has contributed 37 reviews

(Review ID:2248)

6 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

Disappointment

Rated by: abyzet on 2009-10-17 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Altimaster Neptune in Unknown Tag: 'cat_linked'

Pros: Ok performance if you want the features right out of the box...
Cons: Don't count on it syncing

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.

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(Review ID:2230)

9 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

Neptune is good (when it works)

Rated by: adisky on 2009-08-22 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Altimaster Neptune in Unknown Tag: 'cat_linked'

Pros: Good and reliable altimeter, good audible too
Cons: When it goes crazy there is not much to do

I have bought the Neptune 2 a year ago and I have made with a single battery about 60 jumps.
This spring, I have installed the latest update. It worked fine for about ten more jumps but then...

On my way to a 9000 ft I have heard some strange sounds (I used it as an audible inside the helmet). The minute I exit the plane, a loud and continuos sound started. It was disturbing, but until opening it didn't stop. It also gave me just two canopy alarms instead of three.
The battery looked full when I checked prior to jump.

I found out (not from the manual!!!) that this means I have to change the battery. I did, but nothing came back to normal ever since. The Neptune did not perform well at all, just one freefall alarm, two canopy alarms and the consumption of the battery was crazy - almost half in two jumps.

I contacted Alti-2 for support, and they asked me to tell them what are the readings from the Neptune in freefall and under canopy. I jumped with it as a visual altimeter, all was looking fine until I got at about 600 meters, when, suddenly the screen displayed -1200, -1167, -1000 then it jumped back at 590, 578... etc.
I was asked to send the Neptune back to the factory wich I did.

The problem is about the time needed for repairings - more than three weeks...
Before this malfunction the Neptune 2 was by far better than any other audible or log book.
Meantime I have received my Neptune 3 wich is working supercool.

I will recommend both Neptune 3 and Neptune 2 for use to anyone, but please pray nothing wrong comes out because it may leave you without audible/logbook/visual altimeter in the middle of the season as the repairings take more than one month.

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(Review ID:2182)

3 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

Altimaster Neptune

Rated by: danielshadwick on 2009-05-20 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Altimaster Neptune in Unknown Tag: 'cat_linked'

Pros: Easy to read, Accurate (as far as altitude), Ergonomic, Versatile
Cons: Speed and time reading in the internal logbook not very accurate.

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.

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(Review ID:2131)

0 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

I use two neptunes

Rated by: TheDZKID on 2009-01-29 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Altimaster Neptune in Unknown Tag: 'cat_linked'

Pros: Easy To Use: Works
Cons: Neptune 2 Battery Issues

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.

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(Review ID:2127)

2 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

What's up with the battery??

Rated by: surfbum5412 on 2009-01-20 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Altimaster Neptune in Unknown Tag: 'cat_linked'

Pros: small. log book. digital.
Cons: battery life

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!!

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(Review ID:1977)

17 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

wingsuit and neptune

Rated by: skydvrvalco on 2008-05-11 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Altimaster Neptune in Unknown Tag: 'cat_linked'

Pros: jump number,date ,time ,temp
Cons: exit altitude,freefall time and speeds

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 :(

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(Review ID:1889)

11 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

Great product that keeps getting better!

Rated by: Chris-Ottawa on 2007-10-26 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Altimaster Neptune in Unknown Tag: 'cat_linked'

Pros: Very detailed logging, Highly visible, good battery life
Cons: If I had to say anything at all, it would be the price.

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.

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