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
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
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.
L&B VISO II+
The VISO II+ is the compact middle-tier L&B digital altimeter I would now put as the third choice. It is not as rugged and premium-feeling as ARES II, but it is proven, familiar, usually easy to get, and gives more information than a basic altitude-only digital altimeter.
Why VISO II+ belongs in the top 3
I used a VISO-style altimeter for 10+ years. It eventually started showing age, and the plastic case is not as confidence-inspiring as ARES II, but it did its job. L&B support repaired damage for me without drama, which is exactly why support belongs in this review.
It is the middle tier altimeter that we usually always have in stock. It will provide you more than just altitude — it has a logbook where you can see your past jumps, exit/opening altitudes, freefall speed and duration. Some people appreciate having this information on their wrist.
VISO II+ still makes sense if you want a smaller proven L&B digital altimeter and do not need the more rugged ARES II case. I just prefer ARES II for a long-term “buy once and use for years” visual altimeter. But VISO will do the work just as fine.
Worth mentioning / Plan B: AON X0
The AON X0 still deserves a mention, but I would move it out of the top 3 and treat it as the budget Plan B. It makes sense when price is the main decision and you simply want a digital display without paying for premium materials, L&B support history or GPS features.
Does it have a logbook, which gives you details about your jump numbers, exit altitude, opening altitude? Not really. Reality is that it does one job only — shows you the altitude. Nothing less, nothing more. But for that price we can't expect more.
If you want the cheapest digital choice that is still reasonable, X0 belongs in the conversation. If you already know you want a more premium feel, longer support history, logbook details or more features, I would move up to VISO II+, ARES II or Insight instead.
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 | VISO II+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Store price | €589.00 | €410.00 | €299.00 |
| Best for | Most complete modern GPS/data altimeter. | Rugged premium everyday visual altimeter. | Compact proven L&B with logbook. |
| Main advantage | GPS logging, canopy/jumprun data, ENGO 2 HUD-ready, intuitive screens. | Aluminum case, hardened glass, always-ready battery setup. | Good logbook data in a smaller cheaper L&B unit. |
| Data / logbook | Strongest: GPS track, speed, debrief data. | Basic digital logbook. | Jump numbers, exit/opening altitude, speed, duration. |
| GPS / HUD | Yes: GPS + compatible ENGO 2 HUD glasses. | No GPS. | No GPS. |
| Battery | Rechargeable; practical for GPS use. | Changeable; usually 9–12 months. | Changeable L&B battery setup. |
| Build / feel | Modern tech device with large screen. | Most rugged: aluminum + hardened glass. | Proven but plastic / less rugged. |
| Options | Single model. | 7 color options. | 18 variants: button color × case color. |
| Availability note | High demand; can sometimes mean waiting. | Usually in stock; normally ships within 48h. | Usually in stock. |
| My short verdict | Best if you want features, data and intuitive use. | Best if you want durable and simple. | Best middle-tier choice. |
| Next step | → Shop Insight GPS | → Shop ARES II | → Shop VISO II+ |
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. If you want a compact proven L&B unit with logbook data, choose VISO II+.
Which digital skydiving altimeter should I buy: Insight, ARES II or VISO II+?
Choose Insight if you want GPS data, post-jump debriefing, the newest feature set and the most intuitive menu/navigation experience. Choose ARES II if you want the most rugged traditional digital visual altimeter. Choose VISO II+ if you want a smaller, proven L&B altimeter with useful logbook data at a lower price.
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. ARES II and VISO II+ are sensible visual choices; Insight makes more sense if you also want GPS/data features and are looking more into your future growth as a skydiver.
How much does a good digital skydiving altimeter cost?
On SkydiveShop, current examples are VISO II+ at €299, 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 logbook data. It can show jump numbers, exit/opening altitude, freefall speed and freefall duration. It is less rugged than ARES II, but it does the work well.
Is AON X0 a good altimeter?
AON X0 is the budget Plan B. It is interesting because it is simple and dirty cheap, but it is basically an altitude-only device. It does not give the same logbook/debrief value as VISO II+ or the GPS feature set of Insight. If you just need to see the altitude and don't want anything else — AON X0 can be a good choice.
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.
