I need some help on buying new gear

guest · June 6th, 2002, 06:14 PM

I just started base jumping, and would like some help picking out new gear. I know want size canopy I need but after that it gets all fuzzy.
Do I go with velco or pin closed?
Do I go with single or multi attachment?
Do I go with all f-111 or z.p. top skin?

I will be making about 30 base jumps a year.From as low as 300ft. to as high as 3000ft. if I can afford Norway tickets.
Any advice would really help.
Thanks, Chad:*

imported_Tom Aiello · June 6th, 2002, 09:20 PM

Hi Chad,

Here are my personal recommendations. I'll try to be as concise as possible, but sometimes that's hard for me. Remember that different people will have different recommendations, so ask around. I'd also advise calling several different gear manufacturers and asking their advice before you buy anything.

My advice is generally based on the "Keep it Simple" principle. If there is a more complex and a simpler choice, I'd always advise a beginning jumper to go with the simple one.

> Do I go with velco or pin closed?

Short Answer: Velcro

My Top Pick:
Vision
Gravity Sports, Ltd (530 582-4747)

Other Rigs I'd Recommend:
Reactor 4
Basic Research (909 940-1324)
http://www.basicresearch.com/

Rigs I'd Avoid:
Odyssey

Long Answer:
Are you planning on making wingsuit jumps on your Norway trips (or elsewhere)? If so, you will want to ditch the velcro and go with pins (see below for my recommendations on pin rigs). Otherwise, stick with the simplicity and proven performance of velcro. Staying above 300 ft, you won't need the extra opening speed of pins, and any good velcro rig will stay closed just fine for the 15 seconds or so that you'll take on most 3000' walls. Velcro rigs are simpler, easier to use, and more bulletproof. Pin rigs can be trickier, so I'd definitely avoid them for your first rig.

Secondary answer: Pin Rigs (only if wingsuit jumping)

My Top Pick:
Gargoyle
Morpheus Technologies (813 780-8961)
http://www.baserig.com/home.html

Other Rigs I'd Recommend:
Prism
Basic Research (909 940-1324)
http://www.basicresearch.com/

Perigee Pro
Consolidated Rigging (530 823-7969)
http://www.crmojo.com/frame_main.htm

Rigs I'd Avoid:
Odyssey FX

But seriously, avoid the pins unless you'll be jumping a suit.

> Do I go with single or multi attachment?

Short Answer: Single

Long Answer:
The multiple bridle attachment is a theoretically worthwhile improvement. However, many experienced jumpers are still debating it's real value in the field. Some even feel that it gives them worse openings. Plus, there are more packing considerations with the multi. If you don't know they're going to help, I'd recommend simplifying, and that means going with the single attachment point.

Also, (ready to see Tom get flamed?), the multi is only available on the FOX. The FOX was a great BASE canopy--in the 1990's. It is well past time for Basic Research to get a new airfoil. There are better opening canopies on the market, better flying airfoils on the market, and canopies that both open and fly better than the FOX.

> Do I go with all f-111 or z.p. top skin?

Short Answer: F-111

Long Answer:
Learning to pack for BASE is hard enough. Learning to pack a ZP top skin (even if it's just the foreskin) at the same time would be a real nightmare. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Plus, while ZP has some value in getting better flare (especially useful for concrete landings), it generally degrades heading performance--especially if you have trouble packing it. Again, keeping it simple will probably serve you better.

>I will be making about 30 base jumps a year.

At 30 jumps per year, you'll probably want to stick with simple gear for quite a while. If you kick into high gear and start jumping a bunch more, you may decide to change some things, but you'll know more for yourself by then.

I've noticed that you didn't ask about canopies at all. Presumably this is because you have already selected a canopy, whether by cost or other considerations. If this canopy is not BASE specific (i.e. it's a converted skydiving canopy), I'd strongly urge you to reconsider your decision. Buying a BASE canopy is expensive, but if your canopy sucks the best rig in the world is going to make very little difference. The rig is the garage you put your sportscar in. Why buy a nice garage for your Pinto? We're driving here, not parking--cough up the cash and get a Ferrari. Regardless, the canopy is the most important part of the BASE rig. Make sure you do your homework before buying a canopy--it's your most important purchase.

One other thing you may want to consider is relationships. As a beginner, it may behoove you to buy gear from someone (geographically) close to you (if there is someone), so that you can benefit from developing a personal relationship with the manufacturer, which can be very useful when you are starting out (heck, it can be useful any time).

Sorry for being so wordy. Welcome to BASE, and have fun.

--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@mac.com

claus · June 6th, 2002, 10:10 PM

Hallo Tom

i.m wondering i you have any experice on a z-topskin fox.
v-tec ,multi.

i put a couple jumps on it , i like the flare but the openings are always 90 . Is there any danger mixing 2 materials
together.And what is purpose on the floating pin on the vertex.

imported_Tom Aiello · June 6th, 2002, 10:25 PM

>i.m wondering i you have any experice on a z-topskin fox. v-tec ,multi.

Nope. I've got several hundred jumps on a multi-equipped FOX, both with and without the Vtec modification. But my FOX doesn't have the ZP topskin.

>i like the flare but the openings are always 90.

I suspect that it has to do with the ZP topskin, possibly in conjunction with your packing. Had you packed a ZP topskin before making those couple of jumps? If not, it may be that a bit more practice with the ZP will help improve your heading. Then again, with relatively few jumps, it's hard to tell what is going on. It could be that all your jumps were made the same day, with the same crosswind, or that you just fell victim to the random factor that effects opening for no reason.

>Is there any danger mixing 2 materials together.

I'm assuming that you're talking about ZP and F-111 here. To my knowledge there are no negative effects of building a well designed canopy of composite materials (some of each). In fact, there are some obvious benefits. For example, an F-111 bottomskin with a ZP topskin ought to improve inflation speed (since air will penetrate into the canopy through the bottom skin more readily than it will escape the topskin).

>And what is purpose on the floating pin on the vertex.

I'm not totally clear on this (despite Todd and Anne each having tried to explain it to me several times). However, here's my understanding: The floating bottom pin insures that the top pin will extract first. Since the bottom pin is the one that is most likely to change tension, it is theoretically better to extract the top (consistent tension) pin first. The floating pin should also help in the unlikely event of a tight pin binding the bottom, as the release of tension on the top loop will loosen the bottom loop, allowing easier extraction of the pin. Basically, the floating pin makes the top pin extract first.

Anyone else want to jump in here?

--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@mac.com

**Faber** · June 7th, 2002, 02:58 AM

Hi just got my 2. jump last weekend.Wery happy of my velco(sound so nice when it opens),easy to pack rig,whith a FOX whith multi.I just love this sport...
Have Fun
Faber

**base428** · June 7th, 2002, 07:06 AM

When you're dealing with your life, it's best to stick with proven technology. Let someone else get all busted up testing out all the new contraptions on the market. Here's a good example: I almost bought a Nova in the early 90's until my friend (and many others) bounced under one. If you don't know the story about Nova's (skydiving canopy), they liked to collapse at about 75'.

Anyway, use a velcro rig for low altitude jumps and a pin rig for near-terminal or terminal jumps (although most pin rigs work fine at low altitudes also). My personal favorite velcro rig is Vertigo's Wizard. My absolute favorite pin rig is Morpheus Technolgies' Gargoyle (and their velcro rig ain't bad either from what I've seen). Best canopy that I've jumped is probably the Fox Vtec, although landings are not always tip-toe. I'm curious about CR's new Ace and Blackjack though, as I've heard good things so far. Again, after it's tested for awhile, then I'll consider them.

You can't argue with F111. It's proven to work. Then again, I've not jumped a BASE canopy w/ ZP fabric.

As for the multi, looks to me like way too many areas for the p/c to get caught up in. Being an engineer, I try to stick with "simple" gear knowing that every modification to gear that complicates things can serve as a malfunction area.

All things said, you're best choice would be look at all the harness/containers and canopies you can and decide for yourself along with the recommendations of others.

Don't forget about customer service when you ask your BASE friends about gear.

Jason Bell
jbell@vertical-visions.com

**david** · June 7th, 2002, 06:22 PM

I have a Reactor 4 and a Vision. Both are easy to close and would probably be a good first rig. I have FOX V-tec's in both of them,one with single attachment and one with multi attachment. I have good on heading preformance with them both.
As for landings I believe alot of that is up to the pilot. At Twin Falls over Memorial Day weekend I watched people bounce off the ground with Blackjacks, Ace's, Dagger's, Raven's, Mojo's and Fox's. I also seen beautiful landings under them all. Even Wes under that Cruiselite 220.
See what the BASE jumpers in your area are jumping and ask alot of questions. Just my two cents

Dave O

:7

guest · June 7th, 2002, 07:12 PM

Thanks, all of you guys for your input. I will take it all in and try to come up with something by bridge day. If not I will talk to the manufactures and get there input. I think I will keep it simple!!
Thanks again,
Chad