Altimaster V ???

[azureriders 0]

I bought a helmet that came with a bag of goodies. Included was an Altimaster V. Looking for some advice, is this thing fit for a secondary altimeter or should I toss it. It fills cheap, way cheaper than anything I have saw from Alti-2 before. It is plastic, but has no adjustment knob like the plastick Altimaster II. It adjusts like a Galaxy. The plastic construction gives the adjustment a bouncy, clicking feeling, not at all smooth. Other than newer better designs, is there a reason this thing is no longer in production?

[faulknerwn 38]

I had one for a long time and never had any problems with it. Other people did however - they definitely don't stand up to abuse as well as some of the more expensive models..

W

[GravityGirl 0]

I wouldn't toss it. Have someone take it up for a test jump to see if it's working. Then give it away if it is. There are loads of new jumpers struggling to be able to afford gear.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peace and Blue Skies!
Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

[tdog 0]

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Looking for some advice, is this thing fit for a secondary altimeter or should I toss it

This is going to sound like a broken record as it has been said before... However, all altimeters should be a second altimiter to your eyes...

I say this as someone who had a real nice and rather new alti break in freefall, and if I believed the the alti over my eyes, I would have had a AAD fire or gone in. My eyes told me my alti was wrong.

[azureriders 0]

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all altimeters should be a second altimiter to your eyes

Good point, I should have said second man made altimeter. I am working on training my eyes on every jump. They are getting there, I feel good that I would know to pull before my hard deck, but doubt that it would be 'on time'.

[councilman24 37]

Many altimaster V's died very quickly. And they did not have the same warrenty as the II's and III's. They were a less expensive altimaster to compete with other brands. They quickly got a well deserved bad reputation. If it works, use it. But expect it to die some time. Or maybe not.

I wouldn't give it to a new jumper because they can't afford a different one. You wouldn't want a newbie to have an altimeter stick at 5000". It might happen with any altimeter but these were more likely.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[Tonto 1]

I had one. Bought it new from Square 1 in April 1992, and it lasted until later in April 1992. About 25 dives if I remember correctly. Even though it was cheap, it was without a doubt the most expensive piece of skydiving gear I've ever bought.

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[laraatalti2 0]

Hi guys,

I am blatantly cutting and pasting from our website here:

http://www.alti-2.com/sse-repairs.htm#Altimaster%20V

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Altimaster V

The Altimaster V was originally designed by SSE to be a low cost entry level instrument, it was not designed to be repaired. This model had been discontinued long before Alti-2 acquired the Altimaster range. For these reasons we are unable to offer any warranty coverage for this model. We do have a "Trade-Up" program for owners of Altimaster V altimeters.

Trade Up program

Edited by slotperfect: please use the link to see the details of the trade-up program. That will keep this reply well within the Forum Rules. Thanks!
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But hey, if the altimeter works, use it! Feel free to call or e-mail me if you have any questions.

~Lara

[Liemberg 0]

Looks remarkable like the one I bought second-hand in 1982. That one has seen his share of barrigo's, saphire's and ft-50's come and perish and was still used as a students altimeter, last season...

That answer your question?

"Whoever in discussion adduces authority uses not intellect but memory." - Leonardo da Vinci
A thousand words...