LordRatner

You're more level headed than I am. It went from funny to bothersome. I can't believe how many people are looking to be offended.

This is why the general population dislikes skydivers, rock climbers, and other fringe hobbies. They take themselves too seriously. Our hobby is not as important as you make it sound. Face it, the commercial was in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM intended for the skydiving community. He does not once claim to be a skydiver, he does not talk about jumping, endorse a brand of container, promote a DZ (other than showing it), give a message on skydiving safety, or anything else related. He used skydiving as an analogy for the economy of Denver. Thats it. Nothing else. You think it matters that there's a tandem instructor in the video? Get real. I seriously doubt he would argue with your point. More likely, he'd wonder how anyone could be dense enough to take offense with the creative aspect of his commercial. Oh ya, we're skydivers, it's only funny if it doesn't deal with our sport.

That's the combo I'm using too, and I like it alot. The only thing I dont like about the optima is setting the tone. Without the wind noise, it's so loud, it makes my ears sad.

Are you guys being serious? He's not hanging out at the DZ talking about all his jumps... He had a cool idea for a commercial, and he went with it. How anyone could consider this a lie is a bit beyond me. If he made the commercial for skydivers, you might have a point, but the majority of the people watching that commercial couldn't care less about whether he's a student or licensed skydiver. Did you think the Hummer H2 was really born from two gigantic monsters? Or that Jeeps can shake off the mud when you get home? It's creativity, nothing new to a commercial.

Sorry for being unclear. The main philosophy is redundant gear checks. Batteries: Why use an AAD if it uses batteries? You check before you jump, right? Same with a digi. By the logic given for staying away from a digital alti, anyone with less than 100 jumps should be jumping a 290 student rig on static line. I got my Neptune and was terrified because everyone told me I was moving too fast, and I was going to confuse myself, etc etc etc. They were wrong, and I'm not really a very smart person, but there was absolutely nothing difficult about using a digi. Sure, it's true that batteries can die, and screens can crack, and lcd screens can be mildly difficult to read in a track, but if these are legitimate reasons to avoid a very proven device, I can't see why people would be jumping out of a plane in the first place, because canopies can fail, and AADs can break, and closing pins can be put in wrong, and pilots can be uncocked... but these are all things we check for, and batteries on an alti don't seem like an irrational check to add to that list. If we wanted a fail-safe hobby, we'd go bowling. Bottom line is, you have your beliefs, I have mine, and that's what this forum is for. I'd love to get in a heated debate with you on this, because in the end I know there would be no hard feelings, and jumping with someone with your experience level would still be a great learning experience, even if I pulled at "3.5" and you pulled at "half-past-3" :D

(how anyone could have difficulty reading a number is a mystery to me), and quite frankly, I find the concept of a skydiver who is unable to adapt to a digital readout with huge numbers quite scary. If you get an analog, get it because you like it better than a digital. No other reason. If you have ever looked at a digital watch and been able to tell what time it is, you'll do just fine on a digital altimeter. I was never lecturing Tom, merely giving my opinion, which is what a forum is for last I checked. Please try not to be so defensive. Again, anyone should get an altimeter they are comfortable with. But every thread about this subject turns into the same thing: Older skydivers giving reasons that are 100% at odds with the very philosophies they subscribe to. For example: Batteries: I look at the battery meter before every jump. And in a sport where almost everyone on the plane checks their straps, rings, handles, AAD, zippers, etc. 3 times or more, I don't see why looking at the battery meter sounds crazy. Now, if you just hate buying batteries, cool. Go analog. Broken Altimeter: How is an analog easier to tell? If it stops moving, and you only glance at it, errors can occur. If a digital breaks, it goes blank, or static, or if the screen cracks, there are black splotches. Even if it were to break and display the same number on the screen, I don't see how that's any different than a broken analog. Cost: That really doesn't have anything to do with the discussion. No one is going to try and buy it off you in free fall. As I said before, go with whatever you're comfortable with. But I see a lot of misconceptions and fear regarding digital altimeters. The computer came out, and famous experienced authors refused to use it because the typewriter was "better," just because. People don't like change, it's human nature. All I'm saying is that the reasons listed for sticking to an analog altimeter, though true and factual points, do not make sense when compared to the safety philosophies taught in the first class on skydiving. I never said anyone should go digital, and I never lectured anyone, as you are lecturing me. I said you shouldn't avoid digital for the wrong reasons, and questioned a philosophy that isn't backed.

I got a Neptune on like jump 11. I found it easier to read than an analog (how anyone could have difficulty reading a number is a mystery to me), and quite frankly, I find the concept of a skydiver who is unable to adapt to a digital readout with huge numbers quite scary. If you get an analog, get it because you like it better than a digital. No other reason. If you have ever looked at a digital watch and been able to tell what time it is, you'll do just fine on a digital altimeter.