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Just got my suit back from the factory today and was stunned that they used a cutaway cable system instead of a zipper.. Seems like a giant step back in technology to me as well as a disappointment. The cable has a pocket at each end that it sits in, however its free floating and not captivated in any way.

The only reason I sent it back was to get zippers. Has anyone else had either mod done to theirs?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/95441186@N05/8705019551/in/photostream

Hey Mate,

I went to the factory and took the zippers out and put a patch over that then cut a small 1-2 inch hole on both sides where my puds are ,(not metal handles) The puds hang outside but are firmly mated to Velcro on the inside of suit!

my puds sit perfect on the outside of the suit whilst everything is sitting inside the suit, the hole is small that the puds can only go through the suit horizontal and not vertical and that's a bloody tough time getting it through, but its perfect mate,

on the inside of the suit I have cut up some line and I attaché the suit through my chest strap main webbing when canopy is extracted the rig does not move up and try and pul my handles(puds) away and if I needed a cutaway its perfect.. I have pics brother but I am in transit to Europe for you know what??

come to kjerag anytime after 22nd of may and I can show you buddy..

I actually had that done from the factory. I had the small two way zippers over the handles and just routed them through like most people nowadays. I however sent the suit in for the full skydive zippers so that it would be an easy on/off between loads and I wouldn't have to tie my rig into the suit, I always felt weird about that but never had an issue.

I had the zipper mod done and have now switched over to the cables. I much prefer the cables. They reliably keep the handles in exactly the same spot where I found the zippers moved around a lot.

Jumping it "harness in" it looks much better, color coordinated tabs are practically invisible compared to the black zipper, it also has less bulk.

yes, i tried the zippers there but there not as secure as the new way (kinda retro ah)
i also broke a zipper with the harness skydiving and i wonder about harness wear from the zipper. Those zippers also break at the top when the harness is worn inside.
The new cable release opens at the top for base as I've had that part catch and cause a line twist with the original Apache, yes it does take longer to attach but its a load and forget with no chance of the handles going inside when skydiving, i hope you will enjoy,
Tony.
TonySuits

Tony,
Thanks for responding. I understand the idea behind the cable system and why one would think it is a better option. I also appreciate the fact that you would offer this modification free of charge to the consumer, shows that you saw a possible problem and were willing to fix it. That speaks well about your willingness to stand behind the product.

On the flip side, as the consumer I feel a little mislead about what mod I was sending my suit in for. I was under the impression, based upon the wording in your FB posts and pictures provided, that I was going to get a zipper system. I felt that for my situation, as having only one rig and not always doing wingers, that having the ability to quickly don and doff the suit was a bonus as opposed to tying and untying it from the harness. Had i known this, I would have kept my suit in the original configuration.

I hope that you will put it out to the masses that this is the new mod, as I know of at least a few apache owners who were debating sending their suits in for the zipper mod.
Thanks
B