jonnym84 0 #1 September 10, 2003 I'm a student that is planning on graduating from AFF very soon and would like to get my own gear but people are telling mer to wait until my 50th jump or so to look into my own rig. Why is this? What advantage is there to waiting that long over buying now? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #2 September 10, 2003 Because your canopy controll will have a big progresion in the first 50-80 jumps. I wouldnt recommend any gear WL over 0.9 or 1.1 with a jump number ~10-15. After 50-80 jumps you may handle a canopy with WL 1.1-1.3. It flies better, its a bigger fun to fly those. Just count: what is cheaper: rent for 50-80 jump or buy now and sell at least the main after 100 jumps? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pwln 0 #3 September 10, 2003 Now I'm not one to give advice. I am just now getting my A Lic. I went ahead and got a used container and main(170). Got a New reserve(175) and Cypress 2. My WL is about .9 to 1. I'm well aware I'll want a new container and Main in about a year. I'm happy with it for now and only have to worry about the cost of a lift ticket or an occasional coach jump. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lazerq3 0 #4 September 10, 2003 I bought new reserve , new container and used main at 17 jumps. Made sure that the container I bought gave me plenty of room to downsize in the future... Started witha PD 170 and am now down to a HOR 150!!! Figure I'll fly that for a good couple years and I can still go down to a 135 when/if I'm ready for it!! So if you want to by gear now just think ahead of what you'll need to do to downsize if thats what your looking to do!! by the way I love the hell out of my container!! jasonFreedom of speech includes volume Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chrisky 0 #5 September 10, 2003 Simple as that: Do you know everything you like and need from your rig? Will you go more into RW or freeflying? What kind of canopy do you like (no, they are not all the same)? Every Canopy is different. I'd try to work out a deal with the people of your DZ for gear rental, they will likely give you a rebate. My recomendation is to wait. I have two examples for that, the first one is myself, the second a fellow jumper at my DZ. I bought my rig with about 60 jumps, when i had just downsized to a 150, getting to a wingload of about 1:1.17. I've had that rig for three years and a bit more than 200 jumps.That fellow jumper got his (brand new...) rig right after AFF and sold it only six month later, about sixty jumps. The rig he got then was really good for him, biggest size to fit was his "standard" size canopy by then, but it still has a lot of range for downsizing, so he will keep most of it for a long time. He admitted that it was a mistake to buy a rig at such an early stage, and he had to sell it for less than original price-rental cost for 60 jumps, so paying more in the end. Patience is a tough thing, i'm just waiting for my new container... But that is just my two cents...The mind is like a parachute - it only works once it's open. From the edge you just see more. ... Not every Swooper hooks & not every Hooker swoops ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airbigdaddy 0 #6 September 10, 2003 I have to disagree with phoenix on wing loading recommendations. First off: Wing loading is not universal across the board. A jumper with an exit weight of 260 with a 1:1 loading is NOT the same as a jumper who weighs 150 with the same wing loading. Anything 150' or smaller is considered a high performance parachute and should be treated as such. I have no idea what your exit weight is but even IF it's on the higher end, 1.1-1.3 is a VERY aggressive wing loading for a lower-time jumper. I think something that small would be a bad idea. When in doubt, choose the larger canopy and your body will thank you in the long run.-Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eurisko 0 #7 September 10, 2003 I will be doing my AFF shortly. I weigh about 140 out of the door, and had always planned on getting a rig as soon as possible. Is it not possible to get a container you are happy with and then just downsize the canopy in it. Nick----- Nick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jessica 0 #8 September 10, 2003 If you are willing to buy something you can fly NOW, and not "grow into," then buying your gear now is a fine idea. The problem is people just off AFF buying equipment that is too aggressive for them with the idea that it's something they can jump for a long time. While I was still in AFF, I found and bought equipment with a 170 main (at .9:1) and a 150 reserve. I jumped the main for 100 jumps, then downsized to a semi-elliptical 150, keeping the same container and reserve. Personally, I think renting gear for 50 jumps when you're sure you want to stay in the sport is a huge waste of money. Again, the bottom line is buy gear you can safely jump NOW, not something that you don't yet have the skill to fly. You can always switch out mains later.Skydiving is for cool people only Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hummusx 0 #9 September 10, 2003 As someone that just finished AFF this spring, I purchased a used rig from someone at my dropzone. The harness fit me well, and the container will allow me to downsize the canopy once with no problem. I had about 40 jumps when I purchased it and have made about 30 more since. I don't think that waiting till you can get to a higher wing loading is a good idea. Why not just get something that works for you now and then sell it/buy something else when you are ready? I woudn't just go out and get the first thing you see, but if you find something that seems decent (talk with your rigger/JM), I'd go for it. It seems to me that used gear holds its value pretty well if you take care of it, so you should be able to resell it when you are ready. ____________________________________ It’s like selling a million grills all at the same time…with extended warranties. -Hank Hill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lazyfrog 0 #10 September 10, 2003 well you can get a rig and then downsize the canopy... IF your rig can fit different sizes and your first canopy is the biggest size and your next canopy is slightly smaller... Maybe better if you really want your own rig to find a 2nd hand one , put some jumps on it and when you downsize get something else...---------- Fumer tue, péter pue ------------- ourson #10, Mosquito Uno, CBT 579 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,991 #11 September 10, 2003 >What advantage is there to waiting that long over buying now? Just money. You'll probably downsize a few times between now and 50-100 jumps. Buying three different canopies might be more than just renting. OTOH you can get decent used gear, put a canopy one size too large in it, then downsize until you're one size too small for it (containers will accomodate some difference in size from what they were designed for.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
apoil 0 #12 September 10, 2003 QuoteBecause your canopy controll will have a big progresion in the first 50-80 jumps. I wouldnt recommend any gear WL over 0.9 or 1.1 with a jump number ~10-15. After 50-80 jumps you may handle a canopy with WL 1.1-1.3. It flies better, its a bigger fun to fly those. Just count: what is cheaper: rent for 50-80 jump or buy now and sell at least the main after 100 jumps? And I have quite the opposite opinion. Get gear as soon as possible after AFF. Gear that fits comfortably and gear that is safe enough to freefly in so that you can at least dabble in that while you get the basics down. It's hard to learn on rental and student gear. Unless your dropzone has an excellent demo/rental program (most don't) you will suffer constantly under that gear, and it will hinder learning. You don't need to progress to that next canopy after 100 jumps. Go for the maybe too big canopy that you will eventually outgrow NOW, jump the SHIT out of it - 200-300 jumps or more. You don't need to get to 1.3 wingloading right away. And 50-80 jumps is way to soon to be at 1.3 according to nearly all conventional wisdom. Remember that the ace swoopers, the ones who run canopy schools, typically have 1000 jumps at 1.1 or less. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lazerq3 0 #13 September 10, 2003 QuoteIs it not possible to get a container you are happy with and then just downsize the canopy in it. Yes its possible ..I guess I was one of the lucky ones ...I bought mine NEW ...made sure it was freefly friendly and like I stated above I have plenty of room and to downsize in it when I see fit!! jsut look at what your container can hold now and then how small it can for...again for me ..170 biggest... 135 smallest depending on pack volume..... for the amount I get to jump I'm at a 150 and it will be a looong while before I ever go down to a 135.....so it all worked out for me..and I'm sure I'm not the only one!! jasonFreedom of speech includes volume Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sammer 0 #14 September 10, 2003 I was in your position just a few months ago. My instructors and coach talked me out of buying a rig then, and I am glad they did. Then I was looking at buying a 235 main...30 jumps later I am under a 190. Aside from the wingloading issue, you are going to learn a lot about gear in the next 50 jumps. For now, I would recomend getting an altimeter, helmet, goggles and maybe a jumpsuit. Spend the next 35-50 jumps trying trying different canopies and then you will have a much better idea what will serve you better in the long run. - Sam Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iamspoild 0 #15 September 10, 2003 jonnym, I'm even greener than you are - so I'll keep my trap shut. I am in the process of absorbing all the reliable info I can get my hands on though. If you haven't been out to PD's education page - this link might interest you (good stuff on wing loading). http://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/choosing1.pdf peace. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #16 September 10, 2003 Clicky!~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
