Mallachi

After jumping DZ student gear, I bought a PD 190 F-111, No idea how many jumps I did on it, I went to a spectre 170. I then started working at the DZ. I put a few hundred jumps on it, then started using other people 150's and went to a Sbare 2 135. Then I went to a Stiletto 107, have about 600+ jumps on it. After a break from the sport I am on a Crossfire 2 119 and probably will eventually upsize as I get a bit older, but won't go down smaller than this. Before going to the 107 I used other peoples gear to by pass a 120. Working there instructors let me use there gear. I did video they did tandems.

I am in the same boat kind of. I am coming back after a 6 year lay off. I talked to my friend who knows me good and knew how I fly my canopy. He recommended a Crossfire 2 over a Stiletto, he has remained working in the sport. If you want to see what people can get out of a Crossfire 2 swoop wise I suggest you look it up on youtube. I think you will be rather surprised. For me I got a 119, used to fly a 107 Stiletto. I will work my way back down on rental gear.

Only you and your instructors know your canopy skills. If you are getting a smoking hot deal on that gear and it fits you like a well worn glove and you intend on using rental gear until you are fit and capable of flying that wing load, sure... Here is the issue, you will have that nice gear of your own and fool yourself into thinking you are ready for it, before you really are. When I started I bought a PD 190, (read F-111) I was 175 lbs and did 100+ jumps on it, then I went to a 170 Spectre. Did a few hundred jumps on it, I started working at my DZ full time and went to a 135 Stiletto after jumping a lot of other peoples gear. Getting canopy coaching etc.. I then went to a Stiletto 107 and did a 1000+ jumps on it. Now that I don't work there any more and don't jump as much as I would like to I am on a 119 Crossfire 2. So I went up in size. So pace yourself, talk to your instructors or better yet the DZO to evaluate you, take what they say as constructive criticism, and learn how to fly before you buy. Buying bigger used gear, then resale it when you are truly ready could be a more cost effective way to go. @ Tracy, do the Dew, I’ll bring a home brew….

I remember when I was working at the DZ as a packer had 101 jumps and the DZO asked if anyone wanted to do a tandem with him so an up and coming camera man could practice. I said " I will" nice skydive was a bit weird not wearing my own parachute. But we open and bam, line over. He says are you ready, I arch and said "Yep" Clink is what I hear in my ear and the most amazing feeling, then a nice clean reserve over our heads. No poop either.

Thank you to everyone for the info. I thought it could be done by a local rigger, just been about 8 years since I worked at a DZ. I might send it back to Mirage as it does not have the Mirage logo embroidered on the flap, call me weird but I really like how it looks! :)

Been out of the sport for about 5 years getting back in. I used to work at a DZ as camera and coach. But on to my main topic. I purchased a used rig and the leg pads are about 4 inches to short. Other than that the rig fits perfect. It is a Mirage G4, I seem to recall our rigger could make some leg pads to extend them. I now live completely on the other side of the country. So does the rig need to be sent into Mirage or is this something a rigger can do?