Used AADs
Used Automatic Activation Devices for Sale
Explore used AADs from Cypres, Vigil, and MarS on Avento. AADs are life-saving devices that constantly monitor your descent rate during a skydiving jump. If it detects that you are still in freefall too close to the ground it automatically cuts your reserve loop and thereby deploys your reserve parachute.
There are three manufacturers that produce verified AADs. Cypres (Airtec) is the largest and most popular manufacturer trusted worldwide by sport and military skydivers for their reliability and V-shaped cutter that severs the closing loop in a single clean cut. Cypres produces multiple versions of their AAD and is the only one to produce a designated AAD for Wingsuiting. Vigil produces the Cuatro with four jump modes for different use cases and has the longest service life with 20 years. MarS produces the m2 multi AAD with five selectable profiles, the lowest cost, and services that can be done by a rigger without the need to send the unit back to the manufacturer.
What to look for when buying a used AAD
Pricing a used AAD is relatively straightforward. As the service intervals, battery replacements and service life are known the fair price can be determined easily through depreciation. Use our fair price calculator to estimate the price of a used AAD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cypres, Vigil, and MarS all passed rigorous inspection processes and are safe to use. Nevertheless, Cypres AADs are generally considered to be the pinnacle of reliability and safety. They have the longest track record, most successful activations and are the only ones featuring a V-shaped cutter that severs the closing loop in a single clean cut. Other designs use a circular knife that cuts the loop in two places, and some argue that this could leave a small gap where the loop jams instead of being cut cleanly.
Cypres:
- 15.5 yrs service life (12.5 yrs for pre-2017 units)
- 5 yrs voluntary service interval (mandatory 4 yrs for pre-2017 units)
Vigil:
- 20 years service life
- Mandatory battery replacement between 8 and 12 years of service life
MarS:
- 15.5 yrs or 15k jumps service life
- No mandatory maintenance other than inspection by rigger at repack
Cypres has 4 jump profiles available in the C-Mode Cypres or as individual units (Expert, Speed, Student, Tandem) and a Wingsuit Cypres only available as a separate unit:
- Expert: 78 mph activation speed at default 750 ft
- Speed: 102 mph activation speed at default 750 ft, designed for high-performance canopy piloting
- Student: 29 mph activation speed at default 1000 ft
- Tandem: 78 mph activation speed at default 1900 ft
- Wingsuit: 45 mph at 750 ft, switches to canopy mode status after deployment
Vigil offers 4 jump profiles selectable in the Vigil Cuatro:
- Pro: 78 mph activation speed at default 1100 ft
- Student: 45 mph activation speed at default 1300 ft
- Tandem: 78 mph activation speed at default 2300 ft
- Xtreme: 96 mph activation speed at default 1100 ft
MarS offers 5 jump profiles selectable in the m2 multi:
- Student: 29 mph activation speed at default 1100 ft
- Intermediate: 45 mph activation speed at default 1100 ft
- Professional: 78 mph activation speed at default 885 ft
- Canopy Piloting: 101 mph at default 885 ft
- Tandem: 78 mph at default 2000 ft
Note that the default activation altitudes can be changed for all AAD manufacturers.
Yes as long as you set the suitable offset. All AAD models let you change the activation altitude. Check the manual for instructions on how to do so and if unsure consult your rigger. It is important to not set it too high to avoid premature deployment in freefall or two-out scenarios but high enough for it to work if you need it above elevated ground or if your boarding area is lower than the landing area.
All manufacturers offer jump profiles specifically for canopy piloting with higher activation speeds (Cypres Speed 102 mph, Vigil Xtreme 96 mph, MarS Canopy Piloting 101 mph). If you are doing ultra-high-performance canopy piloting where you could potentially surpass this speed in your turns, analyse your GPS data to be sure that you don’t exceed this vertical speed.
For units from 2017 onwards services of Cypres AADs are voluntary. However, it might feel very uncertain to not do a service for such a life-saving device. We have spent hours talking to Cypres about their tests and architecture, and their track record shows why they are confident in the voluntary service policy. At the same time, the price of Cypres services is very low for the work they do, so we recommend doing the service if you are able to send your unit in.