Needing advise on a 1st rig

[DeNReN 0]

Just off student status with 31 jumps/9 min FF time, I am looking to buy my own gear (used)...I am 150lbs/5'10"....I have only used student gear sofar...280 mantas and lasers (couldnt tell you what the rig is..except large heavy and extreemly uncomfortable) Although my FF skills are somewhat.....ummmm...lacking at times , my canopy control is quite good and have stood up 30 landings (got a crosswind gust one time which caught me out bounced up looking around hoping that no one saw it....hehe) Not having the option of renting smaller gear to demo or borrowing, I will have to rely on advice i recieve from my instructors and from forums etc. I am looking for a rig that will suit my needs as i explore all aspects of skydiving (RW and Freeflying being next in my progression) and a main canopy that I wont want to replace for a smaller one in a few jumps(CREW would also be a possibilty)....all advice and oppions will be appreciated....plz keep in mind that I do not have a large disposable income and this gear will have to last me a few years. Thanks and Blue Skies DeNReN

[Fast 0]

The main person that can help you decide what you should be getting is your instructors. That being said, your DZ doesn't rent any sport gear? Only student stuff?

Try talking to other jumpers that might let you try differnt things that they have?

WL wise most people sugest staying at/below 1:1.

Other things to consider about gear is that, the smaller canopys while they may have a lower wingloading for you because you weigh less also have other preformance increasing factors such as shorter lines, and differnent planform.

~D
Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me.
Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka

[D22369 0]

--->This is excellent advice, make the mistakes that newbies make on a canopy that will leave you dusty and maybe bruised......

trust me......I was a newbie once....and some of the mistakes I made were ddooooozzzziiiiiieeeesss

if you get your own container, just be sure to get one that will accomodate a smaller main in the future.....

Roy

They say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it.

[DeNReN 0]

Thx for your responce guys...I was hoping for some what more detailed advice than staying below 1:1,ie: canopy types etc....on the 1:1 thingy though,I assume at my weight(150lbs) I should be looking at a 170 and a 150 would be pushing it? Again thx and i hope some of the experianced jumpers/instructors can provide me with some more detailed feedback. DeNReN

[Chrisky 2]

Well, having stated you weight now helps.
This would come down to an exit weight of abou 170 lbs, so for a wingloading of 1 (lbs): 1 (sqft), that would be a 170.
Stick to square planforms in the beginning, the Sabre-type class.

My advice is:
1. go to your instructors, they know you, we here don't.

2. If they don#t rent rigs, ask fellow jumpers if they'd let you jump their gear. But try not to go to a 170 straight from the 280, try to maybe jump a 210 inbetween. The Speed you will get out of a 170 will be higher than that of a 280.

3. I'd wait with buying a rig until you know waht you want. Maybe other DZs in the area have other canopies for rental?

Anyway, have fun!

The mind is like a parachute - it only works once it's open.
From the edge you just see more.
... Not every Swooper hooks & not every Hooker swoops ...

[SkydiveNFlorida 0]

I definitely agree with jumping something smaller before going for a 170. That is going to be a big change. Most dzs rent gear that isn't student gear, are there any places around there like that? That way like Chrisky said, you could at least jump something in between before downsizing to a 170 canopy.

I am also new at this, 26 jumps thusfar, and learned on a 190 canopy, I downsized to a 170 and will be trying out a 150 this weekend. When I went from a 190 to a 170, that was a huge difference. It is faster, turns are more responsive. I couldn't imagine going directly from a 280 to a 170, that change is going to be HUGE! I jumped a 210 for 3 jumps and that canopy was very forgiving and boring, I really didn't even have to flare as it didn't make much difference I was going so slow. So, to be landing standing up on a 280sf at your weigh is not surprising, I wouldn't think. I weigh 125, btw.

Good luck. Definitely demo some gear b4 buying:) If you're serious about buying a rig, I think most manufacturers will send one to you to demo for some time. Check out Sun Path to demo a Javelin, or other manufacturers. Shops also demo canopies.

Angela.