astleysean 0 #1 October 30, 2006 OK, I've saved up and I'm ready to buy my first rig. The problem is what to get, there are so many choices to be made. Any help would be appreciated. Some info about me. Based in UK, got just over 50 jumps and my BPA B licence. Budget is £2500 sterling. (just for the rig, I've got a suit, helmet, alti etc) I weight 185lbs without any kit. Exit weight 200 to 210 lbs. 5'9" tall. I want to do a bit of everything, FS, freefly, fun jumps, but not CREW and certainly not swooping. Started on old Navigator 260s then 240s and now have about 12 jumps on brand new silhouette 210s. Quite comfortable on this canopy and wingloading. All this kit has been rented. I have the option to rent 190s and intend to do this fairly soon. CCI at home DZ is happy with my current canopy skills. My natural instinct is to be conservative with downsizing but I dont want to buy something that I want to change within a year. Don't want to spend much more money renting though either. If I carry on at the current rate I'll do about 100 to 120 jumps a year. Canopy size and type? 7 or 9 cell? Container size and type? Cypress new or used? Reserve new or used? Obvious questions I've missed? Advice would be very welcome. I know a lot of this is subjective but if I can pick out the main issues I'll be better informed. Many thanks Sean. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #2 October 30, 2006 QuoteIf I carry on at the current rate I'll do about 100 to 120 jumps a year. If you're doing 100-120 jumps a year I wouldn't expect you to downsize too quickly at all. It's also worth noting: gear in sizes suitable for new jumpers has great resale value. This means that you can buy a second-hand rig, do a bunch of jumps on it, and sell it for very close to what you paid for it. QuoteCanopy size and type? A wingloading of 1.0 or less comes highly recommended. Quote7 or 9 cell? Don't get hung up on this. The flight characteristics rather than the number of cells should drive your decision. Some good canopies: Spectre, Safire2, Sabre2, Pilot, Triathlon. There are others too. QuoteContainer size and type? Pretty much all modern containers will do the job. If second-hand, get it inspected by a rigger and tell them you plan on freeflying in it. QuoteCypress new or used? I don't think it matters much either way, but make sure to factor in service costs when pricing one. QuoteReserve new or used? Again, if it's been inspected by a rigger and is a suitable size it doesn't really matter. Just my opinion Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Nick 0 #3 October 30, 2006 Sean As your jumping at Weston my advice would be to use club kit until your ready to go for something like a 170 or 150 (what I did)> Weston has one of the best kit stores in the UK and will have all the right kit to allow you to progress through the sizes (and canopy types) without you buying a rig and being bored of it within a few weeks/jumps etc. You've talked to the instructors which is the best start, keep talking with them, but also ask around the club (worthwhile talking to the riggers (Fordy, Malcolm) as they'll have some good technical info on the different containers and will know of what's coming up for sale. Nick Nick Gravity- It's not just a good idea, it's the LAW! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites astleysean 0 #4 October 30, 2006 Thanks for the responses. Weston's kit is excellent, especially the new sillhouettes but I also jump at Hinton midweek and their kit is not as good and their sizes limited. It is also much more expensive to hire. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Nick 0 #5 October 30, 2006 No probs. When I started I used Weston club kit for about 90 jumps until I'd downsized to a 150 (which I got brand new), this has lasted me 450 jumps so far (now on a 132). You do see some people (as dropzones with a lesser kit store) getting their own kit when they are on 190s which don't last them too long and they loose loads on depreciation (sp), but a 150 should last you a few years. Nick Nick Gravity- It's not just a good idea, it's the LAW! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
Nick 0 #3 October 30, 2006 Sean As your jumping at Weston my advice would be to use club kit until your ready to go for something like a 170 or 150 (what I did)> Weston has one of the best kit stores in the UK and will have all the right kit to allow you to progress through the sizes (and canopy types) without you buying a rig and being bored of it within a few weeks/jumps etc. You've talked to the instructors which is the best start, keep talking with them, but also ask around the club (worthwhile talking to the riggers (Fordy, Malcolm) as they'll have some good technical info on the different containers and will know of what's coming up for sale. Nick Nick Gravity- It's not just a good idea, it's the LAW! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
astleysean 0 #4 October 30, 2006 Thanks for the responses. Weston's kit is excellent, especially the new sillhouettes but I also jump at Hinton midweek and their kit is not as good and their sizes limited. It is also much more expensive to hire. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick 0 #5 October 30, 2006 No probs. When I started I used Weston club kit for about 90 jumps until I'd downsized to a 150 (which I got brand new), this has lasted me 450 jumps so far (now on a 132). You do see some people (as dropzones with a lesser kit store) getting their own kit when they are on 190s which don't last them too long and they loose loads on depreciation (sp), but a 150 should last you a few years. Nick Nick Gravity- It's not just a good idea, it's the LAW! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
