Vector II mods to make it freefly friendly?

[npgraphicdesign 3]

I am picking up an older Vector II. It's in good condition, but I plan to keep this rig for at least a few years before I get a new container. Is there anything that can be done to make it freefly friendly? Maybe fabricating a pocket to hide the bridle or modify the flap to prevent it form opening during sitflying, etc?

Any advice would be appreciated. I know that it's probably best to talk to a rigger about this, but I'd like to know if it's even worth it to bring that topic up with them.

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[brettski74 0]

You'll get different answers from different riggers, skydivers, freeflyers, etc... You'll get answer ranging from "You'll surely die if you do that" to "It shouldn't be a problem, just be careful". This is also a topic that's been done to death. Do a search and you'll find lots of discussion.

My first rig was a Vector 2. I sit-flew with it many times and never had a problem. I had a world-class free-flyer tell me that the bridle exposure was minimal and shouldn't be a big deal and that as long as the velcro was relatively new, the riser covers should be secure enough in a sit. I had another freefly coach tell me that it woudl be fine for sit, but he wouldn't recommend head-down with velcro riser covers. A little while later, I met a rigger who suggested that I really should have a bridle cover added to the rig which he did for a modest cost - I think it was about $20. That said, I don't know that the bridle cover made a whole lot of difference.

Bottom line, there's no one true answer. There are more modern rigs designed specifically for free-flying. If you're really concerned about it, get one of them instead, but for starting out, you'll probably be fine either way. Just make sure that you do stow the bridle away as much and as tidily as possible and if the velcro is wearing out, replace it and if anything abnormal does happen, seek more help before doing more jumps.

[VectorBoy 0]

This is also a topic that's been done to death. Do a search and you'll find lots of discussion.

[likestojump 3]

This may not be that as extreme as the next phrase I use, but nowadays, with the many inexpensive freefly friendly rigs on the market getting a Vector2 just because it's cheap, and dumping $$$ into it so you can freefly with it is like polishing a turd - at the end it may look good, but it's still a turd.

Like I advised you a few weeks earlier - spend a few more hundred bucks, and get something that was made to be FF friendly. I have bought plenty of nice containers for around $400 - $500. Not a big price to pay for being safe.

[npgraphicdesign 3]

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This may not be that as extreme as the next phrase I use, but nowadays, with the many inexpensive freefly friendly rigs on the market getting a Vector2 just because it's cheap, and dumping $$$ into it so you can freefly with it is like polishing a turd - at the end it may look good, but it's still a turd.

Like I advised you a few weeks earlier - spend a few more hundred bucks, and get something that was made to be FF friendly. I have bought plenty of nice containers for around $400 - $500. Not a big price to pay for being safe.

I forgot that I posted that earlier thread. I must be losing my mind...

And I know the deals are out there, and 500 or so seems reasonable. But I haven't found anything for that price yet...maybe I'm not looking hard enough.

[rhys 0]

i had a vector 3 for sale on here for 650 with a reserve in it, no one was interested.

i ended us selling the container only for 200 and the reserve for 350.

there are lots of good deals, peolpe just feel like there is a a problem when they see them??!

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

[hookitt 1]

My experience level in this category is not low. Take my suggestions however you choose.


The rig in perfect condition is not suitable for freeflying.

Good luck.

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[Andrewwhyte 1]

The best thing you can do is convert it to pull out. That, a tight closing loop, and new velcro on the shoulders will make it good for sit-flying. Head down, maybe the velcro just isn't enough.

[gjhdiver 0]

Don't. Just don't. By the time you made the thing truly freefly friendly, it probably won't be able to open.

I did one freefly type jump on my old Vector II, and I had to cut away when the toggles came out and wrapped up in the canopy on opening. The Vector II was a great rig for the day when FS was all there was. By the time you've spent enough on it to try to make it work, it still won't be safe, and you could have bought a more modern, safer alternative.

[npgraphicdesign 3]

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Don't. Just don't. By the time you made the thing truly freefly friendly, it probably won't be able to open.

I did one freefly type jump on my old Vector II, and I had to cut away when the toggles came out and wrapped up in the canopy on opening. The Vector II was a great rig for the day when FS was all there was. By the time you've spent enough on it to try to make it work, it still won't be safe, and you could have bought a more modern, safer alternative.

I guess I will probably just work on my belly flying, put a hundred or so jumps on it, and will look for a different container in the meantime.

[tetra316 0]

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Don't. Just don't. By the time you made the thing truly freefly friendly, it probably won't be able to open.

I did one freefly type jump on my old Vector II, and I had to cut away when the toggles came out and wrapped up in the canopy on opening. The Vector II was a great rig for the day when FS was all there was. By the time you've spent enough on it to try to make it work, it still won't be safe, and you could have bought a more modern, safer alternative.

I guess I will probably just work on my belly flying, put a hundred or so jumps on it, and will look for a different container in the meantime.

Excellent idea. The best freeflyers are also very good at belly flying.