Some Tips on Buying Your First Rig

Posted Sunday, February 25, 2001

By Lisa Briggs

You've decided on a few containers you like, a reserve size and shape, an AAD (or not), and what size and possibly brand of main you want. Now it's time to try some out.You wouldn't buy a new car without taking it for a test drive. You'll be happiest with your new rig if you've had a chance to test drive your choices before you order.

If you're lucky enough to live close or travel to a DZ or gear store that offers demo gear, take full advantage of them! If possible, put a couple of jumps on each container and each brand/size main you are interested in. Be fair, though, and buy at least part of your rig from any company that offers you free demos. Your local gear dealer may be able to get a demo canopy shipped out for your use from the manufacturer, and several manufacturers make free demo equipment available to all at major skydiving events throughout the world.

If you can't get to demo gear, or can't get it to come to you, check out your friend's gear. Ask if you can try their rigs on (if you are close in size). Ask them why they chose what they did. A good friend might even let you jump their main. Your job is a little more difficult this way, but with some persistence you should be able to at least try on what you are interested in.

Once you know what you want, it's time to take a long hard look at the budget and decide what you can afford. Your gear budget will answer the first question...new or used? If the numbers say new, you have yet another choice to make: custom or stock?

Before going any further in your search, get a cloth measuring tape and a friend and get your basic body measurements. Use only a cloth measuring tape! Rulers don't bend to adjust for your body's curves. Don't try to measure yourself; it is nearly impossible to get the correct measurements that way. You should end up with a better fitting harness if you know your height, weight, inseam (measurement from crotch to floor), chest, waist and hip measurements. If you are ordering over the phone, it's helpful if you keep the measurements handy while you talk to the various gear dealers.

Buying New Gear

Most major equipment dealers keep some gear in stock. If you aren't real picky about exact color matching, they can usually ship you a complete rig of your choice as soon as they have your money. This is the way to go if you want new but don't want to wait. It may require some calling around to find everything that you want in your sizes, though.

If you are willing to wait, order a completely custom rig made to your specifications both in size and colors. The harness will fit you better than anything you've jumped before, and you can also have your gear colors "match", important to the style conscious skydiver.

You can also order a custom container and fill it with stock canopies. Some manufacturers offer delivery in as fast as ten days, so this could get you that custom new rig considerably faster than 8 weeks, the average wait for a custom parachute.

When ordering custom new gear, you get to choose which colors to use and where to put them. This freedom of choice has resulted in some very classy looking rigs and also some rather unattractive gear, as a quick look around any drop zone will show.

An easy out is to order everything black. This strategy works equally well with any one color; be aware, though, that the "same color" in different fabrics may not match. You could end up with 3 or 4 different shades of your color (even black), which is really bad only if you're really picky.

If monochrome isn't your look, try choosing two or three colors for everything. This will keep your task simpler as you'll have fewer colors to juggle.

Color choice is very personal. If you have a favorite color or colors, use them! If you want to make a statement, choose loud, bright colors and a creative arrangement. If you'd rather not be noticed for your gear, stick with black, silver, and other "neutral" colors, with perhaps one bright color as an accent.

If you have no color sense and you know it, ask a friend whose taste you (or others) admire for advice. You can also copy someone else's gear, but try to at least change one thing. You don't want to mistake his rig for yours and find yourself under his 107 sq. ft. pocket rocket!

Equipment dealers usually have fabric samples available for you to use while designing your rig or jumpsuit. Once you've chosen your colors, use the samples to see what shades are available in which fabrics. Compare the different fabrics side by side to help determine where to use each color.

When designing a canopy, first hold samples of colors that will be touching side by side to see how they look together, then hold them up against some light (sunlight is best) to get an idea of how the colors will look in the air. If you plan to have the top and bottom skins different colors, hold them together against the light also.

Once you've chosen your colors, grab some crayons or felt tip markers and several "coloring sheets" for the gear you've chosen (available from equipment dealers - make your own with an order form, a pair of scissors and a copier that reduces). Try as many different placement combinations as you can think up using your colors. Choose two or three favorites out of the batch, then put them somewhere that you'll look at often.

Several equipment manufacturers and dealers have interactive coloring programs available to you on their web sites. Take advantage of these sites as you design your new gear. Print out the color patterns that appeal to you most.

Don't rush this process! You'll be happiest with your choice if you can wait to make a decision for a day or so. Show the colored sheets or print outs to your friends and ask their opinion. Look at the sheets often; soon you'll find that one seems to appeal to you more than the others do. That's the one to order!

Buying Used Gear

If the budget says used, be prepared to talk on the phone a lot. If you're lucky you'll find just what you want at your local DZ, but more likely you'll find it through the classified ads in magazines or on the Internet, or from one of the dealers selling used gear nationwide.

By talking to a number of different people, you'll get a good feel for prices. If no one has what you want right now, keep trying. Most dealers get "new" used gear in on a regular basis, and classified ads change monthly. You can also post your wants on rec.skydiving and other skydiving sites on the Internet, including the classifieds on dropzone.com.

Before you buy any piece of used gear, either have a rigger check it out and then go put a test jump on it, or be sure a return policy is offered in case there's a problem or you just hate it. This is where buying from a private party long distance can get scary. Asking your local gear dealer to act as a middleman for the transaction can remove some of the risk involved in buying gear from someone you've never met. There are also several "escrow" services available online.

It's easiest to buy a used rig complete, but you may have to piece it together to get exactly what you want. Be sure that the container you buy is the right size for the canopies you intend to put in it. You can get this information from the manufacturer, gear dealers or a good rigger.

When you're buying in pieces, you need to know that a container should come with all handles, reserve toggles (the risers are part of the harness), reserve freebag, bridle and pilot chute, main risers and toggles, main bridle, deployment bag and pilot chute. Main and reserve canopies should come with lines, links and slider.

The price of used equipment varies depending on age, make and model and number of jumps. Buying older equipment is not necessarily unsafe and can be a way to save a couple of thousand dollars on your purchase. In many cases you'll be flying yesterday's technology, though, and this gear will probably not keep you happy for long as yesterday's canopies tend to be big and slow.

Just like cars, container and canopy make and model play a role in determining price. In some areas of the country, certain rigs are worth less than they would be in other areas. This regional bias can provide you with deals if you know where to look!

The number of jumps on a piece of equipment can tell you how much useful life is left in it. A ZP main parachute can still be flying like new after 1000 jumps, while an F111 constructed main is just about a car cover by then. The ZP fabric has proven so durable it's not unusual to see canopies that have been relined two or three times and are still flying fine.

Number of jumps is not as reliable a gauge for harness/containers. The overall condition of rigs often depends more on the landing skills and maintenance habits of the previous owner. If cosmetics are less important to you than price, you can pick up perfectly airworthy gear at bargain basement prices by simply buying a somewhat battered looking container. Again, have a rigger inspect it before you jump it!

With some time and effort and an open mind regarding make and model, you can buy used equipment to fit almost anyone's budget. Like buying any used item, strong bargaining skills may be helpful.

Where to Buy

You have many choices of companies to purchase your new equipment from. Who you buy from can be as important as what you buy, so choose your gear dealer carefully.

Getting your new gear through your local drop zone can be a good idea if price is not your main issue. Buying locally will keep your money working locally. Many DZ's will offer you free use of their rental equipment while you are waiting for your new stuff to arrive. Check with other jumpers at your dz before ordering to be sure you'll get the level of service that you need.

If you choose to purchase from one of the large gear dealers there are a few points to consider. Don't order custom from any company that requires more than a 50% deposit to get the order started. Find out how long the company has been in business; while you may have no problems with a newer company, one that has been around for a few years is more likely to be there later should you have a problem with the equipment. Larger, established gear dealers usually have good relationships with the manufacturers; this can help should something come up during the interminable wait and could make the delivery time a bit less.

Whether you buy new or used, try your new toys on and have your rigger inspect everything before you go jump it. While not common, it is possible for even a brand new canopy or container to have small rips or manufacturing defects; you'll have better luck getting it fixed or replaced if you haven't put any jumps on it.

Buying a rig can be a frustrating and confusing experience! Hopefully the above tips will help make your purchase hassle free.

Some Tips on Buying Your First Rig

Buying New Gear

Buying Used Gear

Where to Buy

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