Optima II Guide Tones ???

[mixedup 0]

Picked up an Optima II. Understand the high speed and low warning indicators, however what don't understand is the "Guide Tones" you can set. Manual says "unique set of guide beeps sound when flying from the 2nd through the 3rd selected Canopy Descent Warning altitudes"...

Question - Anyone able to better explain/clarify what these guide tones are, how you would use them?

My guess is that it gives you an indication of how quickly you are descending from the 2nd to the 3rd indicator via means of how often it beeps and frequency...this being the case how would you know what sort of beep frequency/rate you'd be targeting anyway? Still a student so still coming to terms with getting glide angles right in my head for different wind strengths. In fact thinking about it I'm not sure whether the decent rate on final for different wind strengths would change, should be the same no?

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[bofh 0]

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Picked up an Optima II. Understand the high speed and low warning indicators, however what don't understand is the "Guide Tones" you can set. Manual says "unique set of guide beeps sound when flying from the 2nd through the 3rd selected Canopy Descent Warning altitudes"...

Question - Anyone able to better explain/clarify what these guide tones are, how you would use them?

They are used for swooping to get feedback for the downwind, base and the initiation point for the final turn. By listening to the beeps you don't have to look at the altimeter as much and can look around for other canopies more. There is a minimum height for the 3rd canopy descent warning (and the altitude between the 1st, 2nd and 3rd altitudes) which makes it somewhat useless for a straight in approach.

The unit beeps more and more often as you approach the third canopy descent warning height and at the third warning altitude it continuously beeps. The time between each beep depends on your descent rate. If you have a constant descent rate, it will appear that the beeps come faster and faster. Assume your third altitude is 200m. It will then beep at 230, 220, 215, 210, 207, 205, 203, 200m (or something like that). Its pretty obvious once you hear it.

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In fact thinking about it I'm not sure whether the decent rate on final for different wind strengths would change, should be the same no?

Correct. The descent rate doesn't change with wind speed or wind direction. Unless you are landing in a hill where the air isn't moving horizontal.

[mixedup 0]

thanks bofh - for me (i.e. beginner) do you think I should turn them off then? or leave on and start getting used to them as another aid when flying circuit?

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[bofh 0]

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thanks bofh - for me (i.e. beginner) do you think I should turn them off then? or leave on and start getting used to them as another aid when flying circuit?

I would turn it off, but some like it even when they are not swooping. With seven jumps I assume you are a student so you should really talk to your instructors about it though.

[DougH 270]

Why are you dicking around with a audible with only 7 jumps?

Why don't you focus on looking at your wrist and flying you canopy for a few more jumps, before you start adding extra bells and whistles!

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

[mixedup 0]

not planning to start using it till after AFF (couldn't resist ordering it now though)

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[PiLFy 3]

Pssst,

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=754

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3956356;search_string=audibles%20for%20students;#3956356

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/gear/review.cgi?ID=617

[DougH 270]

Your going to do what ever you want, but I would wait a bit longer than your AFF jumps so you can build your eyes and your internal clock before you add an audible.

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