Getting a Neptune, need a recommend & some ??s...

[SkydiveNFlorida 0]

I'm ready to buy a Neptune, and since my dz doesn't have a gear store yet (), can someone recommend the CHEAPEST place I can buy one of these bad boys! If you know of somewhere with good prices and decent shipping rates, please let me know! (I want purple btw, so they have to be able to do that, too)

Anything else I should know about this alti? I know there have been problems, but I am assuming most/all bugs are worked out on the new software. Also, will it come with the latest software, or will I have to download? Is it easy to do? Does it come with all connection cables, etc, in order to dl the latest software?

Thanks!!
Angela.

[indyz 1]

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Anything else I should know about this alti? I know there have been problems, but I am assuming most/all bugs are worked out on the new software. Also, will it come with the latest software, or will I have to download? Is it easy to do? Does it come with all connection cables, etc, in order to dl the latest software?

Supposedly the new software fixes things. I've heard good things from other people, but I'm still running a very old software version. Whether it comes with the latest software or not depends on how long it has been sitting on the dealers shelf. If they took it into inventory more than about a month ago, it would probably be a good idea to upgrade. The Neptune does not need any cables to link up to the computer. It does however need an infrared port. Most laptops have one, most desktops do not (but you can buy one pretty cheaply). Actually doing the upgrade seems pretty straight forward, I attempted it once (and screwed it up, but I think it was my fault). If you do not want to do the upgrade yourself, just send it to Alti-2 and they will do it free of charge, or find a Field Support Rep in your area to do it for you.

[SkydiveNFlorida 0]

Thanks, Brian!

angela.

[Harksaw 0]

I've heard some people still having trouble even with the newest software. I'd wait until everything gets sorted out before dropping that cash.

__________________________________________________
I started skydiving for the money and the chicks. Oh, wait.

[Rdutch 0]

As far as the problems people are talking about, I am very active in the testing of the Neptune, and here is one thing everyone is leaving out.

The neptune as an altimiter or as a Dytter works perfectly fine, its the logging that has the problem, and that is only for the display for the unit. When downloaded to your computer from what I have seen it is perfectly fine. If people only did skydives like freefly and belly the product would have no problem. Its extremely hard to program a unit to determine a plane desending and an exit, with a hop and pop or birdman, especially with a short delay before pull. and also a birdman jump.

One thing for sure is Roger and Kat are right on top of it working constantly to provide a top nothch product.

That said, I also own 3 pro-trac's and they screw up my non normal jumps on a routine basis, So nothing is perfect, I never had a Neptune or a Pro-trac not work at the right altitude but the logging is difft, I can say that the ability to upgrade software so easily from the neptune, and the strong desire for Alti-2 to work and provide a great product, makes me very happy with the company. Id love to hear a reply from a pro-trac owner saying how he has had funky readings from his unit.

Ray
Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

[SkydiveNFlorida 0]

Thanks for replying, Ray. I'll be doing mostly hop n pops, is it not logging the correct info (like what?), or not logging hop n pops at all? So, for normal freefly jumps, the logging works well? I do not jump a birdman suit or anything. I will still get the unit for the digital altimeter feature, but I would really like to get good data as well (# of jumps, exit altitude, freefall speed, deploy altitude, etc).

Thanks again!
Angela.

[voodew1 0]

I would order it directly from Alti-2 as they will give you the latest software before they send it out. It is worth it to pay $5 more than the cheapest place

The pimp hand is powdered up ... say something stupid

[Rdutch 0]

Its all based on the code, I by no means am a programmer so that confuses me, but Im jumping 3 neptunes and the current open to the public push works great, alti 2 just wants it to be perfect, Ive even told them how my other logging dytter's read wrong and they arent happy until everything works great, keep your eyes, open, but I recomend buying one I love mine and wont go back to a normal altimiter.

Ray
Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

[SkydiveNFlorida 0]

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I would order it directly from Alti-2 as they will give you the latest software before they send it out. It is worth it to pay $5 more than the cheapest place

That's a good point. Is it that much a pain to upgrade? Have you done it?

Angela.

[SkydiveNFlorida 0]

Thanks again, Ray! I've wanted one ever since you let me jump yours
Angela.

[sdgregory 0]

I just got mine but I have not jumped it yet. Will let you know when I do.

[VectorBoy 0]

I regularly fly birdman with my protrac and have only had one messed up logging. I stuck my head way out of the plane to watch a hop& pop exit, say for about fifteen seconds and it registered an 8 second delay sky dive.

I mostly leave it set in slow mode for BM jumps and don't change it to FF mode when I do those and it seems to work fine logging the fast stuff when set to slow mode.

I will wait for the birdman specific neptune even though I mostly want one for its better readings under canopy. Any word on the specific abilities of the bird-man neptune over the regular one?

[tinfoil 0]

I'll throw in another mini review of the Neptune.
I've put about 40 jumps on my Neptune (damn Canadian winters!) as an audible. So far the biggest problem I've had is that on one jump, it didn't beep until 1500 ft, but worked fine on the way down.
Nice and loud, easy to use, and great customer support.
Updating it is very easy, but it may take a few minutes to get it right, no big deal, you just need get the knack. And the IR ports can be had on eBay for 10 USD.
My only wish would be some way to mount the Neptune in the Z1 where a pratrack would usually go, or maybe for the training modes to work, but that would just be for my own fun.

“- - Sumo is the greatest of sports. It has power, grace, speed and cluture. And most importantly, two fat bastards smacking the shit out of each other. ”

[pilotdave 0]

Been looking around for good prices on the neptune. Best price I could find so far is http://www.tso-d.com, the skydive outlet at deland.

Dave

[SkydiveNFlorida 0]

Thanks, everyone! I ordered from The Monkey's Tree Gear Store, great price, excellent service! And, I will have my new Neptune tomorrow! :D

I am so excited. I will be playing with this thing all weekend! And will post about it soon:)

Thanks again!
Angela.

[EDYDO 0]

I have a Neptune and a Pro Track. I have had zero problems with the Neptune, but I have not used it on a short delay. My pro track will not record a jump with a 5 second delay or less and I can't find a way to get my jump numbers straight except to let someone else carry it on a jump. That's what I do when needed.

Ed


[ Id love to hear a reply from a pro-trac owner saying how he has had funky readings from his unit.

[dragon2 2]

Funky pro-track readings I only get when doind birdmen and forgot to put it in slow-mode (it's in slow mode now all of the time), sticking my head out of the airplane for a couple minutes (making pictures) and sometimes a plane ride down will trigger it.

Don't have my pro-track or my manual handy but there's a way to change the total jumpnumber and freefall time in the logbook. I don't bother anymore (do too much hop'n'pops) but it's not hard.

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[nicknitro71 0]

Version 2.25 so good so far. I was not able to find any bugs. IMHO the neptune is the best altimeter on the market.

Memento Audere Semper

903

[EDYDO 0]

I have set up several Pro Tracks with new jump numbers and total freefall times, but have not been able to do it without losing detail on the past jumps. I tried page 19, setting the logbook totals.

With that said, I was in Lake Wales on the last day of the year and two jumpers wanted their pro tracks set back to zero. We followed the book exactly. One worked perfectly and we never did get the other one to reset.

Ed

[

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Don't have my pro-track or my manual handy but there's a way to change the total jumpnumber and freefall time in the logbook. I don't bother anymore (do too much hop'n'pops) but it's not hard.

[SkydiveNFlorida 0]

How can I tell what version is on mine?

I can't wait to jump with this thing!! And, it came with the small o-ring assembly. Fits so perfectly! Looks so sweet in white, too!

Now I gotta add my freefall time for the last 80 jumps. lol!! lol!

Angela.

[ianmdrennan 2]

Goto the demo mode and cycle through the screens, it'll show u the version #. Otherwise take out the battery, and put it back it, when it boots up it'll show the version # there too.

Blue skies
Ian

Performance Designs Factory Team

[SkydiveNFlorida 0]

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Goto the demo mode and cycle through the screens, it'll show u the version #. Otherwise take out the battery, and put it back it, when it boots up it'll show the version # there too.

Blue skies
Ian

Version 1.21:( How do I update this thing, again?

Angela.

[indyz 1]

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Version 1.21:( How do I update this thing, again?

You will need a computer with an infrared port (most laptops and very few desktops have them) and the software from Alti-2's website. The complete instructions come with the software.

If you are nervous about doing it, mail it to Alti-2 and they will take care of it for free.

[SkydiveNFlorida 0]

So, you d/l the software from the site, then? I will have my boyfriend do it. He's *slightly* more computer saavy than myself (ok, if slightly meant greatly, that would be true).

Thanks!
Angela.

[cvfd1399 0]

Their website has in detail how to update it using a computer and a ir port.