I tested 12+ skydiving altimeters. These are my top 3 digital picks.
After years of jumping, selling, breaking, repairing and comparing altimeters — from old analog units to GPS devices and altimeters that came with CD software — this is my honest professional ranking.
The best digital skydiving altimeters I would actually buy.
During the years, I have seen it all.
I have tried analog, digital, audible, GPS and high-end logging altimeters over the years. Some were brilliant, some were overhyped, and some were more annoying than useful once the novelty wore off. This ranking is based on the boring things that matter after real use: readability, battery life, durability, support, useful data and value.
- Deep & Steep Insight GPS
- L&B ARES II
- L&B VISO / VISO II / VISO II+
- L&B Solo / Optima / Quattro / Protrack family
- AON X0
- AON X2
- Dekunu One
- Alti-2 digital and analog units
- Classic analog wrist altimeters
- Probably a few I have forgotten
Deep & Steep Insight GPS
€589,00
The Insight GPS is the one that feels like the biggest step forward. A lot of digital altimeters are basically the same idea with a different case. Insight adds the things I actually want from a modern visual altimeter: a large readable screen, GPS jump data logging, valuable under the canopy/in the aircraft, and battery life that does not make the device annoying to own.
Why I rate it first
For a jumper who likes data, Insight is much more useful after the skydive than a normal visual altimeter. It can show ground speed, track, distance to a marked landing area and other information that makes sense for canopy flight and debriefing. That does not replace basic altitude awareness, but it does make the device more than just a number on your wrist. Plug it in gSwoop software or check your GPS data on baseline.ws. Less guessing, more rral information on what happened on the jump.
Another cool thing is that Insight is HUD-glasses ready. You can connect compatible ENGO 2 glasses and get a heads-up display, so key flight information can be shown in your field of view instead of only on the wrist screen. Not everyone needs that, but as a modern skydiving tech feature it is genuinely interesting.
It also feels the most intuitive to use. ARES II and VISO II+ are proven devices, but their menu navigation can feel old-school and a bit complicated until you learn the button logic. Insight feels more natural and modern when moving through screens and data.
The main reason I put it above the traditional digital units is the combination. Big display, GPS, logging and practical battery life together make it feel like the most complete digital skydiving altimeter for 2026. If you want the newest feature set and you will actually use the data, this is the one I would look at first.
There is one honest buying note: sometimes the best gear comes with a wait. It is a bit like the best roller coaster at the park — the longest line is usually there for a reason. The UPT Vector has the same problem in its own category. Insight is still a relatively new product, demand is high, and production can be tighter than demand, so lead times may sometimes be longer than for older established altimeters. Check on our store and we might have some stock available.
L&B ARES II
€410,00
The ARES II is the opposite of a gadget trying to do everything. It is a premium traditional digital visual altimeter: aluminum case, hardened glass, big high-contrast display, simple operation and the long-term trust/support of Larsen & Brusgaard.
Why ARES II is still one of the best
The biggest strength of ARES II is that it is always ready to go. The batteries are not rechargeable, but they are changeable, and in normal use they easily last around 9–12 months. For me that is a real advantage: no charging routine, no “did I plug it in?” before a jumping weekend, and no dead device because it sat in a gear bag too long.
I also like that it feels like equipment, not a toy. The aluminum body and hardened glass give it a more serious feel than plastic digital altimeters, and the display is easier to read than many smaller units. If you do not need GPS data and you just want a strong, clean, dependable digital visual altimeter, ARES II is the simple premium pick.
Availability is another practical advantage. ARES II is usually in stock, so in normal situations it can ship within 48 hours. If you want a premium digital altimeter quickly and do not want to wait for a newer high-demand product, that matters.
AON2 X0 Digital Skydiving Altimeter
€179,00
The X0 earns the third spot because it makes a clear digital altitude display genuinely affordable. It is the simple choice when you want a new, purpose-built wrist altimeter without paying for GPS, a detailed logbook or premium materials you do not need.
Why it makes the top 3
At €179,00, the X0 is the lowest-priced current digital pick in this guide. It is not trying to be an Insight or an ARES II: it is a straightforward, altitude-first altimeter for the jumper who values a clear display and a sensible price.
L&B Viso II+ Digital Skydiving Altimeter
€299,00
The VISO II+ remains a proven, compact L&B choice if its jump-log details and familiar format matter more to you than the X0’s lower price.
View VISO II+Digital skydiving altimeter comparison
Use this as a quick decision matrix. The goal is not to list every technical spec — it is to make the buying decision easier.
| Decision point | Insight GPS | ARES II | AON X0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Store price | €589.00 | €410.00 | €179,00 |
| Best for | Most complete modern GPS/data altimeter. | Rugged premium everyday visual altimeter. | Best basic digital at the lowest current price. |
| Main advantage | GPS logging, canopy/jumprun data, ENGO 2 HUD-ready, intuitive screens. | Aluminum case, hardened glass, always-ready battery setup. | Simple altitude-first digital at a lower price. |
| Data / logbook | Strongest: GPS track, speed, debrief data. | Basic digital logbook. | No detailed jump log or GPS data. |
| GPS / HUD | Yes: GPS + compatible ENGO 2 HUD glasses. | No GPS. | No GPS. |
| Battery | Rechargeable; practical for GPS use. | Changeable; usually 9–12 months. | See the current manufacturer guidance. |
| Build / feel | Modern tech device with large screen. | Most rugged: aluminum + hardened glass. | Straightforward wrist altimeter focused on a clear display. |
| Options | Single model. | 7 color options. | See the current product page for listed wrist-size options. |
| Availability note | High demand; can sometimes mean waiting. | Usually in stock; normally ships within 48h. | Check the live product page for current size availability. |
| My short verdict | Best if you want features, data and intuitive use. | Best if you want durable and simple. | Best when a clear digital altitude display and value are the priority. |
| Next step | → Shop Insight GPS | → Shop ARES II | → Shop AON X0 |
FAQ: choosing a skydiving altimeter
What is the best digital skydiving altimeter in 2026?
My top pick is the Deep & Steep Insight GPS if you want the most complete modern digital altimeter: big screen, GPS logging, canopy/jumprun data, ENGO 2 HUD-glasses readiness and more intuitive navigation. If you want a simpler premium visual altimeter, choose L&B ARES II. For the lowest-priced new digital pick in this guide, choose AON X0 at €179,00 when a clear altitude display is the priority. VISO II+ remains the compact L&B alternative if its familiar format and jump-log details matter more to you.
Which digital skydiving altimeter should I buy: Insight, ARES II, AON X0 or VISO II+?
Choose Insight if you want GPS data, post-jump debriefing, the newest feature set and intuitive navigation. Choose ARES II if you want the most rugged traditional digital visual altimeter. Choose AON X0 if you want a straightforward altitude-first digital at the lowest current price. Choose VISO II+ if you prefer its compact, proven L&B format and useful jump-log details.
Do I need a GPS skydiving altimeter?
You do not need GPS just to read altitude. A normal digital visual altimeter does that job well. GPS becomes useful if you want jump logging, ground track, speed, canopy/jumprun information, distance/glide references or post-jump debrief data.
Is a digital altimeter better than an analog altimeter?
Digital altimeters are usually easier to read precisely, especially at lower altitudes, and many include logbook or data features. Analog altimeters are simple and familiar. For most jumpers buying new gear today, I prefer digital, but the right choice depends on your training, habits and dropzone guidance.
Do I still need an audible altimeter if I have a digital visual altimeter?
A visual digital altimeter and an audible altimeter do different jobs. A visual altimeter gives a readable altitude display; an audible provides sound alerts. Many jumpers use both, but an audible should not replace active altitude checks.
What skydiving altimeter should a beginner buy?
In general, a beginner should choose something readable, reliable and simple enough to build good altitude-awareness habits. AON X0 is the straightforward budget digital option; ARES II is the tougher premium choice. VISO II+ is worth considering if its compact L&B format suits you. Insight makes more sense if you also want GPS/data features and are looking further into your future growth as a skydiver.
How much does a good digital altimeter cost?
On SkydiveShop, current examples are AON X0 at €179,00, VISO II+ at €299,00, ARES II at €410 and Deep & Steep Insight GPS at €589. Cheaper options can exist, but usually you trade away build quality, support, logbook depth or advanced GPS features.
Why choose L&B ARES II?
Choose ARES II if you want a tough premium digital visual altimeter with an aluminum case, hardened glass, large display and changeable batteries. The batteries usually last around 9–12 months, so it is normally ready to jump without a charging routine.
Why choose L&B VISO II+?
Choose VISO II+ if you want a compact proven L&B digital altimeter with useful jump-log details. It is less rugged than ARES II, but it does the work well. If your priority is the lowest price and a straightforward altitude display, AON X0 is the better-value pick.
Is AON X0 a good altimeter?
AON X0 is a good choice when you want a straightforward digital altitude display at the lowest current price in this guide. It does not offer the detailed jump-log information of VISO II+ or the GPS feature set of Insight, but it covers the essential visual-altimeter job clearly and simply.
Why can Insight sometimes take longer to ship?
Insight is a newer high-demand product, and demand can be higher than current production capacity. Like popular premium skydiving gear such as a UPT Vector, the best option can sometimes mean waiting longer.
Technical details are available if you want to go deeper.
This page is my buying opinion and real-world experience. For setup, configuration, maintenance or operating limits, I still recommend checking the manufacturer documents directly — not because this article is copied from them, but because technical instructions should always come from the source.
- Deep & Steep Insight documentation for setup, GPS screens, logbook and canopy/jumprun details.
- L&B manuals for ARES II, VISO II+ and other L&B altimeters.
Ready to choose your altimeter?
Use the quick answer, longer reviews, and comparison table above to decide which digital skydiving altimeter fits your budget and jumping style.
