For Starters
December 2003
Buying Your First Kit
Buying your first complete rig can be the beginning of a new love affair!

Choosing your new rig can be the source of immense satisfaction. On the other hand it can also be a very daunting experience for even the most confident and assertive individuals

Anne Maxwell explains how to avoid pitfalls like buying entirely the wrong thing or ending up with the perfect set of gear but no money left!
Most people buy their first set of gear on the advice of their instructor/rigger or friends, with their only personal practical experience being on student equipment, which can be outdated, worn and poorly sized. This article is not aimed at promoting specific rigs or canopies as I, like many people, jump sponsored equipment and would find it impossible to be impartial. Instead it is aimed at providing sensible advice to find a rig that is right for you and which doesn’t break the bank. There are just as many stories of fantastic bargains to be found as there are horror stories about dinosaur gear.

Let the buyer beware
When buying gear it is important to be very clear about how much you have to spend. Stick to your original figure even when offered discounts and killer deals, as increasing it is a sure fire way to owning the latest cool gear but having no money to jump or to pay for coaching.

I recommend beginning with a sheet of paper and put the amount you have to spend in large numbers at the top. Divide the page in half and head one column new and the other used. Start with the new column and put in every piece of equipment that you would like to buy new and the price of each. Total the column. If you are inside your budget, fantastic!

If not, you need to decide which items you are willing to buy used. To give you some idea, a complete set of brand new custom equipment that includes main, reserve, rig and AAD will cost anywhere from £2,500 to £3,500 depending on the options.

Factors to think about
The main points to consider when buying gear are:

1 Safety
Is the gear manufactured under TSO regulations by a reputable manufacturer? Each piece of equipment should comply with a Technical Standard Ordnance to ensure rigorous safety standards; this also applies to modifications of original equipment.

2 Performance
Will your equipment do everything that you want it to do? For example, is it freefly friendly if that is your chosen discipline? I recommend buying from a company with a good research and development programme. This means that products are continually being updated and problems quickly modified. Cheaper copies of established equipment have only one advantage – cost. Copies tend to be made with cheaper materials and labour. Because they are copies, they tend to have less understanding of the exact measurements that change the overall safety and performance. In a small specialist market, I believe original creativity should be rewarded with sales.
3 Exactly fitted
With rigs this means to fit your body size and shape. Find someone who is your size and jumps canopies of similar magnitude; ask to try on their rig (most people will not object). Ask their opinion of their rig (most people will have a very definite opinion). You will find that some rigs feel more comfortable than others. When choosing canopies decide on a good size for immediate use.
As a student your rig wasn’t made for you and may not have fitted very well;
try on different rigs of similar sized people (ask first!) to find what you like
4 Price
Whilst an important factor, this is not top of the list. If money is no object I highly recommend buying top of the range, no holds barred, with all the bells and whistles. Why not? If like most people you are on a budget, choose wisely. A good piece of used equipment by one of the top manufacturers is usually a better investment than brand new by a smaller obscure company. Why would you want to save a few hundred pounds on that new reserve from Azerbaijan that no-one else has ever heard of?

5 After sales service
It is rare to buy a piece of equipment that never needs altering, re-lining, re-calibrating, patching or an infinite number of other possibilities. It is essential to be able to do so quickly, easily and cost effectively. Your local rigger should be able to take care of most of the work for you on any well known piece of equipment. Your local dealer will have strong opinions on which manufacturers have good after sales service and, even more importantly, which do not. This may not seem such a significant point but remember, if your equipment needs maintenance due to an error during production or wear and tear, you won’t be able to jump without borrowing or renting equipment.

6 Re-sale value
This depends on two main factors:
a) The make and model of the equipment. It is a fact that some brands hold their value better than others. Check out sales websites and compare prices of used equipment. It will be easy to spot the brands which are the best investment.
b) Maintenance. Look after your equipment and it will keep its value.
This means storing it in a cool, dry place when not in use. Pack in a shaded area with non-abrasive flooring (use a packing mat). Adhere to the 6-month repack and MOT.

If you buy with the above advice in mind it is possible to get a good piece of used equipment, put 150 jumps on it and sell it for roughly the same amount as the purchase price.
Where to buy
There are many options; local dealers, telephone, web-sales, even your DZ instructor/rigger and all of their mates seem to have a piece of equipment with your name on it. By all means shop around to gain a good idea of the price range for each piece of gear. You may be shocked that almost every piece of equipment can vary greatly in price for exactly the same item from different sources.

The main options are as follows:

Local Dealers
Pros
They tend to be experienced skydivers and can provide a wealth of free technical advice. They will measure you accurately and make sure that you end up with a good piece of equipment that is safe for your current level of experience. They are local, so they will be easy to reach for any problems that can arise. It is extremely unlikely that you will be sold a piece of unsafe or shoddy equipment or that you will be ripped off, as any dealer who was known for sharp practices would not stay in business for long.

Cons
They are rarely the cheapest source so if you are be the place to shop. There can also be a tendency to partisanship as they are often loyal to particular manufacturers and will push their products; this can be due to personal sponsorship for the owner of the store.

Telephone, Web Sales
Pros
Price. With very little overheads and big sales they can usually sell cheaply. They usually have a wide range of goods on the shelf, ready to go, so if you have a credit card you can instantly buy any product that you can afford.

Cons
If you have a credit card you can instantly buy any product that you can afford. You are unlikely to be questioned about your experience level or the fact that you are buying a small elliptical canopy with only 75 jumps under your belt. Some sales staff are not skydivers and may lack technical expertise that is often sorely needed when purchasing your first piece of equipment. Beware of hidden costs, such as post and packing (plus shipping time) and, if buying from overseas, add in 17.5% VAT. Remember to check whether purchases are final as after sales service could be non-existent.
Classified Ads
Pros
It can be the best place to find a bargain if you know what you are looking for.

Cons
It can be the best place to get ripped off if you don’t know what you are doing.

Instructor, Rigger, Friend
Pros
They know you and will have a very good idea of the best equipment to suit your current experience level. They are unlikely to sell you unsafe gear.

Cons
Most people lose their objectivity when they have a financial interest in the product they are selling. If you are thinking of buying a rig from a friend get an outside perspective and valuation.
If you buy wisely you can get a good piece of used equipment, put 150 jumps on it and sell it for roughly the same amount
Rigs
Buy a size that fits your current canopies, even if you think a smaller size looks more attractive. A small rig with bulging canopies looks ugly, can be unsafe and is a nightmare to pack. Get yourself measured professionally and only buy a rig that is the correct size. Check it is safe for the type of skydiving that you are interested in. If you are buying used gear the rig is the perfect piece of equipment to buy slightly older than any other. A good rig in favourable condition can often be picked up for half price or less and will hold its value well. They are built to last.

The rig is sold with handles, main risers, deployment bag, pilot chute and the reserve free bag and pilot chute. It is a good idea to check that nothing is missing.

Reserve
Buy from a reputable manufacturer; this is not the place to save money. Buy the largest reserve that will comfortably fit in your rig. The size should not differ greatly from your main. If you buy a used reserve, do not be put off by a canopy that has been jumped a couple of times. They are built to withstand hundreds of jumps and at least you have the comfort of knowing that it works. Always have it thoroughly inspected by a rigger.
Main
Buy the perfect canopy size and model for your current experience level, not for where you hope to be in 100 jumps time. If you buy with the future in mind, when you need a canopy right now, you may end up with ‘gear fear’. If that smaller elliptical would be perfect in a hundred jumps’ time, buy it then; you will have fewer heart-stopping moments, less fear of the canopy ride and are more likely to have two legs in good working order!

Ask your instructor/rigger/friends to recommend several makes and models to help you decide.
I highly recommend buying a zero porosity canopy (porosity refers to the amount of air that can move through the fabric of the canopy), as it is more forgiving if you flare too high or low. Also after 600+ jumps it can be re-lined and will perform as good as new. Zero-P also has good resale value as it can easily accommodate a couple of thousand jumps.
Canopies made out of F-111 fabric are outdated as mains (the reserve is always of F-111). They become porous much more quickly, which can make for harder landings and less performance. After about 400 jumps the canopy is virtually worthless. Do not be lured into buying a cheap set of gear with an F-111 main, this is no bargain.
When buying a used canopy look for one with only a couple of hundred jumps or a recent re-line (or be prepared to splash out on a re-line yourself). This is your main and you want a canopy that retains nearly all of its performance.
AAD
The current products available new are the Cypres, Cypres 2 and the Vigil. Check out all of the specifications and, more importantly, the price and additional costs of after sales service. Batteries and full service checks can add up to hundreds of pounds.

The most common AAD available second hand is the original Cypres. In addition to the basic price, the batteries need replacing every two years (£50), and a service check is required every four years for the first eight years (£150) and every two years thereafter. The unit finally retires aged 12. If buying used, beware of the seemingly cheap Cypres unit that is three and a half years old, it will very shortly require its first 4-year service. You will then be £150 lighter and own a Cypres that is four years old.

In summary
Read the hot tips, get advice and choose carefully. Do it right and you will probably fall in love with your purchase. You may even need to buy a new king-size bed to fit you, your spouse and your new container!

Hot Tips!

1 Ask for discounts. Most dealers factor in a
discount. If buying a complete set of gear new, it is worth asking for something free, ie, gear-bag, packing mat etc. The mark-up on gear is fairly impressive, with manufacturers often making the least profit. Most sales prices are pretty flexible especially if you have done your research and can honestly quote the same product cheaper somewhere else.

2 When buying used gear, bargain hard. The
price will usually be as flexible as the stated number of jumps on the equipment.

3 Buy the big items from your local dealer, direct
from the manufacturer or a website with a full refund policy if you’re not satisfied for any reason. (Bear in mind that unless you return the goods for a legitimate reason, you will incur the postage). By all means buy smaller items through tele/websales.

4 Have every piece of used gear checked
thoroughly by a rigger or instructor with no financial interest. They will be able to confirm the condition and value of the equipment very accurately.

5 Watch out for sales of demo rigs by
manufacturers. You can often pick up top of the range equipment a year or so old at bargain prices. Call the manufacturer direct or check out their websites on a regular basis.

6 Avoid classified ads until you have a thorough
knowledge of the sport and even then be very cautious. If the bargain seems too good to be true, it probably is.

7 Research. Check out websites, ask
instructors/riggers/friends to inform you as much as possible about the type of equipment that you need and a rough idea of how much you should expect to pay. Ultimately you are responsible for your final purchases.

8 Be prepared that your new rig will become
your new baby for a period of time, and that you will spend countless hours with your new purchase to the exclusion of your friends and family!

Article by Anne Maxwell
annemaxwell1000@hotmail.com

Photos: Simon Ward & Andy Ford

See Also

Buying A Rig
December 1996

Head-up Flying
August 2000

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