Altimeter for a newbie?

[Vapor 0]

All,

Newbie starting AFF this week, four jumps in -- wondering if my first piece of gear should be a digital altimeter (as a backup) to keep better track of jump stats? On my tandems so far I've been a little preoccupied to keep track of exact freefall time, exact pull altitude, etc. I've done some looking -- people seem to have no shortage of good things to say about Pro-tracks, and a few quibbles with Neptunes. Any help appreciated -

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'Of course it hurts. The trick is not *minding* that it hurts.'
- T.E. Lawrence

[Jimbo 0]

No one expects you to know to the second what your freefall time was. The ProTrack is a fine device, I'm sure the Neptune is also. However, you're ready for neither. The school should provide you with the equipment necessary to complete your training. Deal with AFF now, buy fancy gadgets later.

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[ianmdrennan 2]

Yeah I agree with Jimbo - no need for anything fancy now.

That said it should be noted that the pro-track while a great device will not be usable as a visual altimeter. The neptune can do all the pro-track can do and is a visual altimeter if you set it that way.

Blue skies

Performance Designs Factory Team

[Brian425 0]

I don't mean to hijack the thread.

I'm off student status and I am now doing my coach jumps. Still using school gear. I just about have my rig complee, now I'm looking for an altimeter. Any advice a good analog altimeter? i need something rugged for the occasional PLF's that us newbies do.

The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

[Jimbo 0]

My Alti-3 has been through hell and back and works just fine. The company has top-notch customer service, and is located here in the US - something you'll appreciate if you ever need to send it in for service.

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[marks 0]

Quote

All,

Newbie starting AFF this week, four jumps in -- wondering if my first piece of gear should be a digital altimeter (as a backup) to keep better track of jump stats? On my tandems so far I've been a little preoccupied to keep track of exact freefall time, exact pull altitude, etc. I've done some looking -- people seem to have no shortage of good things to say about Pro-tracks, and a few quibbles with Neptunes. Any help appreciated -

if you want to spend the money on a protrack ota neptune i dont see why not.... they are a good way to keep track of your skydives.... i dont know your financial situation... but remember you got to buy a cypress and a rig and a main and an alti. and a jumpsuit and well you get the idea..

i log all my jumps with a protrack..... just because im too lazy to do it with a pen and paper....

if you have the money then do it..... hell...

why not?

[mikemc 0]

will an AFF instrustor allow the student to use an audible prior to completion of the program?

[mr2mk1g 10]

You can keep a pro-track in your pocket... but then its just a fancey toy.

In england newbies are always warned off audiables untill they have 50 jumps or so. That way they have a chance of getting used to remembering to save their own life themselves.

Too many people rely on their audiables.

[bsoder 0]

I only have 10 jumps so take anything I say with that in mind.

• Quote

[Chrisky 0]

Get a cheap one till you stand up your landings, then get a nice one...

The mind is like a parachute - it only works once it's open.
From the edge you just see more.
... Not every Swooper hooks & not every Hooker swoops ...

[Chrisky 0]

In the beginning it's better to waste your money on jump tickets, not gadgets.

The mind is like a parachute - it only works once it's open.
From the edge you just see more.
... Not every Swooper hooks & not every Hooker swoops ...

[rendezvous 0]

Well if you want use the digital Altimeter to keep track of your dives that's fine. However if you plan using it as an audible altimeter then my opinion is a bit different. Personally I think it's better not to use an audible until you've done about 60, 70 may be 100 jumps. Using it this early on might make you a bit reliant on the audible and may be even a little complacent. The comfort of knowing that you have an alarm set to go off if you miss your altitude can sometimes get you into bad habits. You should do a couple of dozen jumps without the audible so that you get into the habit of watching out for your own altitude. That ofcourse does not mean that once you start using the audible you can relax.