Is there anything wrong with having gear thats

[PilotLevi 0]

from the early 90s, 92-94 if everything is in decent condition?

thanks,
Levie

[jeremy_o 0]

Quote

if everything is in decent condition

I think you kinda said it yourself. Get a rigger's opinion, should be fine.

(I am not a rigger)

http://planetskydive.net/ - An online aggregation of skydiver's blogs.

[PilotLevi 0]

How common is it for someone to be using gear thats 15 years old?

[DJL 235]

I just retired some 15 year old gear, but it had been used severely. If it has been stored in the correct conditions then it should be OK. So find out how much and where it's been used/stored. Also, make sure that you can still get repair work done on it.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[PilotLevi 0]

Thank you.

[monkycndo 0]

My back up rig is from '95. It is just fine to jump. I use it for belly and wingsuit. Not quite as freefly friendly since the reserve pin cover can open up.

50 donations so far. Give it a try.

You know you want to spank it
Jump an Infinity

[deadbug 0]

Depends on what your going to use it for. Free flying not so much. Belly prob ok, have a rigger look at it. I have a Vector II with an old PD 218 in it that I use for CRW. It's old and it has pink on it but it works great for CRW. I wouldn't even think of freeflying with it.

Doug

[everymansaved 0]

A friend of mine just bought a vector from '92, and while it may be old, it hasn't been used in years, and was stored correctly. It needs to be converted from ROL to BOC, but other than that, it's awesome. She got a smokin deal, and the rig only has about 200 jumps on it! And along the same topic... anyone want to buy a Monarch 135? hehe.

God made firefighters so paramedics would have heroes...and someone can put out the trailer fires.

[dragon2 2]

My guess is that at least half the funjumpers here jump gear that old. Not every rig that old is freefly proof but the older Atoms for instance are pretty good.

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[MagicGuy 0]

I have a Talon 2 from '96 that has treated me great. It's not as old as some of the other gear out there, but I have seen a lot of Vector 2's that are in great condition, perfectly useable. As others have said, Vector 2's especially are not freefly friendly, so just be careful with that.

[livnbored 0]

Old gear isn't usually a problem. If it's a vector II, just make sure the velcro gets replaced regularly so you stand less of a chance of being smacked in the face by your risers in freefall ... or worse.
I won't pack reserves older than 20 years old, however. I figure, it's your reserve - why be cheap? If it's 20 years old, update it.
I still see people in old mirages and talons and hey... as long as they've been taken care of, they're fine.
Old gear does sometimes scare jumpers, but ask someone who's been in the sport awhile for their opinion, as well as your rigger's.
cheers

[kai2k1 0]

I jump a vector II that was manufactured in 1990. I have had no problems whatsoever. the gear was maintained and stored well.

My rigger inspects it at every reserve repack, and would not let me jump something that is unsafe of something that i could hurt myself on.

There's no truer sense of flying than sky diving," Scott Cowan

[iambeav2 0]

You know what!?!? Thank god for our riggers!!! I think many deserve a lot more respect than many of them get!!

...it's not the fact that you don't appreciate what you have until it's gone...it's the fact that you don't appreciate what you have until someone appreciates it for you!

[pirana 0]

Ha! I'm still jumping a Naro (from PISA) and have forgotten it's DOM - but it is old. I'm perfectly comfortable with it just based on what I perceive as it's very good condition; and much more importantly, my rigger's opinion. It's essentially a knock-off, and I just make sure to keep the velcro clean.

" . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

[brettski74 0]

Quote

from the early 90s, 92-94 if everything is in decent condition?

I jump gear that old and it's been fine for almost 100 jumps. I agree pretty much what everyone else says. Get your instructor and rigger to take a look at it.

Note that if this includes a CYPRES, they only have a service life of 12 years. I believe that they just cease to work (ie. refuse to turn on) once the 12 year lifespan has expired. Keep that in mind when shopping, but otherwise, old gear is good for a new new jumper. It's cheaper. It will probably hold it's value better than new gear, and with the money you save, you can go and buy more jumps so you learn to fly better before you splash out on your sexy new custom rig.

[dragon2 2]

Quote

Note that if this includes a CYPRES, they only have a service life of 12 years. I believe that they just cease to work (ie. refuse to turn on) once the 12 year lifespan has expired.

It's 12yrs and 3months, and they do not magically refuse to turn on

ciel bleu,
Saskia