I'm looking at the Mirage G4 M4 with a Safire 2 169, Icarus Reserve 169, and probably a CYPRES 2 AAD. I'm new with 44 jumps. I live in a remote area of Alaska and will be heading for Oregon again in late December/early January to get as many jumps as possible with a goal of getting a wingsuit rating (main goal is to get a pilots license while i'm down there, jump on all off time). I have limited options for trying out new gear since i live 500 miles from the nearest DZ with no roads. I learned with the Vector 3/Spectre 2??-180/ ??? reserve. I have used my Instructors Safire 169(V3 rig) and liked it a lot more than the Spectre. It had nicer control and a better flair (IMO). My concerns: Vector vs Mirage--the vector fit very nicely on my back. I'm 5'7 185pounds. I based my reserve on the fit going into the Mirage G4, other than that i'm not that familiar with them. Should i look for a fast opening canopy, i know the Safire has a long soft opening. What should i look for in a reserve? AAD- Cypres 2 sound good? I wanted to hear opinions before i went out bought this stuff. I would buy all new. I flew back here just to make the money for this...although buying a project Jeep Scramber as soon as i got home didn't help/gear for work, bosses get all new gear and dont set foot on a tower where i spend all day in the air and get the hand me down crap.
