Question 1

What are the precautions when transporting a Vigil® in a vehicle

Accepted Answer

We recommend turning off your Vigil before departing the dropzone or concluding your day of jumping, even though the device automatically powers off after 14 hours. Most skydivers finish their jumps well before that and either leave the dropzone or secure their gear in their vehicle.

To prevent unexpected activation due to air pressure changes during transportation in an enclosed space like a car trunk or boot, it's crucial to Turn Off Your Vigil. Keep in mind that the device relies on air pressure readings to operate, and it cannot distinguish between you in freefall or if your gear is in the vehicle.

Question 2

What is the scheduled maintenance on the Vigil®?

Accepted Answer

Similar to modern cars, where maintenance is typically not required for electronic components unless indicated by a red flashing signal on the dashboard, the Vigil® aims to provide a similar user experience.

When you turn on the Vigil® unit, it automatically runs internal diagnostics on all its components. If any parameters are found to be outside the specified range or if the unit detects any anomalies, it will display a clear error message on the LCD screen and will not switch on. In such cases, the system requires a factory check-up to diagnose and rectify the issue.

This ensures that the Vigil® unit operates optimally and provides accurate functionality by alerting users to potential problems or errors.

Vigil AADs with a date of manufacture prior to 1st October 2018 have a practical battery life of 10 years +/- maximum of 3 months from the date of manufacture. And must be replaced (mandatory) after 10 years +/- maximum of 3 months from the date of manufacture.

Vigil units with a date of manufacture prior to 1st October 2018, that have had a new battery installed after 1st October 2018, have an effective battery life of 12 years.*

Vigil AAD with a date of manufacture after 1st October 2018 has an effective battery life of 12 years. The battery in new Vigil units must be replaced (mandatory) between 8 and at least 12 years after the date of manufacture.

Question 3

How do I send my Vigil for Service? (RMA Instructions)

Accepted Answer

Getting your Vigil AAD serviced is a breeze, and it only involves a few easy steps. Here's how to proceed:

1. Access our Return Merchandise Authorization Forms (RMA) by clicking here 
2. Complete the RMA form in full before sending your Vigil AAD unit to us for service.
3. After successfully submitting the form, you'll receive an email containing your RMA Form in PDF format as an attachment.
4. Please take a moment to print out this PDF and include it along with your Vigil AAD when you send it to us.

For further instructions and RMA FAQs click here

Question 4

Vigil Service Eligibility and Return Conditions

Accepted Answer

All Vigil AAD units must be within their 20-year service life from the date of manufacture (DOM) to be eligible for servicing. All serviced units are returned in full working condition, meeting manufacturer performance standards. This includes all critical components, such as the battery, cutter, and controller.

Question 5

What is the Vigil® life expectancy?

Accepted Answer

The Vigil® cutter and electronic components are designed to have a service life of 20 years from the Date Of Manufacture (DOM).

Question 6

What is the warranty period of the Vigil®?

Accepted Answer

The Vigil® is supplied with a two (2) year full warranty as long as none of the Q.C Hologram seals have been damaged or removed.

IMPORTANT NOTE: THERE IS A QUALITY CONTROL NUMBER HOLOGRAM
(4 Alpha Numeric Digits) ON EACH OF THE UNITS OF A VIGIL® Cuatro (Pyrotechnic Cutter, Pulses Plus Element, Control Unit, and Main Box).

REMOVAL OF ANY Q.C. HOLOGRAM STICKER, OR THE BLUE SEALING PAINT, (EXCEPT BY THE MANUFACTURER) VOIDS THE WARRANTY.

Question 7

What is the battery warranty?

Accepted Answer

The battery warranty is guaranteed to be a minimum of 5 years or 2000 jumps.

Question 8

Should I choose Vigil 2 Multimode or Vigil 2+ Cuatro with a high-performance canopy?

Accepted Answer

As skydivers ourselves, we understand the concerns of using AADs during high-speed landings, but first, we would like to explain the working principles and functionality of the Vigil 2+ Cuatro and Vigil Multimode.

The Vigil 2 Multimode / Vigil 2+ Cuatro, when set in “PRO” mode, will activate when it measures* 1100 ft (335 meters) (average altitude** between 840 ft and 1100 ft, depending on body position) and below, until 150 ft (46 meters), if the freefall speed is equal to or greater than to 115 ft/sec. (78 mph or 35 meters/sec).

The Vigil® Cuatro activates in “XTREME” Mode when it measures* 1100 ft (335 meters) (average altitude** between 840 ft and 1100 ft, depending on body position) and below, until 300 ft (91 meters), if the freefall speed is equal or greater than 141 ft/sec (96 mph or 43 meters/sec).

When a skydiver enters the activation zone at terminal velocity (about 120 mph), this would not make a difference, and both units will activate at the same time. However, when a malfunction occurs, and the skydiver needs to cut away his main, it will take longer to reach the activation speed of a Vigil in the “XTREME” setting than for a Vigil in “PRO” settings, especially when cutting away from a “spinning malfunction”!!

This is also the primary reason why VIGIL AAD has chosen an activation speed of 43 meters/sec, and not 46 meters/sec as this may even cause longer delays. By doing so, we do not wish to discourage you from using the Vigil in the “XTREME” setting, we just want you to be aware of the required and increased activation speed on a Vigil “XTREME”. We hope we were able to provide you with some more in-depth information and help you with the choice of your Vigil setting.

Question 9

Is my Vigil Water Resistant or Waterproof?

Accepted Answer

Vigil 2+ and Vigil Cuatro are waterproof!
The Vigil® Cuatro has been designed to be dust tight and resist water immersion of up to 1.8 meters (6 ft) depth for a maximum of 24 HOURS (IP 68). After such immersion or contact with water, always switch off the Vigil® Cuatro. The Vigil® Cuatro’s built-in stainless steel filters do not need to be replaced. The 3 filters should be dried with a water-absorbent cloth, household paper product, or a cotton swab. Leave the device for 12 hours in an environment with an ambient temperature of +18°C (+65°F) before reinstalling it in a rig. If the Vigil® Cuatro has been in contact with salt water, switch off the Vigil® Cuatro, before rinsing it with clear water. And following the dying steps mentioned above.

IT IS MANDATORY TO SEND THE VIGIL® Cuatro BACK TO THE FACTORY FOR AN INSPECTION OF THE UNIT BEFORE THE NEXT JUMP IN THE FOLLOWING CASES:
- IF THE Vigil® Cuatro HAS BEEN IMMERSED IN SALT OR CLEAR WATER DEEPER THAN 1,8 METER (6 ft).
- IF THE Vigil® Cuatro HAS BEEN IMMERSED FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS IN WATER.

Vigil 2 - Water Resistant!
The Vigil 2 has been designed to resist a water immersion of 0.5 meters for a maximum of 30 minutes (IP 67).

To avoid potential problems with the electronics in Vigil 2 Multimode (Civilian model) If a Vigil 2 Multimode (Civilian model) has been in contact with, or immersed in fresh or salt water. It is mandatory to return the unit to A.A.D. nv/sa or Vigil America for inspection before using it for the next jump..

To obtain instructions on how to return the unit, you can contact A.A.D. nv/sa or Vigil America, Inc. They will provide you with the necessary guidance and information regarding the return process.

Question 10

Can I exchange my Vigil I for a new Vigil 2+ Cuatro?

Accepted Answer

Since the release of the Vigil 2 and Vigil 2+, we have continued to offer customers the opportunity to exchange your Vigil I units for a brand-new Vigil 2+ Cuatro at a discounted rate, and this rate is determined by the remaining lifespan of your Vigil I.

This exchange program has proven incredibly beneficial for our customers, allowing them to seamlessly transition to the advanced Vigil 2+ Cuatro, which offers numerous advantages over the older Vigil I. It's your chance to enjoy the latest innovations and enhanced features for an even safer and more rewarding skydiving experience.

-  Four modes in one - Pro, Student, Tandem, and Xtreme
-  Vigil 2+ Cuatro is waterproof 
-  No scheduled maintenance
-  20-year service life
-  Field replaceable cutter and controller
-  Competitive purchase price and low total cost ownership
-  Memory features include jump numbers, freefall time, number of saves, atmospheric pressure, and temperature
-  Black box function which retains the last 16 minutes of freefall

Take advantage of this opportunity to upgrade your equipment.

To exchange your Vigil I, contact us directly or have your local rigger or Vigil Dealer assist you.

Europe & Rest of the World
AAD nv/sa - Advanced Aerospace Designs 
220 Luikersteenweg, 3700, Tongeren,  Belgium
info@vigil.aero

United States, Canada, Central & South America
Vigil America, Inc
1400 Flightline Blvd suite "C"
Deland, FL  32724 - USA
info@vigilamerica.com

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