From: jerrys@umiacs.umd.edu (Jerry Sobieski)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: Advice for new jumpers buying gear
Date: 5 Oct 92 16:06:54 GMT
Organization: UMIACS, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742

A few opinions/rebuttals to Robin's comments about buying used/new gear...


In article <1992Sep30.191533.22036@cascade.Stanford.EDU> king@glacier.Stanford.EDU (Robin King) writes:
>
>	Stay with the top name brands- don't get something  that's 
>	not mainstream (or you may end up w/ a main streamer :^).
>	Riggers like to deal with familiar gear too and when you need
>	something they'll be more likely to have a part on hand or
>	fix it quickly.

First, "top" name brands are not always the best.  While there are
several well known manufacturers, there are less widely used names that
still have quality equipment.  And some popular rigs on the west coast
may be relatively unknown in the east and vice versa.  For instance:
there are very few Talons found on the East coast US.  Sweet Hogs are good
rigs but not widely known (even though they have been around for many years),
Mirage containers were very popular several years ago, particularly in 
the south.  So, just because you don't see a rig at your dropzone, do not
assume it is dangerous or unsupported.

Then there is the "rigger friendly" marketing campaign.  Maybe I'm just
from the old school, but I don't buy gear based on how difficult it is for my 
rigger to repack.  I buy gear based on its operational functionality.  
I insist on getting the packing manuals with used equipment (or being 
able to get them from the manufacturer). 

The spare parts issue is real, particularly for things like freebags and
kicker plates.  IMO, you shouldn't rely on the local rigger to have
your spares, you should have them - particularly if you like to travel
and jump at other DZs.

>		
>	To me, the container is the most "personal" part of your
>	gear-- its style, type and fit affect you most.  

This is true.  But more importantly for beginners, you need flexibility
with your equipment.  There is a stage between student status and
you D license where you learn a great deal about the type of jumping
you want to do.  If you rush out and buy new equipment right off student
status, you will find yourself a 100 jumps later wishing you had a different
main (maybe faster, maybe smaller/larger, more suitable for Crew) or you 
may be tempted to get a canopy that is too much to handle too soon, 
and hurt yourself.

So, inexpensive used gear is a good way to get what you need NOW, without
dumping too much money into gear that you may be unhappy with soon.
Also, used gear retains its resale value better than new gear (kinda 
like cars), the moment you jump a new rig, the resale value drops 10-20%.

A beginners rig should be big enough to handle mid-range canopies
(i.e. ~175-225 sq ft).  For both main and reserve.  The size is important,
i.e. it should fit you reasonably well, but shape and looks are secondary.
You will notice wide variations in maintainence and care, and generally
the price will reflect this somewhat.

And as always, have your rigger look it over for safety considerations.
A note of caution here: it seems many students look to there local
DZ management for their first gear sales.  This can be a conflict of
interest on mgmt's part - the student may be better served
buying a less expensive or used rig, while the saleman would rather
they bought new.  The student (as buyer) must beware.  (I have rarely
seen mgmt compromise safety however, just to sell a rig).


>	don't get a main smaller than,
>	say, 195 ft2 (for your weight [Daryl's 135#]), stick with a 7 
>	or 9 cell; 

Students tend to start on rather large canopies, and transition down
to smaller faster canopies fairly quickly.  Most DZs realize this
and will have one or two transition canopies available for level 8s
and very light students.  For instance, Mantas are 288 (as I recall),
And Raiders are 220.  quite a significant difference.  But
20 or 30 jumps on a Raider (for someone weighing in at 135) and they
will likely be ready to step down again to say a 190 sq ft or even a
175-180 sq ft canopy.   I rented gear until I had about 35 jumps.  
It was financially
less of a strain, and in retrospect, allowed me to make a better 
decision when I finally had the money. 

>	Avoid micro lines on mini-risers-- 
>	one or the other but not both as it's not a structurally sound 
>	combination.  

I don't know about this...I have 500 jumps on microline/miniriser combo
with no adverse experience. (175 lbs suspended on a PD150)

>	I don't like micro lines, personally.  
>	They cut people up too easily in a collision, 

Geez Robin!  You aren't supposed to collide with people!  And I
doubt many novices really intend on doing a lot of 4way rotation 
CRW (:-).


>	RESERVES:   Buy a square over a round. 

...if you can afford it.  But rounds work just fine as reserves.

However, if you buy a round, and have never been trained to land one,
you should talk to your Instructor about it.  Its not difficult
or dangerous, just different.

Also, you should check used rigs to see whether they will accept
a square reserve.  This may be a consideration as a buyer.  Rounds
do not require 4 risers, and some older harnesses only have two
reserve risers.  A square reserve will require four reserve risers.


>	Besides landing you hard 
>	AND putting you down where the round wants to, ...

Horse hockey.


>	you'll have to 
>	ground yourself sooner on windy days than with a square reserve.  

This is true.  But then again, novices jumping in winds over
15 mph is not smart regardless of your reserve.


>	To help guide you in your quest for gear, find a GOOD RIGGER
>	NOW and stick with him/her as you would a family doctor.
>	Your rigger should be familiar with you and the kind of
>	jumping you do in addition to being familiar with your rig.  
>	Have your rigger help you select a rig that's right for YOU.

Just beware if your rigger is also a dealer :-)


>	DON'T BUY GEAR TILL YOUR RIGGER GOES THROUGH IT CAREFULLY!!

Good Idea.



>	If you botch landings
>	sometimes, wear knee pads (I know AFF jumpmasters who wear 
>	them just in case).  

A patient visits his doctor.  "Doctor, it hurts when
I go like this", he says as he hits himself in the head with a hammer.

"Well, don't go like that" replies the doctor.

{:-}

I believe most AFF jumpmasters who wear knee pads, wear them because they 
spend much of their time kneeling in the plane when working with the
students - this can be tough after 4 or 5 jumps a day or more.  I don't
know if I'd trust a jumpmaster who creamed in so often they needed knee
pads (:-)


>	Good luck to everyone.

Yup!

Blue Skies
Jerry




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