Advice

[fugozzie 0]

I just got my A license and I am looking into buying my first rig, Thinking of going with a mirage g3 or g4, but I have no idea on what brand of reserve or main I should go with. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Regards
James Griffin

[dgskydive 0]

PD makes good reserves. Aerodyne also has the new Smart reserve that is the most inexpensive on the market. THe Sabre2 form PD and the Spectre are great canopies for mains. Also Aerodyne has the Pilot which is my favorite canopy at the moment.

Dom

[skybytch 273]

The canopies I jump - they are the best stuff out there.

You'll get a different answer to that question from every jumper because we all think that what we jump is the best there is. But, what I jump may or may not be the best choice for you. Only you can decide which main canopy has the kind of openings, flight characteristics and landings that you like.

The ideal way to choose your main is to put some jumps on the ones you are interested in. This is easy if you jump at a big dz with a big gear store, not so easy if you jump at a small dz or outside the US, but definitely worth making some effort to do.

As for reserves, I like PD's. Other people like Tempo's, others prefer Raven's, etc, etc. As long as you aren't loading your reserve over what the manufacturer recommends you'll likely be fine under any of the reserves currently on the market.

[freakydiver 0]

edited because this is a topical forum

-- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

[fugozzie 0]

I would buy a used chute, Since I am a novice I am limited on the size I can get. I am 6' 4" and 234 lbs. What size it your vector?

[freakydiver 0]

Uhh - don't recall to be honest with you.

I am 6'1"...

-- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

[kaerock 1]

If I were you I'd look for used gear for your first purchase. A couple of reasons for this are that you'll get it a lot sooner as it takes time to build customer orders, you'll probably be down-sizing a couple of times in your first couple of years and if you decide that skydiving isn't for you, you haven't dropped a lot of money into it.

I'd suggest sticking with well-known brands for used gear. Javelin,Mirage,PD, and so on until you really know what you're looking for and can make an informed decision about going with a lesser-known brand.

Most manufacturers have sizing charts on their web-sites, so all you have to do is coordinate harness-size, main/reserve container-size then start looking for the few options that'll work for your size and skill-level.

Happy hunting!
-R

You be the king and I'll overthrow your government. --KRS-ONE

[fugozzie 0]

Thank you all for you advice.

Regards

JG

[darrenspooner 0]

I got my A license and went through the same agonising obsessions about what to get. Ended up buying used gear til I got more jumps under my belt.

Err on the side of caution, don't get too small too soon. Don't get something high performance or eliptical. Buy from, or have the gear properly checked by, someone you trust. Don't try to be too cool!

[fugozzie 0]

I have been trying to find used, been very difficultfinding a container that fits me. Any suggestions?

[fugozzie 0]

I am looking on this sites classifieds.