Oeystein 0 #1 August 22, 2003 Does anyone know the reason for why skyhook and crystal ball is not compatible on a sigma? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blahr 0 #2 August 22, 2003 Whats Crystal Ball? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oeystein 0 #3 August 22, 2003 Crystal ball is the right hand reserve handle mounted on the RSL. It is for easy access to reserve handle in the case of a student grabbing your left arm(or in case of injurie on left arm) used on tandems. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #4 August 22, 2003 Disconnecting the RSL disconnects the SkyHook also. Pulling the Crystal ball straight out disconnects the RSL, to activate the ball you need to pull up. I had never heard the two could not be used at the same time, news to me...Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #5 August 23, 2003 QuoteI had never heard the two could not be used at the same time, news to me... Knowing what I know about the Skyhook and what I know about Sigmas, I don't see how they can't be used at the same time. If the crystal ball is used, then the reserve PC will fire, leaving the skyhook to pull off the cord from the RSL, thus providing a "normal" reserve deployment. Think about the basic design of the RSL and the crystal ball, even with the skyhook the RSL still pulls the reserve pin. Thus there is no reason at all that the Skyhook wouldn't work with the crystal ball. edit: Phree, I know I responded to you and quoted your post, I was more or less just responding to the thread, agreeing with what you were implying. --"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billbooth 10 #6 August 23, 2003 The reason I have removed the right hand reserve ripcord (crystal ball) from Sigma tandem systems with the Skyhook, is that if you pull the "Crystal Ball", you pull the RSL, which pulls the Skyhook hardware, which pulls a bight of freebag bridle out of the container just under your right ear. While this will not stop the Skyhook from releasing during bridle stretch, it just might put your reserve bridle in a position to entangle with your helmet. I know this is far fetched, and we can't make it happen on the ground, but I'm not willing to take the chance. Everything is a trade-off, and after 15 years, the right hand reserve ripcord has not proven to be necessary...especially now that everyone has an automatic opener on tandem reserves. You may have also noticed that I have removed the RSL guide ring from the top reserve flap. This to stop some idiot from someday running the Skyhook lanyard through the ring along with the ripcord lanyard. The guide ring was never really necessary. I just put it there because it was easier than explaining to a lot of people why. I did a lot of "brain games" with the Skyhook design before I put it out, to try to be sure that the idiots weren't going to be smarter than me this time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #7 August 24, 2003 I wouldn't have thought of that, that's a good point. Although, personally, I like the idea of being able to deploy my reserve from the right side if I have to. I'm not real fond of "relying" on the Cypres.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oeystein 0 #8 August 25, 2003 Thanks for the answer to my question. I would still feel a lot better with the possibility to pull reserve with my right hand. Hmmm... Have to decide for either sky-hook or crystal ball. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billbooth 10 #9 August 25, 2003 The "crystal ball" right hand reserve handle was originally put on Vector tandem systems when we were using the red, outward facing, PILLOW reserve handle on the left side. Now Vectors and Sigmas come with a forward facing red loop reserve handle on the left side, which you can pull with your right hand if need be. It isn't particularly easy, but neither was the "crystal ball". So, you really don't have to make a choice between the Skyhook and the Crystal Ball. Besides, does anyone know of a Tandem Instructor who actually used the Crystal Ball to save his life? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KellyF 16 #10 August 25, 2003 Both of the Skyhook equipped Sigmas at Kapowsin have the ball. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverek 63 #11 August 26, 2003 QuoteYou may have also noticed that I have removed the RSL guide ring from the top reserve flap. This to stop some idiot from someday running the Skyhook lanyard through the ring along with the ripcord lanyard. The guide ring was never really necessary. I just put it there because it was easier than explaining to a lot of people why. I was just wondering - without a guide ring, isn't it possible that a standard RSL will bend a reserve pin when pulling at a wrong angle? I always thought that that's why manufaturers inslude one or even two RSL guide rings (so that the ring direct a pull force "in line" with the reserve pin). I am just trying to become smarter skydiver... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Rdutch 0 #12 August 26, 2003 QuoteQuoteYou may have also noticed that I have removed the RSL guide ring from the top reserve flap. This to stop some idiot from someday running the Skyhook lanyard through the ring along with the ripcord lanyard. The guide ring was never really necessary. I just put it there because it was easier than explaining to a lot of people why. I was just wondering - without a guide ring, isn't it possible that a standard RSL will bend a reserve pin when pulling at a wrong angle? I always thought that that's why manufaturers inslude one or even two RSL guide rings (so that the ring direct a pull force "in line" with the reserve pin). I am just trying to become smarter skydiver... The Vector Rsl pin is different, the pin is actually a seperate pin that is placed through a housing in the reserve ripcord. The pin is then attatched to the Rsl by 1000lb spectra. So the pin doesnt go through the housing, or isnt directly attatched to the cable. Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites billbooth 10 #13 August 26, 2003 Since no one is ever likely to use the "Crystal Ball" on those rigs, it really doesn't matter very much does it? However, just for uniformity, the balls should be removed. In other words, castrate those rig, please, would yah'? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites KellyF 16 #14 August 26, 2003 No, it doesn't really matter, I just found it odd that I was reading that they weren't on new Sigma's, yet, there they were! I copped a feel just to make sure my eyes weren't deceiving me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
Rdutch 0 #12 August 26, 2003 QuoteQuoteYou may have also noticed that I have removed the RSL guide ring from the top reserve flap. This to stop some idiot from someday running the Skyhook lanyard through the ring along with the ripcord lanyard. The guide ring was never really necessary. I just put it there because it was easier than explaining to a lot of people why. I was just wondering - without a guide ring, isn't it possible that a standard RSL will bend a reserve pin when pulling at a wrong angle? I always thought that that's why manufaturers inslude one or even two RSL guide rings (so that the ring direct a pull force "in line" with the reserve pin). I am just trying to become smarter skydiver... The Vector Rsl pin is different, the pin is actually a seperate pin that is placed through a housing in the reserve ripcord. The pin is then attatched to the Rsl by 1000lb spectra. So the pin doesnt go through the housing, or isnt directly attatched to the cable. Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billbooth 10 #13 August 26, 2003 Since no one is ever likely to use the "Crystal Ball" on those rigs, it really doesn't matter very much does it? However, just for uniformity, the balls should be removed. In other words, castrate those rig, please, would yah'? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KellyF 16 #14 August 26, 2003 No, it doesn't really matter, I just found it odd that I was reading that they weren't on new Sigma's, yet, there they were! I copped a feel just to make sure my eyes weren't deceiving me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
