Altimaster Neptune Discontinued

I have latest software, and I use recommended battery brand. Battery is displayed as low as soon as inserted into Neptune. Ditter mode is fine. Altimeter under canopy looks accurate, but back light sometimes switches off. FF Altimeter mode - when I jump from Cessna's and I look at altimeter it sometimes says: "Very slow climb" during freefall it switches to altimeter after 10 seconds or more after exiting plane. Plastic battery cover broke after 3 battery replacements.

I purchased this altimeter right out of AFF. It's been accurate most of the time, with just a few hiccups here or there. My main problem with this altimeter is that two of us with the N2 did a night jump with it last week and while the back light turned on as soon as we exited the air craft, once we were under canopy, it kept turning off. When I initially contacted the company they stated they were aware of the situation but "We have not been able to duplicate the problem in house, therefore not much information is available as to a fix. What our engineers have guessed could be the problem is changes in barometric pressure and canopy speed. For some reason, the unit thinks that the jumper is on the ground and turns the back light off…then when a turn or higher speed maneuver is done, the unit turns back on again." When I pressed them stating that it is a USPA requirement to have illumination on an altimeter and that this is a significant safety issue, they replied that I could send the altimeter in and they would take a look at it. I indicated that I wasn't interested in sending either altimeter in (as one of them had just been "inspected" by them and literally had 3 jumps on it since the inspection). All I was asking is that they let people know that this could occur. They responded and stated that the N2 was being phased out and began pushing me to purchase their N3, which doesn't have this problem. I told them that just because the N2 is being phased out doesn't negate the fact that there are still likely thousands of sky divers out there using and will continue to use the N2 for years to come. . .and all of these sky divers have a right to know about this potential safety hazard. It basically boils down to the fact that this company is aware of the fact that this is a problem and they have blatantly not issued a safety warning. This situation could cause a canopy collision at night by a distracted sky diver trying to get the back light turned back on or someone who can't see it and loses track of altitude. Please be aware of this company's poor attitude towards our safety when considering purchasing one of their products.

Nothing else to say.

With the software you can configure prety anything (until the frequency of the sound).

Battery cond work +/- 150 jumps, depending of IR connexio you made between jumps I imagine.

IR connection works well, and transfering data to paralog is really easy.

Anyway, if it could have sound little louder, it whould have be better....
The third alarm is not as violent than on larsen&

I had high hopes for this altimeter right out of the box. Boy was I mistaken. A lot of the cool features require syncing with the computer to obtain them. Problem is it only uses IR, so you have to purchase a separate USB to IR adapter (most computers DON'T have them anymore...). Even with the adapter don't count on the software communicating with the product. Also gives ridiculous readings on free fall speeds. Will often get 300 MPH out the door. Ummmm? No. The log feature would be nice if you could set the sampling altitudes, but again you have to sync it, as well as more than 2 aircraft types. Honestly, go with an L & B product. You'd be better off.

SIMPLY AWESOME!!!

I have just done my first jump on the new N3A. There is only one thing I can say: Awesome! This audible really gets the skydiving to a new level.
I am often inspired by music, and now I got the inspiration right here with me thanks to N3A. I can listen music all the way up or down, no worry about missing any alarm, the N3A stops the music if things go too quick for you.
I hope this audible will inspire anyone as it did with me.

Thanks Alti 2 for a great deal of work!!

The Neptune has been a great altimeter for me so far. The altitude read out is always accurate when cross checking with other peoples altimeters. When suited with a rubber protector it is very durable.

However, in my experience the internal logbook has been very inaccurate. I have seen my log function say that I was going as high as 300+ mph under canopy and as low as 30 mph in vertical freefly.

Also, I would like to say that I have never dowloaded any new software from there website. My review is on one neptune straight from the manufacture. (I have heard that there is better software out there).

For the most part it has not failed me in freefall. I once watched the altitude reading get higher while in freefall. (Although it was when I was transitioning from back to belly in a track, which could happen with any altimeter because of the pressure differece). Also once in a while my neptune will remain in canopy mode throughout the entire freefall (which isn't a big deal if you don't mind reading four digits in freefall) Also, canopy mode can be turned off.

I have owned my Neptune for about three years now and have had to replace the batteries a handfull of times per year (and they are expensive around $5, but not difficult to find).
The audible function seems pretty decent but have not used it that much.

The clock on the neptune (in my opinion) should be taken off the list of functions. This is proved very quickly by asking the time in any crowd of skydivers. CAN NOT HOLD TIME! But who cares about time when distance from the ground is all that matters.

The MENU is great. I have never had to use the DZ setup. My neptune knows when i'm on the ground or in the sky. But has a Manual setup when the landing altitude is differn't from take off altitude. The Altimeters MENU also has a training altimeter for read out and audible alarms (which is fun when your in AFF or a newbie of anykind).

The backlight function seems to only work when pushing buttons(kinda like a cellphone) and dosen't have much of a night jump advantage. (let me know if there is a night jump type function).

Great accuracy. When I look at my neptune I trust the altitude reading.

I use two neptunes. One as an audible and one as a wrist-mounted altimeter --both as logbooks. I bought the first one three years ago at DeLand. It worked the first time and every time after that. I replaced the battery about every 150 jumps, or six months. I mainly used it as an audible and a logbook.

I loved it so much that a year ago I ordered a neptune2. It worked fine, at first, but then it started shutting off when tapped. So I had some freefalls with just my neptune in my helmet. Turns out the battery went bad, fast -- in like a month. So I replaced it with the extra battery that came with it. It too went bad pretty fast. So replaced it again with a battery from Square 3. It went bad in about a month too. So now I went to radioshack and bought a generic bettery, maybe it will work better?

When I talked to alti-2 they said the normal battery life is 3 months.

So I have one good neptune and one not-so-good neptune2. I don't know what they did in-between, but I prefer the older one. Still works great.

love my neptune. the thing that I like the most versus my previous altimeter (alti-2 galaxy) is that it's a lot smaller so it easily can be mounted on the wrist, rather than attching at the fingers as well; the log book is awesome because I always forget to manually log my jumps in my book; and the MPH thing that shows different speeds throughout the jump; also the altitude displayed is much more easily readable than the VISO.

The only thing I have noticed since purchasing this thing is that the battery life is half way gone!! WTF!!

I bought my Neptune around jump number 100 when I bought my rig. I WAS very happy with all of its features. THEN....I started flying a wingsuit. Extended freefall time is enjoyed with the wingsuit BUT..The Neptune often fails to register exit altitude until I reach higher speeds. Often I am robbed of several thousand feet and many precious freefall seconds. My first attempt to get some help from alti via telephone resulted in a promise of an email which never happened. Months latter a second call I was told that the techs would be asked and I would be called back. I did receive the return call at which point I was informed that that's just the way it is. I wish now I had done more research before giving 250 bucks for a device that doesn't accommodate my favorite skydiving discipline. If your gonna fly a wingsuit you may wanna get something else :(

I love my Neptune. I disagree with everyone that said the batteries go quick. I jump all the time. At least 4 days a week during the season and only replace batteries once. You have to make should you don't have it in back light mode. Other then that I love it and recommend it to everyone

I bought my Neptune about 2 years ago. From day 1, it was simple to use, kept very detailed info and it worked great.

I used the original battery for all of last year, and about 3/4 of this current season (it's now end of october). Battery life was a bit interesting though. I bought it with the 2.6.2 software and the battery sometimes would show very little, 3/4, 1/2, empty. This occurred between jumps. I just kept using it until it died, I wanted to see how long it would last. Turned out it must have been a small software issue, it wasn't reading the voltage correctly or something. Nonetheless, the battery lasted almost 2 full seasons and 130 jumps. I am only a weekend jumper.

Now, introduce software v3.0.0....WAHOOOO! It is now easier to use, menus contain more info, logbook logs differently, with a few extra features, and the battery seems to read great now. I REEEEEELY love the canopy flight time it records. I do alot of cross countries, high alti H&P's and I just love to know how long I was up there. I want to get the software for it but don't really want to drop another $90 or so...jumps are more important!

Either way, I HIGHLY recommend the Neptune to anyone who wants a digital alti that is very accurate, reliable etc etc..

It's worth every penny.

I bought this overpriced toy, enjoyed it for a short while, then learned how to land without an altimeter, because it would die on the way up! VERY UNDEPENDABLE!! Buy something else!!!

I exited a cessna 182 on a two-way with a friend, both of us left the strut unlinked. I immediatly noticed that I had left my helmet (Fairwind) unbuckled and just that quick it was gone. According to the Neptune I pulled at the same altitude that I exited from; it read 55mph for 9000', and 51mph for the remaining. I assume then that it hit the ground at 51mph. I thought it was a total loss, however, two days later someone called the DZ saying they had found a helmet in their backyard. It was mine and everthing was okay!

Have done several hundred jumps on the Neptune and lost count of the number of times it fails to work. Batteries last as little as 1 jump and never double figures. Inadequate warning that the battery needs replacing. Have sent it back twice and applied many software updates but still no luck. Don't buy until problems are fixed.

I've had the Neptune for a couple seasons now. I have to replace the battery every four months. I constantly get ridiculous information like 200 mph just out the door. Sometimes the screen will black out for no reason even with a fresh battery. For the money, I should have purchased something else.

You would think this company would do a little more research before selling their crappy product.
Batteries are costing me a fortune i seem to change them every 50-60 jumps.
The screen blacks out often and then i get error codes constantly. If its cold forget about it.
Only good thing is since using this is realising how great and reliable my pro-track is!!

I've used a Neptune for 3 seasons now.

I bought it while visiting my rigger/dealer and after asking about audibles he handed me two to play with, but no manuals. It was clear that the Neptune by Alti-2 was easier to run than the other brand. Coupling that fact with the reputation of Alti-2's other products, buying a Neptune was an easy decision to make.

After 3 seasons what can I say about the Neptune? It's reliable, it does what they say it will do and it keeps improving. Most products you buy come with a standard set of features and that's it, nothing ever gets added. Not the Neptune. Alti-2 continues to improve the product and add functionality by releasing firmware upgrades which you can do yourself or get one of their many Field Representatives do, all for no cost. No cost for the firmware upgrade and no cost for the service provided applying the upgrade to your Neptune.

Do I like my Neptune? You bet. Do I recommend Neptunes to others that are considering an audible? Absolutely.

I really like the big display but I have to change batteries every two weeks because of drainage.

I used this altimeter for 2 years and went through 5 batteries (only 125 jumps on it). When it was working properly i loved it because of its easily readible face both in freefall and under canopy and its accurate altitudes. Heres the big BUT. A few times in freefall i have glanced at it and instead of seeing an altitude i saw, "Please press any key to continue" The battery was brand new and it was working properly in the plane and at the beginning of freefall, but then nothing. I recommend this for the weekend jumper, but if your someone who puts many jumps on them every day i would recommend choosing another altimeter.

i did 40 jumps with the neptune and like it but the battery is already empty!

Have used this 'toy' on several hundred jumps and found it to be wildly inaccurate( dosnt always work in low temps ). The battery indicator reads differently every time its used (sometimes full / sometimes empty). Buttons have to be pressed with a lot of force to operate any functions and not forgetting the stripping screws
Save yourself the hassle and buy the VISO from L & B at least thats bound to be properly developed

I bought one and used it for about 30 jumps before deciding to sell it. With small cesna's it isnt very accurate and the altitude would be consistently off by 50-500 feet. Usually it was at least 150 feet off. When i got tired of the unreliablility of the visual altimeter i used it for about a dozen jumps as an alternative audible since my other one doesnt log jumps, but i found it was still very consistently off from my altimaster 3. When jumping from an otter it was very accurate and if that was what most of my jumps were i probably would have kept it, but with a 207 being my primary aircraft I can't count on it.

My brother and I decided to live up to our motto of "All the gear - no idea" and got ourselves a Neptune each. Great unit, very clear display, loads of cool features and especially liked it for working out the alti you lost on canopy turns. Then the problems crept in. On one dive I was at 4K, and tracked off. Checking my alti again after the track I was still at 4K. Wow, the Neptune even improves my flat track. However, as the ground still appeared to be heading towards me, and the reading was still 4K, I pulled anyway. It went back to the supplier, it got repaired, and it did the same thing again only at 3.6K. Ditto brother's unit, which also started commenting on his sexual practices as it gave him warning bleeps when he was at home in bed. I know people who haven't had any problems with these and are delighted, but I'd have a hard time trusting one again.

Have had no real problems using it.
Very easy to use and setup.
Have only used it as an Audible so far.

Not sure I would trust the reading of speed.
The readings tend to fluctuate wildly.

Had HUGE problems upgrading the device and getting the IR to work.
You have to set everything to US which is a pain when I ain't in the USA.

I got a Neptune and my friend did, and basically on my batterie keep dying even on energy safe mode. My friend had a jump with it and completely shutoff in the middle of it. I wont use it anymore as a reading altimeter but maybe as a dytter in my helmet.