freeasabird
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Everything posted by freeasabird
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New rig, recommendations on what to replace....
freeasabird replied to Ragnarok's topic in Gear and Rigging
Consult your rigger and have them look it over to give you qualified recommendations. ----- -
Mine is covered under my renter's insurance through State Farm. Even covers if away from the apartment. -----
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I "fly my arms" totally differently when I drive versus when I take docks. Arms are very important in the drive - but almost a non-factor when taking docks (or so it feels that way). You can read advice all you want in these forums - but just making the jumps and practicing more in the air to get the feel will help most with progression. Furthermore, a coach with video for feedback will speed that progression tremendously. Good luck and have fun!! -----
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Setting to infinity might not work with all setups. For instance, on my HC40 with a Cookie 0.3x lense attached, setting to infinity causes everything to go out of focus. What I do instead is first set the focus to automatic...then I point the camera at an object of known distance which will match the distance of my subjects in the air (for me, average of around 15 feet)...then after the camera has automatically focused on this object and while I am still aiming at the object, I switch the focus mode to manual to lock it in at this distance. Even though I am focusing at something so close on the ground, the extreme wide angle of my lense allows me to keep far away scenery (i.e. the ground, clouds, etc.) reasonably sharp. This is due to the "depth of field" inherent with using wide angle lenses. The same principle applies to still photography. -----
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I'd say real. Also, I have heard that moose does not taste too bad at all. I personally hunt and prefer venison...and not a bit of meat gets wasted! Plus, in my area, the population does need controlled. -----
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My 2001 had 400 jumps when I got it and the reserve flap opened about a dozen times in a row when sitflying. Then all of a sudden it stopped and never did it again for about 200 more jumps (with all kinds of freeflying involved and without changing my main or reserve canopy sizes). It has since done it just a couple more times lately...but pretty infrequently. My understanding is that the newer Wings models now have a stiffener in the flap to help prevent this problem. You should check with the manufacturer. I have dealt with them on unrelated topics and they have proven to be extremely helpful. -----
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Possibly had a riser flap open and loose steering line flappin in the wind at the time of throw out? Just a thought. -----
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If you are freeflying and making docks, then I recommend the 0.3x (actually a 0.29x). You'll wish you had it after shooting a few jumps at 0.5x. I did. Besides, if you really need 0.5x in the future, then just zoom in with your camcorder while using the 0.3x to get the same affect as a 0.5x. -----
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Does Cookie make boxes for the HC-22, 32 & 42's yet? Their site only advertises the 20, 30 & 40 sizes. Be careful - there IS a difference in size between the old and the new HC series cameras! The new ones are wider. -----
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Fiber optic wire extending from camcorder record light? -----
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I would say that it was loose. I was able to undo it with very little effort. Also, the pilot chute was completely collapsed - if that means anything. -----
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Thanks for all the advice. I will get with my rigger/S&TA and look into my current PC packing method. -----
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Got down from one of my jumps today and noticed I had a perfect, simple knot in my bridle about 6 inches down from the pilot chute. Nothing unusual about the jump: same pack job (by self); good, stable deployment; clean, standard after-landing procedures. Just wondering what might have caused the knot? Was I close to having a PC mal? Thanks for any input. -----
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I have an HC40 in a Cookie box. The strap HAD to come off. I did it surgically by undoing stitching (like I'm ever going to reattach the sucker!). Figured my camcorder would be used exclusively for air videography anyway - so no need for the strap to begin with. -----
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I had a few jumps with literally unbelievable readings. Exclusive headdown jump from 13k. Speed at 12k was 140mph-ish...OK. Speed at 9k was like 60mph (still in stable HD).... Speed at 6k was, no shit, 570mph!!..... And finally, speed at 3k was -16mph!!! (forgot to mention I had my rocket pack on).... Got a couple of more goofy readings from my Neptune after that so I decided to replace the battery. That seemed to fix it! No more incredible readings since!!
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I am in the same boat as you. I bought a Cam Eye II - but have not installed it yet because I don't want to mar my nice, new helmet and box. I have done just fine without it so far (about 60 cam jumps)...but I am sure the experts in this forum will tell you to bite the bullet and install the Cam Eye. Eventually, they say, you WILL miss a jump due to the camera being shut off unknowingly. I say, big deal! If I miss one jump, then I miss one jump. They are all just for fun anyway.
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0:11:0 Great weather this weekend (finally)! 2 jumps Saturday and 9 today (new personal record). All freefly jumps, of course! -----
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Cookie Composites makes the box and the wide angle lense. Everything fits absolutely perfectly! -----
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Thanks all for the advice. Looks like the main consensus from all you experienced camera flyers is to bite the bullet and mount the cameye. -----
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Sunset at my home DZ taken on the day of my first jump. Got real lucky with the lighting... -----
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Here are a few... -----
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I am posting the attached pic of my video setup to see if anyone might have any suggestions for improvement. My primary subject matter is close proximity freeflying. For now, I have no intentions of mounting a ringsight. With the ultra-wide angle lense I am using (0.29x), I have had no problems keeping my subject(s) centered in the view. The camera I am using is a Sony HC40. I have a new Cameye II - but probably will not mount it since it would require major modifications (cutting) to the dbox. Besides, with careful ground preparation (i.e. checking batteries, tapes, focus settings, etc.) I have yet to miss a jump due to the camera being unknowingly turned off. Thanks for any input! -----
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What the hell?! I KNOW freeflying is much more popular than what the number of posts in this forum is revealing! Will somebody PLEASE post something so we can get some jibber/jabber going on this subject?!?!?!? Tanks much!!! -----
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Just flew to Orlando out of small airport (Mid-America) near St. Louis. Funny...they did not allow the parachute to be checked-in baggage. Instead, they insisted it be carried on! Security was cool as hell. Ran my rig through x-ray 3 times for training while asking questions of me in order to train themselves for future reference. Only mistake they made was assuming that the Cypres image was some sort of ripcord or main deployment device. I wasn't about to reveal what its true nature was (i.e. "explosive" charge meant for cutting reserve closing loop). -----
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PM sent. -----