F.A.Q.
ATLAS / N3
Unlike others, we produce our altimeters in the USA (DeLand, Florida) and UK (Ipswich) in our OWN production. All our vendors are hand picked and we work with them for years. Every altimeter that leaves our production is tested. For example, every ATLAS II altimeter will go thru theses test procedures
• Charging test
• Comm connections test
• LCD test
• USB port water test
• Sub-unit front water test
• Sub-unit back water test
• Fully assembled submersion water test
• Drop test
• Backlight test
• Button functions test
• Alarm volume test
• Final dynamic profile chamber run up test with video records
Every tactical altimeters get even more testing. They go through an extreme cold test where they are quick-cooled down to -40F/C for an hour and tested thereafter.
Problem
If I take off and fly at low altitude my altimeter reads the wrong altitude
Solution
Most likely your flight profile doesn’t look like a typical skydive and you altimeter is autozeroing – the following article explains how autozero works.
AUTO ZERO
Let’s start with some basics:
– Atmospheric pressure reduces as you go up in altitude. The pressure at 18,000’ is about half of the pressure at sea level.
– Skydiving altimeters do NOT measure altitude, they measure atmospheric pressure and then convert the pressure reading to the normal altitude for that pressure.
– The atmospheric pressure at any location is constantly changing, the changes are caused by weather and atmospheric effects.
– Your altimeter cannot “see” what is going on, it only knows if the pressure is going up or down.
When you are on the DZ your altimeter is continually measuring the slowly changing air pressure and saying, “I think we are on the ground, so the pressure I am sensing equals zero feet AGL (Above Ground Level)”, i.e. it is constantly zeroing the altitude – “Auto Zero”
When your altimeter detects a rapid reduction in pressure (which means an increase in altitude) it will say “ok, something just happened, it will remember the last time it was sure that it was on the ground and then wait for more information.
Let’s assume your altimeter detected a 500’ increase in altitude, you could be in a car, or you could be in a plane.
– If you are in a car (maybe headed to the DZ), once you arrive at the DZ and your altitude remains somewhat constant, your altimeter needs to quickly decide that this is not a skydive and zero your altitude before you make a jump.
– Conversely, if you are in an aircraft and you take off and then level out at 500’ for some reason, you definitely don’t want your altimeter to zero.
Your altimeter is programmed with an algorithm to decide when to auto zero.
ALGORITHM
Once a possible take off is detected, Altimaster altimeters use altitude and rate of climb to calculate a period of time before it should Auto Zero.
If you climb slowly to 500’ and then level off then it will autozero after about 10 minutes (depending on specific altitude and climb rate). Climbing to 500’ and then leveling off looks much more like a car ride than a skydive.
If you are fortunate enough to be in a fast climbing aircraft to 12,000’, it will be several hours before your altimeter auto zero’s.
NORMAL SKYDIVING
Don’t worry about it, your altimeter will perform exactly as you expect.
“NON STANDARD” SKYDIVES
If you are starting a skydive that is “different”, or unpredictable, for example:
– Demo’s
– A hold at low altitude
– Takeoff and then descent back near to ground level
– Long periods of time at constant altitude
You should use the “I’m on a Jump” option. After takeoff and when the altimeter has switch to the aircraft screen, select:
MENU > DZ/AC Setup > Im on a Jmp
Your altimeter now knows that this is a skydive and will not autozero.
MILITARY ALTIMETER MODELS
Your altimeter can be set in autozero mode for training purposes i.e. when you are making training jumps on the same DZ using a normal skydive profile. This is for convenience during training ONLY.
If your profile is ANYTHING other than a standard skydive profile, including:
– Offset DZ, especially where the DZ is higher than the takeoff altitude
– Pressurized aircraft
– Altitude holds
You MUST program the DZ Altitude (MSL), and optionally QNH (altimeter setting) in the area of the DZ. See MA-12 user manual for detailed procedures.
In the rare cases your Atlas fails/does not charge, please send it in and use this link: Repair request.
Problem
The logbook on the N3 and Atlas all show the incorrect month and year for jumps starting with August 2017.
Solution
Please download this file: Zip File for Data Bug
to update and fix the date bug issue. File is only compatible with Windows OS.
In the case you get an error message while updating, you can try to delete the log.
You will have a prompt to put your Atlas into bootloader mode during the update. If you have trouble with the instructions provided in the update pop-ups please watch this video:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0vnj41r4m1ww9qo/Atlas-BL-Mode.mov?dl=0
for more instruction.
The Neptune 2 and N3 are beyond their support period.
The Atlas constantly self tests. When the pressure señor detects a problem the error 42 show up in the display. You need to send in the unit to exchange the sensor. The repair is $50 plus shipping. The repair also comes with complementary servicing including updated hardware as a courtesy of Alti-2 Technologies which should give your unit another 10+ years lifetime. Please us the repair request page (linked below) and send the unit in. The turnover time is one week.
The limited warranty is for a period of 2 years after the initial sales from an authorized dealer. Please send a Proof of Purchase with your product whenever making a warranty claim.
For more details: https://alti-2.com/registration-and-warranty/
As soon the product is in our possession, either in the HQ in the USA or our European Production and Support Center in GB, the turn around time is one week.
For a full list of repair services and prices: https://alti-2.com/repairs/
Yes, with one exempt : If, for whatever reason, you broke the PCB board on an Atlas produced before W175908 1/2019, we do not have these boards any more due to obsolete parts.
New a repair? Use this page: https://alti-2.com/repairs/
Unfortunately, no. In December of 2021, after 9+ years of support, we made the difficult decision to discontinue support for the N2 and N3. While we strive to ensure that our products remain fully supported for an extended period of time, due to a lack of parts material levels have reached the point where we can no longer provide support and/or repairs. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
We understand that this may raise questions or concerns and want to assure you that we are here to help. We also want to express our sincere appreciation for choosing our product and being a part of our long-time customer community. Your support has meant a lot to us, and we are grateful for the trust you have placed in our company.
In Europe to Alti-2 Technologies UK.
US and rest of the world :
Alti-2 Technologies Inc, in DeLand Florida
Serial Number starting with:
A 2000 N 2012
B 2001 P 2013
C 2002 R 2014
D 2003 T 2015
E 2004 U 2016
F 2005 V 2017
G 2006 W 2018
H 2007 Y 2020
J 2008 2021
K 2009 2022
L 2010
M 2011
Paralog is independently sold by paralog and not a product of Alti-2 Technologies. Please contact them for support.
Please contact our mechanical west coast repair facility. They still have parts to help you.
Alti-Bob
RFS Robert F. Smith
3408 CHEYENNE DR.
GRANTS PASS, OR 97527-8764
Cell: (951) 323-1372
EMail: skytrash1@aol.com