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How much does a regular base rig with canopy weigh?

From BR website:
Fox 225 7.75 lb 3.5 kg
Fox 245 9.25 lb 4.2 kg
Fox 265 10.50 lb 4.75 kg
Fox 285 10.75 lb 4.9 kg
Fox 315 12.25 lb 5.5 kg (estimate)
My rig, a Prism P5 + Fox 245 Multi Vtec+covers, weighs 16.50 lb - 7.5 kg (real measurement), so my Prism P5 only weighs 7.25 lb - 3.3 kg, and if we assume all Prism's to have the same weight (I do not have real weights of different sizes of Prism), we have the following weights for complete BR rigs:
Prism+Fox 225: 15 lb - 6.8 kg
Prism+Fox 245: 16.50 lb - 7.5 kg
Prism+Fox 265: 17.75 lb - 8.1 kg
Prism+Fox 285: 18 lb - 8.2 kg
Prism+Fox 315: 19.50 lb - 8.8 kg
Other BASE rigs from other manufacturers, I would say, weigh more or less the same as per corresponding canopy size.
Hope it helps

how much weight does the valve mod add on?

> how much weight does the valve mod add on?
Uhhmmm, in terms of total rig weight, I would say valve mod adds a neglectable weight (actually, I weighed my complete rig before I added the valve mod).
In terms of pack volume, yes, valve mod adds some noticeable increase in pack volume, but after few pack jobs, I get used to it and succeeded in putting canopy into my container as neatly as before the mod.

Thanks guys, for the replies. I was trying to figure which canopy size to get the correct wingloading for my first set of gear. Looks like im a getting a 220 sq ft canopy.

A good rule of thumb, by which you cannot go too wrong, is the following table where are reported the naked weight of jumper and "proper" canopy size:
60 kg - 132 lb: 220-225 ft²
70 kg - 154 lb: 240-245 ft²
80 kg - 176 lb: 260-265 ft²
90 kg - 198 lb: 280-285 ft²
100 kg - 220 lb: 310-320 ft²
Any jumper whose weight falls in between the above weight, is free to choose either the smaller or the bigger canopy size, considering that the bigger canopy you have above your head, the slower (and the better ) you will fly.
Of course, case by case, jumper by jumper, put in the choice process issues like: experience, usual location of sites jumped, usual condition of landing of sites jumped, body fitness, whatever, can make switch the decision from a certain canopy size to the preceeding or following size.

I weigh 130lbs.

You might also want to have a look at the Wingloading For Dummies thread here, and the linked thread on the New Jumpers Forum at BLiNC.

On the Shotgun Ray table, then, you ought to be jumping a 230 square foot canopy.

I weigh 130, with approx. 20 pounds of gear under an Ace 240 would give me a wingloading of .625. Ive read that bigger is better in base, so ill go with the advice from the experts.

I am looking at an Ace, because that is what I have heard to be one of the best all around base canopies out there. On the order form for the Ace, one of the options is black dacron suspension lines ($75), what is the purpose of this option and is it worth the money to get it?

The purpose is stealth. On a darkly colored canopy at night (assuming stealthy jumper clothing), the most visible thing is the big arc of white lines.

It really does make a difference to canopy visibility at night, which is important for some jumps (buildings come to mind immediately). I've even seen a load where a jumper with white lines got spotted (and chased) and a jumper with black lines landed, stashed the gear, and strolled away.

I have one canopy with black lines, and several with white lines. I generally prefer the dark lines for stealthy jumping.

Note that if your canopy colors aren't stealthy, having black lines won't do you any good.

It isn't exactly skydiving, is it?

Probably a good idea to get it then. I am also contemplating an all black canopy with a dark colored center cell such as dark blue, gray, purple.

Just be careful packing. If the colors are too close, it can be a pain. I'm a fan of mostly dark (black, dark purple, navy, etc) canopies with greyish center cells (good contrast with the outside, but not too bright).

I am going to put blackberry on the center cell and stabilizers.

Now if someone would please invent something to make my canopy QUIETER on opening, then I'll be set.

nice choise

I suppose you've thought of a slider?

Of course that sorta rules out a lot of low objects...

Pulling the cutaway immediately after exiting avoids the intense schwacking of the canopy opening.

Leaving your pilot chute in the BOC pocket has a similar effect.

Trust this helps.

S.

active noise reduction... output to an amp and carry a big bank of speakers on your chest mount d-rings.

works for me.

Gardner

I think sliders are even worse for making noises that people can hear below. At least slider off jumps produce quick/short bursts of schwacking as opposed to the 1-2 second softer opening sounds of a slider up jump, permitting the local fuzz to zero in on your exact position.

Now get crackin' on that silent canopy design!

Canopies make alot of noice regardless of no slider or with slider. First time I ever heard canopies opening was at WFFC 2002. I never realized how much noise they make on opening.