Helmets

Skydivers LOVE their Cookie G3 helmets as well as their GoPro cameras...but combining those two together has been a bit of a gamble in the past as the full-face helmet didn't have any type of cutaway system. And a cutaway system is important at 2,000 feet when that pilot chute just got snagged on your camera mount at the end of a crazy, funneled skydive with a "save yourself" deployment.

Cookie hasn't yet developed a cutaway system for the helmet, so skydivers have resolved to either take the risk, make their own cutaway system, make a mount that is less likely to get snagged or find a mount that cuts away the camera.

The most unique mount is from Vmag, which allows a quick release via magnets. This unique mount is available as a chin or top mount

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An Instructor at Skydive The Farm recently installed the Gath Altimeter Bracket to his Retractable Visor Gath, and found the process a bit tedious. He also discovered the bracket is not a "practical" mount for someone who wants to move an audible frequently from a couple of different helmets as it involves unscrewing part of the mount for removing the audible. So he tried installing the audible on the inside of the helmet by removing part of the Gath padding and securing the audible with Velcro. Continue reading →

There is not a fail-safe way to know which size of helmet to buy online. Ideally, you would be able to walk into our ChutingStar shop and try a bunch on, or be able to try on helmets at your local drop zone. But for some, it's just not possible. Each manufacturer does post a size chart for its helmets. And that is a great starting point. You'll want to get a soft tape measure, which you can find in the sewing section of any grocery store. Measure around your head, level with your forehead and behind your ears. Continue reading →

(Published in Blue Skies Magazine) So you’ve racked up those first 200 jumps and you’re itching to throw a camera on your head…or it could be you’re looking to delve into video work to break up the monotony of tandem and AFF jumps…or maybe you’ve finally traded in that old camera setup from the ’70s, and you’re ready to try one of these new-fangled camera setups. In any event, you decided you would just order the new cameras, helmet, box, quick-release, indicator lights, bite switch and the like and assemble it yourself. It can’t be that hard, right? A drill, a screwdriver, maybe some gaffer’s tape, and you’re ready to go. The only problem is, now that you have all the parts in front of you, it’s not making a lot of sense. And you’re a little worried about drilling into your $400 camera helmet and screwing it up so bad that you would have to buy another one. Continue reading →

Start by marking the center of where the mount will be installed. Use a 45mm hole saw to drill the hole for the X-Shut Integration Kit. Insert the outside piece of the integration kit along with the X-Shut base from the outside and mate with the bottom piece of the integration kit from the inside of the helmet. Screw together with the appropriate length of screw (provided with mount). Continue reading →

The Tonfly Cutaway System install with materials needed, photos, instructions and video.

The install can be done at ChutingStar if you don't have all the tools. Or if you do have all the tooling, just follow these instructions, photos and video.

Items needed to install Tonfly Cutaway System:

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SkySystems USA has released a Service Bulletin on its Quick Release handle. The Quick Release is a cutaway system for chincups and the Vapor Narrow and Vapor Wes Pro helmets. According to the service bulletin, the company found a weakness in the handles manufactured from January 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010. Those with affected handles can return them to SkySystems for a new replacement handle at no charge. Continue reading →