Finding used gear my size.

[MB38 0]

I'm 6'3" and about 175... tall and skinny [32" waist, 36" inseam]. I've been rummaging around in the classifieds here and on Square 1's site, but most rigs seem to hold anything from about 107-140 on average. Finding one that'll hold a 200-230 hasn't happened.

Any ideas on other sites to peruse? I'm not going to be buying for a while [completely broke] but I'd like to rummage around and see what I'll be looking at when the time comes.

I really don't know what I'm talking about.

[grue 1]

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I'm 6'3" and about 175... tall and skinny [32" waist, 36" inseam]. I've been rummaging around in the classifieds here and on Square 1's site, but most rigs seem to hold anything from about 107-140 on average. Finding one that'll hold a 200-230 hasn't happened.

Any ideas on other sites to peruse? I'm not going to be buying for a while [completely broke] but I'd like to rummage around and see what I'll be looking at when the time comes.

Keep looking around, it'll be easier than you think, especially with fall/winter coming up. I had a similar problem, but more extreme. I'm 6'3", but fairly well built (220lbs)... and I have a long torso. I have a 31" inseam, which means I effectively had to look for people selling rigs for someone 6'6" or more. THAT was such a retarded situation I gave up and ordered new, but I remember seeing a lot of gear for the 6'3" or so crowd, the caveat is that the canopies were typically F-111, which I didn't wanna deal with. You might be able to convince someone to sell without the canopy, or just resell it and put in a ZP canopy.

cavete terrae.

[NWFlyer 2]

Post a "wanted" ad here... I found my container/reserve fairly easily (used) and bought my AAD new, but wasn't seeing any listings for the main I wanted. I posted a "wanted" ad and had a reply from a dealer within a couple of days.

Can't hurt, anyway (well, as long as you keep an eye out for those scams that HH is trying to get rid of).

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[bob.dino 1]

That's 'coz stuff in that size goes really really quickly. It's popular enough that there's often no need to advertise it on dz.com - it'll sell at the local DZ to folk like you!

So, as NWFlyer suggested, post a Wanted ad. Also, ask around at your DZ. You'll be surprised at what might pop up.

[GravityGirl 0]

The used gear market is a hard one to shop for the future. When budget allows be ready to buy when the right opportunity comes along.

You can also call various gear dealers who carry used gear. Most do. Including myself. I speak for myself, but I think other dealers may be in a similar situation. Used gear in 170 - 210 comes and goes so quickly, that many times I never update my web site. So it's worth a call. I have a wait list for certain requests. That way, I can give you a shout if a match comes along.

Start local and work your way out. It's best if you can try stuff on in person. Although there are measures you can take to help determine fit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peace and Blue Skies!
Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

[Joellercoaster 6]

(FWIW, I'm in the same boat - slightly extreme body shape seeking buying gear.)

Canopies: the upside of what GravityGirl says is that, if you can't find the size you want - buying a new main of a popular design (say, Pilot 188 or Spectre 190) means that when you do want to get something zippier, you will have no trouble selling it for not much less than you paid. You don't see them listed online because people don't have to; word gets around and they get snapped up.

Containers: This is trickier. I'm 6'5" and thin, and spent a couple of months trying to find a secondhand rig that might fit. The only one I found was sold before I got to it, and because it was a Vector3, more expensive than the new midrange container I've ended up having to buy anyway.

Sucks eh?

(OTOH, I guess I do get custom everything now, so it ain't all bad - even if I do end up living on pot noodles for three months )

[edit: speling]

--
"I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan

"You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

[MB38 0]

This is great, thanks for all the responses. I do have some generic "used gear" questions, of course.

How long ago was there a big shift in skydiving technology? The kind of advance that has gear looked at as "pre _____" and "post ____". The reason I ask is that I see containers from about '95-present running for remarkably similar prices... with prices dropping dramatically as their DOM dips into the 80s. Is there something that a '04 container is going to have that a '94 wouldn't?

As far as I can tell, the biggest differences appear to come from CYPRES compatibility. Is there any other giant thing that I should keep my eyes peeled for?

I've been spoiled so far of course... I'm a student. '04 Icon holding an '04 Solo. New gear that almost fits... fun!

Oo, one more question that I didn't think about before. Is it worth renting gear until I get down to a decent size [lets say a container with a 190 as its largest main... allowing me to downsize over time] or should I find one that fits me sooner [i.e. a container with a 200-230 capacity] and sell it when I downsize? I just can't get my bearings on the pricing. $65 a day to rent a rig or a few grand to buy it... and sell it back in a year?

Oy.

I really don't know what I'm talking about.

[bwilling 0]

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Is it worth renting gear until I get down to a decent size

That depends on what you can find on the used gear market... if you can buy a rig, jump it for a while, then resell it to downsize, and the total cost of that transaction is less (your purchase price minus your selling price, usually less after you've put some more jumps on it) than the cost of having rented gear during that same period, then you're money ahead. And you've had the same set of gear to jump during that time period, and there's something to be said for consistency in your gear, especially early on...

"If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

[Zoter 0]

you might want to check out todays classifieds !

[skybytch 273]

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How long ago was there a big shift in skydiving technology? The kind of advance that has gear looked at as "pre _____" and "post ____".

For containers, around 1996. That's about when container manufacturers reacted to customer demands for "freefly friendly" gear. The big differences between a 2004 container and a 1994 container would be the lack of velcro, more secure flaps and better bridle and riser protection on the newer rig.

Harness technology also changed through the late 90's. Most pre-1995-ish harnesses won't have rings, thus reducing the overall value of the rig.

All containers manufactured in the US came Cypres ready starting in 1993.

[MB38 0]

And now the obligatory question: will there be any safety difference between a 2005 rig and a 1995 rig? I'll probably buy a new/fairly new Smart or PD reserve... and perhaps a Student Cypres with a few years left just to save money... an older container should be fine? I don't imagine much has changed... it's just a container.

I really don't know what I'm talking about.

[EvilLurker 2]

MB, I sent you an e-mail.

frizzo

[bmcd308 0]

Talk to some other people before you get a student Cypres.

----------------------------------
www.jumpelvis.com

[skybytch 273]

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will there be any safety difference between a 2005 rig and a 1995 rig?

Depends on the container. 1995 Javelins don't have the tuck in top reserve flap; some people will tell you that makes them less safe than a 2005 Javelin that does have the tuck in top reserve flap. There have been a lot of little tweaks like this to every container design in the past ten years.

Buy what you can afford. Learn and respect it's limitations (and any limitations it may put on your skydiving). There's nothing wrong with older gear as long as it's operated within it's performance envelope. It's when you want to operate it outside that envelope that things start getting hinky.

[MB38 0]

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Talk to some other people before you get a student Cypres.

Will do.

I really don't know what I'm talking about.

[EvilLurker 2]

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Talk to some other people before you get a student Cypres.

Are you aware that you can use the "offset" function on an Expert CYPRES to have it fire at the higher altitude of a Student model? Check the operating manual, you might want to consider that as an option.

[AndyMan 7]

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Are you aware that you can use the "offset" function on an Expert CYPRES to have it fire at the higher altitude of a Student model?

Student Cypres's do not fire at a higher altitude.

They fire at a slower speed. Read the manual.

Generally, student Cypres's are only used by students, and occaisionally on DZ rental gear - depending if the DZ uses a different set of gear for students and post 'a' license jumpers.

Some DZ's are switching their student gear to expert Cypres's.

I don't know anybody recomending student Cypres's to licensed skydivers.

You can not make an expert Cypres act like a student one by adjusting settings.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[bob.dino 1]

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Student Cypres's do not fire at a higher altitude.

They fire at a slower speed. Read the manual.

You're wrong. From page 10 of the manual:

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It will activate the EOS when the rate of descent exceeds 29mph (13m/sec). The activation altitude is split. In the case of rate of descent being equal to that of freefall the opening altitude is at approx. 750 feet, being the same as with Expert CYPRES. However, should the rate of descent be lower than that of freefall but still above the limit of 29mph (e.g. with partially opened canopy), then Student CYPRES activates the EOS when the altitude decreases below 1000 feet above ground level.

In other words, if your descent rate is greater than 78mph, it'll fire at 750ft. If your descent rate is lower than this but above 29mph, it'll fire at 1000ft.

[MB38 0]

The Student Cypres will fire at 39mph. The expert Cypres will fire at 79mph. That's the only difference.

The reason I would go with a Student Cypres is because so many folks are switching to the expert... they're plentiful and cheap. Frankly, under a 200-230' main, I'm probably not going to exceed 39mph at 800' unless I'm having a mal. At least that's my guess. If I'm making a judgement mistake, please let me know.

I really don't know what I'm talking about.

[bob.dino 1]

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The Student Cypres will fire at 39mph. The expert Cypres will fire at 79mph. That's the only difference.

No it isn't. Read the manual. Or at least the bit I quoted just above. C'mon. It's not that hard .

[MB38 0]

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The Student Cypres will fire at 39mph. The expert Cypres will fire at 79mph. That's the only difference.

No it isn't. Read the manual. Or at least the bit I quoted just above. C'mon. It's not that hard .

I think we must've posted simultaneously... I didn't see that when I made my reply. Oops! I was just going on what my AFFI told me.

I really don't know what I'm talking about.

[bob.dino 1]

I vividly recall asking five instructors about Cypres operation when I was going through my AFF program. I got four different answers, none of which were 100% correct.

[AndyMan 7]

No...

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In other words, if your descent rate is greater than 78mph, it'll fire at 750ft. If your descent rate is lower than this but above 29mph, it'll fire at 1000ft.

In freefall, it'll fire at 750 feet, the exact same as the Expert Cypres - hence my post.

Under a malfunctioning canopy, it will fire at any altitude below 1000 if the canopy exceeds 29 mph. It could fire at 1000, or 800, or 200. However, the previous discussion was about freefall, not canopy malfunctions. The poster stated that you can raise the (freefall) firing altitude of the student to match the Cypres. The freefall firing altitude of the student Cypres is the same as the expert one.

For the record, exceeding 29mph under canopy is not terribly dificult once the pilot starts playing with risers. They are not recomended for post 'a' license jumpers.


_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[riggerrob 643]

The reason I would go with a Student Cypres is because so many folks are switching to the expert... they're plentiful and cheap.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Student Cypres may be plentiful in California, but they are scarce in many countries (i.e. Canada). Most older schools in Canada still use FXC 12000. Few Canadian schools can afford Student Cypres.
Better-financed schools tend to buy 8 or 10 year old Expert Cypres for student and rental gear.

[MB38 0]

Does this seem like BS to you guys? $400 CA is about $330-350 US... with the user registered less than 7 days before the post, it seems like 100% bull. A custom brand new container for an impossible price...

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/detail_page.cgi?ID=25538&d=1

Here's my correspondence so far.

"Can you provide some more information on the container you're selling? Size, max canopy size, color scheme, etc? Thanks!"


"Hi Brook,
go on the site www.skydivewings.com/orderinginfo.html and you'll see what the standard container includes and what are options you can choose...It's custom made so you can choose the size you want...
Valérie"

"Hi brook

i inform myself and you can choose the size and max canopy size you want because its custom made. about color scheme, the yin yan scheme is optional but regular scheme is include.


Valérie"

I really don't know what I'm talking about.