MarcusS

Inteesting... I certainly remember changing the units from meters to feet and checking that they were still in feet, and I thought I'd been through all the settings looking for possible solutions......however, I can't recall seing a separate setting for speed units. I guess I must have assumed that it was limked with the meters/feet setting (i.e. if you change to feet, all units are then in imperial), so you may have hit the nail on the head with that one. Unfortunately I don't have the unit with me at the moment, so I can't check. I'll let you know when I can, Thanks, Marcus.

Thanks for that Doug. I've just read the post after yours, and think he may have the solution to the speed reading problem!

I don't think it's burbling out, as I've had it right next to an altitrack for the past 30 jumps. Without fail if I get 150 in a sit on the altitrack, the VISO will read around 230. If I get 160 on the altitrack head down, the VISO will read 240-250. It's possible I pushed something that zeroed the VISO in error when I switched on the backlight, can't say for sure. Thanks, Marcus

Hi Diablopilot, I've now removed the cover, but haven't jumped it yet since. If the weather gives me a break, I'll be jumping it on the weekend. On the location front, it's wrist mounted. I have, until last weekend, had an altitrack right next to it on my wrist (sold that on now!) and a protrack in my helmet. Interestingly, the altitrack and protrack normally are within 3 or 4 mph of each other (set to SAS). The VISO (also set to SAS) reads always somewhere between 70 and 100 mph higher. As all 3 are L&B, I would guess that they all use the same sensor and the same algorithms. The only difference with the VISO is that I've always had it wrapped in it's cover (no cover on the others), so I'm hoping removing the cover will have fixed it. I'll let you know, Thanks, Marcus

Hi AittecKai, I've dealt with L&B directly before and they have been excellent, I'll have to agree with you there. Don't get me wrong, I'm not in any way trying to slate their product, I'm a big fan. I merely chose to see if anyone else had had the same problem, and perhaps had a simple fix, before I bothered L&B. If replies to this thread generally indicate that I'm unlucky enough to have a problem unit, I'll contact L&B....if however others have experienced this and the error is down to me (perhaps I've overlooked a setting, for example), there's no need to bother L&B......just testing the water, that's all!

Hi piifish, Absolutely, definitely in feet. I checked it when the plane levelled out for the H&P guys at 5k, which I normally do, plus I checked all the settings on the ground after the jump.. all as expected. After reading your post, I thought maybe it could have had a mad moment and switched to meters for a short time, then back to feet, but it was definitely reading 4.5 at 12kft, which would be about 15kft ! Thanks anyway, Marcus

I had a coupe of interesting problems with my Viso this weekend, which I'm hoping is something to do with the Protektor cover (now removed!) The first, which is a probelm I've had since new (only 30ish jumps ago), is that the speed readings are always way off...by around 100mph. It's rare that It shows me going slower that 200mph average. It's even had me doing over 280mph in a sit! The second, which is slightly more worrying....putting on my helmet at aroud 12k, preparing to get out, I look at my Viso, which says I'm at 4.5K. Luckily for me, I'm wearing another one which told the truth. The only thing I did different was to access the viso in order to switch on the backlight as it was getting dark. I did that somewhere during climb to altitude....not that you would expect that to cause it to reset!! Has anyone else experienced these issues before? I've now removed the protektor, as I've a feeling that this may be the cause, although 've not jumped it since. Cheers, Marcus.

A quick note from someone in a similar position to yourself. I started skydiving last year at 34 years old and have 2 kids, aged 7 and 9. They've been to the DZ once, and were bored stiff after 30 minutes. There really isn't much to keep kids occupied, and for the few minutes of the day that they could theoretically see you "in action" (under canopy/landing), you'll be too far away for them to make you out (inexperienced landing areas are usually some distance from spectators), and in the first few months you'll be flying a canopy of unknown colours (rental!) so they won't even know what to look out for. You will most definitely need an understanding wife, as once bitten, you'll spend more and more time at the DZ. The weather factor here in the UK actually makes things worse, as there will be days where you hang around the DZ hoping to jump...but can't. The following weekend, you'll want to spend more time there to make up for it !! In my experience it's a great sport, but it will eat up a lot of time...and you'll probably have the leave the kids at home (not only my experience!), so be prepared!!

I'll vouch for Endsleigh too. Bought european cover from them yesterday after reading this post. 9 days cover, comprehensive policy....less than £20..bargain!

UH-60 (Black Hawk) ??

Thanks for all your replies. The most positive feeling I've picked up from these posts, is that no-one has any particular dis-likes of either helmet. Z1 owners love their Z1s, Mamba owners love their Mambas. I know what's going to happen.... I'll probably end up in the shop trying on both helmets, 50 times over, and pick one at random. (I'm not too good at making decisions - you should see me with a restaurant menu!) Thanks again everyone.

Hi Bob, That Z1 certainly has a following. I know loads of people who use them, and no-one who uses a Mamba. I guess it's because the Mamba is so new. LOL.. I wouldn't practice with a mirror, it's just that the only time I put one on and tried to open the visor (with gloves on)......I struggled, failed, then went to a mirror to see what I was missing. Even with the mirror It wasn't particularly easy. I nearly bought the Mamba there and then as a result, until the salesman (a Z1 user) managed to persuade me that it's really not that difficuly after a couple of practice runs! Good point on the handles / peripheral vision. I just assumed that wouldn't be a problem. I'll have another play. Thanks, Marcus.

I've no idea what size my head is, although I know for sure that it's on the large side. I take a 58cm motorcycle helmet, and normally have to go for L or XL where helmets are sized as such... I'll measure up later. I'm told that the Mamba lining can be custom shaped to your head (by heating, putting the helmet on and letting it cool down to set), as is is manufactured from some kind of memory foam. Sounds like you can really get a perfoect fit from that. I seem to get positive views of both helmets, so I guess its up to my preferences on fit and function. Decisions...decisions! Thanks for your post

Hi Chris. Thanks for your relpy. I've tried both helmets on (in shop), and to be quite honest I couldn't really say that one fitted any better than the other. The deciding factor for me now is how they perform....ease of use, noise levels, misting, all the issues that I'm not going to discover until the first time I jump one. The one handed visor opening on the Z1 is a good point though. That does have advantages (although the one I tried on the ground seemed tricky to open even with 2 hands and a mirror to look in to - practice required I think!!)

Thanks for that. the Mamba certainaly appears to be a more advanced design. The country of manufacture doesn't really come into the equation for me, as I'm in the UK

Is there anyone out there with experience of both the Parasport Z1 and the Bonehead Mamba? I'm looking to buy a full face helmet, and although the vast majority of people I know seem to jump Z1 (which has got to tell you something!?), the Mamba looks much better to me, particularly ease of operation of the visor latch. I've never jumped a full face, so this would be my first. Any first hand experience out there would be appreciated. Thanks.

In the UK, for an FAI 'A' licence you only need 18 jumps total (assuming you get through AFF in 8 jumps). CH1 can be done during your consols.

Ah, I see. Buckle not done up! I could see how that would be a problem. I was tought to tug on my chest strap after doing it up, and a tug on each others chest strap is part of our flightline check, so hopefully this shouldn't be a problem. Thank for that!

OK, I've just got to ask this question (which hopefully I can get away with as a novice!), but how is it possible to mis-route a chest strap? I've been thinking about it, and don't see how it is physically possible!

No problem. I just thought I ought to add one very useful piece of advice I was given. My main problem seemed to stem from being continuousy told to "arch, arch, arch....pull the biggest arch you can on exit". Of course the instructors were right, the arch is ultimately important. The big problem for me is that I was trying to force out the arch so intensly that I became rigid in the act, not relaxed. For me the harder I was trying the worse it got and the more ridig I became trying. It was actually the guy that videod my exit who suggested that I don't try too hard....completely solved all my stability issues. On the inverted for 10 seconds topic. That's exactly what happened to me on exit, several times

Hmmm.. Having just gone through the stages of buying my own gear, and having made the same decision, I spoke to many and heard both sides of the arguement. I then did one of my last jumps on rented kit (using a well known mechanical alti). The jump went like this.... 14k exit, check alti 12K, check alti 10k, check alti 9k, check alti 9k......hang on didn't it say that last time I looked....must have been mistaken so carry on.....check alti 9k!!! Holy Sh1t, time to pull. After deployment I looket at the alti again and it still said 9k, but whilst I was looking shot down to 4500. As a result I went to the local shop and bought an analogue wrist mounted AND a helmet together with a protrack....best of both worlds. Cost a fortune, but that's what credit cards are for!

Hi Daniel, You're in almost the same position as I was last September. I'm also 34 but went through the AFF system so was freefalling from the start. My biggest issue was relaxing. I was told more times than I can remember (on the ground) to relax. Problem was for the first 3 or 4 jumps I exited and went completely rigid, without even knowing it. Stability was a nightmare. My instructor would tell me to relax several times after exit, and it would always take me 10 seconds or so to actually be able to! As soon as I realised that I was tensing up my whole body (after the instructor signed to me several times!) I relaxed and it was like a switch had been flipped....all of a sudden it seemed really easy and natural to become stable. On later jumps, this seemed to cause problems on each of my exits without me even knowing, and I almost always become unstable after each exit as a result. One of the guys offered to video my exit so that I could see what was happenning, and sure enough on exit I went straight as a board (no arch whatsoever) for the first 5 seconds. Now I continuosly tell myelf to relax throughout the dive.....no more problems...having lots of fun. Can't wait for the center to reopen on 14th. Good luck and remember...RELAX !!!

In the early days, a high density layou was put together assuming a single class, and no frills (gym, bar etc..) The aircraft was seating 960 people. Take all the seats out, and you'd probably get 1000 in there....so how about doing a 1000 way out of a single aircraft !

No worries providing vindication on this one. If it turns out to ba a fake, I'd better hand myself into the local lunatic asylum.....'cos I've been under the illusion that I've been working on the project for the past 2 years! As it happens, I'll be spending the day at the FAL in Toulouse tomorrow, so I can be amazed once again....that aircraft is a real beast! I don't think the feeling of awe will ever wear off, no matter how many times you see it! All it needs is a ramp, really big / even bigger wings to bring stall speeds down a bit and a drop zone with more money than they know what to do with....you'd get some BIG ways out of that one!

No doubt assumed! I'm normally just lurking in the background on these forums....a little "forum shy" perhaps, but couldn't resist posting against this topic, as it's one topic I'm fairly close to!