Digital Altimeter Features Comparison

Digital skydiving altimeters have continued to be improved upon the past few years, but the recent release of the DigiAlti plus the Dekunu One SmartAlti. Alti-2 Juno, and AON2 X2 has really shaken up the offerings for skydivers.

One by Dekunu is the first sport skydiving specific digital altimeter featuring GPS with 3D location tracking. After jump feedback includes jump-path mapping, G-force, swoop and landing zone analysis, which is all synced to the cloud to view, analyze and share. The AON2 X2 has similar GPS features.

The DigiAlti by Freefall Data Systems features a unique LED LightBar in addition to an LCD Digital display. The LightBar allows you to customize up to 33 different light alerts and affects.

So far, VISO II+ has stood strong and continues to be the best selling digital altimeter, but that doesn't mean it's the best choice specifically for you. Read on for a comparison of features to make that choice for yourself.

Skydivers in the U.S. essentially have 7 digital altimeters to choose from. So what are the features of each that would make you choose one over the other?

For starters, the digital altimeters currently available include:

What all of these altimeters have in common is a visual digital display that can be worn on the hand, wrist or mudflap in a variety of available mounts. All of these altimeters have buttons that allow access to a screen menu and generally have the same size of numbers on the visual display, which can be set to show feet or meters.

After that ... well ... each is quite a bit different depending on which altimeter you choose. Below you can visually see the size differences with the 4 of the altimeters, stacked from top to bottom: the AloXs, VISO II+, Atlas II and ARES II.

The Atlas II can be used as an audible, but the X2, One, AltiX, AloXs, VISO II+, DigitAlti, Juno and ARES II are visual altimeters only. The VISO II+, ARES II, AltiX and AloXs use replaceable batteries, but the Atlas II, X2, DigiAlti, Juno and One are rechargeable through a USB cable.

The DigiAlti, X2, VISO II+, ARES II, AloXs, AltiX, Juno and Atlas II all come with at least one basic hand or wrist mount. These all have several additional mounting options separately available. Dekunu's One is available without any mounts, but most skydivers add the Elastic Wrist Mount or Mudflap Mount to their order.

All but the AltiX have a night jump backlight, or the screen data is visible at night.

Of the currently available altimeters, the AltiX is the least expensive at $219 and the Atlas II, One and X2 are most expensive at $400+. The physical size of the One and X2 are the largest with the AloXs being the smallest and the VISO II+, Juno and Atlas II right in-between. The AloXs, One, Juno and VISO II+ have plastic cases, while the DigiAlti, ARES II, AltiX and Atlas have aluminum cases. The AltiX is the only digital altimeter with a traditional round shape.

The N3, Atlas and Atlas II are the same altimeters, just with a different case and charging port. The Neptune (since discontinued) was the original altimeter in this line manufactured by Alti-2 in the USA.

The Juno is a stripped down version of the Atlas II without audible or logbook features. It comes in a 3D printed carbon fiber case and does keep info of your last jump.

The ARES II is basically a VISO II+ in a metal case with additional features, which all started as the VISO for Denmark manufacturer L&B.

The AloXs has similar features to the previous Altitron altimeter from Parasport, but is now slimmed down with updated software. The AltiX is the most basic of all the digital altimeters focusing on displaying altitude, but also gives you info on your last jump and includes a simulation mode for ground training students.

The Dekunu One and AON2 X2 are the only current altimeters with GPS, allowing you map and you to analyze your entire jump and landing.

Here are some general specs of each that you can use to compare which altimeter is best for you.

Atlas II

  • $429
  • 4 colors
  • Visual & Audible
  • Up to 8 different alarms
  • USB rechargeable
  • Wrist & Hand Velcro Mount included; Elastic Wrist Band Mounts available separately.
  • Logs more than 200 jump profiles and 2500 jump summaries
  • Waterproof to 6 feet for 1 hour
  • Downloadable info; compatible with Paralog
  • Size: 2.44" x 1.69" x .47"
  • Order Here!

Juno II

  • $359
  • Black only
  • Visual only
  • USB rechargeable
  • Adjustable hand mount included; Elastic Wrist Band Mounts available separately
  • Logs last jump only
  • Water-resistant
  • Size: 2.44" x 1.69" x .47"
  • Order Here!
L&B VISO II+

VISO II+

  • $336
  • 18 colors
  • Visual only
  • Two replaceable CR-2325 batteries
  • Velcro Hand Mount included; Several mounting options and colors available separately
  • Stores up to 200 jumps in the logbook
  • Playback of altitude/speed for last jump
  • Water resistant with replaceable air filter
  • Speed-Meter option
  • Size: 2.2"  x 1.61" x .53"
  • VISO II+ User Manual
  • Order Here!

ARES II

  • $420
  • 4 colors
  • Visual only
  • Two replaceable CR-2325 batteries
  • Velcro Hand Mount included; Several mounting options and colors available separately
  • Stores up to 200 jumps in the logbook
  • Playback of altitude/speed for last jump
  • Waterproof and shock resistant aluminum case with reinforced glass
  • Quick setting for Altitude Offset, Ground Zero & Backlight
  • Alti-Meter or Speed-Meter options
  • Size: 2.5"  x 1.73" x .59"
  • ARES II User Manual
  • Order Here!

One

  • (Currently unavailable) $410-$550
  • 1 color
  • Visual only
  • USB rechargeable
  • Elastic Wrist Mounts in 8 colors, or the Mudflap Wingsuit Mount available as add-ons
  • Water resistant
  • Screen visible at night
  • GPS with 3D location tracking syncs to cloud
  • Logbook allows you to view stats, plot your canopy flight function, unlimited synchronized jumps, horizontal, vertical and path distances, opening g-forces, max/min. speed, deployment heights and glide ratios
  • Size: 2.9" x 1.95" x .71"
  • Dekunu One Manual
  • Order Here!

X2

  • $649
  • 1 color
  • Visual Only
  • USB rechargeable
  • Comes with one black elastic wrist mount, but instructions on how to make your own with any color elastic are available.
  • Water resistant with IPX7 waterproof rating
  • Backlight for night jumps
  • GPS
  • Detailed jump logging including exit altitude, freefall time and opening altitude.
  • Size: 3.04" x 2.17" x .5"
  • AON2 X2 Manual
  • Order Here!

DigiAlti

  • $389
  • 1 color
  • Visual + LED LightBar
  • LightBar has 33 different light alerts and affects available
  • USB Rechargeable
  • Comes with a Nylon Wrist Mount, but can also be used with the Wedge/DigiPouch Mudflap Mount
  • Water resistant
  • Logs your jumps (altitude, speed and temperature) for syncing to FDS Logbook.
  • Free Bluetooth® iOS/Android app for setting the altimeter and syncing logged data to FDS Logbook
  • Size: 1.93" × 1.31" × 0.54"
  • DigiAlti Manual
  • Order Here!

AloXs

  • $288
  • 1 color
  • Visual only
  • 1 replaceable CR2032 battery
  • Jump counter can be set to match your current jump numbers plus records detailed jump log for last 300 jumps
  • Water resistant
  • Break-Off Altitude setting where icons on altimeter will flash at break-off altitude
  • Can be used as watch with date/time display
  • Accurate altitude up to 33,000 feet
  • Comes with a wrist mount, but separately available mounts include the Hand Mount, Finger Mount and Patch Mount.
  • Size: 2” x 1.54” x 0.39”
  • AloXs User Manual
  • Order Here!

AltiX

  • $245
  • 5 different color wrist straps
  • Visual only
  • 1 replaceable CR2450 battery
  • Gives info on last jump, including exit and deployment altitude as well as frefall time
  • Simulation altitude mode for ground training
  • Accurate altitude up to 33,000 feet
  • Comes with wrist mont, but a hand mount is available too
  • Size: 1.96" x .59"
  • AltiX User Manual
  • Order Here!
Elemental Ion Altimeter with Finger Loop Strap

Ion

  • Was $199 (Production ended; discontinued)
  • 7 colors
  • Visual & Audible
  • Up to 99 different alarms; able to set as duration zones
  • USB rechargeable
  • No mount included; several available separately
  • Detailed data logs for up to 1500 jumps, tracks total jumps up to 16,000.
  • Accelerometer logs your max G force.
  • Size: 2.32" x 1.5" x .74"
  • Ion User Manual
Alti-2 N3 Altimeter

N3

  • Was $369 (Production ended; discontinued)
  • 5 colors
  • Visual & Audible
  • Up to 8 different alarms
  • USB rechargeable
  • Wrist & Hand Velcro Mount Included; Elastic Wrist Band Mounts available separately.
  • Logs more than 200 jump profiles and 2500 jump summaries
  • Waterproof to 6 feet for 1 hour
  • Downloadable info; compatible with Paralog
  • Size: 2.45" x 1.7" x .48"
  • N3 User Manual
Wedge Mudflap Altimeter Mount with Ion Digital Altimeter!

Finally, mos of these altimeters do fit in our Wedge Mudflap Mount with the Digipouch addition (or for the One, use the Dekunu One Velcro Pocket) for all you wingsuit flyers and swoopers who like the mudflap mount option for altimeters. Order your ChutingStar Wedge Mudflap Mount here!

The Dekunu One specific mudflap Wingsuit Mount includes the needed Velcro Pocket attachment.

Order your Dekunu One Wingsuit Mount here!