DYEVOUT 0 #1 August 25, 2002 I'm 6'-2 ', 205-210 LBS., and currently jump a 288 sq. ft. Manta (ending AFF student status). I'm looking for a used rig in good condition with some resale potential. Ive been told by a rigger at my DZ to look for something in the 230 sq. ft. range. Other experienced jumpers have told me that this size is way big, and Zero-P fabric makes this size unneccesary. Being a rookie, I want to go conservative (safe), but would like to jump the thing a couple of years before replacing it. Used rigs in the 230 sq. ft. range are pretty rare. Any help from experienced AFF folks would sure be appreciated. ----------------=8^)---------------------- "I think that was the wrong tennis court." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rgoper 0 #2 August 25, 2002 entertain the idea of a 230 sq. ft main at least to keep your wing at 1.0217, that's fairly conservative, i would reccomend a triathlon. if you shop around, there's good deals to be had. and these rigs in the 230 range are not scarce, check the listings here on dropzone.--Richard-- "We Will Not Be Shaken By Thugs, And Terroist" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #3 August 25, 2002 QuoteOther experienced jumpers have told me that this size is way big, and Zero-P fabric makes this size unneccesary. Don't listen... I'd suggest something around 230 sq ft also. QuoteI want to go conservative (safe), but would like to jump the thing a couple of years before replacing it. Depending on how often you jump, you may be ready to downsize in a year, or a 230 may keep you happy for the rest of your skydiving career. Don't stress that right now - right now worry about getting something that you can make minor mistakes on and walk away from the landing. Make sure that the container you end up buying was originally sized for the size main you'll be buying now; if it was, you can safely go down one main canopy size and use the same container. So, if you decide after 150 jumps that you're ready to downsize you only have to buy a new main... not a whole new system. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefalle 0 #4 August 25, 2002 Im 602 and weigh in at about 215-220 Ive got a triathalon 220 and Im very happy with it, its a docile canopy it flies nice and gives me good stand up landings. The only thing some people dont like about it is that it snivels open Im pretty happy with the openings as its easy on my back. Good look and enjoy what ever you buy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fasterfaller 0 #5 August 25, 2002 Listen to Skybytch , she gives good advice . You can still scare the shit out of yourself on a 230 , especially after coming off a manta . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #6 August 26, 2002 Even if you don't buy a Triathlon 230-ish, plan on doing a dozen or two dozen jumps on a 230-ish canopy. Once you get really good at landing a 230-ish canopy, then you can decide whether you want to down-size. Most of the people who hurt themselves under perfectly serviceable parachutes hurt themselves because they down-sized too quickly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #7 August 26, 2002 I'm almost 200lbs without gear and bought a 190 Saber2 as my first canopy. That was with 70 jumps slowly downsizing. I come in what I consider pretty fast on landing in no wind days and it took me awhile to stand it up consistently. Probably should have started out with a 210 (people actually tried to convince me to go with a 170 because I'd get "bored" on a 190...80 jumps later and I still love it and am not bored). With your extra poundage, and I'm assuming you're getting this with fairly soon off student status, 230 is probably the way to go. Or, if you can, get on a rental/demo program and downsize while you try out different equipment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #8 August 26, 2002 You and I are virtually the same size and I too have been wondering what would be the best canopy size for my first rig. I know 190 is likely too small for my current experience level (I have 35 jumps to date) so I was pondering something in the 210-230 range. I eventually selected a ZP seven cell Triathlon 220 (mainly because I'm getting a really good deal on a new one from SQ1, but I'm not flying it yet as I'm waiting for my Wings container to be built) but I have been jumping rental 210s and 230s from my DZ and have had mixed landing results so far. I can consistently standup my landings on the rental PD230 (something in the 80% range on about 15 tries). And I am 1-1 on standing up on a PD210. But I'm wondering if that landing on the PD210 turned out to be lucky or skill, as I am 0-4 for standing up my landings on a rental Spectre 210. The Spectre (a ZP seven cell canopy) definitely flies and flares faster than the PD hybrids I've been using. And part of my current Spectre landing issues have to deal with myself learning to be less abrupt with my flaring technique. In other words, trying to employ a two staged flaring technique. I should also add that my four PLFed Spectre landings occured this last weekend during some very low wind situations and I have yet to master the level-off inches from the ground technique until all of the forward speed bleeds off. Plus I wonder how much flare my rental canopies have compared to a canopy with low jump numbers. Anyway, there is one other very important disadvantage that I have that you won't have. My home DZ (Longmont CO at 5000' MSL) is the 2nd highest drop zone in the entire US and density altitude makes my landings much faster and hotter than yours will be. So while I shouldn't be flying a 190 right now with my experience level and location, you might be able to jump one once your jump numbers get higher and you gain some experience. So I would think that a 210 might be a good sized canopy for you as your first canopy, but there's nothing wrong with being safe and flying a 230. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DYEVOUT 0 #9 August 27, 2002 Anyway, there is one other very important disadvantage that I have that you won't have. My home DZ (Longmont CO at 5000' MSL) is the 2nd highest drop zone in the entire US and density altitude makes my landings much faster and hotter than yours will be.------------ WOW, YOU GUYS ARE ALREADY UP THERE - HOW HIGH (AGL) DO YOU GUYS GO UP FROM THERE FOR A.F.F. BEFORE YOU GET NOSEBLEEDS, AND NEED OXYGEN ? THANKS, STEVE - AND EVERYONE ELSE - FOR THE HELP/FEEDBACK. . . . ----------------=8^)---------------------- "I think that was the wrong tennis court." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #10 August 27, 2002 When we jump our King Air we are 12500 AGL which would be 17500 MSL and I notice the lack of Os at that altitude. But fortunately I am somewhat acclaimated and have never really had altitude sickness problems climbing the 14ers around here. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
