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I am taking a FJC in about a month and I would like to get my own gear after the course. Any helpful info about which canopies and containers are better suited for newbies would be greatly appreciated. I have looked at Apex, Asylum Designs, and Morpheus. I read an 8 year old article about recommending the Ace canopy and a velcro container that's no longer manufactured. It seams the more I read and research, the more confused I get. Is the Ace still a great beginner canopy? If you have been BASE jumping a long time what gear would you recommend and from whom? Thank You for your help and advice.

care to share more about yourself? a random sample of possible pertinent info might include:

how many jumps? what kind of canopy? night jumps? high altitude jumps? traveled much? any locals at your home dz that would be in a better position to give custom advice? etc.

the more information you provide, the easier it will be to provide the most appropriate suggestions.

caution: many people will rave about what they jump. that is great advice IF they've jumped a lot of different gear. if they only have jumped that one rig, it's not the strongest advice.

I have 200 jumps skydiving and 0 BASE jumps. I fly a sabre 170 in a Talon container here in NorCal. I weigh 170 lbs., and 5'10" tall. I don't travel much, but might be moving to Utah in the next 6 months. The FJC is at Perrine bridge in Idaho, and I'm thinking to do many jumps there before moving on to other fixed objects. I have met another BASE jumper at my DZ, so that has been helpful. I agree with your caution statement, and that's the kind of advice I would prefer to stay away from. The FJC is being taught by some highly experienced jumpers and I would imagine that they will have some good advice based on experience of using different equipment. I am taking this all very slow as far as the FJC, buying equipment, and jumping other objects. I am not in a hurry to get myself killed.

while I've never been there, I understand there are several jumpers in the NorCal area. maybe one of them will chime in. face to face advice tends to be far more beneficial than internet advice.

as far as gear goes, I'd be tempted to buy from the NorCal manufacturer. it will be extremely easy to get factory help.

Frankie, where in NorCal do you jump?

There really is no such thing as a beginner canopy however there are some purpose specific canopies that you wouldn't bother with at this point.

A canopy works for base, or it doesn't. I've jumped many canopies. If you start BASE jumping on a particular canopy and don't have anything to compare it too, it's the best ever!

Some canopies have a lot more range. If you've never jumped a canopy with limited range, you'd do great something with a greater range. By range, I mean, how slow you can go, (deep brakes, sinking it in...) and how fast and how far you can fly.

If you're going with new, my suggestion, especially being from NorCal:

- Perigee Pro. It's a 2 pin rig. Don't bother with a velcro rig unless it's practically given to you.
- Seven with ZP. It's Asylum's new BASE canopy.

If you're going used, be sure it's suitable. If you find something used, I would be happy to offer an opinion if you send me a PM.

New: Perigee Pro, Gargoyle, or Helium and a Seven

Used: Any of the above containers and try to get a good deal on a FLiK or a BlackJack... nobody seems to have a used Seven for sale yet which must be a testament to how much everyone likes them.

I have two trolls vented and very happy with them and would not change. As far as beginner I am not sure it really matters all that much when it comes to the new gear. I have two pin rigs and a velcro.

I prefer a Gargoyle,Helium,WSxtreme for containers(Morpheus Technologies)Next to that container I like the Apex DP(Apex Base).As far as Parachutes go,I like the Flik Lite(Apex Base)I have jumped Fox,Fox V-tec,Troll,Dagger,Ace,Blackjack,Mojo,Dragon,& Flik.I have not jumped a Seven,but have heard mixed reviews.I have seen it in action,and it has a steep approach.I jump a Flik Lite 242 in a Wsxtreme with Line release toggles made by Morpheus.I am a dealer for Apex Base and Morpheus Technologies and can offer a discount if you want to order through me.I also offer an FJC now as well.

Cya,Mike-freakboy066@hotmail.com
http://freakboy066.tripod.com