Zeppo 0 #1 January 12, 2007 With all this talk of agressive downsizing, comments about listening to your instructors, and comments from other experienced skydivers has really got me thinking. I'm currently jumping a PD260 (I'm 230lbs exit). I'm having alot of fun with it. Everyone tells me that I need to downsize, instructors tell me to downsize, even high profile canopy course instructors tell me to down size, but honestly, I don't really want to. I also have a very old vector rig (DOM '94) with a FXC. The rig seems to work just fine, however, It's getting old, and shoddy looking, and honestly, I'd feel more comfortable in a newer rig. My instructors are telling me to not bother buying a new container for a 260 as I'll just get bored with it shortly and want to downgrade. I don't have alot of money, and can't just run through new (or used for that matter) complete systems all the time, but I'd like a new container so I at least feel better about the harness itself. The only real disadvantage I can see is that by continuing to use a 260, I may not get penetration on higher wind days, and thus be grounded. What do you think? Is it really possible to actually get bored under canopy? It is worth while for me to buy a new container for a 260, or should I wait a year or so and downgrade? (I hope this doesn't look like I'm trying to start anything, I just value a variety of opinions) Thanks.What goes up, must come DOWN!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoop 0 #2 January 12, 2007 I'm not someone with a great level of experience so I can't offer you long term advice based on my experience but I'll tell you what I did, see if it sounds reasonable for you too. After renting lots of fugly and uncomfortable rigs I wanted something custom made for me, more for comfort than anything else but I knew that I wouldn't have the same canopy sizing forever so I spoke to the manufacturers (Sunrise) who built me a container which would hold the 210 I was going to use initially, but also would be suitably sized to replace main with a 190 at a later date. The canopies I got 2nd hand to save money. (got the reserve here in the classifieds, worth paying attention to them) If your happy with your 260 I say stick with it for a while. I believe that generally the manufacturers will size the main tray so that you can go either side of the size it was for designed for, but confirm that witht hem when you give them your requirements. THey should be able to make it so you can get your 260 in and maybe go to 230 at later date. Just a thought Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MagicGuy 0 #3 January 12, 2007 I'm not giving advice, just stating my opinion.. A PD260 is quite a canopy. It's large, docile and F-111. Yet, you are 230 pounds out the door. You asked if it is possible to get bored under canopy. My answer? Absolutely. If you were like I was at 44 jumps, than you aren't doing a whole lot of maneuvers under canopy. Trashing the canopy on rears, diving 360s on front risers, spirals on toggles.. I wasn't doing any of this stuff at 44 jumps. In fact, I wasn't a big fan of the canopy ride in general. Now, at almost 100 jumps, I LOVE being under canopy. I pull high just so I can have some extra time to mess around and really learn what my canopy will do. On an old PD260, I don't see a whole lot of room for the fun stuff. Plus like you said, good luck getting much glide out of that thing. This could possibly burn you on a windy day. Best thing to do, and you've heard and read this, is talk with your instructors. Noone is required to downsize. You could jump that canopy for the rest of your skydiving career and have no problems (as long as you maintain it!). But, will staying on that canopy forever make you a good canopy pilot? Maybe not. And will you get bored after a while? Probably. Discuss your options with your instructors and just start saving. Nothing wrong with jumping the 260 for a while. Once you get the money to buy a new to you canopy, go for it. And if you have a chance to demo any canopies in-between that time, DO IT! Only thing.. once you demo another canopy, you will probably start to find a lot of things wrong with the 260 Good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites billvon 3,107 #4 January 13, 2007 1) There's no reason at all to downsize unless you want to. If the canopy lands you well and is in good shape (and you like it) then keep it! 2) If something worries you about the rig, have a good master rigger take a look at it. Often, cosmetic things (dirt, fraying binding tape) and moderately bad stuff (broken stiffeners, can be fixed fairly easily. Ask your rigger to wash it; it can make a rig look ten times better. 3) If you want to get a new rig, get one sized for a 230. The 260 will likely fit (especially an F-111 canopy with a few hundred jumps on it) and the container will also take a 230 or 210 if you want to downsize later. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Zeppo 0 #5 January 13, 2007 Thanks for your input. I'll keep jumping it for now, and have a master rigger see if he can clean it up. You guys have given some things to think about. Thanks.What goes up, must come DOWN!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites matthewcline 0 #6 January 13, 2007 All of Bills comments are right on. I would like to re-enforce the thought of "Don't do some thing your not comfortable with". If your having fun and being safe, keep at it! MattAn Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites packing_jarrett 0 #7 January 13, 2007 Dude you got a "newer" container than mine. My container was made when I was only 2 yrs old. Consider yourself lucky to have a container that newNa' Cho' Cheese Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Zeppo 0 #8 January 13, 2007 My gear used to be old student gear too...so it's got a few thousand jumps on it What goes up, must come DOWN!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites councilman24 37 #9 January 13, 2007 See Bill's advice. But, make sure that FXC (I'm assuming it's a 12000) is being serviced as required. They do need to be checked at each repack and serviced every, hmm it's late. It's 2 years right guys? Make sure your rigger is familiar with it and the inspection and service requirements. FXC's if anything have a reputation for firing early. You should be deploying no less that 1500' above it's set altitude. You may very well know all this but in case you didn't.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Zeppo 0 #10 January 13, 2007 Ususally pull between 3 and 3.5 so no worries, and it been recommended that once I'm under a good canopy, to turn off the FXC, I'm likely going to start doing that once the new season starts.What goes up, must come DOWN!!! 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. 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MagicGuy 0 #3 January 12, 2007 I'm not giving advice, just stating my opinion.. A PD260 is quite a canopy. It's large, docile and F-111. Yet, you are 230 pounds out the door. You asked if it is possible to get bored under canopy. My answer? Absolutely. If you were like I was at 44 jumps, than you aren't doing a whole lot of maneuvers under canopy. Trashing the canopy on rears, diving 360s on front risers, spirals on toggles.. I wasn't doing any of this stuff at 44 jumps. In fact, I wasn't a big fan of the canopy ride in general. Now, at almost 100 jumps, I LOVE being under canopy. I pull high just so I can have some extra time to mess around and really learn what my canopy will do. On an old PD260, I don't see a whole lot of room for the fun stuff. Plus like you said, good luck getting much glide out of that thing. This could possibly burn you on a windy day. Best thing to do, and you've heard and read this, is talk with your instructors. Noone is required to downsize. You could jump that canopy for the rest of your skydiving career and have no problems (as long as you maintain it!). But, will staying on that canopy forever make you a good canopy pilot? Maybe not. And will you get bored after a while? Probably. Discuss your options with your instructors and just start saving. Nothing wrong with jumping the 260 for a while. Once you get the money to buy a new to you canopy, go for it. And if you have a chance to demo any canopies in-between that time, DO IT! Only thing.. once you demo another canopy, you will probably start to find a lot of things wrong with the 260 Good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,107 #4 January 13, 2007 1) There's no reason at all to downsize unless you want to. If the canopy lands you well and is in good shape (and you like it) then keep it! 2) If something worries you about the rig, have a good master rigger take a look at it. Often, cosmetic things (dirt, fraying binding tape) and moderately bad stuff (broken stiffeners, can be fixed fairly easily. Ask your rigger to wash it; it can make a rig look ten times better. 3) If you want to get a new rig, get one sized for a 230. The 260 will likely fit (especially an F-111 canopy with a few hundred jumps on it) and the container will also take a 230 or 210 if you want to downsize later. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeppo 0 #5 January 13, 2007 Thanks for your input. I'll keep jumping it for now, and have a master rigger see if he can clean it up. You guys have given some things to think about. Thanks.What goes up, must come DOWN!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matthewcline 0 #6 January 13, 2007 All of Bills comments are right on. I would like to re-enforce the thought of "Don't do some thing your not comfortable with". If your having fun and being safe, keep at it! MattAn Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
packing_jarrett 0 #7 January 13, 2007 Dude you got a "newer" container than mine. My container was made when I was only 2 yrs old. Consider yourself lucky to have a container that newNa' Cho' Cheese Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeppo 0 #8 January 13, 2007 My gear used to be old student gear too...so it's got a few thousand jumps on it What goes up, must come DOWN!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #9 January 13, 2007 See Bill's advice. But, make sure that FXC (I'm assuming it's a 12000) is being serviced as required. They do need to be checked at each repack and serviced every, hmm it's late. It's 2 years right guys? Make sure your rigger is familiar with it and the inspection and service requirements. FXC's if anything have a reputation for firing early. You should be deploying no less that 1500' above it's set altitude. You may very well know all this but in case you didn't.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeppo 0 #10 January 13, 2007 Ususally pull between 3 and 3.5 so no worries, and it been recommended that once I'm under a good canopy, to turn off the FXC, I'm likely going to start doing that once the new season starts.What goes up, must come DOWN!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
