The N3 Neptune by Alti-2 is an Audio visual altimeter with a logbook function; very customisable and very feature-rich. I own two of these devices. I have 500-600 jumps on one, which I use as a primary visual altimeter (on a wrist mount) and 300 jumps on the other as an audible device (in my Flat-Top Pro helmet). So far they have been very reliable for me.
Battery Life
The N3 has a Mini USB port for charging the device, and connecting to your computer. Plus a port on the back for the audio stuff. Battery life seems to be pretty strong but they don’t last as long as some other units where you have to replace the batteries. I charge it every weekend I’m going jumping and it’s been fine. I’ve gone several weekends without charging it and not had any problems.
I really love the canopy alarms
Modes
The unit has several modes and it adjusts automatically. When climbing to altitude the N3 will be in Aircraft Mode, then as soon as you exit, the device changes to Freefall Mode. It also has a Canopy Mode, it changes automatically from one to another.
Data
One of the things I really like about the N3 is the amount of information it will give you. It’s really neat that it shows the descent rate under canopy. This can be cool if you’re wanting to figure out how floaty your canopy is in quarter brakes, or how much speed you build up in a dive or turn.
Canopy Alarms
One of the things that impresses me the most about this is the canopy alarms, they are really cool. I love how everything is customisable, including the warning heights. The canopy alarms finish with a different number of beeps so you know which one is activating, and can tell what altitude you are at without even looking at the visual altimeter.
Logbook
The logbook mode will keep track of all your jumps. Exit altitude, deployment altitude, speed, time, date, etc. You can set up different profiles for your home drop zone and other regular drop zones. Easy to use
Summary
Overall I’ve been really happy with my N3s. I can hear the freefall and canopy alarms really well, even wearing ear plugs. I love the information you get, lots of different modes, options, how customisable everything is. From a value standpoint it depends what you want. If you’re looking for something that is really customisable, with a lot of information and features and you don’t mind paying at the higher end of the audible price range, it’s really good value. If you don’t want all the bells and whistles it might not be the best value. But for me, it’s exactly what I’m looking for, that’s why I have two.
N3 Review done by Zach Lewis for Chuting Star
