Skydiving altimeters: digital, audible, and GPS devices.

For most licensed skydivers, the first altimeter should be a clear digital wrist altimeter. It is simple, easy to read, and gives you the altitude number you need during freefall and under canopy. Our usual first picks are Deep & Steep Insight if you want a big modern screen and GPS data, or LB ARES II if you want a proven premium digital altimeter.

You do not need one as your first altimeter, but many jumpers add one later. A wrist altimeter is what you look at. An audible gives sound or voice alerts in your helmet at the altitudes you set.

No. An audible is a reminder, not your main visual altimeter. You should still have a wrist or hand-mounted altimeter that you can check with your eyes.

A digital altimeter shows your altitude on a screen. An audible altimeter sits in your helmet and gives beeps or voice alerts at set altitudes. One is visual, the other is sound-based.

Most modern licensed skydivers prefer digital altimeters because the number is clear and easy to read quickly. Some jumpers still like analog altimeters, but digital is usually the easier first choice.

A bigger screen is the main thing. LB ARES II and Deep & Steep Insight are great examples if easy reading is your priority. One practical note: polarized sunglasses can make some LCD screens, including altimeters such as LB ARES or LB VISO, harder to see from certain angles.

A GPS device records location data during the jump. After landing, you can use apps such as gSwoop, Baseline.ws, FlySight Viewer and others to see speed, glide, flight path, canopy data or wingsuit data. Depending on the device, it may also give direct feedback during flight through your headphones.

Usually no. If you are buying your first altimeter, focus on clear altitude reading first. GPS is more useful later if you want jump data, wingsuit information, canopy performance data or tracking feedback.

Measure your wrist and check the sizing chart. Also match the mount to the exact altimeter model you own — a mount for LB ARES will not fit LB VISO, Insight or another device. You would not be the first person to order the wrong wrist mount with your altimeter. :)

It depends on the altimeter. Some are rechargeable, while others use replaceable batteries. With LB ARES and LB VISO, we usually see batteries changed after about 9–12 months of normal use. Deep and Steep Insight can last a month of jumping and is rechargeable. Always use the correct battery type and follow the manufacturer guidance for your exact model.