ericja321

I am buying my first rig and I have some questions about the order form. I know that a lot of people are going to tell me to buy used for my first rig, I wish I could find one, but being 6'2" it is hard to find a harness that will fit me with a container that will hold a 190. I found out that there is a company that has a pretty good military discount so I decided to buy my harness/container new. So, my question is about riser length. The company offers 18,20,22, and 24 inch risers. Like I said, I am 6'2" and have a pretty good reach. I have read that longer risers will help with riser input but I want to be able to reach my slider. Any suggestions? Is there a standard size? Another question I have is, is there a difference between narrow and wide chest straps? And the last question is, what are the pros/cons between ZP and F111 PCs? Thanks for any help you all can give me.

Thanks for the advice, I will definitely keep it in mind while I am out there. I'll be out there in the summer so if I do end up in the drink (knocking on wood) the waves should be small if any. I hadn't though of the low cutaway over the ocean, I couldn't imagine being out there in big waves. Thanks again.

My accuracy is pretty good, I am Military Freefall qualified and we have done a bunch of canopy control classes. That being said, it was all on a 7cell, 370sf MC4 but I have tried to apply what I have learned to sport parachuting and it has seemed to really help. I am also hoping that my local DZ will have some canopy control classes coming up before I head out to HI.

My wing load is 1:1, I guess I can start eating donuts for breakfast before I head out there to increase that wing load

I did a tandem out there when I was stationed there but couldn't afford the training at the time. It was an absolutely amazing view and I can't wait to jump there again now that I am licensed.

Thanks for your help. Blue Skies

I was wondering if anyone knows about jumping in Oahu. I know they have a school out there and do AFF but I have heard somewhere (can't remember where) that you need a certain license or amount of jumps because of the close proximity to the beach and the winds, which makes sense. The part that wouldn't make sense with that is that they have students jumping there. I am planning on taking vacation out there and would really like to jump. Thanks.

Thanks for all your help. Much appreciated.

One more question. I am new to forums. How do you do the "in reply to", taking a sentence out of someone elses reply and inserting it into your reply? I know...newbie. Thanks.

Thanks. I actually just went to the Sun Path and Mirage web sites and looked at their container sizing charts. I should have thought of that before I wrote this post, but then again at least I learned some things.
Thanks for your help.

Thank you for your comment. I was thinking the same thing. I can't think of a reason to downsize my reserve. I am just not sure about how they fit together. By that I mean, is there a certain point while downsizing your container and main, that your reserve won't fit anymore? And does the symmetry get thrown off with a reserve that is larger than your main?

Thanks. I am planning on talking to those guys when I get home, I am not state side right now. I am really hoping to order my container in time for it to be ready for leave. I am heading to California and Hawaii and want to visit the drop zones out there. Trying to get as much info till then.
Thanks again and blue skies.

Thanks for the help. That is good to know.

I may have misused the word "tight". I want to get a container that has room to go down and not up.

I didn't know about limiting the extraction force to 18 pounds but I am definitely not looking to over stuff my container(reserve or main).

Again, thank you for your constructive reply to my post. I will definitely remember what you have taught me.

I know that I am going to spend a crapload of money in this sport and I have accepted that, I just don't want to regret buying a rig. I am just doing as much research as possible.

As far as the downsizing, I already wish I could downsize but like I said(and mean), I want to be as safe as I can. I am going to take some canopy control classes, attend USPA's safety days, get more experience and seek advice from people at my drop zone before downsizing.

I think that I might have not explained my question well enough; I want to buy a container that will fit a 190 with room to downsize, I was asking what size reserve will fit well with a 190. So, most of your comments are actually pretty helpful. Thank you for that.

I mean it when I say that I am as safe a possible. I posted here to get some help so I can continue to be safe.

Thanks again for your comments.

Thanks Wendy. I am in the military and have been through free fall school, we packed a lot there (flat packing) and a lot since then. It is a real pain to get a 370sf in it's container. I am not afraid of a tight fit and will be the only one packing (my main). As for the off DZ landings, I have landed in an unmarked DZ using GPS to find my glide ratio to ensure that I landed into the wind, at night on a pretty small DZ in the woods with body armor on, a rucksack hanging from me, a weapon across my belly and O2 on. Granted it was a 7 cell, 370, F-111 and not a cut away, but I feel pretty comfortable under canopy in stressful situations. I do however, totally agree that if I am riding my reserve that I probably don't want a high wing load. I am just afraid of buying something brand new that I am going to "grow" out of (down sizing) and have to spend a bunch more money...my wife will hate me. Thanks for your advice though, I will definitely take it all into consideration.

After proof reading this reply I noticed that I sound cocky. I don't mean to come off that way, I just wanted to give you the full situation so that you didn't think I was some newbie "hot shot" that is going to hurt himself. I am going to be as safe as I possibly can be. There is too much out there to miss out on being hurt or dead! Not to mention other jumpers that can be effected by someone being unsafe.

I am looking into getting my first rig. I have decided to buy a new container/harness due to the difficulty of finding a used one that will fit my height. I am going to get a used 190sf main (1:1 wing load). What is the recommended size/wing load for a reserve. I have noticed while looking at complete rigs on the classifieds, that reserves tend to be a little smaller than the mains. The reason I ask is because I want to get the container made to fit tight so that as I become more experienced and decide to down size, I don't have to buy another container. Thanks for any help.

I am in the market for my first rig. I have decided on a Javelin container, cypress II, and a PD reserve but can't decide between a silhouette or a saber II. What are the major differences between the two? I have heard that the openings on the saber are not very consistent or on heading. If anyone could give me some suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.