groundpounder 0 #1 March 12, 2004 I am about to buy my first rig. I have only a grand to spend, so that means I will be buying a complete used setup. I figure the classifieds on this great site would be the best place to look. Since I am new to the sport, can enyone give me some advice of what to look for (good), and what to look out for (bad)? I have an idea of what size main I want...160-170. However, this is up for debate because I have not jumped smaller than 210, as I have used exclusively student rigs thus far. My canopy control and landings, I am told, are consistently impressive given my newbie status. My home DZ is at 5,400'. I am 5'10", 160 lbs. (180 @ the door). Thanks, all! The advice I hope to get shall help me tremendously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 0 #2 March 12, 2004 Given your weight, elevation, and most importantly, your 'newbie' status, I would strongly consider a 190, or even staying with the 210. Good luck. - Jim"Like" - The modern day comma Good bye, my friends. You are missed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koz2000 1 #3 March 12, 2004 First, I would talk to your instructors to see what they recommend. IF you're going to buy something used, HAVE the person send the rig to your DZO or stationary rigger's loft, or reputable gear store and have someone inspect it first. You give the middle man the money before it's sent, so the seller knows the money's there if the rig is represented as advertized. It might be better to save up a little more than 1k. It will be hard to buy something for that, but there are tons of good used rigs w/ cypres for about 2k. You'll be MUCH happier spending this extra money. For example I sell quite a bit of used gear for people (I own a small gear store) and I have a few used rigs in the shop. One is a 1997 dolphin, swift 145 reserve 1 jump, cypres 1997, and PD sabre1 150 main. It's actually in good shape where the guy wants about $2400 for all. I also have a 1988 Vector, Maveron main 1991, Raven reserve 1993, and no AAD for the bargin price of about $875. BIG BIG difference in what you would get as far as gear. As far as canopy size, something in the 190 range would be ok. But the elevation is going to make a difference. Don't be TOO anxious to downsize. At least do 50 some odd jumps on a 190ish canopy before downsizing. My advice is to look local first so you can see the gear and possibly test jump it before you commit to it. PM Skybytch and Gravitygirl (both also own a gear stores) and get their advice. They've been around for awhile.______________________________________________ - Does this small canopy make my balls look big? - J. Hayes - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #4 March 12, 2004 Check out the articles on this page, especially this one. Might be of some help to you.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #5 March 12, 2004 QuotePM Skybytch and Gravitygirl (both also own a gear stores) and get their advice. They've been around for awhile. Did you just call me old? I bet you think my butt looks fat in the jumpsuit too, don't you! But thanks for the plug. Yup PM me if I don't PM you first. I have a rig that might work. BUT YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO FREEFLY IN IT! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #6 March 12, 2004 Quote Given your weight, elevation, and most importantly, your 'newbie' status, I would strongly consider a 190, or even staying with the 210. Good luck. - Jim With only a grand to spend he's not going to end up with older non ZP gear. Recommending canopy size with out specifying canopy type or brand is misleading. I would not put this guy on a 190 7cell F-111 type canopy. Will I might get away with that wing loading and type I have a 1000 jumps on 5, 7, and 9 cell non zp canopies. For a grand your going to get a very older, maybe not free fly ready harness, a non zp 7cell (MAYBE) nine cell main with a lot of jumps and a old model reserve. For instance I have an original Swift 5 cell reserve that is fully airworthy and never deployed but no where near state of the art that someone could have for $150. I was going to put it in a water rig. I have an old heavily used Manta that someone could have for scrape value, maybe $80. Its airworthy but tired and could blow up any time. I also have a very lightly used PD 260 that would should go for at least $500 (or more) but I'd have to look at the market to set a price. There are old Vectors or Talon or Northern light (two pin reserve) containers that are available for $200-$300 dollars but usually not put in the air. Your budget give you about $350 harness, $350 main, and $300 reserve. This gets probably 15 to 20 year old gear that's airworthy but just. Like my examples above a lot of us have older gear that we've retired for performance and design issues, is still airworthy, but not particularly desireable. Also, this doesn't leave you anything for visual altimeter, certainly not audible atimeter, jumpsuit, helmet. I fully realize the limitations but also you need to be sure of the advice your getting in that price range. You need to talk to the older instructors to get an idea of what you should get for gear of that age and style. Good luck,I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koz2000 1 #7 March 13, 2004 Quote Quote -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PM Skybytch and Gravitygirl (both also own a gear stores) and get their advice. They've been around for awhile. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Did you just call me old? I bet you think my butt looks fat in the jumpsuit too, don't you! But thanks for the plug. Yup PM me if I don't PM you first. I have a rig that might work. BUT YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO FREEFLY IN IT! No miss bonnie, I'm not calling you old, Just got some knowledge. And no you don't look fat in your jumpsuit, at least not when you were at summerfest. (I was with PMS Laurel when you were talking to her about her gear she had bought from you)______________________________________________ - Does this small canopy make my balls look big? - J. Hayes - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
