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Hi all,
I have been looking around for a wingsuit to start jumping with and had decided on a phantom II but have been offered a birdman S3.
What are these like for use in BASE? low air speed pressurization etc? I have been anable to find much info on them.
I know the S3 is about 7 years old now, is the design of them overly outdated by now?
any other advise about them whould be great.
thanks in advance.

They are fine to jump, just make sure you know how to fly one. I wouldnt expect performance like a p2 thats for sure. This is from the end of 2007.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-M10hdW4tE&feature=related

They are now just as ok to jump as they were 7 years ago. I think S3 was easy to exit and fly, the biggest problem was the suit's tendency to flare itself easily when the speed gained from the exit transitions to a floaty lift. You really must keep the angle of attack deep enough to carry the speed. The PC pouch was not designed really for base, too small for 36-38 inch PC. Not a problem if you're planning to use BOC. So as you can see, some things are a bit outdated, and refined in newer suits like PhantomII.

V

I liked my S-3 for skydiving but it was very twitchy, not solid and dependable like my V-2. Speaking only from my own experience I would personally never BASE my S-3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjL48v-A0_s
http://www.youtube.com/...&feature=related

Thanks for your answers. think i will fork out more and go with the Phantom.