Was this a good buy?

[ReLLiK75 0]

Howdy all!

I'm new to the sport--still going through the AFF program. I have a buddy who jumps but hasn't really been able to for quite sometime, so he offered to sell me his rig. It's a Falcon 215 9-cell main, with a super raven (170') 7-cell reserve, with a prestige container. I bought it from him for $600. He bought it used with about 10 jumps on it and he's only put about 50 jumps on it, so all in all, the entire rig only has bewteen 60-70 jumps. The reserve has no rides.

I've done some reading through this thread and people have mixed feelings on the Falcon, but what I want to know is did I get a good deal or did I shoot myself in the foot with something I would be able to get rid of in the future as I gain more experience and wish to upgrade?

Thanx!

__________________________________________
Have you Got Flare?

[Watcher 0]

Other than not knowing anything about the container, the 2 canopies seemed like a good deal to me. I know a few people that jumped Falcons, not the fastest canopy out there but was a good first canonpy that doesn't collapse. Its not zero P so its a different canopy somewhat, but at the same time it has so few jumps on it right now its still probably in great condition.

For $600 and you have a full rig I would say thats a pretty damn good deal.

--

Jonathan Bartlett
D-24876
AFF-I

[hookitt 1]

If the rig fits you and it's as new as you say, then you have yourself a screamin deal. That 600 buck purchase will get you in the air for a couple hundred jumps. If you sell it for any amount of money you still did good. You can alwasy just keep it for a second. Next step would be the purchase of a CYPRES AAD. (if so inclined)

Hopefully your exit weight is under 215, preferably 200 or less since this is your first rig. A Falcon will get you by JUST fine.

Good luck

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

[Jessica 0]

You may not be able to sell it, but $600 for an entire first rig is a great deal either way. It paid for itself after 24 jumps (if gear rental is $25).

Sounds like a perfect buy for you to use for a while, then maybe keep as a backup when you get something else.

Skydiving is for cool people only

[riggerrob 643]

$600 for a slightly used rig with two square canopies is a great deal. Furthermore the canopies are decent-sized for a medium to large junior jumper. With luck you will be able to put a 1190 to 70-ish ZP canopy in the same container next year.
Prestige containers never sold in large numbers, but fortunately the designer is still alive and doing business in Texas. Can't remember his name off the top of my head, (tall guy, balding, quiet) but he does business as the Adventure Loft. He specialized in camera accessories and main stream skydiving gear. The BASE side of things was a short-lived off-shoot.
Since the Prestige container is based on Para-Flite's old Swift system, any rigger with grey in his beard should remember the basics. As for a Cypres retrofit, don't quote me, but I vaguely remember Prestige being listed in the purple Cypres binder.
Other posters are correct in saying that Falcons have limited resale value, but who cares considering how little you paid for the rig.
Now spend all the dollars you saved on jump tickets because currency is the only thing that will keep you alive in the long run.

[rigging65 0]

$600 for two squares and a container that fits is a great deal. Use it for a season, save up money for another rig and re-evaluate next winter. Even if you turn the Falcon into a car cover after a year, it's still a great deal for a first rig!

"...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.
For there you have been, and there you long to return..."

[bwilling 0]

Quote

Can't remember his name off the top of my head, (tall guy, balding, quiet) but he does business as the Adventure Loft.

John Sherman I think, but I believe he sold the loft to John Storrie (of Shoot & Chute fame)... John and his wife Sarah (great people BTW) both jump the Prestige... it should be fine, and yes it was a good deal!

"If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

[Jessica 0]

John Stanford, actually. And the Adventure Loft is no more...I'm not sure what John Storrie is calling the place now, but I think it's in Denton.

Skydiving is for cool people only

[fundgh 0]

You bought the entire rig for less than I bought my first canopy (used) and you will be in the air safely for many jumps. Hell yeah its a good deal, that's less than 20 jumps on rental gear! Have fun!

...FUN FOR ALL!

[nightjumps 1]

Quote

I'm not sure what John Storrie is calling the place now, but I think it's in Denton.

Storrie Parachute Works
1425 Century, Suite 100
Carrollton, TX 75006
1-800-928-0157
email jstorrie@vestedinterest.com

[Jessica 0]

I know that's where it used to be (I took a packing lesson there), but I think he moved.

In the latest Skydiving, his ad says:

209 E. Hickory St.
Denton, TX 76201
940-484-2222

Skydiving is for cool people only

[nightjumps 1]

I know... Let's start an "Anyone seen John?" campaign We'll have our own website and everything.

[nacmacfeegle 0]

It doesn't really matter now, you've bought it!

If you put any more than 24 jumps on it, as Jess said, it was a good deal. If you decide to trash it after 23 jumps, you've lost out.
For 600 bucks I'd say you got a stonkin' deal, but I haven't seen the gear.

Stick with it until you fancy something else.
I paid a similar amount for my first rig a while back, nearly ten years ago, and I still have it!

--------------------

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson