Alti-2 ALTIMASTER NEPTUNE User manual

ALTIMASTER NEPTUNE
User Manual
Issue G
June 2005
Alti-2, Inc.
1400 Flightline Blvd.
Suite E
Deland, FL 32724
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://www.alti-2.com

- 2-
Introduction
Congratulations on buying an Altimaster Neptune!
Neptune information is constantly being updated. Please refer to our website,
www.alti-2.com, for the latest information.
All altitude measurements are referred to in feet in this manual.
Software Upgrades
The Neptune has an Infrared interface which allows you to update the built-in
software as new versions become available. Software updates are available free of
charge from our website: www.alti-2.com.
Customer Support
The Neptune has a considerable number of options and facilities covering alarm
settings, log book, manual mode, DZ offset, contrast, flip, backlight, etc., etc. There
are hundreds of combinations of settings, and it is impossible to cover each one in
detail. We have attempted to cover the basics of all functions, however:
If you have ANY problems or question, please call or e-mail us. We will do our best
to help you get the most out of your Neptune.
386-943-9333
[email protected]
We may have Altimaster Field Support at your drop zone. Check our online
Altimaster Field Support locator: http://www.alti-2.com/field_support_locator.htm.
WARNING
PARACHUTING IS A HAZARDOUS ACTIVITY THAT CAN RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.
An altimeter is a device subject to malfunction, even when properly designed, built, assembled, maintained and used. Do not
rely upon an altimeter for your safety. Your altimeter must only be considered as an aid when checking your altitude.
A visual cross reference with the ground should be used in combination with any altimeter.

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................................................... 2
SOFTWARE UPGRADES.....................................................................................................................................................2
CUSTOMER SUPPORT.........................................................................................................................................................2
TABLE OF CONTENTS.........................................................................................................................................................3
BASIC OPERATION .............................................................................................................................................................4
BASIC SETUP PROCEDURE.............................................................................................................................................4
INSERT BATTERY...........................................................................................................................................................................4
FITTING THE HELMET CLIP...........................................................................................................................................................6
HAND MOUNT................................................................................................................................................................................7
TIME AND DATE.............................................................................................................................................................................8
LOGBOOK SETUP...........................................................................................................................................................................9
ALARMS..........................................................................................................................................................................................9
IR DOWNLOADS.................................................................................................................................................................10
DISPLAY SCREENS / MODES.......................................................................................................................................11
GROUND.......................................................................................................................................................................................11
ALTITUDE..................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
CLIMB...........................................................................................................................................................................................12
FREEFALL .....................................................................................................................................................................................13
CANOPY........................................................................................................................................................................................14
ALARMS...................................................................................................................................................................................14
GENERAL...................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
FREEFALL ALARMS.......................................................................................................................................................................16
CANOPY ALARMS......................................................................................................................................................................... 18
LOG BOOK..............................................................................................................................................................................20
DZ SETUP................................................................................................................................................................................24
FLIP ...........................................................................................................................................................................................25
BACKLIGHT............................................................................................................................................................................25
AUTO/ECON..........................................................................................................................................................................26
MODES......................................................................................................................................................................................26
DEMO MODE................................................................................................................................................................................ 26
DEMO ALARMS ............................................................................................................................................................................26
TRAINING MODE................................................................................................................................................................27
SPECIFICATIONS...............................................................................................................................................................28
DISASSEMBLY......................................................................................................................................................................28
GENERAL CLEANING........................................................................................................................................................28
MAINTENANCE AFTER SUBMERSION IN SALT WATER................................................................................29
SERVICING............................................................................................................................................................................30

- 4-
Basic Operation
All menus have the same basic
operation; the top and bottom
buttons move the cursor and the
center button selects the highlighted
choice.
Basic Setup Procedure
Insert Battery
Remove the two screws securing the battery
cover using a Phillips screwdriver.
Be careful not to lose the O ring.
WARNING
PARACHUTING IS A HAZARDOUS ACTIVITY THAT CAN RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.
An altimeter is a device subject to malfunction, even when properly designed, built, assembled, maintained and used. Do not
rely upon an altimeter for your safety. Your altimeter must only be considered as an aid when checking your altitude.
A visual cross reference with the ground should be used in combination with any altimeter.

- 5-
Insert one type Duracell DL2450 (or
equivalent) battery.
2 batteries are provided; 1 is a spare.
The battery should only be inserted with the
“+” side up, i.e. toward the buttons.
Do not let metal of any kind to come in
contact with the battery, and do not allow
two batteries to touch each other.
The Neptune will only be waterproof if you fit
the o-ring into the groove in the battery
cover.
This can be an awkward task and you may
wish to use silicon grease or petroleum jelly
to help hold the o-ring in the grove.
If you never jump near water you can leave
the o-ring out.
Replace the two screws, but DO NOT
OVERTIGHTEN! This can crack the battery
cover and cause the unit to lose water
resistance.
You can press the battery cover down to seal
the o-ring to the body of the unit for
maximum water resistance.
WARNING
PARACHUTING IS A HAZARDOUS ACTIVITY THAT CAN RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.
An altimeter is a device subject to malfunction, even when properly designed, built, assembled, maintained and used. Do not
rely upon an altimeter for your safety. Your altimeter must only be considered as an aid when checking your altitude.
A visual cross reference with the ground should be used in combination with any altimeter.

- 6-
Fitting the Helmet Clip
If you wish to use Neptune as an external
audible altimeter, use the helmet clip and tie
wraps provided.
Align the Neptune’s speaker with the speaker
hole in the helmet clip. Failure to do so may
result in inaudible alarms.
Using the “Flip” function, the Neptune can be
fitted with the buttons in either direction, on
either side of your helmet. Use the tie wraps
to attach the clip to your helmet in desired
position, keeping the speaker hole and
speaker aligned.
The Neptune is snapped into the clip.
The clip is designed to fit in a recess as
shown. If mounted on a non-recessed
helmet, we suggest that a rubber band be
fitted around the clip to prevent the Neptune
from sliding out.
WARNING
PARACHUTING IS A HAZARDOUS ACTIVITY THAT CAN RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.
An altimeter is a device subject to malfunction, even when properly designed, built, assembled, maintained and used. Do not
rely upon an altimeter for your safety. Your altimeter must only be considered as an aid when checking your altitude.
A visual cross reference with the ground should be used in combination with any altimeter.

- 7-
Hand Mount
If you wish to use Neptune as a visual
altimeter we suggest you use the hand mount
provided.
Lay the hand mount across the back of the
Neptune. Line up the four (4) holes with the
threaded inserts in the back of the Neptune
and insert the screws provided, with the
washers between the fabric and the screws.
You may use Loctite to hold the screws
securely in place.
If you wish to wear the Neptune on your
wrist, like a watch, use the wrist mount
provided.
The fabric wrist mount is attached to the back
of the Neptune in the same way as the hand
mount. The narrow wrist strap is then fed
through the channel in the wrist mount.
Metal backplates were previously issued with
Neptunes. Do NOT use one of these
backplates alone with the narrow wrist strap;
this setup will crack the display!
WARNING
PARACHUTING IS A HAZARDOUS ACTIVITY THAT CAN RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.
An altimeter is a device subject to malfunction, even when properly designed, built, assembled, maintained and used. Do not
rely upon an altimeter for your safety. Your altimeter must only be considered as an aid when checking your altitude.
A visual cross reference with the ground should be used in combination with any altimeter.

- 8-
Time and Date
Setting the time and date is typical of many Neptune setup menus. This
adjustment is explained in detail to familiarize you with the menu system.
The system starts up in the ground screen. It
displays time, date and temperature.
Icons indicate:
•the battery state
•alarms enabled or disabled
•logbook enabled or disabled
•backlight enabled (no icon for disabled)
Start by pushing the center “Menu” button on
the ground screen. The Main Menu will be
displayed.
Move the cursor (top or bottom button) to
“System” and press “Select” (center button).
In the “System” menu, most of the basic
setup options are under “Options 1” or
“Options 2”.
Move the cursor (top or bottom button to
“Options 2” and press “Select” (center
button)
You will now see the “Time/Date” setting
option, as well as many others.
(Neptune pictured with optional Armor and Screen
Protector)
WARNING
PARACHUTING IS A HAZARDOUS ACTIVITY THAT CAN RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.
An altimeter is a device subject to malfunction, even when properly designed, built, assembled, maintained and used. Do not
rely upon an altimeter for your safety. Your altimeter must only be considered as an aid when checking your altitude.
A visual cross reference with the ground should be used in combination with any altimeter.

- 9-
The cursor will already be on the “Hours”
setting.
Use the top and bottom buttons to increase
or decrease the number, then press “Select”
and the cursor will move to the next item.
When all entries have been adjusted the
system will automatically exit from this
screen.
Logbook Setup
From the “System” menu, select “Log Setup”
The Logbook setup menu allows you to set
the starting number of jumps and starting
Freefall (FF) time.
If necessary it also allows you to delete the
entire logbook.
Alarms
From the Main Menu, move the cursor down to
“Alarms” and press “Select”
WARNING
PARACHUTING IS A HAZARDOUS ACTIVITY THAT CAN RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.
An altimeter is a device subject to malfunction, even when properly designed, built, assembled, maintained and used. Do not
rely upon an altimeter for your safety. Your altimeter must only be considered as an aid when checking your altitude.
A visual cross reference with the ground should be used in combination with any altimeter.

- 10 -
Neptune will display the current alarm group
and altitude settings.
If the settings are correct, select “OK”. If you
want to change them, select “Edit/Select”
Alarm setup is described in detail under the
'Alarms’ section of this manual.
IR Downloads
The Neptune has a build in IrDA
compliant infrared port which provides
a wireless link to your PC.
The IR port allows:
•Neptune software to be updated
•The log book to be downloaded to Paralog.
For Neptune software updates, go to www.alti-2.com. Full download instructions are
included with the program software.
Instructions on downloading jumps to Paralog can be found in the Log Book section
of this manual. Paralog can be purchased online at www.paralog.net.
If you have any questions or problems updating your Neptune, please go to our
online Altimaster Field Support locator to see if we have Field Support at your drop
zone. If there is none, please call or e-mail Alti-2.
www.alti-2.com/field_support_locator.htm
[email protected]
386-943-9333
WARNING
PARACHUTING IS A HAZARDOUS ACTIVITY THAT CAN RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.
An altimeter is a device subject to malfunction, even when properly designed, built, assembled, maintained and used. Do not
rely upon an altimeter for your safety. Your altimeter must only be considered as an aid when checking your altitude.
A visual cross reference with the ground should be used in combination with any altimeter.