Jessica 0 #1 February 4, 2002 I've been jumping an F-111 main (PD 170 with ~400 jumps) since I bought my gear, and I'm really wanting to downsize a little and go ZP, cause right now I have little penetration and even less flare.But! I already spend more on skydiving than I do on rent.So I got to looking at some used gear ads, and it looks like I can get a heavily used Sabre or Triathalon 150 for cheap. By heavily used, I'm talking 800-1300 jumps, and by cheap, I mean $250-$500.Would this be a practical investment? I want to start jumping more, but "more" for me translates to "still not that much," so I wouldn't be putting tons of wear on any canopy I buy right off the bat.Thanks!Walk a mile in your enemy's shoes. Then you're a mile away and have his shoes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 0 #2 February 4, 2002 I think if you can find a Sabre in a size you're comfortable with for $250.00 to $500.00 then you should go for it. Have the canopy inspected by a rigger, or at least another experienced skydiver you trust. The ZP fabric should be just fine, you'll probably want to look into a new line set which I think cost between $200 and $250 - remember that when you're thinking of the final price.For what it's worth, a friend of mine just purchased a used Stiletto with over 1000 jumps and it flies just fine.-Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jessica 0 #3 February 4, 2002 How many jumps can you get out of a line set?Walk a mile in your enemy's shoes. Then you're a mile away and have his shoes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 0 #4 February 4, 2002 That depends on the lines (material) and what you want out of the canopy. I think that the Sabre and the Tri will probably need a new lineset at between 600 and 800 jumps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #5 February 4, 2002 It depends on what type of conditions the canopy was jumped in, the care the owner took on the canopy and ots of other factors but F111 is good till about 600 jumps and then its porosity is too high to get good landings out of. ZP is trickier to judge but 2000 jumps is'nt uncommon.As for Lines changes, when ever the canopy is too far out of trim or when ever the lines are worn. Very much dependent on jumping conditions (sand, dirt, sunlight, CReW, etc).I want to touch the sky, I want to fly so high ~ Sonique Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #6 February 4, 2002 You jump at a pretty reputable DZ, have any buyer send it to your DZO for inspection prior to the sale. Shipping on a main should be pretty negligible. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #7 February 4, 2002 My "new" main is a Spectre with over 1200 jumps on it. It has a few patches, the colors wouldn't have been my first choices and it will likely need new lines in another 100 jumps or so, but for now it opens sweet and slow, flies great, flares great... I have no complaints. I expect to be able to put at least 500 jumps on it before I'll have to replace it.pull and flare,lisa--What would Scooby Doo? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stratostar 5 #8 February 4, 2002 I have and jump a sabre that has well over 3000 jumps on it and has only been relined three time's.open's very soft and on heading every time fly's great and land's great as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmkellett 0 #9 February 5, 2002 Jessica, Just a quick idea. I live in the UK and bought my gear new a year ago from florida. I paid 910 dollars for a 170 Hornet. since then i've put over 100 jumps on it and i love it. it opens fine and has great landings too. It's not super high performance but i don't want that yet. It packs easy and even has colour coded lines!Anyway, since last year the south African Rand has gone into freefall along with the whole economy......which has made products from there go really cheap for us in the US and UK due to the great exchange rates. My advice to you is why buy a second hand zp canopy for say 300 US and then pay 200 for a reline when i just checked the price of a new Hornet 170 and it is 517 US dollars. The dealer that i have been looking at is at WWW.icarus.co.za They are charging around 6000 Rand for the 170 and even less for the smaller ones. OK you would have to pay shipping and maybe some import duty but you might spend say 600 in total and have a lot of use out of what is in my opinion a great all round canopy. Just a thought...Darren Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scotty 0 #10 February 5, 2002 hey Jessica I have a para-flite turbo zx 145 for sale for $400, it has about 350 jumps . its a hybrid parachute,it flys great and lands great. its teal.blackberry and white if your interested reply back and I will tell you more.Scotty Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snowflake 0 #11 February 5, 2002 Jess IMHO I think that you would be best served by getting a zp of the same size especially since you've just added weights into the equation. I'll let you jump my spectre 170 next time were out there. I don't think you should downsize until you can stand up most if not all of your landings even with going to zp especially since you don't get an opportunity to jump much. just my .02 JG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
