Gear Buying advice - Demo , Used, or Other...

[rslavick 0]

I’m a new skydiver with 16 jumps and looking for some gear buying advice.

My drop zone has a demo program where I can put $1,000 down towards new gear.
Then pay $100/ month and have unlimited rentals, sampling all of the different canopy’s & containers.
But I must promise to buy new gear (reserve, main, and container [about $5-6K in total]) at some point in the future, when I know exactly what I want.

I figure I would demo and sample gear for at least a year or 150 – 200 jumps. I plan on jumping at least once a week. Currently it cost $75 a day to rent.

What do you think??

[idoru99 0]

I've been to Perris a few times and I must say. I like their demo program. It gives new jumpers an opporunity that a lot of jumpers never have. You've got the ability to try a number of different containers, mains and different combinations. Yes you can get demos directly from the manufacturers, but it's a lot easier just to show up and ask for a container and main, plus no shipping charges.
This program also allows you the opportunity to downsize in a sensible manner, instead of getting too small a main because they don't want to outgrow their main too soon.

Besides, doesn't all the money you put in, the initial 1000 and the monthly 100 go toward your rig? That just allows you to try a bunch of different equipment, basically on someone else's dime.

I hope this helps.

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The greatest risk you take in life is the risk you don't take.

[porterhouse 0]

Does the $1,000 down go towards the purchase of the new gear when you decide to buy?

[rslavick 0]

Yes, the $1,000 goes towards the gear. But the $100 a month fee does not.

However, you can put down a bigger deposit (ie. $4K) and then you have no monthly fee for 6 months, then $50/month fee after the 6th month.

Thanks for your help!

[porterhouse 0]

If the $1K goes towards the purchase, then I would definately go for it. It sounds like a great program (wish I did that when I started jumping). It will let you take your time and find the rig and canopy that is right for you. Plus, (as was already mentioned) you'll save a ton of money in the long run by downsizing through the demo program, and then buying good gear that if fitted just for you, which you won't outgrow for many years.

When your choosing the gear to purchase, just remember to do buy what feels right to you.

Definately do your research and ask around. But in the end, you have to buy what you like (not what someone else tells you is what you should buy, based on thier opinions). It's your dime. Get what you want. As your demoing, you're going to find a certain canopy that will just sing to you. You'll just absolutely love flying it. Same with a rig. There will be one that just seems to fit you so well and that you feel incredibly comfortable in. That's the gear you should buy.

Good luck!

[Butters 0]

From a math perspective.

If you jump 1 time/week at $75 per time. Then you will spend $2,100 in 6 months and $4,200 in 12 months on gear rental.

At $100 per month for 12 months you will save $3,000.

At $0 per month for 6 months then $50 per month for 6 months you will save $3,900.

The difference being this, if you rent gear you will spend $4,200 over the course of a year with nothing but the jumps, if you deposit $4,000 then you will spend $4,300 over the course of the year but recieve $4,000 towards new gear. Sounds like a good deal to me!

(Any chance you can talk my DZ into this deal for me?)

"That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch

[DrewEckhardt 0]

Quote

From a math perspective.

Assuming you bought a used rig for $2500 (not unreasonable) and put 150 jumps on it over a year, the main would depreciate about $150, container up to $150, and AAD $150. You'd spend about $50 on a repack every 120 days bringing the total ownership costs to $600, a $600 savings over the $100/month demo costs.

The rig will also be easier to sell when you're done with it than one that you bought brand new, even if you did not buy obnoxious colors.

[skybytch 273]

Being able to jump a variety of containers will help you decide which container brand fits your body the best. Being able to jump a variety of different canopies will help you decide which one you like the best. And being able to downsize slowly from student canopies to what you'll be happy with for a couple hundred jumps is priceless.

If you can afford to buy a new rig, the Square One demo program is the way to go.