LannerFalcon 0 #1 September 10, 2004 Thnaks............................................................. Break now Jester! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwing 5 #2 September 10, 2004 There are several rigs that are both good and popular, both mirage and javelin are included in the bunch. Rigs tend to be somewhat localized, that is, one or two kinds seem to dominate at any given DZ. My dz is heavily mirage, with a mix of g3 and g4, but the general preference seems to be g3. I don't think we have any javelins at all. There are also several Infinities, which have a very loyal customer following--as do many other rigs. Really it boils down to wht you are comfortable with, how you feel about the customer service you can get from the dealer, etc. -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdctlc 0 #3 September 10, 2004 I agree that there are lots of good rigs out there. The Mirage has some great features as well does Javelin. I ended up getting a Wings as it was a cross of the good features of both of the two mentioned with a great price and much faster deliverd (non-express delivery/build) Dont discount the other rigs like Infinity and Talon as I think if you jumped in a different location you would see tends towards rigs shift. This I have found tends to be a personal preference combined with regional or local preference. Of the four mentioned in this post they are all good rigs... Scott C."He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #4 September 10, 2004 Hee! Hee! Welcome to skydiving fashion. Some DZs are "officially" Javelin DZs while others use Mirages almost exclusively. It is purely a local fashion statement based upon which rig the local dealer prefers. If you buy from any of the top dozen manufacturers, you will get a comfortable and reliable rig. Beyond that, it comes down to price, delivery times, comfort, service, etc. Consult your local rigger. Ask him/her what she is best at packing. There are a bewildering array of rigs out there and it is inhuman to expect a rigger to fully understand them all. Also remember that some rigs require specialized tools that are not widely know outside their region of popularity (i.e. Cypres-compatible temporary loops for Racers). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #5 September 10, 2004 Some very good points here. Regional 'influences' being a big influence. When I first started jumping, our DZ was 'big' on Vextors. Then, the preference became Javelin with a smattering of Dolphins, Talons and Wings. They are all, made very well with good construction and detail. The main thing is you! What are you looking for in a rig? What is your area of interest in the sport and which harness-container will meet your needs. Ask around your DZ and see if folks will let you try theirs on and ask questions. Check web-pages. If, there was some way, you could get to the PIA Symposium in Jacksonvill in January, '05, that is a great place to see what's 'out there' and the manufacturer's are right there ready to help you. Maybe, what everyone else has, isn't right for you. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #6 September 10, 2004 My DZ is mostly vectors by example. Regional influence is a big thing. I would say that more than less of our staff jumps a vector. That rubs off on everyone around them.~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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #7 September 10, 2004 10 - 4! Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
genfreefly 0 #8 September 10, 2004 i am a fan of the mirage. yes, i am sponsored for several years now with mirage, so take my opinion for what it is worth nevertheless, i have over 6000 jumps on several G3's and G4's and its kept me safe for the past 5 years. i kid you not that i have not had a riser cover, main pin cover or reserve pin cover open on me with all sorts of skydives at different speeds, etc. i have felt very secure with all of my mirages. good luck max Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #9 September 10, 2004 Both and excellent choice. I agree. Trends start at any given DZ. People like to buy what they see most of. Here are a couple of comparisons to help you in your decision making process: Reserve Pop Top Mirage: Internal Javelin: External Main Pin Closing Flap Mirage: Closes Up Javelin: Closes Down Riser Covers Mirage: An almost paranoid amount of protection Javelin: Good protection Asthetic Points Mirage: Very good looking clean design Javelin: Popular design. Most standard features, such as stainless steel. Odyssey can be ordered with specialty fabrics. Cost Points Mirage: If you get all the options will come out slightly higher than Odyssey Javelin: Also spendy, but slightly less so. Lead Time Mirage: Slightly faster than Sun Path Javelin: Working on getting that lead time down. There are pros and cons to each feature. Feel free to PM me if you have more technical questions. These are just my opinions. Worth what you paid for them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ostrich 0 #10 September 10, 2004 I own a g3 and and Odyssey. My next rig will be an Odyssey. Sunpath has better prices, and better customer support. Just my two cents. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #11 September 10, 2004 Good points except: QuoteLead Time Mirage: Slightly faster than Sun Path Javelin: Working on getting that lead time down. Last Mirage through my hands: 6 weeks. Last Javelin: 19 weeks.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #12 September 10, 2004 No telling what delivery times will be like with Florida being beat to death with hurricanes! A good number of manufacturer's of parachutes and harness-containers being 'based' there. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #13 September 10, 2004 QuoteAsthetic Points Mirage: Very good looking clean design Javelin: Popular design. Most standard features, such as stainless steel. Odyssey can be ordered with specialty fabrics. That entirely personal (well, not the fact about the fabrics). I, personnaly, find Mirages ugly as hell. But I would not use asthetics when recommending a gear to someone else.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nicknitro71 0 #14 September 10, 2004 Mirage vs Javelin = get a Wings Memento Audere Semper 903 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #15 September 10, 2004 QuoteQuoteAsthetic Points Mirage: Very good looking clean design Javelin: Popular design. Most standard features, such as stainless steel. Odyssey can be ordered with specialty fabrics. That entirely personal (well, not the fact about the fabrics). I, personnaly, find Mirages ugly as hell. But I would not use asthetics when recommending a gear to someone else. That is why I said: QuoteThese are just my opinions. Worth what you paid for them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattjw916 2 #16 September 10, 2004 I see a lot of Talon FSs and Voodoos at Eloy... the RW teams seem to favor Jav/Odyssey probably due to sponsorships which likely influence many of the airspeed wannabes to buy them as well. Since Square2 has a lot of Talon FSs for demo rigs and the fact that Rigging Innovations is co-located in Eloy probably contributes to seeing more of their work at the DZ. I also have seen quite a few Mirages among the pros but also pretty much everything else including Para. de France and some other rigs that are likely not of US origin. I have nothing but good things to say about the Talon FS that I have been jumping as of late but will likely buy a Voodoo when I get down to approx a 170 main.NSCR-2376, SCR-15080 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
f1freak 0 #17 September 10, 2004 OK.... I work for sunpath, let's get that out of the way.... What i would do if i were you is jump demo gear, hell it's the only way you will REALLY FEEL the difference. a new rig is a BIG purchace so dont just go with the flow, put the rigs on and make some jumps then make your choice. you will be happy that you did...HAVE FUN... ...JUST DONT DIE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #18 September 10, 2004 see if you can demo them both and find out which is best for you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #19 September 10, 2004 QuoteOK.... I work for sunpath, let's get that out of the way.... What i would do if i were you is jump demo gear, hell it's the only way you will REALLY FEEL the difference. a new rig is a BIG purchace so dont just go with the flow, put the rigs on and make some jumps then make your choice. you will be happy that you did... That is a great idea. However that luxury is not the reality of most smaller drop zones. If you are not in a So. Cal or Florida mecca, it's hard to demo a variety of containers. Another point I want to make, is talk to your local rigger. It is another thing to consider what he/she is familiar packing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
f1freak 0 #20 September 10, 2004 Give us a call, we will hook you up....you would never buy a car before test driving it (ok, so i'd buy a couple different Ferrari's with out test driving them...) so we think you should be able to "test drive" our rig...HAVE FUN... ...JUST DONT DIE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #21 September 11, 2004 Did you notice that he is in the UK? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #22 September 11, 2004 QuoteIt is purely a local fashion statement based upon which rig the local dealer prefers. Not always. Some dealers like to give their customers information about all the brands of equipment they sell and let the customer make their own decision. The dz my store is on is a "Javelin" dz. I jump an Infinity. I've sold Javelins, Infinities, Mirages, Wings and Racers to customers since I've been here. Other than that your points are right on. Don't believe the hype that one rig is "better" than all the rest. Every rig out there will do what you want it to do when you want it to do it. Every rig out there has had "issues." The "best" rig is the one that fits your body, your canopies, your budget and the length of time you are willing to wait for it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #23 September 11, 2004 Well said, Bytch, well said! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbrown 26 #24 September 11, 2004 I, personnaly, find Mirages ugly as hell. But I would not use asthetics when recommending a gear to someone else. I personally also think the Mirage is ugly as hell. They're boxy looking compared to any other rig. I've no doubt that they're a safe rig of high quality construction, but they look about as fat as some rigs from back in the old days. I have yet to see a Mirage that even tries to taper from the main to reserve container. I recently bought a very clean used Javelin that I'm extremely happy with. I'd been looking at the new market and for quality and price on a new rig had pretty well narrowed it down to either a Wings or Infinity. Ain't it great that we have so many wonderful and safe rigs ? That the only things we worry about are the extras, the price, and delivery times ? I think so. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whatever 0 #25 September 11, 2004 if you're in the UK and plan to stay there, I'd really look at the Teardrop SF 1 pin it's a nice rig and getting parts will be quicker and cheaper than with other rigs just something to thing about soon to be gone Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
it's a nice rig and getting parts will be quicker and cheaper than with other rigs
just something to thing about
soon to be gone
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