allrightscud 0 #1 August 20, 2002 Anyone seen or used any of the Suunto watch range with a digital alti build in. I realise that the face may be a bit small and difficult to read in free fall but might be a nice toy/back up. I think Tissot also make one with a touch screen. Slater Tom Too much is never enough! All right scud? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #2 August 20, 2002 Almost everyone I know uses a digital altimeter watch (Suunto is the most popular brand, but I've seen several others). They seem to be very accurate, but only sample every 30 seconds or so, making their utility in freefall almost non-existent (we use them on the way up, to estimate altitude, rather than on the way down). Hope this helps.-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samurai136 0 #3 August 20, 2002 A friend has one and I looked into buying one. I read their website and after much clicking found they have a very specific disclaimer. The altitude read out function is not guaranteed to be remotely accurate for skydiving purposes. You'd be better off buying the Pro model Digitude. Ken"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
allrightscud 0 #4 August 21, 2002 I reckoned that they were more useful as a climbers tool. I couldn't find any info on how often they updated the reading. Thanks. Tom Too much is never enough! All right scud? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ernokaikkonen 0 #5 August 21, 2002 A friend of mine used to use a Suunto-watch in freefall. Then the display changed from Alti to Barometric pressure during freefall. He was wondering why the watch read over 900 meters and the ground was looking too big... Nothing happened though, a low opening, and he made it to the DZ with rear risers. Better use the stuff designed for skydiving. Erno Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #6 August 21, 2002 I am not exactly sure which watch it is, but there are a LOT of people around here using these things as their only visual altimeter (along with one or two three-tone Dytters). Two teammates of mine both did a full-day's testing while doing tandems, comparing the reading on the watch to what was on their visual altimeter; they were dead on, every single skydive. As for the sampling: they change at least as fast as a digitude (also tested as one of the visual altis). I will get the watch model and post it here in a bit. I am definitely going to purchase one for myself. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #7 August 21, 2002 They are very popular at Chicagland... I was looking at getting one, but decided the read out was too small for me. I might consider getting one when I'm more confident in my visual altitude recognition... _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
