New Buyer Needs HELP!

[scasonmcn9 0]

Hello everyone! I am brand new to this, but my fiance has been doing it for about a year now. For a wedding present I would like to get him his main parachute so that he will start going more. The only reason he has stopped is because he feels like it is too expensive. I really want him to get back in it, and I think that if he has his full rig he will go back frequently. I just have no idea what I am looking for. I have only done it twice, so I need some help! He has his rig and his reserve, but not he main... which is kind of important! He only has 50 jumps right now, and he said he was looking for a 170 back about 6 months ago. There are so many different types out there that I have no idea which one to choose. Can anyone help me out?!

[Bertt 0]

I guess this is going to be something of a surprise, so maybe asking at the dropzone isn't such a good idea. Jumpers at his level typically use canopies like Sabre2, Safire2, Pilot, Spectre, Triathlon. Maybe you could get hold of a Para-gear or Square1 catalog and look at some of these. Best wishes for a long and happy marriage.

You don't have to outrun the bear.

[jkbernstein 1]

A canopy is a really personal choice. Buying him one is a lovely idea, but I wouldn't want anyone to choose a canopy for me any more than I'd want them to pick out a car for me. One option would be to tell him to pick something out, and then pay for it. Or, if you want to surprise him, buy him a whole mess of jump tickets.

May the (relative) wind take your troubles away...

[Genn 0]

Sweet surprise!! My first main was a gift.
What kind of budget are you working with?

Can you find out what size the container is? How much does he weigh?

[rustymurray 0]

My advice would be buy him a gift voucher so he can choose his own,nice gift idea by the way,any chance you could have a chat with my girlfriend.....

[countzero 7]

if time permits between now and the wedding, you could cover the cost of some demos so he'll have a better idea of what canopy he likes. then get him what he likes or a G.C. from a gear store so he can pick out the one he likes.

diamonds are a dawgs best friend

[berchtoldaj 0]

Like some others have said, picking a parachute is a little dificult to do for someone else. Unless you know exactly what size, model, and colors he would want, it might be tough to just show up with a parachute. But there are a few creative ways you can work around that and still make him a happy camper. Here's a couple ideas-
*Buy him a bunch of jump tickets or put money on his account at the dz. Skydivers love free jumps.
*If there is a gear store at the dz, put credit on his account for gear rental, and stuff. He will be buying plenty of accessories and things from them
What dz does he jump at? Some gear stores have extensive rental/demo programs so he can try different models to decide what HE likes before he buys.

************
Watch out for planters.

[scasonmcn9 0]

Thank you so much for the advice. I have heard him talking about the Sabre2 before, he said he really liked the way those "felt". If that makes sense! I know he would want a lime green and black one just because that is the color of his rig. I have his rig with me right now but I have no idea how to find out the size of it. I can try to bring it up in conversation somehow I guess. haha. I will start looking into that type first! I might just have to wait and tell him he can choose it for him self. But we are going somewhere where you can sky dive over the ocean on our honeymoon. So, I kind of wanted him to have it then. So, I guess I will just keep looking. If I find one I know he would like (I will run it by all of his skydiving buddies) I will get it. Otherwise I will just have to tell him about it in advance!

Thank you so much for all your help!!! And advice is greatly appreciated!

[Hausse 0]

Just make sure you have enough time. If you have to custom order one it will take around 10-16 weeks, depending on what kind of canopy you buy. It will be very hard to find a Sabre II in the right size and the right color used.