rocket 0 #1 August 22, 2003 I am looking at a rig from AZ that has a rascal 202 reserve. My rigger let me know that it is out of date, and is no longer produced. DOM of the reserve is 1989. I am trying to get informed on my or any other euipment to be informed. Can anyone help me with information on this brand of reserve? I appreciate the help. Rocket "Make your plans dark and as inpenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt" -Sun Tsu rocket Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 1 #2 August 22, 2003 Advanced Para System but Could have been FTS in 89. I'd suggest continuing your search. There are quite a few out there and they do get used. I know of no instances where they have not held up but due to the rascals lack of reinforcement tape It would not instill confidece in me to have it as my back up. This is one that Skymonkeyone may have more information about. Chuck, any input? -My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
encinoadam 0 #3 August 22, 2003 I've had just one reserve ride, and it was on a Rascal 202. The upside is that it flew great. The downside is... it is just plain old. Your reserve is the least expensive part of your gear. It's also your last chance. Personally, I didn't like having a reserve that was over ten years old (yours would be 14). It was difficult for me to have confidence in older gear (other people will tell you age doesn't mean so much). I would buy something newer, if you could afford to do so. If not, take comfort in the fact that mine worked great. There is much newer gear that has had recalls that I wouldn't jump even AFTER the fix. I'd rather jump the Rascal. But at the end of the day, I'd go to Call Ralph and get a nice, new, PD reserve. In fact, I did. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #4 August 22, 2003 If the rig's is that old also it may not merit a new reserve. Many people have jumped many jumps with these reserves on their back. I still service one customer with one. If it's inspected, and particularly has not been deployed, it's a first rig you intend to jump for a couple of hundred jumps and then upgrade it might be appropriate. If you bought a new reserve to put in it, you may not be able to move it to your next, smaller rig. Then your stuck with an older rig with a brand new reserve and my not get what you think it's worth if you peddle the rig together. SOME riggers impose a personnal limit of 15 years on gear. Some countries impose other limits, some shorter. My personnal limit is 20 years and then I start talking real hard to the customer to upgrade. But, beaware that reserves wear just packing them over the years. With a good inspection, by me, I wouldn't worry about having it on my back. Of course you should have seen some of the crap I jumped 25 years ago. For what little it's worth, back before there were many base dedicated canopies I converted several FTS /APS canopies to base canopies.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rocket 0 #5 August 22, 2003 The reserve is the oldest part of the rig. Everything else is 98 or newer with no more than 250 jumps on it. I don't know. Even though the reserve is the least expensive part of the rig, I still would have more piece of mind if it were newer. Then again the price is right, and I could upgrade in a little while, ie within 100 jumps. Decisions, decisions, ........? rocket "Make your plans dark and as inpenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt" -Sun Tsu rocket Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 1 #6 August 22, 2003 The age isn't so bad. If the reserve was an old PD, I wouldn't think twice about it. What I tried to portray in my earlier post, (sorry, I was way too tired to be posting).. was, The Rascal is not known to have much reinforcment tape built into it. While I know of no instances where it's been a problem, I don't have a lot of confidence in it to with stand an opening at the speeds I regularily descend. That would be my only concern. - -My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #7 August 22, 2003 In this case the rig DOES deserve a newer reserve. An older reserve probably got dumped in there because some one wanted to keep the newer one, or they had the reserve from a previous rig and used it when this rig was put together. Have an agreement that you can return it after inspection. Have an independent rigger that you (or people you trust) trust take a look at it. They should/will look at the reserve and at the history on the packing data card. If the complete history (i.e. pre 1998) is missing it may or may not be significant. Figure that you can pedle the reserve for a couple of hundred bucks if it's in good shape and put a newer one in when you want. But, just because it's a rascal and a 1989 DOM doesn't mean you shouldn't jump it. SOAPBOX TIME; All of this hype about who's reserve is better is mainly that, HYPE. Skydiver's become loyal, or buy into the advertising, or believe the rumors, or whatever. But each will give you definate opinions on what is better. There are very few "modern" square reserves I wouldn't put on my back. I'm not sure I can actually think of one. This is a "modern" ( by that I mean not first or second generation from the early 80's) reserve and if its in good shape and your not overloading it should be fine. NO reserve is guarenteed to work. Either by the manufacturer or the rigger. I'd say get over the hype and go jump. STEPPING DOWN FROM SOAPBOX TerryI'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rocket 0 #8 August 22, 2003 Thanks to Terry and hookitt. I actually had my rigger look at the rig and give me his opinion, and he was of the same mind that you all are as well. I talked to the seller about the reserve and the conditions of purchase. He accepted and understood completely that if I was not satisfied that I could return the rig and get a full refund. You guys are awesome for giving me the details on that reserve. Holy shit, another day, and I learned something new, BONUS. I am a detail, technical kind of guy when it comes to this kind of stuff. So any information that you are willing to share I have an open mind. Actually I think my rigger gets tired of me bugging him about questions on equipment. The way I see it, the more I know, the better the decision making on my part in times of crisis or other. Thanks again. rocket "Make your plans dark and as inpenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt" -Sun Tsu rocket Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
