of a very good rig that the vector II was. Bill Booth did an excellent job of trying to eliminate many of the incidents that were inherent in early tandem accidents. He did this by thinking outside the box and developing new systems. PD did an excellent job developing a new canopy, which flys as well as the very good Icarus, but with much better opening caracteristics.

Okay, that is my two cents worth and granted most of that is personal experience and opinon mixed in. I have found that many tandem masters adapt to one rig or another and defend it to the end. I have made well over 2200 tandem skydives with zero reserve rides and taken the Jaguar mascot in to the stadium here on two occasions with my sigma(picture attached). So, I am somewhat biased, but you asked for an opinon.

blue skies,

art

[pbla4024 0]

You forgot Parafun Advance.

Fido

[cobaltdan 0]

http://www.extremefly.com/aerodynamics/canopies/tandem.html


<><> tandem canopy information, reviews and videos (1002 pounds exit weight, 184mph deployment, zero wind landing !!!!!!)

sincerely,

dan<><>
atair
www.extremefly.com

[jeremyneas 0]

Sigma Period. Sigma Canopies, Sigma Container.

Rated on Strong, Eclipse, Vector2, and Sigma

J.Neas

[mfrese 0]

Got about 300 on Vector II, 150+ on Eclipse. I'd like to get my Sigma rating, but likely wouldn't use it in my area.
Since these are essentially the same rigs (with the exception of the tertiary drogue release on the cutaway and the three ring pouch), must say I favor the Vector II...with an Icarus canopy. The Icarus 330 is actually easier to fly than the 365 IMHO, and I can comfortably land 200+ pound people on it in a little wind. The openings are a little strange, but I also own a Vengeance main on my own rig, so I'm used to LOOOOONG snivels , which seems to be the hairiest thing about the openings.
As for the Eclipse, I'm generally not impressed with the construction, and since I seldom wear a helmet or frap hat, I really hate the damn flapping riser covers. So, I'd definitely favor the Vector II, would love to get Sigma rated, jump the Eclipse when I need to make some money...

Iceman

Doctor I ain't gonna die,
Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

[diablopilot 2]

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<><> tandem canopy

IMO incredibly high toggle pressure.

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[cobaltdan 0]

<><>350 tandem toggle pressure is slightly more than a sigma and lower than most anything else. this is with the standard brake line cascade setting: even cascades between primary and secondary toggles. however we can provide the cascades differently as per customer prefference.

you can see a video on our website of niklas gummeson when he was at RWS test jumping out cobalt 350 at exits weights up to 1002# his landings were using only the primary toggles. Niklas is medium sized guy and definately not a strongman marine.

i have to disaggree with your accessment on the canopy having "incredibly high toggle pressure".

the canopy has truely unique characteristics: i.e. its stage openings, spanwise braced nose, and flight openings.

you barely feel the canopy opening, hands down the best opening tandem canopy ever made ! and it is dead consistant. check out the video.

sincerely,

dan<><>
www.extremefly.com

Daniel Preston <><>
atairaerodynamics.com (sport)
atairaerospace.com (military)

[diablopilot 2]

Ok.

As stated that is my opinion.

It's based on personal experience on three manufacturers canopies.

I'll give it the benifit of stating I've done 3 jumps on one Atair Tandem.

And untill something changes it, I still say my favorite tandem canopy is the Icarus/Eclipse 365.

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[luvmysabre 0]

That's it. I'm sold. Read many replies. Thank you for taking the time to explain why Sigma is preferred. Sigma is it when it comes time to buy.

[NightJumper 0]

The Jump Shack Tandem: The best safety record, most comfortable, easiest to use, lightest, easiest to fly, best reserve pin protection, lowest cost and easiest to maintain tandem rig period! The latest tandem rig kicks ass.

The Racer tandem rigs have always been known for their comfort. Now the riser covers and main flap are Velcroless. As for using the rig, simplicity is the key. There are two drogue release handles, main cutaway and reserve handle, that’s it! No complicated decision trees, extra balls and handles (four handles vs. six). The drogue three-ring release passes straight through to the passenger laterals and is located between the main and reserve canopy containers which puts the pull from the drogue more towards the natural center of gravity of your body and not your butt. It also pulls the passenger closer to you on drogue opening making it easier to fly. The whole three-ring drogue release system can be changed in less than one minute and requires no tools to change it. The main canopy cannot be released unless the drogue is deployed. The reserve pins are between the TM and the rig thereby providing the best pin protection of any tandem rig made. The reserve deployment is incredibly fast. The rig weighs in the lightest of all tandem rigs at 37 lbs. It is the easiest rig to fly. The main components are modular and are easily field replaceable. All Racer tandem rigs now come standard with the new Firebolt fully elliptical canopies. They are available in 296, 396 and 496 sizes.

[riggerrob 643]

Gez!
Nightjumper, is your salary paid by Jump Shack's advertising department?

[Miami 0]

Well they do make a great rig. When I cross trained to the Racer tandem it was by far the most comfortable tandem I had every jumped. Very noticeably lighter than any other tandem I had ever worn. Unfortunately that was when they were using the 400sqft piece of crap for the main, but they were happy to sell their rig with an Icarus main instead of theirs. I haven't jump the firebolt main so I cannot comment of that. The passengers I took with the Racer expressed no discomfort at all with the harness system.
If only I had 10k to spend on a tandem...

Miami