Pro-Track

Its simply the best Audible Altimeter I have used. The speed indicators are great for learning head down fall rates as well as coaching RW. As a videographer its great for planning breakoff shots and opening sequences.

I have a Pro-track and I love it. The LCD did not bleed at 107 degrees, which is pretty hot. The data is gives you is very interesting, it makes it easier to fill out your logbook just by looking at the electronic one to get your freefall time. Great purchase; I am glad I got one.

I have to agree with most folks greatest toy out there, but there is no bug on Hop and pop, you have set the second altitude to whatever you are juming at, otherwise it will not record it. If you have any questions Email me and i will give you the instructions.

I purchased a Pro-Track about 3 months ago and, although it's not necessary, then bought the Jump Track software to go along with it. Most of the dive information is available immediately after the jump on the Pro-Track's LCD screen. Jump-Track just provides a little more information and graphs out the dive. I jump an Oxygen A-3 helmet, which has an external port for the Pro-Track. The volume of the Pro-Track's 3 audible warnings, which is adjustable, is more than sufficient even with the external port.

For those that might already have one, I have detected one bug. It did not properly calculate the date for the leap year. Consequently, it was off by a day. But that problem was simple to correct. All in all, a great gadget, highly accurate and easy to use. Although it's expensive, I've been very pleased with it and highly recommend it.

The other reviewers are pretty much right on. It is a cool toy, but a bit pricey. The 3 warning memory banks is a really nice feature. I do a lot of different types of flying (RW, Freefly, and Camera), and it is nice to be able to select different warning altitudes without much hassel. Another nice feature is the logging capabilities. Real nice for boogies or weekends when you would rather be jumping than filling out a logbook (just make sure you are in freefall for at least 7 seconds or the Pro Track won't log it).

I used to dig all of the info the Pro Track provided (Exit alti, freefall speeds, deployment alti, ect) but now rarely look at it. Overall it is a nice toy, that is easy to use, and small enough to fit comfortably in most helmets.

Pros:

Best skydiving toy out there. I hate to log jumps and this keeps track for me.
The user interface is pretty friendly. The adjustable 2nd & 3rd warnings are great. Overall it's pretty accurate recording exit and opening altitudes.
It's loud enough.
Customer service is great.

Cons:

Jump-Track = $110 and it's not bi-directional.
I did a low hop-n-pop which it never recorded.
The LCD has "bled" on really hot days.

I would add:

1. A bi-directional interface
2. Remote LED
3. Palm Pilot IR interface

I have also encountered the bug mentioned by a previous reviewer. The protrack logged a 16.2k dive as a 7 second freefall! I have heard reports from others regarding this bug. Having paid $285 for this item I expect solid performance and this is a little disapointing.

$280 is a high altitude price to pay for something that goes "beepbeepbeep". Springing for the optional software brings the price to a level that makes most of us feel hypoxic. As it is, the Pro-Track gives me more information than I really wanted to know. I have been keeping track, and I'm happy to report that the middle table in the back of my $7.00 Precision Freefall logbook is acurate within a few seconds. But enough about economy. Here's the stuff the tech heads will appreciate.

The "beepbeepbeep" function is accomplished very nicely. The breakoff warning is less frantic than the Time Out's. I also like the adjustable pull and hard deck features. The logbook feature makes it very easy to forget the formality of logging. As an audible, it does a very good job.

I've found two bugs. First, the hard deck alarm gets set off while under highly loaded canopies (or is that a feature?). Second, during a recent commerical flight from Indy to Tampa, it logged a 7,500 foot jump with 7 seconds of freefall and 0 MPH freefall speed. Since the jump numbers are stored in sequence, and I forgot to clear the error, the jump counter is no longer in synch with reality. Otherwise, it's a neat, well sorted out little device. But I'll pass on the software.