Cheap first rig

[wingedgargoyle 0]

I'm a poor student and am looking to buy a first rig.
On trawling through the classifieds on dropzone I found a couple of REALLY cheap rigs. Is it too much to hope for that these will still be flyable/worth it.
What is the cheapest you would buy a rig at?

Cheers,

I am but mad north north-west,
But when the wind is southerly,
I know the difference
Between a Hawk and a Handsaw.

[PrairieDoug 0]

There are definitely worthwhile bargains out there. I have a complete rig posted in the classifieds that is in EXCELLENT condition and priced under $1,100.

[taz9420 0]

You want more bang for your buck; try the Aerodyne Icon. An excellent first rig. It's my second and I'm very pleased.

[councilman24 37]

Really cheap rigs are likely to be one or two generations old in design. The harness may not be appropriate for free flying. The reserve may be an older design (i.e. original swift, orion, saftey star [shudder]). The main is likely a non zp 7 cell or older 9 cell. These are all rigs similar to the kind I used to jump .... 20 years ago.

Right now I could put together (from the stash in my basement) a second generation swift reserve, a non zp 9 cell pd, and an older javelin or vector II and ask $1200 or less. I could also put together an old two pin reserve harness with no riser covers, an original swift, and a 1981 cirrus cloud and only ask about $500 for it. It would be as airworthy as when new but not something I would recommend. I have (really my girl friend has) a late 90's javelin, triathlon, modern reserve (don't remember which one), and cypress that between the sale price and the cypress service needed is about $2700. This is virtually state of the art for medium performance, if not high performance or high style. (I call Triathlon, Sabre, etc medium and non zp low.)

So anything below about $1500 without an AAD and $2200 with is getting to really questionable range. Again airworthy is available cheaper, but maybe not recommended. A vector III, pd reserve, Triathlon, and cypress with 13 jumps but 5 years old recently sold in my area for $3100 including the cypress service.

Just some general guidelines.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[bch7773 0]

also, if you looking for cheap gear, then don't be trying to get any specific colors. in fact, i got my gear cheaper because it had some pink on it, and the guy selling it knew that less guys want pink on their rigs and so he sold it for less.

MB 3528, RB 1182

[Unstable 9]

Quote

also, if you looking for cheap gear, then don't be trying to get any specific colors. in fact, i got my gear cheaper because it had some pink on it, and the guy selling it knew that less guys want pink on their rigs and so he sold it for less.

Whoah?!?! YOU have PINK on your rig!!!!! I NEVER thought of making fun of you for that one......

=========Shaun ==========

[377 22]

Cheap doesnt always mean unsafe. When I got back into jumping 5 years ago the DZ would not let me jump my old round chutes. I went on eBay and found a Vector, Raven 2 and Fury 220 for $300. It was definitely older gear but it worked just fine. Of course I had a rigger thoroughly inspect everything and at his suggestion added an RSL. When I was sure I was back in skydiving to stay, I bought better gear. Deals like this still are out there. I found a guy selling a ratty looking but safe Vector and a 0 jump square reserve (North American) along with a big Laser main that looked brand new for $350, with no takers. The canopies were too unfamilar to most and the appearance of the container was bad (not worn out, just filthy). Some of these ratty looking containers come out looking 100% better when you just wash them carefully.

2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

[wingedgargoyle 0]

Thanks guys,
It's amazing how much opinions vary on this issue. Thanks for all the advice.

I am but mad north north-west,
But when the wind is southerly,
I know the difference
Between a Hawk and a Handsaw.