Vector V3 sizing (need riggers advice)

[Trev_S 0]

Can some one please explain the Vector V3 sizing chart for me.

I'm 88kgs and looking at buying my first rig (at least a new container)

I'm buying a 2nd hand rig with a;
Cypress 2 DOM 06/2012
Sabre 2 190 (60 jumps)

I'm thinking of buying a new Vector 3 container and a smart reserve 175 and using the Cypress and Sabre2 from the 2nd hand rig. I want to buy a container that will fit the 175 reserve and the sabre 2 190 but I also want to be able to downsize to a 170 main and maybe even a 150 in the future without buying a new container. Will the V348M be OK for the Sabre 2 190? Or will I need to get the V350M? What would be the smallest main/reserve to fit each?

Link to size chart here:
http://www.paragear.com/info/vectorsizingchart.asp

Thanks in advance

[davelepka 4]

A couple of general comments - I'm pretty sure that 88kgs is 194lbs, so you're more like 215lbs out the door. At that weight, a 175 reserve might be on the smaller side for a first rig. Truthfully, the 190 main might be 'borderline' too small, but just maybe. The 175 is a mistake.

Another mistake is trying to buy gear for some time in the future. Buy what you can safely jump today, then outgrow it, then buy something smaller. By that method, you'll start off 'safe' and only get 'safer' as your skills improve. Then you can downsize to another 'safe' size, and begin the process over again.

Doing it the other way means you start off 'unsafe', and then you just hope that your skills will improve to meet the gear you have chosen.

This is why I suggest used gear for a frist (and second rig). You can buy and sell that stuff generally without putting out too much additional cash (after you buy the first one), and so you're less tempted to overstuff a rig, or under-size a reserve.

None of this is mentioning the huge pile of cash you'll save buying used. Spend the money on jumps, canopy courses, and more jumps. Those things will be far more valuable in the long run than a brand-new anything today. Solid, airworthy used gear will do the same job as the new stuff, and leave you way more dough for jumps.

[skybytch 273]

Dave is talking sense. At 195 body weight and 13 jumps, a 175 reserve will not be something you'll have fun landing should you need to use it at sunset on a bad spot on your second jump on the rig. Size your reserve for the worst case - not for what you think you can safely land in perfect conditions on the dz.

Unless you're already a paid packer or plan to always use paid packers, guaranteed that you will NOT enjoy packing a main that is one size bigger than what the container manufacturer says will go into it. Putting 190 sq ft of slippery shit into a space designed for it is fun enough when you're learning. Trying to cram it into a space designed for 170 sq ft is going to suck. And your rig will look like shit. And you'll be putting excessive stress on the closing flaps.

That said, the best way to order a new container is to tell the manufacturer the canopies and line type you'll be putting in it and then let THEM decide what size container will work best. They've only been building Vector 3's for a few years, they just might know what will and won't fit (safely).

[Joellercoaster 6]

Trev: I'm about your size, have jumped the exact canopies you are proposing, and what the two very experienced people above have said is the truth.

Don't size your reserve with "only going to have to land it occasionally" in mind.

Size it with "when I have to land it, I'm going to be high on adrenaline, low, off the dropzone in poor visibility and under an unfamiliar canopy" in mind.

I weigh the same as you (maybe a few kilos more, I was 227 geared up last time I weighed myself (do this, it's an eye opener)), have a reasonable number more jumps, and my reserve is only one size down from what you're proposing... and my next rig will have the same size reserve as well. For a big lad, 175 is aggressive even a couple of hundred jumps from now!

Good luck with your gear choices... I love my Vector, but waiting six months for the next one is simply not going to happen

--
"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?

[Trev_S 0]

Thanks for the tips guys.
I wasn't going to buy anything without checking with instructors at the DZ first. 190 is what was suggested as my first by my instructors but that's under the assumptions I've done a few more jumps. I've been jumping 230 student rigs and landing them quite well in mixed conditions (up to 15 knots). Even as inexperienced as I am I can feel how docile the 230 is. I know it's a decent step from a 230 down to a 190 but I feel fairly confident I can land it without fucking myself up too badly. I'll be jumping a student 190 before buying anything and the seller has even offered to let me jump his rig with either a 210 spectre or the 190 sabre2 before I buy it. The only issue is he is 95kg and an inch taller than me and the previous owner was taller and heavier again so I may be a little small for it. If I do end up having to buy a new container then I will rethink that 175 reserve, I had not mentioned it to instructors yet but I suspect they will advise on the same lines as you guys. My thinking was, "I can deal with a hard landing under a small reserve, at least i'll live" but after the above comments I can see this may be a rookie mistake .

I do plan on buying second hand but it's hard to find good gear here in Aus. I'm not in any hurry though. I'm happy to use the DZ gear for a little while longer yet.

Thanks again. If I have to get a new container I'll shop for one that can fit a both a 190 main and 190 reserve.

[skybytch 273]

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I know it's a decent step from a 230 down to a 190 but I feel fairly confident I can land it without fucking myself up too badly

Uh huh. Make sure you do that in no wind conditions so you get a real good idea of just how fast a 190 is going to fly.

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The only issue is he is 95kg and an inch taller than me and the previous owner was taller and heavier again so I may be a little small for it.

The harness might be a bit large for you, but in many cases as long as they weren't bowling ball shaped it will likely work for you. You can also have a harness resized for far less than you'd spend on a new container.

If you do decide to buy a new one, the fact that you are not finding much used gear in the sizes you are looking for bodes well for future resale - both in value and in speed of sale.

[davelepka 4]

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I do plan on buying second hand but it's hard to find good gear here in Aus

Send a PM to 'likestojump' on this site. His name is Paul, and he deals in used gear. He's got a great reputation (do a search for his user name), and does a good portion of his dealing internationally, so shipping and money transfers across the Pacific are nothing new to him.

[Trev_S 0]

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I do plan on buying second hand but it's hard to find good gear here in Aus

Send a PM to 'likestojump' on this site. His name is Paul, and he deals in used gear. He's got a great reputation (do a search for his user name), and does a good portion of his dealing internationally, so shipping and money transfers across the Pacific are nothing new to him.

Thanks, I may do that if I need to.
However I just tried on the 2nd hand rig I was talking about and it seems to fit OK. I'm going to the DZ next weekend to have the rigger go over it with me and make sure it's suitable.

Will fork out for a nice new rig after a few hundred jumps and a canopy course or two (Aussie canopy champion runs a course at my local DZ ).

[popsjumper 2]

Trev...for what it's worth, it's impressive that you are listening and learning and being somewhat conservative.

Good stuff.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[Trev_S 0]

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Trev...for what it's worth, it's impressive that you are listening and learning and being somewhat conservative.

Good stuff.

haha, I love skydiving too much! If listening helps keeps me alive then great, I'll be able to jump for longer .

I'm not overly eager to downsize, I still get off on freefall and that keeps me happy. I'm just eager to get brand new gear. I think I'll just jump this second hand 190 rig for a couple of hundred and be patient .