virgin-burner 1 #1 April 29, 2008 so, there isnt a real difference between the two of them, as i make it out. i know l&b's customer service is outstanding. i already own an optima from them, and am now looking into getting a second audible/digital altimeter. i think l&b's hand/wrist mount is kinda cheap. what do you guys have, and what were your considerations in the choice?“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #2 April 29, 2008 Quotei already own an optima from them, and am now looking into getting a second audible/digital altimeter. I'm a Neptune owner. I get sometime 20-30m difference indicated between my Optima and Neptune. I like them both although. So if you got an Optima already get a Viso. I think they share most of the hardware, so it wont be a big altitude difference between them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #3 April 29, 2008 so, why did you get an optima? and/or what made you choose the neptune? any features i'm not aware of? like you, i intend to swoop sooner or later, and wingsuitinging is also one of my future things to do.. any features i might not be aware of?“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #4 April 29, 2008 Quote so, why did you get an optima? and/or what made you choose the neptune? any features i'm not aware of? I had a Pro-Track. Than started wingsuiting. You know Pro-Track has a 120sec log limitation. I've bought a Neptune and sold Pro-Track, than bought an Optima. I've realized later that they might not show same altitude some time. Both are great product, but they have difference hw/sw, so they might indicate different altitude. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #5 April 29, 2008 difficult choice! just found out they're about 200$ cheaper when bought in the states.. “Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #6 April 29, 2008 uhm, the viso is NOT waterproof, is it!?“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilot-one 0 #7 April 29, 2008 I have the Neptune and the Viso. The Neither has ever let me down. I prefer the Neptune though. It is easier to read in freefall and is much easier to set up. In fact some things on the Viso cannot be set up unless you have the manual. Also the wrist strap attachmen on the Viso is less than desireable. Any body want to buy a Viso? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blink 1 #8 April 29, 2008 The Neptune can also be used as an audible, the Viso, is strickly visual altimeter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the_sarge 0 #9 April 29, 2008 No one has mentioned that the Neptune also has a very detailed logging function. The data can be transferred to your computer via a IrDA adapter. The Neptune will log 200 detailed jump profiles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #10 April 29, 2008 so, as things look like, i'll be getting a neptune.. they offer a (military) ruggedized version, anyone know if they're available to the general public!?“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #11 April 29, 2008 I have read stories about dead Visos and Optimas after contact with water. I got my Neptune under water twice. Its still working fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #12 April 29, 2008 When you compare the features, the neptune simply does a lot more than the viso. It also has an intuitive menu system, unlike any of the L&B products. But one of the most important features is that the neptune's software can be updated, so the feature set continues to grow and problems with it can be fixed. But I'll also say that if you already have an audible, I personally recommend a mechanical altimeter if you don't already have one. A good one like an alti-2 galaxy can last your entire skydiving career. It's just a good thing to have, even if you switch to a digital later. It'll be sitting there in your gear bag, ready to take over when you realize you've got a dead battery. I use my neptune as an audible and I think that's where it does best, but that's just my opinion. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #13 April 29, 2008 i do have a viplo ft-50 already! the optima is my freefly-audible, and after some recent talk to the dzo and some adjustments to my landings, plus an upcoming canopy-course, i think i'm pretty much doomed for that swooping-thingy that everyone seems to do at my DZ.. so, digital altimeter is pretty much a must! and being able to also use it as an audible is kinda added benefit! i'm pretty much sold to the neptune! dont get me wrong, i love my optima. but maneuvring through that thing is a major PITA. even after reading the manual, i didnt have any idea how to do settings, i had to ASK SOMEONE ELSE how to do it. first time in my life i felt like a very old man.. “Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #14 April 29, 2008 One more + for Neptune: it has backlight. Quote i think i'm pretty much doomed for that swooping-thingy that everyone seems to do at my DZ.. You would be even more doom jumping with polarizing sunglasses and altimeters with LCD display. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #15 April 29, 2008 is that not a good combo? i wasnt aware of that!“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #16 April 29, 2008 Quote is that not a good combo? i wasnt aware of that! A deadly one. Its almost as cool as jumping without any altimeter.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbunky 3 #17 April 29, 2008 Quote One more + for Neptune: it has backlight. Quote i think i'm pretty much doomed for that swooping-thingy that everyone seems to do at my DZ.. You would be even more doom jumping with polarizing sunglasses and altimeters with LCD display. viso hasa backlight as well. 'perform access' on the top button and the menu gives you the choice to turn it on or off. i agree with the polarized glasses thing. i wear a full face, so i don't wear goggles. thought it was great that i could choose to wear sunglasses if it was bright, worked great with my analog alti, then i got a viso. no more ray bans. now i have gators so i can jump with shades if i want again. "Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #18 April 29, 2008 Quote Quote is that not a good combo? i wasnt aware of that! A deadly one. Its almost as cool as jumping without any altimeter.... one more reason for audibles! i'll get flamed for saying that.. “Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #19 April 29, 2008 Quote Quote is that not a good combo? i wasnt aware of that! A deadly one. Its almost as cool as jumping without any altimeter.... That's a little dramatic. Granted the OP has a limited number of jumps, and you are quite correct in saying that the sunglasses and LCD don't mix, however, "deadly"? Please, if that were the case, then that person might reconsider jumping at all. I've got more than 1000 jumps with no altimeter at all.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyhawke 0 #20 April 29, 2008 Big difference at first was the large digital numbers. You can use it as a wrist mount or audible. Most recently the difference is when I was having trouble with my Neptune and I sent it in, they sent back the new upgraded version at no cost and I got it back 10 days later! I just love great customer service!!!!"It is our choices that show what we truly are far more than our abilities." - A. Dumbledore Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shepp 0 #21 April 29, 2008 Chris, the ruggedized Neptune is available to the public, but the price is almost 700USD... Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward. Accidents don't just happen. They must be carelessly planned. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #22 April 29, 2008 thats a good thing to hear, thats what pulled me to the viso first, as l&b is known for that.. but i'm happy to hear the same about alti-track! one more reason to get that one..“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilot-one 0 #23 April 29, 2008 Quote One more + for Neptune: it has backlight. Quote i think i'm pretty much doomed for that swooping-thingy that everyone seems to do at my DZ.. You would be even more doom jumping with polarizing sunglasses and altimeters with LCD display. It depends on the glasses. I have a pair of polarized Gatorz that I can see the display just fine. With my Oakleys however it becomes a blank screen. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilot-one 0 #24 April 29, 2008 Quote I have the Neptune and the Viso. The Neither has ever let me down. I prefer the Neptune though. It is easier to read in freefall and is much easier to set up. In fact some things on the Viso cannot be set up unless you have the manual. Also the wrist strap attachmen on the Viso is less than desireable. Any body want to buy a Viso? I am replying to my own post to apologize for the grammatical mess. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #25 April 29, 2008 Quote It depends on the glasses. I have a pair of polarized Gatorz that I can see the display just fine. With my Oakleys however it becomes a blank screen. Or your research on polarization..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
