trilete312 0 #1 January 9, 2003 My old Timex Ironman watch finally shot craps today and I need a new watch. I was looking and saw that Timex has a do it all watch called the Helix that does Altitude up to 18000ft, temp, and Barametric Pressure. It must not have been too popular, because I found it for 59 bucks. Has anyone ever seen one of these. Before anyone says anything, it would not replace my Altimaster. Was just curious if a skydiver has put it through its paces.----------- Ready, Set, Gooooooo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #2 January 9, 2003 Yeah, my brother gave me one for christmas. I took it back, got the refund, and bought a similar watch made by Suunto. I had two big complaints that made it innapropriate for skydiving. The first, was that I found it very cumbersome and time consuming to zero the altimeter. The second was that the altimeter updates itself once every three seconds, way too slowly to give reasonably accurate numbers in freefall. As comparison, the Suunto watches update 3 times per second. The Timex might be a neat tool for a pilot, but my opinion was that it was useless for a skydiver. Where did you see it so cheap? My brother paid $230 Canadian... about $150 US. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wlie 0 #3 January 9, 2003 Quote the Suunto watches update 3 times per second. Which model is that? I looked on their website, but could not find any info on this. They all come with an altitude alarm, but I doubt I'll hear it unless I wear it in my helmet.My other ride is the relative wind. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #4 January 9, 2003 The altitude alarm is not a substitute for an audible. I've never heard mine in freefall. Sorry, my bad. I checked the email conversation I had with "kathy@suuntousa.com", and the refresh rate is once per second, not the 3 times /second I previously mentioned. Memory is the first thing to go, they say... QuoteDear Andrew: Our units of measurment range is -1,600 to 29,500 feet with a display up-date of vertical movement in intervals of 1 second for three minutes, then every ten seconds. Our product has not been tested for skydiving. Once again, our instruments should not be substituted for acquiring measurments that require professional or industrial precision measuring and should not be used for skydiving. Regards, Kathy Gable Suunto USA Despite their disclaimer, I find it just as accurate as my alti-3, both in the plane and in freefall. Actually, I find it adjusts to rapid changes in speed (like canopy opening) better then the alti-3. Despite her statement otherwise, I've never noticed it go into the 'once per 10 second' mode she mentions. I speculate that if it won't do that during rapid altitude changes. Suunto watches are actually becoming quite common at chicago area DZ's. AFF and Tandem instructors, in addition to videographers are ditching their alti-3's in favor of the Suunto combined with redundant audibles. I should add, that I don't think they're very appropirate for those with lower experience. The smaller numbers can be dificult to read at times, especially at freefly speeds. It is virtually impossible to read in a standard 'sit' position without bringing your arm in closer. You really need to have progressed beyond using the altimeter as your main indication of altitude, to trusting the look of the ground at certain altitudes. I tend to use mine as confirmation of what the look of the ground has already told me. If I'm on a jump where I'll be frequently checking altitude - ie, a hybrid with multiple break-off points, I'll wear my alti-3. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KATO33 0 #5 January 9, 2003 http://www.suuntowatches.com/altimax.htm I think this is it. Blue Skies Black Death Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KATO33 0 #6 January 9, 2003 QuoteYeah, my brother gave me one for christmas. I took it back, got the refund, and bought a similar watch made by Suunto. I had two big complaints that made it innapropriate for skydiving. The first, was that I found it very cumbersome and time consuming to zero the altimeter. The second was that the altimeter updates itself once every three seconds, way too slowly to give reasonably accurate numbers in freefall. As comparison, the Suunto watches update 3 times per second. Is the suunto hard to calibrate before each jump.? Blue Skies Black Death Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trilete312 0 #7 January 10, 2003 I found it on campmor for $59. Pretty cheap if it works----------- Ready, Set, Gooooooo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #8 January 10, 2003 QuoteIs the suunto hard to calibrate before each jump.? Not at all, takes about as much time and efort as an Alti-3---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pds 0 #9 January 10, 2003 http://www.suuntowatches.com/observer.htm# this is the suunto i see on most wrists.namaste, motherfucker. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflyz 0 #10 January 10, 2003 Yeah like you said not very good to skydive with,but awsome to base jump with not as reading it on the way down but as you hike,climb a tower or cliff!So you know how high you are! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #11 January 10, 2003 I use the Vector. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
