dinog3

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Everything posted by dinog3

  1. Whew! It seems like i have stirred the pot a bit. Ok i want to be crystal clear on this one. No where in my post did i ever mention that the wings container was unsafe, or did i say that the wings container would fail. If anyones rig was unsafe to jump it would not have a TSO. The fact is there are differences in production costs that dictate the price of the harness container system. That is what i was trying to convey to Pilot Dave by presenting fact. In no way is presenting fact, slandering or slamming another manufacturer. Anyone who knows me or has dealt with me or my company knows i have never talked another product down including my friends at Relative and Sunpath. Pointing out factual differences is not poor selling techniques. One more thing to be clear on as well is the container working 100% of the time. The point is the container system has to work 100% of the time and people seem to shop for the cheapest container when they will spend more on a main which has a higher rate of malfunction. Once again, when the ____ hits the fan i feel more comfortable knowing i spent the extra money for a higher quality product.
  2. No, not less safe. They have a TSO process like we all do. But the fact is that they use less stitching in the rig. My point is that there are reasons why some products are more expensive than others. JT
  3. Well Dave, all personal opinions aside, as one example of Mirage vs a wings container. The wings has a stitch count of 5 per inch where Mirage has 12 per inch. Also Mirage uses a 40lb reserve spring where wings uses a 25lb. Seems there is more cost in manufacturing which would make the rig more expensive. The fact is we use more flaps, more cordura, more stitching, more parts, higher quality hardware, stronger stiffening plastics, secured cable housings topped with cast stainless end fittings as opposed to the wings. And i do not mean any disrespect to Henry or any of his people. Beleive it or not, profit margins are less than you think in this industry and we don't come up with the price of our rig because we want to gouge the skydiving public. The pricing is based on us being able to purchase the higher quality of materials, and keep a profit margin that allows us to keep the doors open. Could we offer rigs for cheap? Sure we could but at what cost? And to who? Would you feel comfortable jumping your Vector which is a great rig knowing that they lessened their stitch count or removed your secondary riser covers so the rig could be less expensive especially when the container system has to work 100% of the time? Well i guess you would make that decision for yourself. If you are ever in Deland and would like to get a tour here, you might have a better idea on what i mean. Oh yes and last time i checked the ODyssey was 1899 and the V-3 was 1716 + options. TheG-4 1849 and G-3 1649 + options. JT
  4. Hello, some of our customers have taken advantage of our gear financing program. Maybe you should try also. Call me at Mirage Systems and I can get you pre-qualified. Justin@miragesys.com
  5. Hello Darcy, If you need any help or questions answered, please call me at 386-740-9222 or e-mail at justin@miragesys.com. Thank you. JT
  6. ***no disrespect intended, but it's in no more bad taste than having a currently running mirage ad featuring john matthews flying on it. he hasn't jumped since his accident in november of 2000....(sorry justin) Hey Arlo, believe me there is no offense taken here. The photo is spectacular and the fact that John is injured does not take away from him endorsing our product when he was still jumping. And we do not see anything wrong with displaying him in all of his glory in an ad. We also think it is good to remember someone who was a great sponsored jumper and extremely talented athlete that still has value. We give him the utmost respect. JT
  7. To all, we are putting the finishing touches on the site and it will be done very soon. You know us, fit and finish are very important. We want to make sure it reflects our quality and workmanship. JT
  8. How about when you fly in a commercial airliner and you keep looking at your wrist to check your altitude and you remove you seatbelt at what feels like 1000 feet. JT
  9. ***Wings offers the same service. I think it kind of sucks. Let's say I order a rig with a est. delivery time of 8 weeks over another company who is 12 weeks. Delivery time between these two manufacturers is the deciding factor in this case. I have no use for it before 8 weeks because my DZ is down for the winter. Now just when they get ready to start cutting my rig(mabey the container is built but not the harness), they get a bunch of orders for RUSH delivery. Next thing it is 14 weeks because I get knocked out of line. I should not have to pay for rush service just to keep my place in the line. Rush service should be on the manufacturers time(strictly overtime), not on my time(waiting) Should I be penalized just because someone is willing to pay more to cut in line? I totally agree with your statement. I now have the job that Bill had here at Mirage. If you read the part it being very expensive, it generally deters people because we also have short delivery time. I heard that Wings will do a rush for 150.00 which is cheap and more people take advantage of it but it pushes everyone elses order back. By having quick delivery times and an expensive rush price, it keeps evryone happy. JT
  10. QuoteMore questions.....will there be a registration fee? Will there be a special rate on jumps? reply] Yes, one on one coaching jumps with Nathan will be 24.00 for both slots and his fee of 30.00 which is a good deal for world class coaching. If anyone has questions, they can contact me at justin@miragesys.com
  11. I beleive I talked to you on the phone this week about a container system. Although the Icon is a good deal for the money it is still made in South Africa and Aerodyne can only make some repairs on the container in the US. Any major repairs have to be done in South Africa. They cannot beat the delivery time and service we can at Mirage. JT
  12. I wanted to let you know Mirage is running 4-5 weeks. JT
  13. A line was caught under a main container groomet couple of years ago, if I recall correctly. There was an article in Skydiving Magazine about it. Anyone remembers more? No, that was a Reflex
  14. Actually Sunpath has a predetermined harness size such as a C-19. When they dermine measurements, they match the predetermined harness size with the customer. It is a good system for them and is efficient. Our system here at Mirage takes longer and maybe is not as efficient, but we take the time to size each harness individually like getting fitted for a nice suit. We feel the end result is much better. JT
  15. dinog3

    Mirage G4

    I wanted to comment about the mesh vs meshless pilot chute as well. I read Bill's post and he definately explains why his design works. The problem is that the PC has to inflate through the hole in the bottom which takes longer and when it inflates because of the design, air cannot spill off the sides and exits back through the opening which causes partial collapse as well. A mesh pilot chute will not do this. JT
  16. Looks like it is that time of year again where we get geared up for the 2004 season. Mirage Systems is hosting an event with PD and Birdman at Skydive South Beach which is located in Pahokee, Fl, Jan 23rd and 24th. Nathan Gilbert who is a member of Team Method From ASC will also be on hand for oranizing an one on one coaching. Of course food and Beer will also be available. Ron from Skydive Tecumseh has taken over the old Skydive America and has brought new energy to the once famous and most progressive dropzones in the world. All manufacturers will have demo and display gear available.
  17. Thank you JP. Oh yeah i have not received that SP230 from you guys yet. I am still in Indiana so hopefully it is waiting for me on Monday. Hope the holidays were good. JT
  18. The closest to Tyndall is in Tallahassee. it should take you about an hour and a half. Go to www.skydivetallahassee.com and get directions. JT
  19. ***I'm thinking of having my rubber bands on my D-bag changed from being on the sides to going down the middle of the bag. Are there any disadvantages to this? Is it any harder to pack? Has anyone out there made the change? Any comments would be appreciated. Quote Hello Skymamma. This is Justin from Mirage Sysems commenting on your questions. We have inboard stows on all of our deployment bags which reduce how much the bag moves on deployment. Also, the in board stows reduce the change of line dump and because there is less mass between stows, you do not have to make your line stows as long as you would on an outboard stow bag. I also wanted to touch on another comment that was made about placing the bag into the container without rotating the lines toward the bottom of the container. When the containers are designed the bags are designed to fit a certain way into the container that conforms to the inside as well as completes the shape of the container. We found that with some sizes, there is more resistance with the bag being extracted straight out as opposed to it being rotated on extraction. Will this cause a total malfunction? No, but it does create more resistance. JT
  20. QuoteIn reference to your opinon about pulling a soft handle as opposed to peeling, you are incorrect. Speaking from a manufacturers point of view, we ALWAYS reccomend the jumper peel the handle as opposed to pulling. When velcro is peeled, it creates a weak point allowing the jumper to release the handle with minimun input. I you consulted Mark or Egon about this on your Micron, they would tell you the same. If you need additional information to help you pass this on to your students contact me at justin@miragesys.com
  21. dinog3

    RTS

    I’ve been asked to do a review of the latest student skydiving assembly on the market- the “RTS”. The basis for this rig is the very popular Mirage G-3, a perennial best-seller, with the addition of all of the specialized goodies that an Instructor, school operator or rigger could care to have in one rig to fit the needs of all of their students. By this time, most instructors understand that ‘one size fits all’ just isn’t true, especially when we consider the smaller skydiving student. Many operations these days have acquired one or more small student rigs, either custom-built (and sized) or modified from experienced jumper’s equipment. The effect of a maladjusted or ill-fitting rig, especially on freefall students, may be not merely an annoyance, but totally disruptive and potentially even catastrophic in the worst case scenario. There are features of the “RTS” that address this problem. Over the passing years, skydivers have tended to view a bellyband as an anachronism and an unnecessary appurtenance. Not so in this application……..the “RTS” features a removable bellyband, which pulls the rig tighter into the smaller student’s back, and helps to ensure that the containers move with the student’s body, not contrary to it. For larger students, the bellyband may be laid aside. Another useful touch is a carrying handle at the top of the yoke- quite handy, especially when moving several rigs about. Just below that is the clear cover pocket for the A.A.D. control unit mount (Cypres, Cypres 2 or Vigil) and a clear window on the reserve protector flap permits easy inspection of the rig’s reserve closing loop, reserve ripcord pin and seal, thus minimizing wear and tear from constantly being opened and closed. Having such components both accessible, as well as visible, is a point of reassurance for the instructor, particularly when performing the in-aircraft pre-exit equipment inspection of a student skydiver. The reserve’s packing data card pocket is also transparent- quick to check to ensure that the card’s not gone bye bye. A spare reserve flap ‘window’ is also thoughtfully provided, as this is a common wear and damage point. Lots of manufacturers make loud claims of ‘rigger friendliness’- this claim seems accurate. The reserve and main protector flaps and tuck tabs are designed for relatively painless replacement, as are the telescoping legs pad covers (it’s good to be comfortable!). The attachment points for the main side flaps will prove much less of a chore than many other rigs when their replacement is required. There’s a selection of main deployment options- ripcord or BOC pouch standard and a BOC with a reserve side pouch release handle or ripcord deployment with a reserve side handle as options. The base price is $1450.00 U.S., which is quite competitive these days. RTS? Whatever. Maybe they’ll have a contest……………
  22. Dude, look at the Mirage. The main and reserve pin protection is unsurpassed. The main flap systems will never wear out. It has a 40lb reserve spring which is stronger than most manufaturers. It is super comfortable especially the Unisyn harness and you can have one faster that any other container out there( 4 weeks!) and the primary and secondary riser covers are guaranteed for the life of the container.
  23. Please provide me with your evaluations of the quality, comfort, etc. of the rig. Also, if you have one with the Unisyn harness, how comfortable is it? Is it worth the price? Thoughts and comments are appreciated. Thanks Quote I have owned 3 Mirage and one Vector III with two of my Mirage containers having the Unisyn harness. It is the best designed harness i have ever worn. The harness has extra padding on the hardware and has the best body conformity available with the smartest placement of articulation points. It does not bind or kink anywhere. Oh yes, did i mention that i got it i 4 WEEKS! They have the best quality and delivery time and great customer service. How do you beat that! Hope this helps.
  24. Not really thought about it from that angle.... The advice ( from just about EVERYBODY) is First Rig....buy second hand...full Quote If you think about it, why would you want to buy a used container? Is it because you are going to downsize? If that is why, most everybody will tell you to be patient when you are downsizing. When you buy a new container, it is going to be guaranteed to fit you which is something you are not going to get if you buy used. And when you are ready to significantly downsize, your container shoud be a few years old any way and you most likely be ready to sell it. Some manufacturers like Mirage will allow you to go down one canopy size from the recomended container size without sacrificing safety. So my point is spend the money for a new one that will fit properly and don't be in such a hurry to downsize.
  25. My first question is why arent you considering other containers? is it a money thing? if so why would you want to pay the least amount of money for the part of your gear that has to work 100% of the time? Your main will malfunction, you will see your reserve occasionally but your container has to work every time. When the shit hits the fan you should know that you did not skimp out on your rig because it was cheaper. For a couple hundred dollars, you could get something like a Mirage.