JustaBill 0 #1 November 4, 2004 I'm a newly licensed jumper with tentative permission from the wife to start window shopping for gear. I was originally going to go the used route, but looking through Parachutist I found a couple of ads for "gear bundles" Basically a Wings container, Pilot main, and Smart reserve. I figure with the options I would want could get the setup for about 3500. I was looking at allotting 3000 for used gear. My question is would it be worth the extra 500 for the all brand new, fitted to me stuff? I'm only going to get about 50 jumps a year do to work so I don't see myself downsizing much at all. Maybe (and that's a big maybe) one size in about 3 or 4 years. Will it be worth the extra money to go new or should I stick to my original plan and buy used? Thank you for any input.------------------------------------------------ I've done so much, with so little, for so long I'm now expected to do everything with nothing forever Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meltdown 0 #2 November 4, 2004 Those gear bundles don't contain a cypres, do they? I would seriously consider adding a used cypres, or buying a used rig with a cypres. Although the all new route seems pretty enticing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustaBill 0 #3 November 4, 2004 No they don't. That was also in the plan. Finding some kind of cypress to put in it. Be it used or new, depending on the finances.------------------------------------------------ I've done so much, with so little, for so long I'm now expected to do everything with nothing forever Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #4 November 4, 2004 A used Cypres with any life on it at all will run you probally $500+. So now you are looking at $4000 for a rig that won't get used that much, A much better plan is to get used gear with a cypres for probally about $3000 and put that extra money into more jumps.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nutz 0 #5 November 4, 2004 Hey man, I have a rig for sell with a cypres. It has a 190 main and a 250 reserve. I don't know what size you were looking for. (Price is negotiable - make me an offer. "Don't! Get! Eliminated!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustaBill 0 #6 November 4, 2004 Quote Hey man, I have a rig for sell with a cypres. It has a 190 main and a 250 reserve. I don't know what size you were looking for. (Price is negotiable - make me an offer. No money yet, hence the "tentative permission to window shop" Just feeling out my options at the moment. Hopefully by spring------------------------------------------------ I've done so much, with so little, for so long I'm now expected to do everything with nothing forever Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMURRAY 1 #7 November 4, 2004 I would buy used now and (maybe) buy new later. Tons of good used gear available - buy everything separately if needed to get exactly what you want. only callanging part is the container that fits. Don't be too picky about colors. Get an experience person to help you. rm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #8 November 4, 2004 If you can find complete rigs in the used market that meet your needs, probably your best bet. But if you're looking for canopies in the 200+ range, not so much inventory. I bought the container and reserve new, just found a suitable used main, bringing my total up to about 2800. Now it's tracking down a cypres in the next 2 weeks - that's been harder than I would have thought. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martini 0 #9 November 5, 2004 As usual it all comes down to what you can afford to do. Brand new custom fitted, custom colored gear is real nice and real expensive. There is a lot of good used gear available for much less bucks if you can find something that's adequate or better. BTW even though you think that you'll want to keep jumping your "new" gear for 3-4 years and only do 50 jumps/year you, like many other hooked fish, may find out differently. Most new jumpers seem to be better off buying used for their first rig. That will give you some time jumping your own rig inexpensively while learning what container and canopies will likely suit you for the next few years. It will also free up some bucks for jumpsuits, alti, helmet, beer etc.Sometimes you eat the bear.............. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chopchop 0 #10 November 5, 2004 My last rig purchase cost me $2,100. I pieced it together but ended up with a pretty nice rig. Wings container few years old with 1,000 jumps on it ($450), the PD reserve that was in it had 4 jumps on it ($500), a used cypress from Gravity Gear ($600) and a Stiletto 150 ($250) with 1,000 jumps on it that needed a reline ($200). Including reline and a repack, i ended up at just under $2,100. I bought it as a backup rig so I could stay busy on the video wheel at my dz. Probably put 200 jumps on it this past summer, jumping it as much as my Voodoo. Took me about a month to get all the parts and get it assembled. If you have all winter, shop, pick up the parts and peices you need as you see good deals. Make sure you buy what is appropriate for your experience but if you have time and little $$, take the time and piece it together. Use the rest for jump tickets. Edited to add: The equipment you listed in that bundle is excellent equipment and will treat you right, should you decide to part with the $$ go buy new. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adobelover 0 #11 November 5, 2004 We went the used route. My rig had less than 50 jumps on it... $1200 for a '97 Dolphin container, Triathlon 7-cell main, Tempo reserve, collapsable slider & pilot chute and $800 for the Vigil AAD. I love it! It fits sooo much better than student gear. My husband's rig had about 150 jumps on it...$2000 for a '96 Dolphin container, Rascal 9-cell, Raven 7 reserve and $1225 for a brand new Cypres2 . IF and when we order NEW rigs we will have a better idea of what we really want..._________________________________________ Old age ain't no place for sissies! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canuck 0 #12 November 5, 2004 Over the years I have owned a few different brand new rigs. Unless there is very good reason for it, like a team that wants matching gear, I don't see myself buying new ever again. The deals you can get on used gear are just too damn good! I gaurantee you can find an excellent used rig, with a Cypres in it, for $3000. And I'm not talking about some old baffed out F-111 main. As far as size goes, as long as you get a container that is articulated, and there are tons of them out there, any master rigger can custom fit that puppy to you for a marginal cost. Just my oppinion, Canuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustaBill 0 #13 November 6, 2004 Thanks for all the advice guys. There was some stuff mentioned that I didn't even think about. Another of the reasons I love this site, years of experience at your fingertips ------------------------------------------------ I've done so much, with so little, for so long I'm now expected to do everything with nothing forever Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #14 November 7, 2004 My rig cost me $1800, and it's a great rig! Silhouette 190, 800 jumps, brand new line set, PDR 176, Javelin container, all made in 1999, cypres with 4 years left that had just had its 8 year checkup. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wee 0 #15 November 7, 2004 you got a really good deal! I'm having a hard time finding one (w/aad) under $3,000 that fits me... which makes me kind of want to just buy used like he said Heidi If the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #16 November 7, 2004 If you find one without AAD, for around 2K, that's ok. You can almost always have a rigger add a used cypres. talk to the folks on here that work for or own gear stores, so they can keep an eye out for you. That's how I found mine. skybytch gravitygirl dgskydive kamamountz etc... I got my gear when a store was selling off their rental gear because they were getting new stuff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
