lintern

I have bought a Cookie G4 and I'm looking for advice on a cutaway system for a Go Pro Hero 7 black. I used to jump a Cookie open face which had a cutaway on the chin strap and the Go Pro was fitted using the Cookie roller mount. I have since bought a cutaway system from Freefall Gear Store which uses the Cookie roller mount, but I've not fitted it to the helmet yet... There was a YouTube video on the website showing how to fit the system and how it operates. But they no longer sell this system and have replaced it with the following... https://freefallgearstore.com/product/cut-mount-g4-cutaway-system/ Cosmetically I prefer the system I've already bought which uses the Cookie roller mount. But functionality and safety is critical so I am wondering if I should exchange it for the newer version, assuming it's a better system ? I've also seen the VMAG system but was not so keen... http://vmag.dk/ Or is there another cutaway I should look at ?

Thanks OldGregg, that’s reassuring as I have already made the transaction using PayPal’s goods/service for some extra protection

Thanks guys, I have contacted the dropzone where the seller works and they have confirmed he is legit. I tried to call but they did not answer so I used their facebook messenger. Below is the chat history (with details omitted for privacy): DZ: Hi, today we’re closed. How could i help you Me: Ok sorry to interrupt you on your day off. I wanted to enquire about someone who works at your dropzone who is selling a canopy on Facebook. I want to confirm he works there and assess his character, are you able to confirm this? DZ: ...i think you’re asking about xxxx Mel: Yes that is correct how did you know!? DZ: Is the seller! Sells all over the world Me: Ok so he does work at your dropzone and he is a good character and can be trusted? DZ: xxxx and he runs also the shop at our dropzone. He’s a tandem master, video operator. Works here...but also he runs his own dropzone Me: What is the name of the dropzone he owns? DZ: Skydive xxxxxx Me: Ok great thanks - so I can trust him with the sale of this canopy who he is selling for a friend and he is a reputable seller ? DZ: Absolutely! Is very well known in xxxxx and we always ask him for buying or selling something. Me: Ok that’s good to hear thanks very much for your help DZ: You’re welcome bro

Thanks OldGregg It looks like he works at this dropzone (he’s on the about us page)... http://www.skydivesardegna.it/en/about-us And he has his own web page selling gear... http://www.sixtyseconds.it Does it make any difference to my PayPal rights the fact that he has placed the advert but it’s his friends canopy so the money needs to be sent to his friend? I will ring the dz to enquire about him (if anyone there speaks English!)

I am interested in a canopy that was advertised on a Facebook group which is in another country. It’s virtually new (40 jumps, €1500) and the person is selling it on behalf of their friend (who the money would need to be sent to). I was looking at using PayPal but i want to be sure that I am protected in case anything goes wrong. So far I’ve found that the transaction has to be for goods/service (not friends/family) and in the notes of the transaction to copy and paste the advert word for word. Am I protected in case anything goes wrong (item doesn’t arrive, item not as described, item damaged etc). Should there be any alarm bells ringing or is there a way to confirm everything is legit?

"The end of each dreary workweek is met with excitement and anticipation. Time to skydive!" Not if you live in the UK, its usually disappointment !

It's worse than that - I used to average 80 jumps a year but over the last 7 years my average is 35 to 40. Reason being is that I became a single parent so I spend alternate weekends with my daughter (and that's our special rare time so I don't want to spend it at the dropzone), then there's the issue of lack of finances then there's the issue that I live in the U.K. so even when I do have weekends free the weather is usually rubbish. Hence my low annual jump numbers which people take the piss out of!

I would like to thank everyone for their posts, especially to MEL (masterrigger1) who has been very supportive and helpful :) MEL has kindly provided me with the correct line specs for a Safire 1 and also explained what is happening with the openings, so I thought I would share this information.... "What is happening is the canopy is not fully pressurised on both sides before it starts flying. When it does that, it simply is running over the other side, folding it under and making the nose unable to gain air. The canopy finally inflates to full pressure by means of the crossports." This makes sense when looking at the video footage of the openings.

My rigger told me that this was an issue with the early Safires so they started fitting a tag with the serial number inside one of the cells (the centre cell I think). But there isn't one on this canopy - we've looked everywhere but there is nothing. Apparently there were a number of these rigs built for a team call Freefly Euphoria. The canopy has the Gillette logo stitched onto the top skin and the container (Wings) has Dirtdive.co.uk stitched on to the side of it. I assume this was for sponsorship. The risers and 3 ring release are bigger than usual - apparently this was a mistake with the order so they sold the rigs cheap. I have tried to contact the person who sold it but not had any luck so far.

This is my intention and possibly my last resort, hopefully with the correct line length it will be back to as it was. My only other concern is I am now wondering what this canopy is. The advert on dropzone.com 14 years ago said it was a Safire 2 145. Well its fairly clear now that its not a Safire 2. Now I am questioning whether it is even a 145 ! I only have the advert to rely on. I have the line spec for a 145 and a 149, but there is 4 to 4.9cm difference between the lengths. Is it simply the case of measuring the width x length to work out whether its a 145 or 149 (or even something else!) ?

And the latest response from the manufacturer does not feel me with confidence.

The thing is, I have had this canopy (the whole rig in fact) for 14 years and I have put 700+ jumps on it. I've not jumped other kit during that time so this canopy and kit is all I know. I never had any issues until the lines were changed, which are now longer and evidentally the wrong lines. The nearest thing I can compare these openings to is when I had a brake fire many years ago. The canopy performed two separate hard turns during the deployment, then the lines spun up and the canopy started to spiral in a dive. I considered someone else jumping it and mentioned it to a few people but I did not get any serious volunteers. I've had two different people pack it (one was a rigger) but the result was the same. There is no chance of there being a new canopy, I dont think I can afford a used one never mind a new one. How much would a suitable replacement second hand canopy cost, £800 ? I plan to have a look just out of curiosity, it would also depend how much I could sell mine for but I guess its not worth much if anything?

Thanks very much for the line spec MEL :-))) I have passed the information (and my rig) to my rigger this evening who will use it to modify the lines. Is there any reason for the spec being in Spanish by the way ? Also, (correct me if I am wrong) were the Safire 1 sizes in steps of 5 sq ft (e.g. 145) and the Safire 2 sizes in steps of 9 sq ft (e.g. 149) ? The line spec states its for a Safire I 149. My rigger said that he thought the canopy was a Safire 2 because it has tabs on the stabiliser which the Safire 1 apparently doesn't have (see attached picture). He also told me that the Safire I canopies are rubbish and were soon replaced with the Safire II. So when I bought my kit 14 years ago and it was advertised and sold as a Safire II, I now find out that its actually a Safire I (or some kind of hybrid) !

Thanks MEL, I very much appreciate your help and advice :) My rigger has suggested converting the new Safire 2 lines to the Safire 1 lines just like you suggested, he just needs the information on the Safire 1 line lengths which it sounds like you have :)) The new lines are Vectran 750.

The opening may not look too bad on video but it certainly feels bad - the footage doesn't do it justice and you don't see me fighting (by kicking hard) to stop the canopy from spinning up. Take a look at the same videos in full speed. Notice that at one point I am on my side as the canopy tries to throw me with my back to earth (this is where it could spin up) but with a very hard aggressive kick I manage to throw my body weight to bring myself back on heading again and stop the canopy from spinning up. It might explain why my neck and shoulder have been hurting for the last week since I started jumping again (I put it down to old age!) ? It happens at about 5 seconds into this clip... https://www.dropbox.com/s/153jeru7uexae61/GOPR0960.MP4?dl=0 And it happens at about 9 seconds into this clip... https://www.dropbox.com/s/qrbwlg0lfw2ln3n/GOPR0962.MP4?dl=0