Skydiving Gear Price Comparison Info

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 other articles 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 RW $2265 (plus $200 with ZPX fabric)
• Pilot or Pilot7 $2375 (plus $200 with ZPX fabric)
• Safire 3 $2790
• S Fire $2850
• Pulse $2900
• Sabre3 $2990
• Storm $2920
• Spectre $2920
• Silhouette $2920

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 $1720
• Optimum Reserve $1960
• Icarus Reserve $1650
• Icarus NANO $1870
• Smart Reserve $1425
• Smart LPV Reserve $1595
• R-Max Reserve $1488
• RUSH Reserve $1500-$1550

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 12.5-year lifespan (if manufactured prior to January 2017) and a 15.5-year lifespan (if manufactured January 2017 and beyond), Vigil units have a 20-year lifespan, m2 units have a 15.5-year lifespan, Argus units have an unlimited lifespan.
• Service: CYPRES units require service every 4 years if manufactured prior to January 2017, but the maintenance service is every 5 years, and now voluntary, if manufactured January 2017 and beyond. Vigil units do not have a service schedule, although Vigil 2+ units must be sent in for a battery replacement at 10 years old. m2 units do not have a service schedule. Argus units are due for service every 4 years.
• Batteries: CYPRES2 units get batteries only with each service, and it’s not an extra cost. Vigil units get batteries every 10 years. m2 units are designed to have a battery life of up to 15,000 jumps. Argus units get batteries 6 months.
• Type of unit: Student, Tandem, etc. Make sure the type of unit you are getting is appropriate for your use. CYPRES mode units cannot be changed by the user (Expert, Student, Tandem, Speed), but the Changeable Mode CYPRES2 units can be changed by the user. The WSC (Wingsuit) CYPRES2 is a special unit made for wingsuit flyers. The Vigil Xtreme unit can not switch modes, but the Vigil Multi-Mode unit can have it's mode switched by the user (Pro, Student or Tandem). The m2 Tandem and Speed units cannot have their modes switched by the user, but the m2 Student unit can be switched to Expert and the Expert can be switched to Speed, by the user, for an individual jump. Argus unit modes can be changed by the user.
• 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. The CYPRES, Vigil and Argus are available in 1 or 2 pins. The m2 only comes in a 1-pin configuration.
• 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 $1200
• Vigil Cuatro $1190
• m2 $999
• Argus, no longer available new

Final Notes

Contact ChutingStar 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.