schon267 0 #1 December 24, 2006 vector 1 v-4, dom 2/88--- how long are these good and airworthy?? and I'm doing mostly relative work (62 jumps), but I like to try and sit and do some freeflying. will this container be o.k with all that?? precision aerodynamics falcoln 215 main? dom 1/89 what about this main?? how long is it good for using? ravenII 218 reserve dom 1/89?? same questions 500 total jumps on this set up, no mals and it says rigger owned and maintained before this person put 18 jumps on it. I'm 5-7 , 200lbs, I think the container is the right size for my build, any help is appreciated, I'm sorry it will take a long answer, but I'm a newbie who doesn't know enough to make an informed decision on his own about buying a rig?? especially a used one?? thanks for the help, steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mark 107 #2 December 25, 2006 Didn't we just do a thread like this? Here's a quote from that thread, by GravityGirl: QuoteYou are jumping out of an airplane. Hurling your body at the ground at 120+ MPH. Your actions and your gear are the only things that can save your life. Don't second guess yourself. Don't jump gear that you will be second guessing. Besides the safety factor, lets talk economics. If you buy a POS for $900, you will likely be the last guy holding the bag. i.e. you'll have one hell of time selling it. When you upgrade to newer gear, you have lost $900. If you buy more modern sport gear for around $3,000, you can put 100 - 200 jumps on it and sell it for slightly under (if not the same price) as what you spent. Trade straight across or within a couple hundred dollars. Even if you don't have the money now, it makes sense to rent a little longer, save money and buy something that is both safe and a good value for your money. The Cypres is worth something. The rest of it, not much. I've had two unintended reserve openings on a Vector-1 like that, in an aircraft in flight. The photo of the rig looks like the reserve has the original Vector-1 small top reserve pilot chute. Most of these have been replaced because riggers didn't want to bother with testing the spring at every repack. Has this reserve spring been tested at every repack? Also, the rig was not originally made for an AAD; I've seen some interesting after-market adaptations. Finally the rig was made without an RSL; adding an RSL will set you back $250-300. Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jarrodh 0 #3 December 25, 2006 Quotevector 1 v-4, dom 2/88--- how long are these good and airworthy?? and I'm doing mostly relative work (62 jumps), but I like to try and sit and do some freeflying. will this container be o.k with all that?? precision aerodynamics falcoln 215 main? dom 1/89 what about this main?? how long is it good for using? ravenII 218 reserve dom 1/89?? same questions 500 total jumps on this set up, no mals and it says rigger owned and maintained before this person put 18 jumps on it. I'm 5-7 , 200lbs, I think the container is the right size for my build, any help is appreciated, I'm sorry it will take a long answer, but I'm a newbie who doesn't know enough to make an informed decision on his own about buying a rig?? especially a used one?? thanks for the help, steve Im in no position to give gear advice really with the limited experience I have in this sport but I did a lot of research before I bought my Vector II rig so I think i can give you some tips. Ive found that you probably shouldnt buy that container (V2) for anything more than a couple hundred bucks since you cant really resell it since its not new and really isnt freefly friendly. And this is all for the Vector II which is a significantly more modern rig in terms of pin protection and reserve spring quality then the Vector I, so I probably wouldnt get the set up your looking at. My advice to you would be to at the oldest get a Vector II which I think for a broke college student like myself is a fine rig if well maintained and used properly. i dont think youll find anyone willing to buy a Vector I. There just to old and for the same low price you can get something like a Vector II or an old Javelin which is much more current in its build and safety standards. When it comes to your canopy you probably want to buy a canopy with a ZP(zero porosity=lets no air through it) fabric. If you cant afford a ZP main you can get an f111 (has porosity=lets air through it) canopy with no more than 500 jumps on it since after that it will lose its flare power and wont be as responsive. Theres nothing wrong with an f111 main ,which im assuming the falcon 215 is, that is well maintained with not tons of jumps on it. Getting an f111 main is another way to cut costs on your first rig but if you have the money (which I didnt) you should get ZP. It will last longer and have more of an effective flare. As for the reserve I cant really give any tips since I dont know much about them but I assume if its never been jumped and is in good shape (approved by rigger) than ya it can be purchased. But if you do get the Vector I (which probably isnt your best choice for the money) then make sure the spring has been updated/replaced since they apparently weakened over time. How much were you gonna buy all this for??? If you are looking for a good first rig there are plenty of Vector II's, old Javelins, and other used but perfectly airworthy gear in the Classifieds on this site. Good Luck and remember that it is OK to rent gear for a while before you get your first rig so you can assure you are getting a good deal on a rig that is one safe and two comfortable/attractive.2 BITS....4 BITS....6 BITS....A DOLLAR!....ALL FOR THE GATORS....STAND UP AND HOLLER!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #4 December 25, 2006 Even if it only had 100 jumps on the rig, the container is worth nothing - really, it has no monetary value at all, it will probably cost money to get it jumpable. That doesn't mean it isn't airworthy, just that you should apply no value to it. The main could sell for 2-300 if it was in outstanding condition. The reserve might get you 3-400.People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,313 #5 December 25, 2006 Walk away.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
schon267 0 #6 December 25, 2006 thanks for the opinions, it means alot to me!! just trying to negotiate my way through this awsome sport!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,313 #7 December 25, 2006 No worries, mate. That's what we're here for. There's several good articles in the "Safety" section; one of which written by Lisa for folks like yourself: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=46 And, as always, the disclaimer for gear questions from novices in search is to always feel free to approach your instructors for advice (preferably after the beer light comes on), your local rigger and of course your local gear distributor (most of whom are instructors themselves and will help guide you through this sometimes curious maze). Blue skies..Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
