| While most beginning skydivers will take extra care to | | | | an audible sound at certain intervals to let the diver |
| get a good parachute and jump suit, along with a good | | | | know the correct altitude. |
| helmet and goggles, many don't give quite as much | | | | What's Available? |
| thought to other equipment and accessories. For | | | | Among the manufacturers of the altimeter watch are |
| example, if you look on the wrist of an experienced | | | | well-known companies such as Timex, Casio and Nike, |
| skydiver, you will probably see an altimeter watch. This | | | | but skydivers may want to look at the excellent |
| instrument measures altitude above sea level using air | | | | products from Highgear, Graf Zeppelin and Nixon as |
| pressure (changes in air pressure in the atmosphere). | | | | well. The first time purchaser of an altimeter watch |
| All altimeters, whether they are used for skydiving or | | | | may want to talk with an experienced skydiver at the |
| on the aircraft itself, are calibrated based on the | | | | jump center or skydiving school to get some |
| International Standard Atmosphere. The scale then | | | | recommendations on good altimeters for the sport. |
| allows pilots, parachutists and skydivers to closely | | | | These pros and expert amateurs will be able to |
| estimate elevation. There are variations around the | | | | discuss the crucial element of altitude based on |
| globe that must be taken into account by pilots | | | | personal experience. |
| traveling long distances, but the skydiver can be very | | | | Prices vary widely, depending on the features included |
| accurate with an altimeter watch from one of many | | | | in the altimeter watch, the face size, and several other |
| reliable companies in the industry. | | | | factors. For example, a Timex product that will work |
| Setting The Altimeter Watch | | | | very well starts at about $70. Highgear's Terra Tech |
| The altimeter used for skydiving must, of course, be | | | | Summit altimeter watch with a 2" face diameter costs |
| set according to local atmospheric pressure figures. | | | | about $90. At the other end of the spectrum is the |
| Once this is done, the skydiver and the jump master | | | | Graf Zeppelin altimeter chronograph watch (stainless |
| can be sure that all actions taken during the jump | | | | steel and titanium) with a price tag of $400. One of |
| happen at the correct altitude. For skydivers, free fall | | | | Nixon's products falls somewhere in the middle, at |
| time is crucial. This is the true minute of enjoyment that | | | | about $200 to $250. |
| skydivers get. A well-made, accurate altimeter watch | | | | No matter which altimeter watch the first-time buyer |
| will ensure that the timing is as close to perfect as | | | | chooses, the purchase should be made with as much |
| possible. Some new, more advanced altimeters emit | | | | information on hand as possible. |