SFBayArea 0 #1 August 26, 2013 I am wondering how you guys take care of your Optima II battery life? Do you take it out of the helmet after your day of jumping and turn it off? Do you keep it in the helmet all the time and just let it turn off screen (after 14 hrs)? What is the battery life like if you keep it constantly turned on? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverek 54 #2 August 26, 2013 > Do you keep it in the helmet all the time and just let it turn off screen (after 14 hrs)? Yes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SFBayArea 0 #3 August 26, 2013 skydiverek> Do you keep it in the helmet all the time and just let it turn off screen (after 14 hrs)? Yes. What is the battery life expectancy if it is always turned on? Also, I assume once you board the plane and start ascending the altimeter wakes up and gives you a ring at 1k feet? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #4 August 26, 2013 I get almost a whole skydiving season out of a set of batteries in an original Optima. That is from April to November out here in the North East."The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grumpy 5 #5 August 26, 2013 I had my Optima II batteries go flat after a couple of weeks of not being turned off. I emailed L&B about it and they said batteries should last 1-2 years without turning it off. They said my unit must be faulty and replaced it straight away (Thanks L&B) and have only replaced the batteries once since then (3 years ago)Quote Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PiLFy 0 #6 August 26, 2013 I turn mine off at the end of the day. I get a full season out of a set of batteries. Longer than that if I don't jump in the Winter. The cold up north will kill them, faster. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strife 0 #7 August 26, 2013 mine have only lasted 9 months from new Optima I guess mileage may vary. Be interested to see how long a new set of batteries last. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SEREJumper 1 #8 August 27, 2013 I had one last for 2.5 years. It was not turned off, but not jumped the entire time. I'm serious, I thought it was pretty amazing.We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave-Dornan 0 #9 August 30, 2013 SFBayArea***> Do you keep it in the helmet all the time and just let it turn off screen (after 14 hrs)? Yes. What is the battery life expectancy if it is always turned on? Also, I assume once you board the plane and start ascending the altimeter wakes up and gives you a ring at 1k feet? I got roughly a year and a half out of mine so far without turning it off!For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cmp0806 0 #10 August 30, 2013 Ah! I've been wondering this too! I just started jumping it this season and am confused by the way the battery works. (Granted, I haven't taken the time to read the manual yet... I keep forgetting when I'm at home.) If I leave it on when I leave the DZ (with a full battery), it will show low battery when I come back the next weekend. However, I've noticed if I then turn it off and back on, it says full battery life. No idea what's going on but hey, it works! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 3 #11 August 30, 2013 I have 6 of them, one in each student helmet plus one in each of my own. No, I don't turn them off. They go for approx 18 months. For the hassle and wear, I'd rather replace 12 batteries bought from eBay in cards of 12, for 25.00 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlyBear 1 #12 August 30, 2013 I turn it off at the end of the jump day. Dunno how long the battery will last, I bought my optima this year... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RyanFYF 0 #13 August 30, 2013 FlyBear I turn it off at the end of the jump day. Dunno how long the battery will last, I bought my optima this year... same Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hillson 0 #14 August 30, 2013 Never. I have an older solo 2 that goes in the other ear that eats batteries. Replaced the batteries in both last weekend since I was doing it anyway for one. The Optima 2 still had two bars and it had just lost "full status" a few weeks ago. 14 months on one set with plenty if juice left Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
