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By Mike Gruwell

I've put together the following gear price comparison information for skydivers in the market for new or used gear. This is a brief but direct overview on some of the more popular skydiving gear that we see come through ChutingStar. The following info will give you a brief education on how to value used gear against new gear, and then you can determine which is the best choice for you.

Note: Canopies/brands listed below are those that ChutingStar has had the most success with and are the most common within our area.

Also, please see our article on buying used gear and using ChutingStar as an Inspection/Escrow service to prevent the seller or buyer from getting scammed.

Main Canopies

Note: When determining an appropriate value for used main canopies, keep the list below in mind. Ask for info on these items when considering a particular used canopy listing.

• Number of jumps: Usually $1-$2 off per jump with normal use
• Reline: Due every 500-600 jumps, price approximately $300
• Age: Particularly old or new canopy DOM should affect price
• Damage/Patches: Number of patches or lack of damage will affect price
• Water landings: This should affect price.
• All included parts: A used main canopy should include canopy, lines, slider and links.

New prices (Use this list as a reference point on determining a good deal.)

Triathlon, $1560
Pilot, $1630
Safire2 $1835
Pulse $1795
Sabre2 $1850
Storm $1785
Spectre $1785
Silhouette $1805

Reserve Canopies

Note: When determining an appropriate price for used reserve canopies, keep the list below in mind. Ask for info on these items when considering a particular used canopy listing.

• Number of repacks: Will affect price. All PD reserves have to go back for factory
inspection/testing every 40 repacks.
• Number of deployments: Will affect price. All PD reserve have to go back for
factory testing every 25 deployments.
• Age: Particularly old or new canopies should affect price.
• Damage/Patches: This should affect price.
• Water Landings: This should affect price.
• Strength testing: Recent fabric strength testing? PD reserve fabric is strength tested by riggers once a year to 30-pounds in 3 places on top skin.
• All included parts: A used reserve canopy should include a packing data card with the canopy’s history, canopy, lines, slider and links.

New prices (Use this list as a reference on determining a good deal.)

PD Reserve, $1095
Optimum Reserve, $1425
Icarus Reserve, $1080 sizes 99-149, $1400 for sizes 169-279
Smart Reserve, $1020
R-Max Reserve, graduated pricing starting at $975 for 108 to $1125 for 288

AADs

Note: When determining an appropriate price for used AADs, keep the list below in mind. Ask for info on these items when considering a particular used AAD listing.

• Age: Cypres units have a 12-year lifespan, Vigil units have a 20-year lifespan, Argus units have an unlimited lifespan.
• Service: Cypres units are due for service every 4 years. Vigil units do not have a service schedule. Argus units are due for service every 4 years.
• Batteries: Original Cypres units get batteries every two years. Cypres2 units get batteries only with each 4-year service, and it’s not an extra cost. Vigil units get batteries every 10 years. Argus units get batteries every year.
• Type of unit: Student, Tandem, etc. Make sure the type of unit you are getting is appropriate for your use. Cypres units cannot be changed. Cypres2 units can be changed at factory. Vigil and Argus units can be changed by the user/rigger.
• Number of cutters/pins: Most units are 1-pin, which means it has one cutter to cut one reserve closing loop. If it’s a 2-pin unit, it’s made for a container with two loops (Racer). Make sure you are getting a unit with the appropriate number of cutters/pins. All common sport rigs except the Racer need a one pin/cutter unit.
• Display/Unit/Cutter/Cable Damage: This will affect price and airworthiness.
• Service Bulletins: All AAD manufacturers have issued service bulletins in the past. Make sure the appropriate work has been completed.

New prices (Use this list as a reference on determining a good deal.)

Cypres2, $1455 (Price can vary from day-to-day due to USD/EURO exchange rate.)
Vigil II, $1290
Argus, $1099

Final Notes

Contact us if you have any questions about a particular piece of used gear before purchasing or committing to have it sent to ChutingStar for inspection. Sometimes a quick look by us of the description or communication provided can provide a bit of further insight on whether to pursue the deal or move on.