Question about the Northern Lite lll

[aquaflamz 0]

I am looking in to buying a used rig. The container is a Northern Lite 3. I think its a legstrap pilot chute deployment.

First, is this a good container? Is there any reason why I wouldn't want a Northern Lite container? It can always be converted to BOC deployment if it isn't already right?

[JumpCrazy 0]

I have one of the Northern Lites from 1997 (It was called a Northern Lite Infinity, now Velocity Sports Infinity).

I see nothing wrong with the container. It is quite a bit like the new Infinitys but its not as good in the flap department. What I am trying to say here is that the flaps will open a bit easier than the new Infinitys. That said, the only flaps that I have had trouble with are the riser covers. They would open in freefall occasionally. This was fixed by changing the way the reserve was fit into the freebag. My reserve and main flaps always stay shut even while freeflying
Check if this rig has hard housings (soft housings are bad), and if you buy it, convert it to BOC. Other than that, I think you will be ok unless the one you are looking at is quite a bit older than mine in which case it may be different.

Lastly, Kelly Farrington is very good with customer service, even on the NLE rigs
A summary of this long post: I would say that as a used, older rig the NLE Infinity is very good. It is not as good as new rig designs (this goes for any older rig) but it is definately cheaper. Go for it.

Flying Hellfish #470

[relyon 0]

Quote

I am looking in to buying a used rig. The container is a Northern Lite 3. I think its a legstrap pilot chute deployment.

First, is this a good container? Is there any reason why I wouldn't want a Northern Lite container? It can always be converted to BOC deployment if it isn't already right?

The Northern Lite III was originally built by Para-Phernalia and later by Larry Chernis who purchased the rights in 1991 and started Northern Lite Enterprises. It's a good, well-built harness/container and is the common ancestor to both the Infinity and the Javelin. I put a few hundred jumps on one and sold it to crwmike who is still jumping it.

Kelly Farrington bought Larry's shop and started Velocity Sports Equipment. I believe he's capable of building replacement parts for the NL III. Mine had a ROL pocket and I had Kelly add a BOC pocket as well.

Bob

[aquaflamz 0]

Ok, thanks. That helps a lot. I wouldn't be doing any freeflying anyway. Just RW for now. I only have 10 jumps so far.

[riggerrob 643]

It will be easy to retrofit a BOC to your Northern Lite III.
Its two-pin reserve container will require a bit more labor when retrofitting a Cypres.
As long as your local rigger confirms that the harness/container is in decent shape, it should get you in the air for cheap. Since NL III was built a decade or more ago, it should be large enough to accommodate the birdman-friendly canopies favored by junior jumpers.

[JumpCrazy 0]

Much of the info in my first post may be inaccurate. It sounds like the rig you are looking at is much older than mine.

Flying Hellfish #470

[dgskydive 0]

Best thing to do is conttact KElly at VSE. He will give ya all the good info on that rig.

You can contact him here www.velocityrigs.com

Or go to my Post your Infinity thread. In Gear and Rigging. He checks up on that most of the time.

Dom