first ALTIMETER after A license as a gift?

[dannydan 5]

I have done the search thingy, read all of them, I have read the reviews etc.... I want to buy this as a gift for my kid who grads HS in a week... I would like some "uPdated" feedback from jumpers who have tried more than one computer type alt!
Is it ok for a fresh A lic jumper to get such a thing right off of student status? I believe that it would only help, but I want to hear it from ALL of you experts!! I have recd one review that gives me a thumbs uP...

I am looking for some comparisions from jumpers that have jumped more than one alt with many jumps on each one.

I am leaning towards the AltiTrack but then maybe the OPTIMA!

I know of software issues, minimum time records,(wingsuit flight), WHere do we stand TODAY and perhaps tomorrow with what we have and what anyone knows that maybe coming out new soon?

Opinions and facts are what I am asking for!

TIA!

[DougH 270]

The Altitrack is a fine altimeter, I have had mine since jump 15 or so. I use it much less now, I only use my Viso on hop and pops.

Or you could go cheaper get him a analog, and some jump tickets to go with it.

Just hold off on the audible, let him spend 100 jumps working on his altitude awareness before he ruins it with an audible.

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[klingeme 1]

First of all, I think this gift is about the best thing you could buy a "new" jumper (except maybe jump tickets).

I would stick with an analog altimeter. I'd go with the standard Alti Galaxy. I have found their customer service is great and the lifetime guarentee on them is nice to. Another thing to consider is that once he starts traveling and going to boogies, Alti is at a lot of those boogies and will do things like free calibrations and replacement parts (such as velcro and lenses).

The good thing about this gift is he can use the same altimiter for jump 1 and jump 10,000. It is not something he will "outgrow" like a container or canopy.

[piisfish 140]

Quote

First of all, I think this gift is about the best thing you could buy a "new" jumper (except maybe jump tickets).

I would stick with an analog altimeter. I'd go with the standard Alti Galaxy.

The good thing about this gift is he can use the same altimiter for jump 1 and jump 10,000. It is not something he will "outgrow" like a container or canopy.

think about it as an IMPORTANT present.

An analog alti, relatively heavy, is like a nice swiss watch.
A digital alti is (mostly) plastic, sounds like a cheap japanese watch...

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[novacaine 0]

I had recently asked this same question to my rigger. His responce to the question was a bit of a surprise to me. He told me that an anolog alti was the best choice for noice jumpers, as it allows us newbies to learn to to read an anolog alti safely.
The importance my rigger pointed out, was that digital alti has more problems and can die as a result of a died battery on any jump. If this happens and one needs to borrow an alti off someone, there is a higher chance that the alti is going to be an anolog one.
If your not used to an anolog alti, there is a chance that one might panic while trying to find the needle!

** Keep in mind that I am a low jump # student. I am only passing off the wisdom and knowledge that a person I trust has provided me. To those with more experience then I please don't flame me too bad if ou disagree **

[erdnarob 1]

Buying an altimeter is for sure the best gift for a beginner. I have an ALTIMASTER II for more than 30 years and it's still working (very few maintenance and a couple of recalibration). I have seen the Altitrack and find it fantastic. However in order to optimize the money spent I would go for a traditional altimeter for the wrist and an audible altimeter for the helmet.

Here is some examples:

1) FT-50 wrist altimeter 152.00$ + a beeper PRO-Dytter (or SOLO) 171.00$ total is 323.00$

2) Altitrack wrist altimeter/computer 275.00$ + a beeper Solo 160.00 total is 435.00$

3) Barigo wrist altimeter 154.00$ + a beeper/computer Skytronic fx 225.00$ total is 379.00$

4) Altimaster III wrist altimeter 159.00$ + a beeper/computer Protrack 291.00$ total is 450.00$

I personally believe that an audible altimeter for the helmet coupled with a wrist altimeter is the best safety option. If you are generous, have one of the two devices being a computer as well.

Learn from others mistakes, you will never live long enough to make them all.

[mdrejhon 8]

I believe the Altitrack is a digital that masquerades as an analog (it's digital servo driven, I think); but then again, it's well-designed.

So while it's classified as an analog-face alti, the internal stuff driving the needle is 100% digital and subject to digital issues (bugs, battery, etc). Basically, the needle stops moving on the Altitrack when the battery dies, because the needle is electronically driven... You do have a low battery indicator light, which gives you a number of jumps before this happens...

That said, it's my favourite "analog" of all I've tested -- will probably be the next altimeter I am getting. While not ideal for everyone, I think it's probably fine even for a beginner, especially at dropzones with on-site gear-store support, as it is well designed and has proven to be pretty durable by field users, just make sure the battery is fresh, and you keep working on guessing the correct altitude before looking at the alti (whenever it's appropriate to guess then check), to build up ability to use the big ball of a planet as your 2nd or 3rd altimeter.
(Note -- After 280 jumps and for the purposes of future bigways, I finally got an Optima audible for its LED feature, but it is not a computer, so that's where the Altitrack will come in when I eventually get it...)

[DougH 270]

My altitrack battery has been "fresh" for two years and 350+ jumps. I really wonder if the battery meter is real, or if it only displays full charge.

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[JohnDeere 0]

I have had my Altitrac for about 7 years and the "battery"is still good. I just wish you could tell me the brand of battery so i can get some for my neptune's.

Nothing opens like a Deere!

You ignorant fool! Checks are for workers!

[pilotdave 0]

Quote

I have had my Altitrac for about 7 years...

I assume that's a typo...
I recommend an altimaster galaxy. Maybe a custom face (it's free) to make it special. Only problem is that it won't glow in the dark for night jumps.

Dave

[JohnDeere 0]

now why whould that be a typo????

Nothing opens like a Deere!

You ignorant fool! Checks are for workers!

[DSE 5]

cuz the altitrack hasn't been around for 7 years? I could be wrong, but I believe it started shipping mid to late 2005?
The Altitrack is my most used piece of equipment. It's held up well, and L&B customer service can't be beaten. Coupled with Jumptrack software, it's a valuable learning tool for me; I can see what I've done on a particular jump.
I wish the Altitrack was more wingsuit friendly though.

[Gene03 0]

Howdy Dan,
Old guy, old fashioned, old school thought here.
Teach her how to use her twin optical altimeters.
Much more reliable.
Works in all weather conditions.
Never needs batteries.
Won't rip, wrinkle or rust, etc.

Buy her some jump tickets or coaching with the money saved.

“The only fool bigger than the person who knows it all is the person who argues with him.

Stanislaw Jerzy Lec quotes (Polish writer, poet and satirist 1906-1966)

[pilotdave 0]

What he said. (Plus the 2-years in the sport in your profile).

Dave

[Broke 0]

Altitrack is really cool, or you can get a custom built alti from Free fall accessories

Divot your source for all things Hillbilly.
Anvil Brother 84
SCR 14192

[JohnDeere 0]

Ok maybe im stupid..... you wouldnt be the first to call me that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.... To Pilotdave my profile is not as it seems......... My first tandem was in 1997 and i started and stopped AFF in 2001 but i finally got in the sport in late 2005 so make it 2.5 years.

Nothing opens like a Deere!

You ignorant fool! Checks are for workers!

[LloydDobbler 2]

To the OP, on the digital versus analog for a new jumper debate:

- An Altimaster Galaxy keeps on tickin', much like a good watch (as someone said). It's stood the test of time, and it WORKS.

- I disagree with the assessment that a digital altimeter is in some way less capable because a battery might go out during freefall. An analog altimeter can easily get stuck in freefall, which IMO is much more dangerous.

(Spoken as a low-number jumper, but also as someone who's experienced both a digital alti going dead and an analog getting stuck in freefall. The digital, I knew the problem right away. The analog, I was at 5 grand for a good 10 seconds before I realized the ground was starting to look way too close.)

Back to the original question, some options to consider -

L&B Altitrack - analog face, lots of stats tracking, export to computer

L&B Viso - digital face, less stats tracking (but enough), no export to computer, no audible

Altimaster Neptune - digital face, lots of stats tracking, export to computer, audible alarms


I've got multiple jumps on both the Neptune and the Viso, and I prefer the Neptune. I like the computer export, and the fact that I can put it in my helmet as an audible if for some reason I need to (and use my Galaxy as my visual altimeter).

Signatures are the new black.

[malarame 0]

I've heard the debate about digital vs. analog for new jumpers, and I figured I'd throw my opinion out there. After quite a bit of thought, I ended up buying a Neptune last weekend. I jumped with it a few times and I love it. I find that I'm able to read the digital display much faster than I was able to read the analog, mostly because I don't need to search for the dial. One quick glance and I know exactly where I am. Plus, I find that I can judge fall rate much better with numbers ticking by than by watching the dial move. I also love that it tracks statistics like speed, jump altitude, etc.

After jumping with both, I'd much rather have a digital altimeter. I'm not too worried about the battery dying on a jump since I figure it's much more likely to happen on the ground or on the plane ride.

The idea to get an altimeter as a gift is a great one, though. It was the first piece of gear I bought, not counting gloves, and I'm very happy with my purchase.

[mdrejhon 8]

I think there is a ferocious debate about digital versus analog for another reason: It takes a little bit of education to be able to effortlessly read numbers, especially numbers bigger than 1 or 2 digits. Basically, distance perception is more of a born ability, but numbers perception is more of a taught ability.

Reading an analog altimeter is just about interpreting the distance between the needle and a specific point such as the number 3 (for a common example of a pull altitude).

Analog is more friendly when you're not sure how proficient one is with numbers -- since it's more idiot proof especially when one might, by chance, be poor with "numbers perception". However, those proficient with numbers will find better performance with digital...

Especially in today's digital age, as long as you've got a good sense of being able to measure fallrate, measure difference between two altitudes, just by a quick numbers glance without needing to calculate. For example, some people can look at 77XX feet and instantly know they're about 2.3Kfeet from their 5500 feet breakoff altitude, without needing to calculate numbers. Some schools often teach addition tables, or enforce a good doctrine of manual addition/subtraction which allows people to automatically instantly recognize the difference between a 6 and a 9 is always 3, with good carryover, so that looking at 6900 feet versus 9600, is instantly recognized as a hair less than 3000 feet, while 9900 versus 6600 feet is instantly recognized as a hair more than 3000 feet. I can intantly tell by a quick glance -- but not everyone can. I stress, this is not calculation, but merely instant recognition of a general number pattern imprinted in the mental capability from proper education. In fast, most only need to look at one digit -- the most significant digit, to guesstimate how close you're close to breakoff, and knowing 9, 8, 7, 6, 5K to a 4500 breakoff. Even in situations where hundreds matter, it's easy to instantly mentally roundoff to the nearest 500 as easily as checking whether a needle is closer to which tick, if you have remotely reasonably good number perception.

In fact, there are cases where one have had unintentional early breakoffs using an analog altimeter -- broke off 1000 feet early because of a hurried glace, and read 4500 when they were really 5500 feet -- that is solved by wearing a digital instead. When one is focussing on staying docked stable, and is not wearing an audible, and you see a funnel in front of you, you're not going to always do more than a quick glance at the altimeter. This is actual true case...

Many people only merely need an instantaneous glance of a small number (could be just the thousands and hundreds digits only). This can be important in an emergency situation, but only if you've got effortless instant number reading capability on quick glances at numbers. Not everyone is able to do that (i.e. Dyslexics or those slow with numbers, or those who need to concentrate to read numbers, may function much better with an analog)

Given an undefined case, analog is more reliable and trustworthy in general -- the human mind only needs minimal education to interpret an analog. Besides, one must always be comfortable and familiar with analog anyway literally by prerequisite (loaned altimeters, student altimeters, etc) but I clearly see it's not always universally the best for universally everybody. Being able to handle digitals quickly, do require more educated numbers perception than analogs. But any halfway-decent school and today's digital world, the ever-diminishing analog faces, is already making at least some of the new generation be able to handle digitals impressively quickly.

I agree with people who say one should begin with an analog. But I disagree that people who say that analog is always universally better for everyone (even for finer things such as fallrate and altitude differences), once you're ready to move on.

[dannydan 5]

HELLO all and THANK YOU all much for your expierences and opinions and the kudos for what I did get for my daughter "SWEEEET" aka ellie!!! I went with and recd just yesterday Her brand new Alti~2 GALAXY glowface... I went with the ole tried and true "standby" altimeter for various reasons. She and Her sista Molly mooBoo leave here in a few hours for Greece with their Aunt Becky as another installment of HS grad presents...

I asked Jenn about engraving, and I will drop off the outer backplate today to get some scribble on it!

Ellie told me last evening that She found 3 THREE dz's in Greece, I asked Her if she was going to take Her logbook "just in case", and I said that maybe she should just leave it here.... I am pretty sure that any dz over there wouldn't let Her jump.... But then again.... It would be just fantastically if she could log a student jump o/s of USA and use Her NEW Alti on that jump, but I think best that she just go on the trip, take in the scenery and relax a bit b4 she hunkers down for college and fulltime work when she gets back home....

Anyway, thank you ALL once again and I hope that I also may be of some sort of service to you someday!

peace my best regards and BLUESKIES to you all!!
:DD

[jpechbre 0]

First of all the Optima is an audible altimeter and is not meant to be used as a primary visual altimeter. Check out Larsen and Brusgaard's website for product info.

I got a digital alt right off student status. I got a Viso for my wrist mount alt and love it. The only drawback I've seen with it is on tracking dives. It can be a bit difficult to read while your arms are at your sides, and an analogue would be easier to read in that sense. But as far as everyday jumps go I love it and it's easily and clearly readable.

You might also want to take a look at the Neptune for a wrist mount digital alt.

All in all, I've found that younger generations prefer digital over analogue. It's all a matter of preference.