Used rig from 1989, only 50 jumps?

[Ryan10700 0]

Good evening all. This is only my second post and I'm a new guy, so don't BOO me off stage yet!

I've been interested in the sport of skydiving for quite awhile and currently researching the best method for training and options for equipment. While digging around I found a used rig that is claimed to have had only 50 jumps from original owner on it for what sounds like a good price.

Here's the kicker.

Container- Talon, DOM March 1989
Main- Precision Aerodynamics Super Raven III- DOM March 1989
Reserve- Raven II- Never deployed, DOM March 1989.

Last repack on both chutes 1991.

The size of the container would fit my build- 6'-0" & 175lbs, and the chutes are 249sf. But what about the age? Please advise!

Ryan.

[theonlyski 8]

Have a rigger look over it, but I wouldn't pay much at all for it, 50 jumps or not.

"I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly
DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890
I'm an asshole, and I approve this message

[riggerrob 643]

Correction, the Raven III main canopy has about 249 square feet (depending upon which measuring method you use) and the Raven II reserve has about 180 square feet.
That rig would be fine as long as you don't hang more than 160 pounds under it.

Also remember that the early Talons had a long list of updates and Service Bulletins, not all of which were published. With the rig in my hands, I could tell you in five minutes which updates it needs. At a minimum, you will probably want to update the rig with a BOC and bridle cover.
You will probably also want to get Cypres pockets sewn in, since the rig was made before electronic AADs became fashionable.
Doing all the updates might add up to $300 ...

[Mountainsky1 0]

Pictures, man Pictures

[davelepka 4]

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I've been interested in the sport of skydiving for quite awhile and currently researching the best method for training and options for equipment

Take 'and equipment' out of that statement, and you'll be on the right track.

Step one, learn to skydive. You will be provided an appropriate rig for your first 25 jumps. Knock out your first 10, and make sure you like what you're seeing. During the next 10, experiment with the various student rigs the DZ has to offer, so long as your instructors approve. During the last 5, be actively shopping for an appropriately sized and airworthy rig.

Skydiving is not cheap. Skydiving equipment is not cheap. Trying to make either one cheap generally does not work out well in the end.

[Beatnik 2]

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Correction, the Raven III main canopy has about 249 square feet (depending upon which measuring method you use) and the Raven II reserve has about 180 square feet.

Raven II = 218 sq. ft.
Raven I = 181 sq. ft.

[SkyjunkySean 0]

isnt a raven II approx. 218 ? Raven approx. 181 ?

[LongWayToFall 0]

Raven I -181
Raven II -218
Raven III- 249
Raven IV- 282

[GLIDEANGLE 1]

1. Forget gear until you are well on your way to your license. Cart is before horse here.

2. Due to the many bad things that can happen during 19 ystorage storage, this rig is a wild card until it is inspected by a rigger! Exposure to sunlight or acid can cause sufficient damage to make repair uneconomic.

3. Assuming that the rig is safe, you will find that part of the reason it is such a bargain is that the canopies are made of a porous material which ages fairly quickly with use. Thus, this main has a relatively short lifespan compared to canopies made with zero porosity fabric. This fabric issue is NOT a problem on the reserve.

4. Does the rig have a reserve static line? You will probably want that. It MAY be possible to retro-fit one on the rig if it lacks one now.... More expense.

Blue Skies!

The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others!

[jdathome 0]

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4. Does the rig have a reserve static line? You will probably want that. It MAY be possible to retro-fit one on the rig if it lacks one now.... More expense.

Not to mention, the rig probably isn't set up for an AAD?...you'll probably want one of those!?!

Marriage is like a deck of cards. You start with two harts and a diamond only to discover you wish you had a club and a spade!

[ManagingPrime 0]

If I can offer some advice.

It's good that you are looking at gear. It helps a bit when it comes to understanding gear, but it's really early at this point. I started my AFF in August and did the same thing. You have a lot of work to focus on at this point in the game and after talking with people that watch you fly, riggers and packers, etc. (very important) you will have a much better idea of what you are looking for.

I still have not purchased a rig (trying to get down one more size) and I'm told there are a ton of good deals in the winter and very early spring. You will be surprised how flight characteristics can change so much with just a 10% change in canopy size.

Remember: Once you exit you are a dead man until you and your gear conspire to save your life. First learn how to save your life and then get some solid gear.

That's my $0.02...Have fun and welcome to the sport.

[Ron 10]

My first rig had a Raven II main and a Swift+ reserve.

The RII was 218sqft. At the time, I was about 140 pounds and had no issue with it.

It would have to be inspected as others have said things could have happened to it while it was being stored.

As others have also said.... Learn to skydive first.

This gear is old style... But could be used safely if it is in good condition. But F111 wears out faster than zp....

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[rhys 0]

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I still have not purchased a rig (trying to get down one more size)

I learned in 2002 and purchased an old racer with a swift plus reserve and a maveric 200. I did my first 800 jumps on that setup. I had 2000 jumps by the time I was in the sport for 2.5 years because I invested in more jumps rather than newer gear.

That rig got me in the air, it got me work filming tandems and before long I was rocking my vector 3 with my crossfire 109 (I downzized to a 120 at 800 jumps after jumping various canopies of various sizes) .

Different strokes for different folks, but downsizing should not be a priority for first gear, going skydiving as much as possible safely should be a priority.

The whole downsize thing has killed more people than jumping gear that is a bit outdated. Unless freefly is your priority, a talon in good condition could be a good first rig, If it only needs a couple of hundred bucks of mods to be servicable, then sweet.

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

[Ryan10700 0]

Thank you everyone for your input! I must agree that I am jumping the gun here. I definitely need to go through training and make sure this is right for me as well as get more acquainted with different gear and their characteristics. I hated to miss an opportunity at a good beginner rig that I might possibly sell after a few hundred jumps but saving a few $ isn't more important than saving my life!

Again, I think everyone and will do as suggested, take it slow. That adrenaline just gets pumping when I saw a rig so close to home and what seemed to be a great deal so I all I was thinking was let's go skydiving! But all in due time