NewGuy

Thanks guys... I'm definately after the hip rings. Putting comfort aside - I just wanted to know what is so magical about them that they cost so much? Does la little more webbing, sewing and two steel rings really cost that much to the manufacturer that the cost is passed on to the consumer? Cheers, NewGuy

Now you're talking... that's a secret technique! Just stay away from the light stuff... Cheers, NewGuy

Has anyone ever ordered a custom fit rig (i.e. you sent in your measurements) and had problems with the fit of the rig? If so, were you able to get modifications if there were problems; and were the problems resolved? A couple days ago I had the opportunity to meet the person who is making my first rig. He re-checked my measurements and had me try on a couple of rigs to get an idea for sizing. I was a little suprised to find out that it's not an exact science to convert someones measurements to a 'perfect fitting' harness. I guess I thought it was like getting measurements for clothing such as a suit - always a nice fit (or at least that's what I've found). I'm pretty sure I'll get a good fit and be happy with the final result but I still have to ask if anyone has had problems with a custom fit rig? Cheers, NewGuy

My apologies if this has already been discussed. There are many posts and I couldn't find what I was looking for... Hip rings appear to cost anywhere between $90 to $200US as an extra option. How come these are so expensive? Being a newbie, to me they just look like an extra bit of steel. Are they difficult or time consuming to add to the harness? Are the rings themselves expensive (because the have to be custom manufactured, or are speciality item)? Or perhaps the price is dictated by what the market will bear (after all, they people who make rigs are running a business, not a charity)? Cheers, NewGuy

Yes... and I for one am very thankful you did. Now the 3 x 3 x 3 check is seared in my memory. Thank you! Cheers, NewGuy

Hey Mountainman, Our dropzone uses Hornets for transition from student gear so I've had the opportunity to do about 30 jumps on them. I liked them and their price enough to order one. They have colour coded lines which make packing easy. All openings so far have been soft. Cheers, NewGuy

Glad you posted this one... This weekend I borrowed a friend's brain bucket (a Gath) complete with audiable alti. He hears the alti on overy jump. I did 6 solo jumps - nothing fancy, just waiting between 5 and 4K, *watching* my dial with anticipation to hear the 4.5K alert. Couldn't hear a thing. Being a newbie, my friends thought it was an awareness thing. I'm very doubtful of that, but who knows, I am a new guy after all. We taped some foam around the rim of the helmet to stop any air flow from comming in, around the 3rd try. Still nothing. I suspect it is the noise that drowns out the alti and maybe it's due to the fit of the helmet that lets air in even with modifications. As well, I have troubles distinguishing sounds when there is above average background noise. It remains a mystery to me. I won't be pumping any $$ into an helmet or Audiable until I can find a good combination (or that awareness kicks in!) Don't know if this helps, but I had to share it... Cheers, NewGuy

As mentioned by several people already it really helps to relax. But the question is how? I found that relaxing at the same time as exhaling a big breath of air to really help with the relaxation. Exhale, relax, arch - the arch will be relaxed rather than hard. Try it on the ground a few times, you may be suprised as how tense you were - at least I was... Cheers, NewGuy

Hey Kimmer, This seems to be a common situation amoungst new people to the sport. Well, rest assured you are on the right track - learning to sky dive that is! My folks initial reaction was not all that good. I actually dragged them out the the DZ last weekend to show them that 'normal' people do skydive. Well, they weren't really normal people, but they weren't wackos either (just a another bunch of fun people). My feeling is once mom & pop saw the gear, the people, the planes, and not every second sky diver was burning in, that they would have a better idea of what is going on. I also pointed them to a few stats on the web so that they could see that skydiving isn't equivalent to Russian Roulette. Who knows what they thought, but I think it made the situation easier for them. Anyhow, my question is why should we care what anyone thinks? People spend too much time getting approval from everyone around them. I suspect I view skydiving as a way to get them all back... Cheers, NewGuy

Hey Ed, Check out this thread: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forums/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=forumgear&Number=14579&page=&view=&sb=&vc=1#Post14579 Cheers, NewGuy

You may have already been told this one... Tighter leg straps generally are more comfortable on opening than loose ones. I found this to be the case for me when using student gear. As well, if the leg straps are higher up (closer to your crotch) they will travel less on opening and usually reduces amount of bruising etc. They key is: no looseness ensures less travel of the leg straps, which means less impact on your legs on opening. Hope this helps. Cheers, NewGuy

Hey Julie, I'm pretty impressed at how you bailed yourself out. Good quick thinking. Sounds to me like you've got what it takes. Cheers, NewGuy

Hey Marc, I started AFF, stopped for 2 years then started up with IAD (similiar to SL). I had an un-intentional rotation to the left in both AFF and IAD. What worked for me was relaxing completely. A very experienced instructor asked me to do an arch on a creeper - he pointed out I was holding my breath. Which I didn't believe until he told me to exhale. What a difference! Perhaps try the same thing - arch while belly to the ground and exhale. On your skydive, after letting go exhale all your air and relax. This may help. It certainly did for me - no more rotations or chipping. Cheers, NewGuy

Thanks Mike - I appreciate the reply. I'm pretty much interested in fryflying, so that's good to know. Cheers, NewGuy

Check out http://www.apf.asn.au/apf_services/images/Cypres_value.gif The value I belive is in Australian dollars; however, it gives one a rough idea of how to calculate the value of a used Cypres. Cheers, NewGuy

Aviatrr wrote: I'm in the same boat as PhillyKev - looking for a first new rig. One Question, are there any specific reasons you mention the Genera container? I'm hoping you might have some more info on it. Cuz I'm interested in either the Genera or Dophin and my opinion seems to sway back and forth each day as I investigate containers. Cheers, NewGuy

PhillyKev, I'd be interested in knowing what you eventually get and what you think about it. Cheers, NewGuy

Are there C182's with seatbelts in for jumpers? Yikes, I can't imagine being able to get one on. Pretty tight fit - sardines in a can! Glad to hear your still with us PLFKing. Cheers, NewGuy

Hey, come-on, it's not like we invented the sport or anything... oh, uhm... But don't forget - we've got snow man, and lots of it... in the winter! So stick that in your pipe and smoke it! Weren't we talking about the price of Cypres's? Cheers, NewGuy

Hey PhillyKev, consider yourself lucky. Here in Canada, we pay those taxes and a whole lot more! In BC, once your done with provinical and federal sales tax, you can add 14% onto your bill! "Low Income, Lower Dollar, and Higher Taxes" should be our national slogan. But hey, we have great beer! (uhm... actually it's not that great... or good... oh well, I'll stop while I'm ahead). Cheers, NewGuy

Being a non EU citizen, we don't have to pay the Mehrwehrtssteuer (tax) - we can get it refunded at the airport (just make sure you don't pack it in your luggage... they have to see it. But I'm not sure about the EU citizens/residents - what the situation is with tax. My guess would be that it should make a good difference in price - just a guess. Cheers, NewGuy

Does anyone know much about the Gen-X canopy that I believe comes stock standard with the Genera rig? I'm assuming it must be a good novice canopy as that's my undertstanding of the whole Genera complete rig set-up; it's for new jumpers. Cheers, NewGuy

You and I are in the same boat... that is, I'm looking for my first rig as well. I'd suggest checking out http://www.dropzone.com/gear/articles/ as there are some articles on getting your first rig, container and canopies. As well, where people have recommended gear, check for the reviews under http://www.dropzone.com/gear If I can't get used kit that I'm happy with (I seem to be a bit heavier and larger than the used gear I'm in the market for - 195lbs, same as you) I've been toying with getting a new Genera. Other options maybe a new Dolphin or Sidewinder - but I'd still have to sort out canopies for these. RiggerRob works at our DZ (Pitt Meadows, Canada) and he has actually helped develop the Genera and has good things to say about it (search the Gear and Rigging Posts for Genera). I'd really talk to your instructor to get some guidence though - at least that's what I'm going to do before buying anything. Oh, yeah - and I'm going to get a Cypres. There's a whole verrrryyyy long thread under Safety about jumping with our without one if you have the patience.... Cheers, NewGuy Edited by NewGuy on 6/12/01 07:28 PM.

"Finally, I refuse to repack any reserve that is older than me! I turn 44 this month." Hey Rob - then Happy Birthday! Cheers, Dan Edited by NewGuy on 6/7/01 08:54 PM.

Thought I'd kick my $.02 in here... I started AFF two years ago and progressed to and completed level 4. Failed Level 4 once, 5 jumps in total. The whole thing was shelved due to time contraints. This year I started up again, doing IAD's and the standard progression (I'm assuming this is similiar to static line progression). Mostly due to the weather - I couldn't get the altitude for the PFF/AFF. I have to say, at first I was jumping from pretty low - 3,500' - It was a bit scary. However, all I had to do was let go. Each jump was like that - just one skill at a time. By the end of the course, I'm convinced for me, that was the way to go. I'm not the bold and brave type, so one step at a time was perfect for me. Cheers, NewGuy