Good first Altimeter?

[moneyUWM 0]

Hey guys, few jumps into the AFF classes and with every sport I want my own stuff. Is there a great first altimeter?? I really like the digital ones, but they all seem to have flaws here and there. Also don't something bulky...Just looking for some advice for more experienced jumpers?

Thanks guys.
-Jason

[IanHarrop 41]

http://www.alti-2.com/sport/galaxy/index.php

"Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy

[skydude2000 3]

Check the gear reviews forum link at the top of this thread. Great info on all altimeters from way more experienced jumpers than me

My instinct would be to recommend an analog, although I'm sure I might get flamed for that. I had a Galaxy, or a Galaxy II that was pretty friggin' durable, and always worked great.

But I've recently upgraded to an L & B Altitrack. They're a pretty penny, but you get the best of both worlds. Analog for (for me) easy readability, and all the data logging and accuracy of a digital.

But as always, check with your instructors before buying ANYTHING, or listening to goofballs like me from the interweb

Best of luck!!

PULL!! or DIE!!

[moneyUWM 0]

Thanks guys,

after reading a ton of these reviews and whatnot forums...seems like its purely preference...

Was reading that seems like the younger generation guys love digital and its easier to read because it's what we're used to and is easier to process...plus all the digital readings and other info are just pretty sweet...haha...

Im sure I'll have another thousand or more gear questions..im just a few jumps in, gotta take my time, I get a lil too excited.

[LuckyMcSwervy 0]

Please start out with an analog altimeter.

Batteries fail on those digitals...

Learn altitude awareness first!!

Yeah, yeah, yeah... I;m a newbie too... but this was good advice given to me when I was eyeing the pretty digital altimieters before I knew what the hell I was doing....

Good luck!

Always be kinder than you feel.

[councilman24 37]

What ever you do do NOT buy a used Altimaster V. They were a short lived cheaper version of a hand analog mechanical altimeter and every one but one I've ever seen broke. The one? The one sitting in my gear cabinent given to my wife by someone after 10 or so jumps. Just about the life time of the things.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[regulator 0]

I've got an Altitrack. I love it. I like the fact that the face is analog but it logs jumps digitally. You cant go wrong with Larsen And Brusgaard!

[KermieCorleone 0]

Quote

Hey guys, few jumps into the AFF classes and with every sport I want my own stuff. Is there a great first altimeter?? I really like the digital ones, but they all seem to have flaws here and there. Also don't something bulky...Just looking for some advice for more experienced jumpers?

Thanks guys.
-Jason

I just bought my first piece of skydiving equipment, an Altimaster Galaxy ... the only other altimeter I have used is a digitude on a couple of my AFF jumps and over all I prefer the Galaxy, it seems to be a solidly built, idiot proof alti ...

- Neil

Never make assumptions! That harmless rectangle could be two triangles having sex ...

[SStewart 13]

My first altimeter was an Altimaster. It was the first piece of equipment I bought and I still use it today. I got it 28 years ago when I was 18. i have gone through a lot of equipment over the years but still use the same altimeter.

Big face, easy to read, no batteries required, and if you take care of it they will last forever. You can find them used for under $50 on Ebay and on the dz.com classifieds. Brand new ones are only $115.

I added an audible a few years ago for camera flying but my first altimeter is the only altimeter I have ever needed.


edit: The altimaster II is the one I am talking about, not the III or V

The II has a larger face but is very light weight and you can replace the lens if it gets scratched up.

Onward and Upward!

[LloydDobbler 2]

Quote

Please start out with an analog altimeter.

Batteries fail on those digitals...

Learn altitude awareness first!!

Yeah, yeah, yeah... I;m a newbie too... but this was good advice given to me when I was eyeing the pretty digital altimieters before I knew what the hell I was doing....

Good luck!

To the OP - you might want to do a search, too: it's been discussed many times.

But just to add 2 more cents, I also recommend getting an analog for your first altimeter. But for 100% different reasons than what Karen recommends.

Here's the thing - It's true that digital alti's fail on occasion. Batteries do go dead.

At the same time, analog altimeters get stuck on occasion. It's happened to me, twice - once at an inopportune altitude during a student jump that resulted in me tracking for longer than I should have. Nothing like thinking you're at 5k & good to track again when you're actually at 4000 feet.

With either one, you'll likely at some point find yourself relying on the best altimeter you have: your eyes. And landing with a stuck analog altimeter is no different than landing with a dead digital altimeter. The difference is, with a digital altimeter, in freefall you'll know that you have a problem before you start getting ground rush (or see your friend/coach tracking away & deploying).

That's why I now use a digital - I'd rather know *instantly* that there's a problem, instead of 1000-1500 feet too low.

That being said, I second everyone's recommendation of an Altimaster III/Galaxy. It's good to not change up too much while still a student (your DZ might not even let you jump a digital for a while).

You'll also likely keep the analog forever, so you'll have a backup onhand in case you need it. I've handed off my Neptune to someone who needed it on the pane, since my Galaxy is mounted on my rig. I'll also be using the Galaxy over the next few weeks, since my Neptune got stepped on and is on its way to Alti-2 for service.

For now, I'd say the classic analog Altimaster is the best option.

Signatures are the new black.