loopysteph 0 #1 March 11, 2004 So there I was, minding my own business.... when all of a sudden, there it was, on EBAY, a pretty purple parachute. (thats about the extent of my eqpt knowledge) so I thought, "what the heck? I'll just make a bid! Somebody will definately outbid me on this, and I then can say that I have finally broke my proverbial EBAY cherry" Well, I won. Am now the proud new momma of a RWS Vector II V2.2 container, with PD 193 Seven Cell Main, Reserve Paraflight Swift Plus 175, Cypres, and Matching Gear Bag. -to my hubby, "uh, honey? We need to talk" so my question is, did I do good? I know its a litle big, but I don't have my A yet, I am not even current, and I'm not in any kind of hurry. Is there charasterics of a vector that I should be worried about? is this a horrible rig for a newbie? I have taken it to my rigger for the works, but those people barely know me anymore. Any info appreciated. P.S. From my very limited knowledge it looks to be in great shape. Very clean. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DShiznit 0 #2 March 11, 2004 link to auction? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loopysteph 0 #3 March 11, 2004 [/url]http://cgi.msn.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3663044589&category=310[url] Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 135 #4 March 11, 2004 cgi.msn.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3663044589&category=310 how much did it cost you ??scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigM 2 #5 March 11, 2004 Steph- How tall are you? How much do you weigh? I see you jump at Mile High, that is a factor too. (Takes away about one full canopy size, maybe more if you're young to the sport... and uncurrent). Without actually seeing it, I think the rig in and of itself was a good deal. You do need it to fit decently though. There is no such thing as a rig that "fits someone 5'5"-6'". This a wide variance, and thigh diameter is a factor too. Safe Jumping- Blue 111- Jeff "When I die, I want to go like my grandmother, who died peacefully in her sleep. Not screaming like all the passengers in her car." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 558 #6 March 11, 2004 Assuming that you weight less than 170 pounds and ask an instructor to explain the difference in how a 7-cell lands, you should be fine. Note: no-one in their right mind - not even the crazy canopy formation guys - load F-111 7-cells much more than one pound per square foot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 259 #7 March 11, 2004 That's not a bad first rig at all - yeah it's older and the main is all F111 but for someone who can't afford newer stuff it'll likely do you just fine for now. Did you try it on before you took it to your rigger? The only downside to a VectorII is that there is some velcro on it. Some people will tell you it's not safe to freefly with; if you do a search on Vector in the Gear and Rigging forum you can find a few threads that discuss mods to make a VectorII more "freefly friendly." If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for it? How many jumps on the container, reserve and main? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DShiznit 0 #8 March 11, 2004 I'm guessing she paid $1500 for it......... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 259 #9 March 11, 2004 QuoteI'm guessing she paid $1500 for it..... I'm too lazy to copy/paste url's... links I can do but not copy/paste. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loopysteph 0 #10 March 11, 2004 Paid $1501.00 the main has 250 jumps on it, not sure about the rest. I am 5'7 130lbs. I did try it on and it felt sorta heavy but for the most part it was comfy! I couldn't get the leg straps very tight but I used to loosen then up under canopy anyway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #11 March 11, 2004 Seems the winning bid was $1500, 250 jumps on main, 0 on reserve, doesn't say on the container, also includes a 11/94 Cypres that had it's service in 11/02 and a battery put in on 01/02. The container looks nice in the pics. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 259 #12 March 11, 2004 QuoteI couldn't get the leg straps very tight I'd suggest trying it on again in front of your rigger (or someone else who knows how a harness should fit). You may want to have the legstraps and/or legpads shortened. Not a bad price for what you got, maybe a little high. I'd figure the main to be worth $300-400, container about the same, reserve $400-500 and Cypres around $200-$250. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #13 March 11, 2004 The cypres will need to be replaced in a couple years. They only have a 12 year lifespan. But in a couple years you might be ready for a whole new rig anyway. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loopysteph 0 #14 March 11, 2004 Thats a great idea! Maybe I will head up to the DZ today and do that. That way it can fit right for my first jump on it! Thanks so much for the info guys. I feel sorta silly making a purchase like that with such limited knowledge. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loopysteph 0 #15 March 11, 2004 re: "might be ready for a whole new rig anyway" -thats what I was thinking too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
panzwami 0 #16 March 11, 2004 Is that canopy a 7-cell? I know the ad *says* 7-cell, but the picture looks like it might be a 9-cell. Plus, I thought the PD- line of canopies were 9-cells. 'Course, I could be *completely wrong*. Just my 26,370 Turkish Lira. Matt ----- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 259 #17 March 11, 2004 QuoteI thought the PD- line of canopies were 9-cells. The PD all F111 nine cells are sized like Sabre's (135, 150, 170,etc); the PD all F111 seven cells are sized like PD reserves (143, 160, 176, 193 etc). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nanook 1 #18 March 11, 2004 My first container was a 8 year old vector II with velcro i bought on student status. My only complaint was the velcro riser covers. If it wasn't new velcro, it would peel open in time with shifting on the way to altitude. I think you got a good deal on it. It's a good RW container . I wouldn't recommend sit flying on old velcro though. Nothing gets your attention like a bumblebee over your shoulder and you see a flapping riser. makes an odd opening at best._____________________________ "The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 259 #20 March 11, 2004 Quoteah. Matt ----- LOL! No worries. I only know 'cuz both the 9 and 7 cell F111 mains were popular at the dz I learned at "way back in the day." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Combat_Wombat 0 #21 March 16, 2004 QuoteI couldn't get the leg straps very tight but I used to loosen then up under canopy anyway. [offtopic] I think its a bad idea to loosen your leg straps under canopy. [/offtopic] The rig looks ok from here, have fun jumping it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chrisky 0 #23 March 17, 2004 Make that two years.The mind is like a parachute - it only works once it's open. From the edge you just see more. ... Not every Swooper hooks & not every Hooker swoops ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chrisky 0 #24 March 17, 2004 Had that one last year on a borrowed rig... Nice big blueish bruise on the inner side of my bicep from the smacking handle during the opening...The mind is like a parachute - it only works once it's open. From the edge you just see more. ... Not every Swooper hooks & not every Hooker swoops ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #25 March 17, 2004 Quotewhy? >>Off topic <<< combat wombat makes a good point I'd agree .... As to the "why" ?... a..The harness adjustment, certainly down through to the legstraps, should stay secured throughout your canopy descent, since the symettry carries right up through to the risers. Imbalanced legstraps, can effect the balance of your parachute, and induce a turn... b ... the looser the legstraps.. the lower you hang,, and further you are from your toggles and slider...so not such a good idea... c.... our entire body weight is supported in that harness "saddle".. and an attempt to loosen "just a little CAN result in having the hardware slip right to the end... ..... NOw... after you land..... Loosen those babies up...!!... . so you are comfortable when you high 5 ... all your jumping buddies... ... as for the rig.. it looks like a good move... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
