Altimeters and Altimeter Watches

[@thadeus1111]

It would be a good idea to do a thorough review of each altimeter. It will be super useful.

[@Chutingstar]

We have a couple of blog posts that give more info on each altimeter Dimitar. See these links: www.chutingstar.com/blog/stacking-up-the-latest-digital-altimeters/ and www.chutingstar.com/blog/digital-altimeter-survey/

[@ayushchoubey635]

Thanks for your opinion Maybe a few more years till watches can truly replace altimeters . Btw you should also consider trying G shocks and tell us your thoughts ...

[@BjorckBengt]

Only if watch makers prioritise the very specific qualities required for skydiving, which is unlikely. Stay away from anything which do not explicitly says it is tested and approved for skydiving.

[@bilaltahir9978]

Which altimeter do you recommend for accurately recording altitudes of mountains during hiking/mountaineering? I'm looking for portability and accuracy

[@Chutingstar]

I would recommend a handheld GPS unit like the Garmin Fortrex 801 rather than a skydiving altimeter. You can find them at www.chutingstar.com/garmin-foretrex-801-wrist-mount-gps

[@adamgray4288]

What's the Altix like? I'm thinking of getting one, with it being the cheapest digital.

[@OneDrummerDrumming]

It's a great basic altimeter Adam. You can find some more info at these links on it: www.chutingstar.com/blog/stacking-up-the-latest-digital-altimeters/ www.chutingstar.com/blog/digital-altimeter-survey/ www.chutingstar.com/skydive/altimeters/digital-altimeters/parasport-altix-digital-altimeter

[@IAnonymous3]

Anyone know the actual app for the Garmin specifically made for skydiving? It doesn’t clock out at 30 seconds and is more accurate while in free fall…. I’ve been trying to find it and don’t know what it’s called…. Tons of altimeter apps but it’s specific for jumping…

[@Chutingstar]

There is an App or feature called Jumpmaster for Garmin watches, apparently its somewhat accurate as a Skydiving Altimeter. Not something I would recommend or rely on as a primary visual altimeter for skydiving. More information on the Garmin is available on Garmin's site at support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=ikvuniC8Q62Kdt7mqQCkz8 and www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/fenix66s6xpro/EN-US/GUID-97DD3FB0-DB77-4771-A1EE-C86E1901805B.html Most apps for these types of watches are not meant for extreme sports that involve high speeds and rapid pressure changes, that why the readings on most of these watches like the Garmins and Suunto's are off by 2 or 300 feet up on down. I hope this helps!

[@dopaminsky]

Can i correct arrow on parasport aeronaut? As with wheelie on Alti2?

[@Chutingstar]

Yes, you can hold to rotate on the edges to get the needle to zero.

[@AndersonOozie13]

Thanks for this. Thought it would be cool to have a gucci skydiving watch, but got a huge NO from reddit users and this video. For plane rides they're accurate, but in no way can they keep up with free fall speeds.

[@Chutingstar]

I used a Suunto Vector for years, and if you knew it was slightly slow to update in freefall, you could take that into account. So was pulling at 3500ish on the Suunto if I wanted to pull at 3000 per se. But yeah, it was used more as a backup then a primary.

[@flybeep1661]

Free fall speeds? HAH, I used mine to fly setup for swooping. Don't assume too much...

[@tylerhall6455]

Kinda amazed this guy gives the sunto watch type altimeters so much credit. Id be telling people "hell no!" Why in the world would you use a altimeter meant for hiking and traveling, when we have plenty of skydiving specific altimeters? Stupid Stupid to use one of those "sunto" watch type altimeters in skydiving. In my opinion...

[@Chutingstar]

Hey Tyler, I personally used Suunto watches as altimeters for several years as a working instructor. The altitude updates to me were as good as any electronic altimeter at the time (2000-2015 timeframe for most of those jumps). Suunto's Vector was the most popular during that time, but is not longer manufactured. Digital altimeters in skydiving have come a long way since then, but that time, it was a great option. You can see the article originally on this here: www.chutingstar.com/blog/suunto-watch-altimeter-a-hit/

[@dys3945]

I jumped the suunto vector for over 5+ years and it was my favorite… my go to… it was very accurate and easy to use. I just learned not to use polarized sun glasses with it lol