Alti2_Staff

Funny . . . I just noticed who the OP is. Small world. Alti-2, Inc. Staff

Resurrecting a thread from September 2011 . . . now THAT'S what I call reminiscing! Matt has not worked at Alti-2 in quite some time. As luck would have it, his former position is currently vacant, and I am reviewing a list of qualified candidates to fill it. Barbara handles sport repairs; Carol handles military repairs. I am the General Manager and oversee all aspects of customer service, including repairs, technical questions and (in your case) customer feedback. It sounds like you no longer own an Alti-2 instrument . . . if you still do, and you need customer support, feel free to contact us: barbara@alti-2.com or (386) 943-9333. We have staff available 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Thursday (closed on Friday). Regardless, I value your feedback, and I am happy you found a solution to your skydiving equipment requirements - even if it's not ours. Making the next load and surrounding yourself with blue sky and sunshine is what it's all about anyway. May you always arrive safely. Regards, Alti-2, Inc. Staff

Considering that any action in the international environment other than widespread dissemination to all of our Dealers and Customers is potentially fruitless and certainly expensive, we will spread the word and leave it alone. We would rather spend our limited small company resources on improving customer service, improving existing products, and developing new ones. Money well spent with a much more predictable outcome Alti-2, Inc. Staff

We recently received an MA2-30 through the RMA process for repair. The owner stated that the device would not read altitude above zero. Upon examination, we determined that the device is NOT a real Alti-2 MA2-30 altimeter. It is a non-functional "dummy" made by another manufacturer with no connection to Alti-2. This "dummy" MA2-30 is manufactured by Element Service Company in Hong Kong as an accessory for Airsoft game play. They manufacture numerous other "dummy" devices as well. This item is NOT an Alti-2 product, contains no approved Alti-2 components, nor does it contain a pressure sensing mechanism. This facsimile unit will not sense barometric pressure. Device description (see photos attached): Front: --Facsimile dial face (12,000 FT (black or white), and metric (white). Font is different than the real Alti-2 device. >Dial face is marked with a facsimile logo that reads "Alti-2 Altimeters MA2-30." Real Alti-2 device reads "Alti-2 Incorporated MA2-30." --Case is secured with allen screws. Real Alti-2 device is secured with phillips head screws. --Light ring and lens are one piece and clear. Real Alti-2 device uses two separate components and the light ring is red. Back: --Case is embossed with "Element - Enjoy the Game" at the top. --Bottom is embossed with "AL IIMASTER II." Real Alti-2 device is only marked "Altimaster II" at the bottom. Battery box: --Marked with a silver "Property of" sticker with the number 00137. Real Alti-2 device has the Alti-2 product label with serial number, part number, and NSN. This post serves to broadcast warning information to all Alti-2 dealers and customers, hopefully preventing any jumper from actually using this non-functional "dummy" on a live parachute jump. Please spread the word. Alti-2, Inc. Staff

Altimeter lag can be caused by a handful of things . . . usually when I help customers troubleshoot this problem it is something simple. Recently we had two cases of N# lag; both were caused by the pressure sensor hole on the back of the unit being obstructed (sealed). The first user had taken the "STOP" cling label off the lens and put it on the back of his unit (he couldn't hear his alarms either). The second had adhesive Velcro (used to help mount the unit in his helmet) covering the pressure sensor hole. Mounting location can also contribute to lag. Analog altimeter lag usually indicates the device needs to be re-calibrated, or there may be debris in the mechanism. Anyone experiencing altimeter lag with an Alti-2 device can contact me johnhawke@alti-2.com (386) 279-0017 and I will be glad to help them troubleshoot the problem. Alti-2, Inc. Staff

Please send me an email with some more details about your strange N3 behavior. I would like to help you diagnose the source of the behavior and help you find a solution. johnhawke@alti-2.com Alti-2, Inc. Staff

We are currently making final adjustments with the supplier to get screen printing and sewing/assembly quality and sizing where we want it. Sparing you the details, finalizing this design has been a long and weary process. This product is a priority for us and I can promise you we will broadcast availability once we have availability timeframe and cost information. Thanks. Alti-2, Inc. Staff

@coticj: That is a very good idea. I have personally been using my own custom Excel spreadsheet for years, altbeit with manual data input. I experimented with logbook software, including Paralog, but found that the combination I mentioned works the best for me. I will look into the idea of exportable data N3>>NMU>>Open Source and put it on the list of things to include in future projects if it fits. Thanks very much for the feedback!

@ChrisD: Interesting that you would assume that I was not aware of the scientific analysis of which you speak and the conclusions that came from it. Actually, I have done a lot of homework on the subject and have read summaries of the NASA research as part of my own effort to gain a better understanding on the subject. The science shows clearly that picture-to-action provides a more rapid and effective path for triggering a response. As a student, if I was simply taught picture-to-action, and was able to carry that technique throughout my entire skydiving career, an analog display would have served me quite well. Point of fact, from day one I was taught to associate action with altitude - a numeric value. In cases when I was able to use picture-to-action, such as beginning my pull sequence when the pointer hit the yellow on my old Altimaster II, the tool was a perfect fit for the job. As I became involved in more complex skydives, I personally found that a numeric altitude that my N3 provides was a faster and more efficient path to the associated action. When I was an AFF Evaluator, it kept me from having to train myself to associate 5 critical actions with 5 separate pictures and eliminated the time it took to process what my eyes were seeing and convert the picture to a numeric value already associated with each action. It also provided a clear, accurate altitude for me to mentally record Candidates' actions to make an objective go/no-go decision and debrief them on the ground. My fellow Evaluators, and a large percentage of the Candidates, discovered the same. I will keep using the analog gauges in my car to translate picture-to-action...it works very well as the science has proven. On my wrist I will stick to the digits. I will also continue to educate myself on this subject and others in the hope that I can engage in thought provoking conversations, which was my intention for this article from the start.

That may have to do with mounting location. I recently answered an email for a customer on that subject, which I would be happy to share with you if you PM me your email address (I don't want to hijack this thread ). Alti-2, Inc. Staff

Only by falling too fast, which is certainly not what you're up to! The tip-off between free fall and canopy modes is not user-configurable. Great idea though . . . we have added it to our list of possibilities for *future* products. Alti-2, Inc. Staff

Hi Thijs, N3 switching from free fall to canopy display is strictly a function of vertical speed, which in that device is measured through changes in pressure. Using pressure alone as a measuring stick, there is no way for N3 to distinguish between a slow-falling wingsuiter or a fast-diving canopy pilot. If your vertical speed on your WS jumps wanders back and forth across that internal tipping point, you may see N3 displaying altitude from the canopy screen. Accuracy and logging should not be affected. Great question! Hope this was informative. Alti-2, Inc. Staff

Both electronic and mechanical altimeters have their own set of failure modes. The key lies in completely understanding your device, being aware of its known failure modes, and (as you said quite well) are prepared with scenario-based actions to deal with emergencies regarding a device malfunction. I have an electronic AAD in my rig that I am not only very well-acquainted with, but I have also built it into the pre-flight routine of my rig before I put it on. I do something VERY similar with my N3.

Alti-2 experimented with a heads-up display that fit in an Oxygn helmet called "Titan" in the mid-2000s. Frankly, the skydiving market was not ready for that type of product at that time. The challenges for that product were many: viewing angle of the display, visibility in bright sunlight, and rigging (cables) were all pieces to the puzzle. The decision was made to shelf the project. For us, sometimes it becomes a matter of focused priority - we are a small company and do our best to spend our limited resources carefully. Off-the-shelf HUDs made for other sports are starting to make their way into skydiving. With technology available to us now that was not when Titan was in development, perhaps it is time to revisit the idea? After all, we are always working on something....

Please read this new post in our forums and see if the reference to the Mac OS connection problem is helpful to you. http://www.alti-2.com/showthread.php?1408-NMU-Compatibility-Issues-Explained&p=3875#post3875 Alti-2, Inc. Staff

I have your email in my inbox and will walk through this with you there . . . Alti-2, Inc. Staff

New version 8.1.4 received from Paralog yesterday - available for download from our website. Alti-2, Inc. Staff

Please confirm you have the latest version of Paralog8 (v8.1.3) Alti-2, Inc. Staff

I recognize that "handwriting." There is more information here and here. I am excited about the design, otherwise there's not much new to report . . . I will certainly do so when I have more news. Meanwhile I am building bunk beds in my office - I'll have so much more room for activities! Alti-2, Inc. Staff

Welcome to the fray! Please stop by and see us at Alti-2 when you are in DeLand! Alti-2, Inc. Staff

Glad to hear that! Barbara is a rock star. We are lucky to have her. She will be back in touch with you regarding your repair . . . Alti-2, Inc. Staff

Hi Doug, Would you mind sending me an email with the specifics of your issues with NMU? Please include your OS type and version when you send it. Thanks! johnhawke@alti-2.com Alti-2, Inc. Staff

Safelandings, When Alti-2's first dual-use digital instrument - Neptune - came out a little over a decade ago, we expected skydivers to use it as a visual OR helmet-mounted audible. We later came to realize that some skydivers are using the canopy alarms with the unit being mounted externally (e.g. wrist-mounted). I have done this myself as a personal experiment, but prefer all of my alarms in my ear. You have received some good advice from some high caliber people in this thread. If I can be of any further assistance as you get to know N3 and further consider your purchase, feel free to contact me directly. johnhawke@alti-2.com Alti-2, Inc. Staff

Good morning, shibu! I'm sorry to hear your N3 is misbehaving! I see by your latest reply that you have already been in contact with Barbara in Customer Service . . . I spoke to her a minute ago to offer my assistance (although she probably won't need it because she's awesome at her job ). We will have a solution for you shortly. Feel free to email me directly johnhawke@alti-2.com or call me at (386) 279-0017. Regards, Alti-2, Inc. Staff

Please add me as General Manager at Alti-2, Inc. Thanks! Alti-2, Inc. Staff