Nightingale 0 #1 December 10, 2003 I'm wanting to buy an audible. I just got a brand new wonderful helmet for my birthday, so I now have a place to put one. There's so many out there.... which is best for a newbie? What have been your experiences with these and other audibles? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #2 December 10, 2003 I have a ProDytter and a ProTrack. Customer service from the manufacturer (Larsen & Brusgaard) is excellent, which is a big part of why I jump them. Which would I recommend to someone who doesn't have an audible? Depends on what you want. If you just want something to beep at you, go for the ProDytter. If you think you'll enjoy the extra features of the ProTrack then get that. Personally I love checking out the data on my ProTrack after a jump, and it makes logging much easier. The old style one beep Dytters are okay if you don't want to spend a whole lot. I wouldn't spend more than $50 on one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #3 December 10, 2003 I've got a pro-track, time-out and a neptune. The pro-track I absolutely love, because it gives me info about exit heights, freefalltime, fallrates etc which is nice to have when freeflying, birdmanning etc. If all that doesn't interest you, any beeper will do. The neptune has so far been neat but troublesome, maybe wait out on that one for a while. My time-out is back-up, and main audible if my pro-track is on my ankle for birdmanning, this thing always works, and was cheap... But I got the pro-track first, because I knew I was gonna use it, I'm a gadget freak and I love the software etc, but it is not cheap. If you think you'll want the extra stuff later, go for a pro-track now it'll save you money later. If you think you don't, save money now and get a pro-dytter or an older dytter or time-out or something. I would get something that has 3 beeps tho, not just 2. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gus 1 #4 December 10, 2003 QuotePersonally I love checking out the data on my ProTrack after a jump, and it makes logging much easier. I'm really lazy about filling in my logbook and I'd be lost without the logging that the ProTrack does. It's worth it just for that. GusOutpatientsOnline.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bsoder 0 #5 December 10, 2003 How about the skytronic audible? Is it any good? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gus 1 #6 December 10, 2003 QuoteHow about the skytronic audible? Is it any good? The reviews seem a bit mixed. From what I've heard Parasport Italia doesn't have a great reputation for customer service. GusOutpatientsOnline.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bsoder 0 #7 December 10, 2003 Hm. so it sounds like the protrack is a better way to go, then. Looks like the protrack runs about $65 more, give or take? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vt1977 0 #8 December 10, 2003 I absolutely love my Pro-track – it logs jumps that I forget to, adds up my freefall time and tells me all sorts of other stuff that I may or may not want or need to know. It’s user friendly and just generally great! Vicki Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OzoneJunkie 0 #9 December 10, 2003 QuoteHow about the skytronic audible? Is it any good? I have the first version, the skytronic, and the 2nd version (looks the same, more features) - the skytronic pro. I don't care about anything other than having 2 alarms, it working, and it being loud. The pro does have some logbook crap that I've never looked at. My older one (version 1) is dieing (dying? hate spelling that) after 6 or so years of service. I'm going to replace that one with a new audible - possibly the skytronic FX. Anyone, the skytronics are very loud - I always get looks on the plane when it goes off. That's it's best feature. I know the fx has a bunch of fancy-pants features, but, whatever. Loud is good :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bsoder 0 #10 December 10, 2003 Which one is louder? the skytronic FX or the pro-track? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OzoneJunkie 0 #11 December 10, 2003 QuoteWhich one is louder? the skytronic FX or the pro-track? My brother has some model of the pro-track (either the latest, or the one before) and the skytronic is definately louder. I have not heard a louder audible. I can't speak for their newest model (the FX) - yet. EDIT: I will say this - I have heard similar issues about getting the skytronic serviced - that it's not easy, or fast. And I usually order batteries in some decent quantities, because getting them is not so easy - Radio Shack doesn't carry that model batt. So, even I have some hesitation about buying a new skytronic. But, 6 1/2 years of service for the first one I bought, I suppose isn't bad. Well, for what it's worth, I probably will buy the FX, unless I find another in it's price range that is as loud as it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bsoder 0 #12 December 10, 2003 You think it's loud enough to hear if it were in a thigh pocket, in freefall? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OzoneJunkie 0 #13 December 10, 2003 QuoteYou think it's loud enough to hear if it were in a thigh pocket, in freefall? Uhm, no. Unless you're doing 50mph vertical in a wingsuit. Then, maybe. I've missed my audible maybe 4 or 5 times in 1600+ jumps. But, let's put it this way, if I have my helmet on in the plane at the first alarm altitude, it hurts my ear - that's how loud it is. It is FREAKING LOUD. Just check with my brother - he has the Pro-Dytter, not the Pro-Track. But others on the dz have the Track - and the skytronic wins in the loudness dept. EDIT: I can only assume that the FX is as loud as the previous models - if it's not, and I bought the FX, I'd be pissed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b1jercat 0 #14 December 10, 2003 I use the FX, it was about 100$ cheaper than the pro track. I bought it because it's shape allows it to fit perfectly in the ear piece of my pro-teck helmet. It hasn't quite been a year and I'm still on the first battery. It gives me my exit alti, opening alti, speed, and time in free fall and has three programmable alarms and a bunch of other things I don't use. It just depends on what you are looking for in and alti, BTW isn't the neptune made by skytronic also? blues jerry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cruzit 0 #15 December 10, 2003 Shameless plug for Larsen & Brusgaard. When my older ProDytter (I got it as a Xmas present in 96 I think) died earlier this year. I e-mailed the company and they replaced it...no charge except the cost of shipping the old one to Denmark. They even sent me an extra set of batteries for the new oneI wanted to get a ProTrack...now I'll have to wait until my new ProDytter dies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #16 December 10, 2003 I've heard nothing but great news about L&B. We are very happy with our ProTracks and I do use it to log. Very handy. Used to have a Timeout - too thick to fit comfortably in anything but my frap hat. haven't tried any of the others. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoadRash 0 #17 December 10, 2003 I like my Pro-track for freeflying, but I also have a Skytronic FX that fits perfectly in my Z1 (considering they are both made by Parasport Italia, it should.) The FX is pretty loud, but I like the Pro-tracks features and would recommend trying some out before buying. I borrowed one of my coaches for a while and that is what convinced me to buy a Pro-track. What kind of helmet do you have? I know some of my friends have had trouble hearing audibles because of padding.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Fly the friendly skies...^_^...})ii({...^_~... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyyhi 0 #18 December 10, 2003 My friends all recommend the pro-track. . .never used any of them because I am a student and only have 5 jumps but I trust my buds. . .________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #19 December 10, 2003 my helmet is a Bonehead Guner Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyhi 24 #20 December 10, 2003 QuoteWhich would I recommend to someone who doesn't have an audible? Depends on what you want. Exactly. I want something that says, "Time to track", "You might want to think about opening now", and "Pull something, moron!". My Time-Out does all three for me. Trust me, when you jump with people like Dude (and Rookie), you remember every jump and how to log it; "Some Guy went low!"Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZoneRat 0 #21 December 10, 2003 I want one with a sexy female voice that purrs my altitude in my ear. "12,000 feet... 11,000 feet.... later: BREAKOFF-BREAKOFF...PULL-PULL and OHSHITOHSHITOHSHIT!" and... when the altitude reaches zero, if the alt doesn't sense massive orientation changes... I want it to say "Ooooh! NICE landing, Robin". ____ I love my protrak and use most of the features and data. It'll have to do until the sexy voice one comes out. Most my friends chose the Skytronic FX and they love theirs too.“There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.” Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #22 December 10, 2003 QuoteBTW isn't the neptune made by skytronic also? The Neptune is made by Alti-2. Skytronic, Skytronic Pro and Skytronic FX are made by Parasport Italia. I used to have a Skytronic Pro and can testify to how LOUD it is - if you have any hearing issues that's the one to get! I did not have good luck with customer service from the manufacturer though - and I was working for one of their dealers at the time. I've since learned that customers in the US are better served by working through Unfeathered (Parasport's US distributor/service center). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OzoneJunkie 0 #23 December 10, 2003 QuoteI want one with a sexy female voice that purrs my altitude in my ear. "12,000 feet... 11,000 feet.... and the ever-unpopular "user death imminent..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #24 December 10, 2003 QuoteI used to have a Skytronic Pro and can testify to how LOUD it is Can you compare loudness to a Neptune? This weekend, I heard a Neptune from an enclosed room on the other side of the hanger. Made me wonder if that thing might contribute to hearing loss Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoadRash 0 #25 December 10, 2003 QuoteI want one with a sexy female voice that purrs my altitude in my ear. "12,000 feet... 11,000 feet.... later: BREAKOFF-BREAKOFF...PULL-PULL and OHSHITOHSHITOHSHIT!" No offense, but I don't want what would sound like a phone sex hotline talking to me in freefall. For me, I would definitely want an audible with Sean Connerys voice telling me exactly what to do Of course, when I land, I want him to say, "Thanks Money Penny." (Shaken, not stirred...007 style) I would also recommend going through Unfeathered. They also offer specials sometimes, but I think that is usually in combination of helmet and audible.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Fly the friendly skies...^_^...})ii({...^_~... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
