From: king@glacier.Stanford.EDU (Robin King)
Subject: Re: Advice for new jumpers buying gear
Organization: Center for Integrated Systems, Stanford University, California
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 92 20:20:44 GMT

A few more opinions/ideas...

jerrys@umiacs.umd.edu (Jerry Sobieski) writes:
>A few opinions/rebuttals to Robin's comments about buying used/new gear...
>
>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. 

	I agree, but the buyer should still find good quality gear 
	that is generally familiar to most riggers, especially 
	the home DZ rigger.  

>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). 

	Absolutely on the packing manuals!  
	But wouldn't you say that with increased difficulty
	comes the potential for error?  I'd like my gear to be
	pretty straightforward to work on.

>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...

	Too true!  That's where I got my gear, and even though
	it's fine equipment the container is a little too wide 
	for me. It fit its previous owner (the sales guy) great
	though... :^/   Ask around for different opinions.

>>	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)

	Well, you don't need 100% or 50% or even 10% failure for
	something to be avoided...  Microlines don't stretch so
	so the shock is transferred to the risers.  With a small 
	main and moderately heavy jumper the risers are stressed
	more.

>
>>	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 (:-).

	You aren't supposed to bounce either but people make
	mistakes sometimes.  I know a few people, very experienced
	jumpers, who have had nylon in their face and got very
	nasty cuts (left scars).  If you think about all the collisions
	that happen these days on opening, not to mention CRW, it's
	a very real danger.  I've seen collisions happen when there
	was absolutely NO excuse for it: all the time in the world
	to avoid it and STILL...!

	Also, you're usually stuck with gear a long time and chances
	are fair that like me, you (generic) WILL be doing your first 
	CRW on original gear. (Most) people don't stay novices forever.  


RESERVES:
>>	Besides landing you hard 
>>	AND putting you down where the round wants to, ...
>
>Horse hockey.
	
	WHY?  A round isn't nearly as maneuverable as a square.
	Maybe the east coast is different but out here you have to
	avoid nasties like grape-stakes, ravines, freeways, steep
	hills and other large areas of rotten terrain.  And rounds 
	just don't land you like a square can.  Could you elaborate?

>
>Blue Skies
>Jerry
	
	Great input, thanks.  I just responded to a few points but 
	the info was excellent.

	Robin
	king@glacier.stanford.edu