Gear on a college students budget

[Unstable 9]

I agree 100%. You can't be afraid to go for used gear. We have a couple of good jumpers at our dropzone, 100-300 jumps who are STILL using club gear because they have a stigma of buying good, used equipment.

Talk to your local Rigger(s). They will be happy to help you out.

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

[skybytch 273]

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by nice I mean something that is safe and does not look like it has been dragged through the dirt for hundreds of miles.

That's the beauty of older gear. We aren't talking stuff that looks like some student containers. Most of the time older gear has been in a closet for the majority of it's life. It usually only has a couple hundred jumps on it - if that. It's clean... and because it's no longer fashionable, it's cheap. Besides, you're probably gonna drag it through the dirt a bit yourself.

You can pick up decent condition Reflexes (which are freefly safe), Vector 2's and original Talons for less than $300. Add a $300 reserve, a $400 Cypres and a $400 main and you're in the air with your own complete rig for the same price as that Micron with reserve.

Save fashion for when you're out of school and you can afford it.

[jonstark 8]

Borrow...

Not the money, the gear. Loads of jumpers have their first rig sitting in the closet. It was good enough for them then was too much of a pig to sell or they weren't interested in selling it. There are lots of rigs collecting dust in closets. Ask around.

Just don't buy your last rig first. Start safely sized and work your way into the proper size class as you progress. It's OK to drive your Dad's Oldsmobile for awhile if you have money leftover to jump with. Get my meaning? Go safe and live to jump another day.

jon

[stratostar 5]

Used Dolphin 300
used Reserve 400
used main 400
AAD- Hand= free
-----------------------
Total 1100.00

No need for a lone, just pimp your ass out to the frat boys on Friday nite, after all it's auburn.

you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo

[taylor.freefall 0]

Buying used gear isnt all that easy depending on the sizes you want and I found in my experience that when something decent comes up it doesnt seem to hang around, theres a definite shortage of beginner gear for sure, decent gear anyway.

[auburnguy 0]

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by nice I mean something that is safe and does not look like it has been dragged through the dirt for hundreds of miles.

That's the beauty of older gear. We aren't talking stuff that looks like some student containers. Most of the time older gear has been in a closet for the majority of it's life. It usually only has a couple hundred jumps on it - if that. It's clean... and because it's no longer fashionable, it's cheap. Besides, you're probably gonna drag it through the dirt a bit yourself.

You can pick up decent condition Reflexes (which are freefly safe), Vector 2's and original Talons for less than $300. Add a $300 reserve, a $400 Cypres and a $400 main and you're in the air with your own complete rig for the same price as that Micron with reserve.

Save fashion for when you're out of school and you can afford it.

I have absolutely no problem with used gear. My first rig will almost certainly be used. I just dont want a used rig that has had the shit beat out of it.

"If you don't like your job, you don't strike! You just go in every day, and do it really half assed. That's the American way."
- Homer Simpson

[taylor.freefall 0]

Quote

Quote

Quote

by nice I mean something that is safe and does not look like it has been dragged through the dirt for hundreds of miles.

That's the beauty of older gear. We aren't talking stuff that looks like some student containers. Most of the time older gear has been in a closet for the majority of it's life. It usually only has a couple hundred jumps on it - if that. It's clean... and because it's no longer fashionable, it's cheap. Besides, you're probably gonna drag it through the dirt a bit yourself.

You can pick up decent condition Reflexes (which are freefly safe), Vector 2's and original Talons for less than $300. Add a $300 reserve, a $400 Cypres and a $400 main and you're in the air with your own complete rig for the same price as that Micron with reserve.

Save fashion for when you're out of school and you can afford it.

I have absolutely no problem with used gear. My first rig will almost certainly be used. I just dont want a used rig that has had the shit beat out of it.

yeah I think the same way and not gear that is from 1980 or something, even though it might be in good condition, I cant help but think something 20 years old must have deteriorated to some degree, especially as my life is depending on it.

[stratostar 5]

Well I still jump rigs made in the early 60's and they haven't failed yet and guess what, my life is depending on it every time I jump it, I have no fear of my gear. Your lack of understanding what is good old gear is what drives your fear. There is a lot of good used gear less then 20 years old around to be found and even some real nice closet queens too in the 15 to 20 year range comes along once in awhile. Just because it's old don't mean it no good! Try not to buy the worn trash you see out in CA thats two years old, look in the midwest.

you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo

[turtlespeed 226]

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I am a college student and I skydive, hence I am poor. My question is this, does anyone have any sort of advice on how to go about buying equipment on a limited cash on hand budget while continuing to jump. I just don't want to damage my credit rating and be screwed for something later down the line. Any ideas? keep in mind I am a full time college student.

Plasma - sell it as often as they let you.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[auburnguy 0]

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Plasma - sell it as often as they let you.

yeah.... thats definitely not gonna happen.

"If you don't like your job, you don't strike! You just go in every day, and do it really half assed. That's the American way."
- Homer Simpson

[JYorkster 0]

My wife actually used student loans to pay for her rig. It's a lower interest rate than you'll get on any personal loan, and you're generally eligible for some money since you are in school.

Also, don't be afraid to go with older/used gear at first. Do the math to determine what it will cost to rent for 3-4 months. Depending on how many jumps you are doing, you may already be spending enough to get a used rig.

Ciao,
Rock

P.S. - Tell Buddy I said Hello!

[auburnguy 0]

If I can get a student loan I will do that in a heartbeat, but my understanding from reading some of student loan things of today are that you have to spend the money on school and that all kinds of forms are involved so that the money goes straight to the school and never really touches the students hands. If there is a student loan with a reasonable interest rate and no credit history required that will give me the cash and me not have to prove that I am spending it on school then show me where to sign up!

"If you don't like your job, you don't strike! You just go in every day, and do it really half assed. That's the American way."
- Homer Simpson

[ryan_d_sucks 0]

Yo dude, I'm in school too and I just this week finished piecing together my first rig. My advice: Buy used gear.

If money is tight, and you never seem to have much of it all at one time piece your rig together.

I started with buying a main. I didn't see anything I wanted on the classifieds, so I put out a Wanted ad. Someone who saw the ad contacted me. He wasn't even really looking to sell his main until he saw the ad and realized he didn't really need that canopy anymore.

After that I bought a 2001 container/1994 reserve combo (making sure the container would fit my main) for $900, and then an AAD with 3 years for $275.

I financed all of this with money made from making sandwiches at Subway. You've just got to save up. Its agonizing how long it takes, but eventually it will happen for you.

I say get the most important stuff first. Ie: What good is an altimeter going to do you if you don't have a rig? I don't know your situation, but at my DZ I'm sure I could have used one of the student chest-mounts if I didn't have one.

Good luck

[Freefly710 0]

dude, trust me. im in my senior year of college and have survived off of personal student loans. they are not like a stafford loan which goes straight to the school, they are more like a V.A. loan, where they send you a check in the mail. they are out there...just google personal student loans and voila...

good luck