andybr6 0 #1 January 25, 2003 I have recently got my A license and am looking to buy my first rig. I have been looking around for a good first rig which is suitable for freeflying, the discipline i would eventualy like to get into. I am on a budget so can anyone recomend any containers, or systems, any advice would be greatly appreciated. A [UK] ------------------------------------------------ "All men can fly, but sadly, only in one direction" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #2 January 25, 2003 I would say ask your instructors, or people at your DZ, they'll help you out.__________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygod7777 0 #3 January 25, 2003 get a wings or infinity if your looking for brand new, and good priced. reserve, well, tempo's are the least expensive. main, hornet, the best all around canopy, and for the price, you can't beat it. and then of corse a cypress. just my opinion later Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #4 January 25, 2003 Budget? Buy used. You'll get more bang for your buck that way. As for which brands, spend some time looking over the reviews in the gear section of this website. For canopy sizing, talk with your instructors, local riggers and maybe even some gear dealers and canopy manufacturers about what might work best for you. Above all, remember that most every skydiver will tell you that whatever it is they jump is "the best." While it may be the best gear for them, that doesn't mean it's going to be the best for you. Keep an open mind, take all advice (including mine) with a big grain of salt... and if at all possible, put some demo jumps on anything you are interested in before committing to the purchase. Good luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #5 January 25, 2003 I'm probally the only person that posts that they actually dislike their own gear most the time... Get used. Unless you have a few thousand laying around to throw out the window when you resell it a year from now, if youi do have that buy used and send the money my way . Pisa makes good gear and the exchange rate is good now, but if the rate changes the prices could go really high. What you will run into is a gear oriented thing at most DZ's. Some are PD only, some are Icarus, some are Sunpath and others are just what ever people find for sale. I'm considered weird at my DZ since I was the only one with jumpsuits from 2 different manufactors, only one to own a canopy from Atair, only one to have a lot of unique gear. Branch out and read all the reviews and talk to as many instructors as you can. Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sarge 0 #6 January 25, 2003 Sorry A (UK), you're out of my hemisphere. Keep making contacts state-side; come over here if you're looking for variety/value. Otherwise, I'm sure you can find just what you need gear-wise there or in-abouts in the European community. But until you get an idea of what 'that' is ... this is purely academic... . good luck man .-- I'm done with the personally meaningful and philosophical sigs!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sarge 0 #7 January 25, 2003 UGH!!!! DUH! ok, sorry, lots of containers are freefly friendly, newer javelins, Infinity, Wings, Vector, of course Mirage, Voodoo, etc... what you need is one of those cool links that everybody has ( that I don't! ) at the moment to refer you to... sorry again. No worries, just about anything built the last few years will suffice to get your budding freefly experiences developed to the point where you are exposed to other stuff available to make a 'personal' choice... again, Good luck... .-- I'm done with the personally meaningful and philosophical sigs!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samp76 0 #8 January 25, 2003 If you dicide to buy a new javalin, Sunpath has a 14 week production time right now. I just ordered mine a week ago and I won't get it until April. Let go of the NUT!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ptwob231 0 #9 January 27, 2003 as stated above, most peole tend to build up the gear they own...because who would want to bash their own 5K investment, really. I just recently decided on a rig. I've read through all the forums here so do a search on "favorite rig" or "favorite canopy/container/etc" and you'll find some good testimonials...for the most part no gear gets bad reviews, except mirage on one of the posts...it was more of a trash talking situation IMHO so take it for what its worth...BUT what i finally did was call/email/pm the riggers who design and produce the rigs i was looking at and asked for their objective opinion on their gear vs. other gear. for example...i straight up asked kelly about his container the Infinity and pretty much asked why he thought it was worth my investment. what he said has convinced me more so than other manufacturers and thats what i'm getting. It's kinda like buying a car...do the research...narrow it down...test drive before buying (i.e. borrow a rig of someone your size and try it on)...and make your decision based on set criteria that you are looking for in your investment...hope that helps beer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,577 #10 January 27, 2003 With that kind of research and effort, you'll be happy with your choice, for all the right reasons. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Professor 0 #11 January 27, 2003 Yeah, what they said! I'd recomend buying used for your first rig, since your probably going to beat it up pretty bad, and want to downsize pretty quickly. If you're intending to freefly, anything new will work fine. On used rigs, try to avoid velcro, especially on riser covers, since they'll be constantly coming undone. Most used rigs will have velcro on them, consider getting any of it that is worn out replaced by your rigger. Also, get a BOC, not an ROL, and make sure it is in good shape, or get it replaced also. If you get a rig w/ a big main closing flap (javelin, infinity, etc) try to make sure that it is quite secure, since it will be taking a lot of wind as you learn to sit. Walrus teeth suck. Look at the bridle coverage as well. A little exposed bridle (an inch or two) won't kill you, but the less the better (once again, replace worn out velcro). If you're going to freefly, get a cypres, and a helmet. Old cypres' seem to be holding up well, but be aware that they need to be sent back for factory maintenence every four years, so ask how old the unit is if you get one w/ the rig. Most importantly, demo the rig before you buy it. Make sure you like it, and there's no hidden 'gotcha's' that you didn't notice. Have fun Ted Like a giddy school girl. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveMonkey 0 #12 January 27, 2003 Quote and then of corse a cypress. Why not an Astra instead of the CyPReS?____________________ Say no to subliminal messages Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygod7777 0 #13 January 27, 2003 QuoteWhy not an Astra instead of the CyPReS? no reason to not get an astra, i just prefer cypress. later Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
