javelin vs mirage g4

[Bobbytransue 0]

with both about close in price i can get the mirage in 5 weeks and the javelin in 10 weeks ...would like to hear peoples opinions on both rigs. this will be my first rig and im not to sure which way to go. also im on student status with 3 jumps to go. i know people say dont buy new for your first rig. but i am so just want advice on the rigs

[TSISK 0]

I have only jumped a few rigs (student and rentals) i bought a used G4 with about 25 jumps on it and i have put about 25 on it and i Love it. Very Comfortable and easy to pack.

[swoopfly 5]

Hands down G4

[riggerpaul 1]

You might ask the riggers you might be using if they have a preference with regard to reserve repacks, or anything else, for that matter.

[Bobbytransue 0]

i am buying through chuting star..wonder if they would give a opinion

[FreeflyGoat 0]

G4.

_________________________
goat
derka jerka bukkake jihad

[sundevil777 94]

How did you decide on just these 2 choices?

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[likestojump 3]

I have owned, packed, sold and inspected dozens of both.

I am certain you will be happy with whichever one you choose.

[Ron 7]

Just to keep balance....

Hands down Jav.

But, if this is your first rig.... Buy used.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[Bobbytransue 0]

after looking at what the other fun jumpers were jumping i noticed it was a lot of javelin and mirage..im not experienced in the least to know which is better. i guess mainly im looking for comfort and dependabilty im 38 years old dont plan on downsizing for a long time and will be starting with a pulse 230

[theonlyski 3]

I just sold my mirage, and got a Vector-3, but a Jav would have been a good choice as well. Didn't like how the mirage looked with the canopies that I had in it (which were the ones listed as optimal fit)

I've only packed a few Javs and they always end up looking pretty good. Most of my repacks have been mirages, and they are a bit tricky to get the reserve containers to look good (Mike G is doing a couple classes at PIA this year for mastering them)

"I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly
DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890
I'm an asshole, and I approve this message

[oldrookie 0]

Quote

i guess mainly im looking for comfort and dependabilty im 38 years old dont plan on downsizing for a long time and will be starting with a pulse 230

same here
Bought my first rig (Mirage) new, and have a pulse 190.
Very happy
Good luck with your decisions

[billvon 2,417]

Both are good rigs. I got a G4 because I could get a rig sized for a 109 main and a 143 reserve.

[Bobbytransue 0]

how do you like the pulse?

[champu 1]

Quote

after looking at what the other fun jumpers were jumping i noticed it was a lot of javelin and mirage..im not experienced in the least to know which is better. i guess mainly im looking for comfort and dependabilty im 38 years old dont plan on downsizing for a long time and will be starting with a pulse 230

Something I should point out is that rig designs don't always scale. Tiny rigs and big rigs are very different animals, so if you get input from someone who loves their tiny Mirage or Vector or whathaveyou, your milage may vary significantly when you buy a container sized for a 230. Same goes for harnesses. If you're not an average height / build, some manufacturers may be better at making a rig that really fits you well. Most are pretty good about this if you call them and just talk to them for a while about it.

Of the larger rigs that I've seen, Mirage, Infinity, and Wings have been the ones that impressed me. I've seen more than a couple big Javelins, Talons, and Vectors that just looked like hell, constantly had flaps and covers not staying closed, etc. Now, did it just happen that all the bad looking rigs I saw were either overstuffed or understuffed? I dunno... maybe. I think larger rigs in general tend to get overstuffed and understuffed far more often than smaller rigs, so I don't know why some manufacturers would stand out to me as they have.

All that being said I'll cast another vote that you shouldn't buy new for your first rig, even if it falls on deaf ears.

[Bobbytransue 0]

it doesnt fall on deaf ears. post like yours are the reason im asking questions. i appreciate your input very much. i come on here to get advice from the experienced people like yourself. a lot of times it can get a little scary on here. some people really dont give advice they just put you down

[champu 1]

Quote

it doesnt fall on deaf ears. post like yours are the reason im asking questions. i appreciate your input very much. i come on here to get advice from the experienced people like yourself. a lot of times it can get a little scary on here. some people really dont give advice they just put you down

There're a lot of questions you can ask as a newbie that might get smart-ass responses, but gear choice is generally not one of them. The worst you'll get when asking, "should I buy X or Y" is generally "Z kicks X and Y's asses... idiot!"

The reason I cast my vote against buying new gear to start is that most people only put a few to several hundred jumps on their first rig. I don't know where you jump but, particularly in places with ample grassy landing areas that are kind to rigs and canopies, you can buy a used rig, put a few hundred jumps on it, and resell it for damn near what you paid for it. Whereas custom rigs all suffer from the "drive it off the lot" syndrome that new cars are infamous for. Worst case scenario is you "lose" a couple hundred bucks jumping the used rig for a while and deciding that you want a custom rig that's the same size.

[Coreefdiver 0]

my first rig was the original Javelin, it was a no-brainer for me to go with the upgraded Odyssey.

In my experience, I notice the choice of new rigs with new jumpers tends to follow what is offered in the rental gear. those that have other rigs that I've talked to actually did some shopping/asking around and selected based upon others input and sometimes price point.

to do it all over again, I'd be looking hard at the Vector. The people at UPT seem to be putting a lot of thought into making things better/safer.

DS#727, DB Cooper #41, POPS #11065, SCR #13183, FA #2125, SCS #8306, HALO #309 SRA #5930

[davelepka 4]

Quote

..im not experienced in the least to know which is better

That's sort of the reason people suggest you buy used for yoru first rig. There are a dozen different rigs to choose from and a myriad of options and configurations to choose from. There is no 'standard' or 'norm', each rig is built to the customers specs depending on what they plan to do with it.

So the idea is to buy a used rig for the first season. You'll be able to put some jumps on, fall down with it a few times, and then sell it for about what you paid. In the meantime, you're building experience, and learning what you like or dislike about that first rig. You're also making friends at the DZ and can borrow their rig for a jump or two so you can try different rigs or canopies.

At the end of that first season or two, you'll be a much more informed consumer, and can better set-up a rig that you'll want to jump for many years.

Quote

im 38 years old dont plan on downsizing for a long time and will be starting with a pulse 230

I'd be curious to know what you're exit weight is, and what you've been jumping as a student. Keep in mind that students jump oversized canopies for the added level of safety they provide to jumpers with 0 to 20 jumps. Beyond that, if you haven't had a problems with canopy control, a 1 to 1 WL is a good place to shoot for in terms of a first canopy.

Figure on a bigger rig weighing 25 lbs, your clothes/helmet/shoes etc weighing another 10 lbs, so add 35 lbs to your body weight to get your exit weight. If that equals 230 lbs (or thereabouts) the 230 is a good size for you. 1 to 1 is a conservative WL, and not all that fast once you have 20 or 30 jumps under your belt.

Another thing to think about is that gear choices and preferences will change from season to season. Buying a rig isn't always a 'long term' commitment like you might think. Maybe you find you want a different container, or maybe a different main canopy catches your eye, but your rig will most likely change and evolve over time as you change and evolve as a jumper.

Under no circumstances should you buy a new main canopy with your first rig. They are unusually hard to pack, and will literally ruin your day as you struggle to pack after every jump. Even for seasoned packers they are a pain in the ass, and if you're just learning to pack, it's that much worse. Look for a used canopy with at least 200 or 300 jumps, with 500 or 600 being ideal.

[drdive 0]

Here is a hands down Jav vote.

I swear every time I pack my wife's G4 - there service was terrible, d-bag rubberband location is idiotic, could go on and on.

Luv my jav, but other luv their G4 too.

In reality, either would work - pay your money, take your choice.

Jav and Packers rule

G4 is like the Steelers - losers

"We saved your gear. Now you can sell it when you get out of the hospital and upsize!!" "K-Dub"

"

[sundevil777 94]

The advice to buy used is good advice, just have someone trustworthy helping you, someone looking out for you, that won't be fooled into buying junk or paying too much. Unless of course, the cost of a new rig is pocket change for you, then definitely buy all new gear and help support the industry.

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[champu 1]

Quote

G4 - d-bag rubberband location is idiotic

I would love to hear you elaborate on this.

[davelepka 4]

I did forget to mention one thing, the money. Of course, used is cheaper and these days a pretty nice used rig can be had for 40% or 50% the cost of new (sometimes even less).

Anyway, the money is only a factor if buying new will in any way limit your spending on jumps. Making more jumps is far more important at this stage of learning than having a shiney new rig. You won't be out-performing any equipment anytime soon, so you don't need the latest and greatest, you just need pretty good and to do a shit-ton of jumps.

So if byuing new is a big outlay for you, skip it for sure and put the savings into jumps. You'll be way better off at the end of the season with 150 jumps on a used rig than making 75 on a brand new one.

[stayhigh 2]

Infinity?????

Bernie Sanders for President 2016

[firemedic 7]

I done lots of repacks on both Jav and Mirage. They are both very good quality, comfortable rigs. Which ever you decide to go with I would follow the advice of some others on here and buy used.