Altitude Alarms

Alarms using distinct tone patterns can be saved for freefall and canopy. Each set of alarm altitudes can be saved as a “preset”. Up to 4 presets can be stored by the Soundlink.

Freefall alarms: Choose up to 4 alarm altitudes for freefall.

Canopy alarms: Choose up to 4 alarm altitudes for canopy flight. After the “final” canopy alarm is played, all alarms and announcements are disabled to allow the user to focus on landing their parachute.

Presets: Alarms can be saved into “presets”, labeled 1 through 4. This allows easy switching between alarm altitudes for your most common jump profiles. Presets can be changed using the Soundlink 1-button menu system, or by connecting via bluetooth.

IMPORTANT: Alarms will override voice announcements if they occur at the same altitude. A voice announcement will not play within 2 seconds of an alarm.

IMPORTANT: Freefall alarms must be at least 980 feet (300 meters) apart. The Soundlink, Insight, and app will automatically adjust alarm altitudes to this minimum spacing.

IMPORTANT: Canopy alarms must be at least 160 feet (50 meters) apart. The Soundlink, Insight, and app will automatically adjust alarm altitudes to this minimum spacing.

Announcements

The Soundlink can give voice feedback during freefall, canopy, or both. This feedback is called an “announcement”. The Soundlink does not need a connection to an Insight/Stratos to use the altitude and vertical speed announcements.

Only 1 announcement can be configured at a time. If you want altitude information and a separate announcement, use alarms for key altitudes and set the announcement type to your desired information.

Announcement Types:

IMPORTANT: The “Connected” announcement types listed above will cause the Soundlink to automatically turn on wireless connect during the airplane ascent. The Soundlink will say “Ready to Connect” and wait for an Insight or Stratos connection.

Announce Mode: Select between freefall + canopy announcements, freefall only, or canopy only.

Announce Frequency: All of the announce types, except for altitude, can change how often they are played. Choose between 5 settings from slow to fast. The rates are adjusted differently for freefall and canopy.

When altitude is selected as the announce type, the Soundlink will speak the altitude every 1,000 feet (or 500 meters) in freefall. Under canopy at 1,500 feet and lower the Soundlink will speak the altitude every 100 feet.

When a canopy alarm “Final” is configured, the Soundlink will stop speaking any other information after the “Final” alarm is played. This is designed to reduce distraction while landing.

CP Open Info

This setting requires an active connection to an Insight or Stratos during the skydive. When CP Open Info is turned on, the Soundlink will announce the glide ratio required to make it to the LZ. This announcement is only played once after canopy opening is detected.

IMPORTANT: The CP Open Info setting causes the Soundlink to automatically turn on wireless connect during the airplane ascent. The Soundlink will say “Ready to Connect” and wait for an Insight or Stratos connection.

Audio Settings

FF volume settings: 1 to 5 (low to high)

CP volume settings: 1 to 5 (low to high)

Alarm Pitch: 1 to 5 (low pitch to high pitch)

Devices Settings, Units, Time, Date, and LZ Offset

Soundlink settings are updated when connected with an Insight, Stratos, or the Deep and Steep app.

Insight/Stratos connection: When a bluetooth connection is established with an Insight or Stratos, the altitude units (feet or meters), time, date, and active LZ offset are synced to the Soundlink. This sync can also be forced from the Settings menu on the Insight/Stratos.

App connection: When a bluetooth connection is established with the app, the time and date are synced to the Soundlink.

The app has separate controls to select the altitude units, and to configure an LZ offset and save that information to the Soundlink.

The post Soundlink Settings first appeared on Deep and Steep - Skydiving Altimeters.

Connect to a new device

A new device must be paired using a passkey before it can be used.

1. Enable pairing mode

Unlock the menu and select the 2nd option: Pairing mode.

The Soundlink will say “Ready to Connect” and the blue LED will pulse every 4 to 6 seconds. The pulsing LED indicates bluetooth is enabled.

The Soundlink will repeat “Ready to Connect” every 60 seconds while it is advertising for a connection. When there is an active connection the Soundlink will stop repeating “Ready to Connect”, and the blue LED will continue to pulse.

2. Connect and enter passkey

Use the connect screen from an Insight or Stratos, or the Deep and Steep app from your phone. Search for devices named “Soundlink” and connect to your device.

The Soundlink will speak a 6 digit passkey. Enter this passkey to pair the devices.

Connect to a saved (paired) device

After a new device is paired it will be saved in the Soundlink for future use. The next time you need to connect and change settings on the Soundlink, use the 1st menu option called “Wireless Connect”.

1. Enable wireless connect (bluetooth)

Unlock the menu and select the 1st option: Wireless Connect.

The Soundlink will say “Ready to Connect” and the blue LED will pulse every 4 to 6 seconds. The pulsing LED indicates bluetooth is enabled.

The Soundlink will repeat “Ready to Connect” every 60 seconds while it is advertising for a connection. When there is an active connection the Soundlink will stop repeating “Ready to Connect”, and the blue LED will continue to pulse.

2. Connect from Insight or app

Use the connect screen from an Insight or Stratos, or the Deep and Steep app from your phone. Find the saved Soundlink device and connect. Since the Soundlink was previously paired, no passkey is required.

Disconnect / Disable Bluetooth

To disconnect using the Soundlink and turn off bluetooth to save power, select the “Wireless Connect” or “Pairing Mode” option from the menu.

The Soundlink will say “Wireless Connect Off” or “Pairing Mode Off”. The blue LED will stop pulsing.

At this point the Soundlink will no longer accept connections and bluetooth is turned off to save power.

The post Wireless Connect (Bluetooth) first appeared on Deep and Steep - Skydiving Altimeters.

Standard Dropzone Operation

The Soundlink is always on and will calibrate itself to the current air pressure. As the air pressure changes due to air temperature changes or weather systems pass through, the Soundlink will automatically track the ground level pressure.

IMPORANT: If you drive to the dropzone and change elevation (less than 1,000 feet) the Soundlink may take up to 10 minutes to reset to the DZ field elevation. If the elevation change was more than 1,000 feet it may take up to 30 minutes for the Soundlink to reset to the DZ field eleation.

When the Soundlink detects ascent in an aircraft it will lock the field elevation and begin to track your altitude above ground level (AGL). All of this is done automatically with no need for input from the user.

Manual Altitude Zeroing (Forced Restart)

WARNING: Do not perform a forced restart while in the aircraft or during a skydive. Reported altitudes will be incorrect.

To force the Soundlink to reset the altitude (and field elevation) perform a Forced Restart. Use a small pointed object, such as a paperclip, and insert into the hole in the top right of the case (see diagram to the left). Depress the small button and the Soundlink will restart and report “Soundlink” followed by the battery level as part of the restart sequence.

User Interface & Buttons

The Soundlink has a simple 1 button and 1 LED interface to access the menu system. Most settings require connecting the Soundlink to an Insight (or Stratos) altimeter, or the Deep and Steep phone app.

Press the button 5 times within 3 seconds to unlock the menu. The LED will flash blue each time a button press is recognized. The Soundlink will beep when the menu unlocks, and will announce the first menu item. The menu will lock automatically after 2 minutes.

Advance to the next menu item by tapping the button.

To use the current menu selection, press and hold the button for 1 second.

Menu Options

1. Wireless Connect
   • Enables bluetooth for already paired devices.
2. Pairing Mode
   • Enables bluetooth and waits for a new connection. This option will require entering a passkey to connect with a device for the first time.
3. USB Connect
   • Changes the Soundlink to USB mode, allowing it to show up as a USB drive when connected to a computer via the USB-C cable. The Soundlink does not operate as an altimeter while in USB connect mode.
4. Freefall Preset Selection
   • Lists the current freefall alarm preset number.
5. Canopy Preset Selection
   • Lists the current canopy alarm preset number.
6. Preview Alarms
   • Plays the freefall and canopy alarms.

Battery and Charging

Battery Life: Starting at a full charge, the Soundlink can be in standby for up to 12 months. Battery life while skydiving will depend on features used such as bluetooth connectivity and the frequency of voice announcements and audible alarms.

Charge Time: The battery charges using the USB-C port. If the Soundlink battery is at 0% charge it will take approximately 1.5 hours to completely recharge the battery.

A charge of as little as 20 minutes will be enough to get through a day of jumping.

USB Power Delivery (PD): Soundlink supports power delivery (PD) for charging.

Care

Your Soundlink takes care of you on your skydives, so take care of it. Treat your altimeter like you would a smartphone or smart watch.

Avoid hard impacts such as drops onto concrete. Store your altimeter in the case it came in or your helmet instead of throwing it in a gear bag with other hard objects.

Do not allow dirt, sand, water, or other foreign objects to get into the speaker holes.

A few simple precautions and your Soundlink should give you years of worry free use.

Storage

If storing the altimeter for periods of longer than a month, the following conditions are best to maintain the overall battery capacity:

• Store at a battery charge between 40% and 60%
• Store at temperatures between -0°C to 35°C (14°F to 95°F)

Lithium Ion batteries in any device can lose capacity over time.  Long term storage of a battery outside of the parameters listed above decreases the battery life of the device.  When possible never store the battery completely discharged as this can damage the battery and degrade its capacity further.

Specifications

Model: SOUNDLINK

Dimensions: 58mm x 39mm x 10mm (2.3″x1.6″x0.4″)
Weight: 32g (1.1oz)

Speaker
Max Decibels: 102db

Power
Charge Voltage: 5v DC
Charge Port: USB-C
Charge Time: 1.5 hours
Charge Temp Range: 0°C – 55°C (32°F to 131°F) Lithium ion batteries are damaged if charged below 0°C

Environmental
Max. Altitude MSL: 9,146m (30,000 feet above MSL based on pressure)
Operating Temp: -20°C to 55°C (-4°F to 131°F)
Storage Temp: 0°C to 35°C (32°F to 95°F)
Water Resistant: None

The post Soundlink Audible Altimeter Overview first appeared on Deep and Steep - Skydiving Altimeters.

• Insight FCC, IC, CE Regulatory
• EU Declaration of Conformity – Insight

Stratos Regulatory Statements

• Stratos FCC, IC, CE Regulatory
• EU Declaration of Conformity – Stratos

Soundlink Regulatory Statements

Orbit Regulatory Statements

• Orbit FCC, IC, CE Regulatory
• EU Declaration of Conformity – Orbit

The post Regulatory Information first appeared on Deep and Steep - Skydiving Altimeters.

This Limited Warranty (“Warranty”) is provided by Deep and Steep LLC (“Company”) to the original purchaser (“Purchaser”) of  product produced by the Company (“Product”). This Warranty covers manufacturing defects in the Product for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase, subject to the terms and conditions outlined below.  Products resold by Deep and Steep have a separate warranty, outlined on the product page and honored according to the original manufacturers recommendations.

Warranty Coverage:

Duration: This Warranty is valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase by the original Purchaser.

Coverage: This Warranty covers manufacturing defects only, which are defined as defects resulting from faulty materials or workmanship during the manufacturing process of the Product.

Warranty Exclusions:

This Warranty does not cover the following:

Normal Wear and Tear: Damages or malfunctions due to normal wear and tear, including but not limited to scratches, scuffs, chips, cracks, or fading of the Product’s exterior.

Accidental or Intentional Damage: Any damage caused by accidents, misuse, abuse, neglect, unauthorized modifications, or alterations to the Product.

Loss or Theft: Loss, theft, or disappearance of the Product.

Failure to Follow Instructions: Damages resulting from failure to follow the Product’s user manual or instructions provided by the Company.

Warranty Claim Process:

If you believe your Product is covered by this Warranty due to a manufacturing defect, please follow these steps to initiate a warranty claim:

Contact the Company’s Customer Service department at support@deepandsteep.io to report the issue and obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number.

Package the Product securely to prevent further damage during shipping. Include a copy of your original proof of purchase and a detailed description of the defect.

Ship the Product, freight prepaid, to the address provided by Customer Service, along with the RMA number clearly marked on the package.

The Company will inspect the Product and determine if the defect is covered under this Warranty. If the defect is covered, the Company will, at its discretion, repair or replace the Product. In case of replacement, the Company will provide a product of equal or similar value.

The Company will cover the cost of return shipping for the repaired or replacement Product.

The post Warranty first appeared on Deep and Steep - Skydiving Altimeters.

This No Liability Statement (hereinafter referred to as the “Statement”) is issued by Deep and Steep LLC (hereinafter referred to as “Deep and Steep”) concerning the use of skydiving products manufactured and distributed by Deep and Steep. The use of these products involves inherent risks associated with skydiving activities, which are recognized as a potentially dangerous sport that can result in serious injury or death.

1. Acknowledgment of Risks: Users of the Deep and Steep skydiving products (hereinafter referred to as the “The Products”) acknowledge that skydiving is a high-risk activity that includes inherent dangers and uncertainties. These risks may include, but are not limited to, equipment failure, adverse weather conditions, parachute malfunctions, aircraft malfunctions, and the unpredictability of freefall.

2. No Reliance on The Products for Safety: Users expressly understand and agree that The Products are tools intended for informational and recreational purposes only. They are not to be solely relied upon for safety-critical decisions during a skydiving activity. Deep and Steep does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, or suitability of The Products for any specific purpose, including safety-critical navigation or altitude monitoring.

3. Assumption of Risk: By using The Products, Users voluntarily assume all risks associated with skydiving activities, including the potential risks arising from the use of The Products. Users understand that any decisions made during skydiving should be based on a comprehensive assessment of all relevant factors and not solely on the information provided by The Products.

4. No Liability: Deep and Steep, its officers, employees, agents, and affiliates, hereby disclaim any and all liability for any claims, demands, losses, damages, injuries, or legal actions that may arise from the use of The Products, whether due to negligence, product defect, or any other cause.

5. No Warranty: Deep and Steep provides no warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, fitness for a particular purpose, or safety of The Products. Users acknowledge that any data or information provided by The Products is subject to potential errors or inaccuracies.

6. Safety Training: Users are strongly encouraged to undergo proper skydiving training and certification from qualified instructors. It is the responsibility of each User to ensure their own safety by making informed decisions and exercising sound judgment during skydiving activities.

7. Indemnification: Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless Deep and Steep, its officers, employees, agents, and affiliates, from any claims, demands, or legal actions brought by third parties arising from the use of The Products.

8. Governing Law: This Statement is governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the state of Florida, and any disputes related to its terms or use shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in the state of Florida.

By using The Products, Users acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to this Statement, and they accept its terms and conditions. If Users do not agree with these terms, they should refrain from using The Products.

The post No Liability Statement first appeared on Deep and Steep - Skydiving Altimeters.

The post User Manual first appeared on Deep and Steep - Skydiving Altimeters.

Check your firmware version press the center button while on the clock screen, then navigate to System->Firmware. If your Stratos does not have this menu, you have older firmware. Read the directions below for instructions on how to find your firmware version.

>>>> First download the latest firmware file to your computer. <<<<

Are you stuck updating the firmware and your altimeter isn’t responding? Perform a forced restart and the altimeter will exit the firmware update mode.

Current firmware version 1.03 and higher

1. From the clock screen, press the center button to open the menu. Navigate to System->Firmware
2. Follow the directions on screen to enter firmware update mode
3. Connect your device to the computer using a USB cable
4. Open your operating system’s file manager and look for a new USB drive
5. Copy the firmware file to this USB drive (it is the .UF2 you downloaded as the first step)
6. The device will automatically update the firmware and restart itself, showing the normal altimeter startup process and then the clock screen (this process only takes a couple of seconds)

Current firmware version 1.02 and prior

1. Record your total jump #. The firmware upgrade will reset this value to 0 and it will need to be configured again after the update.
2. From the clock screen, press the center button to open the menu. Navigate to System Info
3. Press the up button to view the firmware screen
4. Follow the directions on screen to enter firmware update mode
5. Connect your device to the computer using a USB cable
6. Open your operating system’s file manager and look for a new USB drive
7. Copy the firmware file to this USB drive (it is the .UF2 you downloaded as the first step)
8. The device will automatically update the firmware and restart itself, showing the normal altimeter startup process and then the clock screen (this process only takes a couple of seconds)

Change Log

Version 1.05b

• Improvement: GPS track recording slightly faster hz and more consistent readings per second.
• New Feature: Soundlink audible altimeter connectivity. Use the Stratos to configure a Soundlink audible.
• Improvement: Added Engo3 glasses compatibility.
• Improvement: Wireless connection timeout increased to ensure better re-connection if the link is dropped.

Version v1.04j

• Improvement: Faster & smoother display refresh.
• Improvement: Fixed sensor timeout handling to ensure graceful recovery.
• New Feature: Save up to 100 named markers for easy use as DIP and/or HARP.
• New Feature: App Connect to send configuration, logbook, and GPS tracks to the Deep and Steep app.
• New Feature: Burble assist in freefall and canopy flight using GPS data fusion.

Version v1.03

• New Feature: GPS link to stream location data to phone (for ATAK or other applications).
• Improvement: Allow showing negative altitude while on the ground.
• Improvement: Remove connect devices from memory after a device restart.
• Improvement: Show proper LZ distance units in the “recent jumps” device logbook.
• Improvement: Advanced altitude screen (canopy and freefall) uses larger font, improved layout.
• Improvement: Correctly store LZ Offset in the recent jump log.
• Improvement: Detect startup problems with GPS and reconfigure.
  

The post Stratos Firmware Update first appeared on Deep and Steep - Skydiving Altimeters.

Accuracy and Differing Altitudes Between Brands

Sometimes we get asked a very valid question: is my altimeter accurate? The answer is yes, it is as accurate as a pressure sensor altimeter can be. The sensors we use have a precision of 1 meter or less. However the true accuracy of an altimeter has to do with a lot more than how precise the sensors are.

You may notice that your Deep and Steep altimeter doesn’t always report the exact same altitude as another altimeter on the airplane. Let’s explore why this can happen.

Software Differences

Every digital altimeter is essentially a computer that takes pressure readings continuously to calculate an altitude above ground level (aka altitude AGL). The most direct way to perform this calculation is to save the pressure when you take off in the aircraft and then calculate a difference between that pressure and the current air pressure as you move through your skydive.

However there are other tricks that manufacturers will use to adjust the altitude based on your speed, if the altimeter thinks you are in a burble, etc… Because of this the altitudes shown can differ because of the software manipulating the altitude before it is shown to the user. The difference is generally less than 50 feet, but in extreme cases in freefall the altitudes can differ by as much as 200 feet.

Saved Pressure on Takeoff

Another way altimeters on the same airplane can display different readings is how the “ground” is calculated on takeoff. Because the air pressure changes throughout the day, each altimeter regardless of manufacturer will update the “ground” air pressure every few minutes.

Upon takeoff this air pressure value is saved as the ground reference for the skydive. Different altimeters may save the pressure slightly before takeoff, or while the airplane is accelerating down the runway. Because of this each altimeter, even from the same manufacturer, may record a “ground” pressure that is 20 or 40 feet different.

So Which Altimeter is “Correct”?

Unfortunately the answer is “none of them are correct”. How do we know? Because we make altimeters that also use GPS, and the GPS data is highly accurate and unaffected by burbles and other problems that affect pressure sensors. Through lots of testing with our GPS data and 3rd party data from high end GPS units (those found in aircraft) it is easy to see that pressure altitudes are at best a rough indication of your altitude above the ground. We tested all of the major brands of skydiving altimeters to confirm this is true of any altimeter on the market today.

None of the altimeters you see on the plane are telling you a true distance from the ground. They are all an approximation that changes with altitude, speed, burbles, air temperature, atmospheric disturbances (weather), etc… Pressure based altimeters can be close to the truth, within 20 or 30 feet, but they can also be off by many hundreds of feet. This is especially true at high altitudes.

Safely Transitioning to a New Altimeter

When you change altimeter models or manufacturers it is always a good idea to be conservative with your canopy flight, especially if you do any sort of “swooping” or aggressive canopy inputs close to the ground that dive the canopy and increase speed. It is possible that your new altimeter will report somewhere between 20 and 50 feet different than you old altimeter or audible, either higher or lower.

Always increase your setup altitudes slightly under canopy and play it safe. Use the same process of evaluation and sight picture that you used to learn your previous swoop altitude or turn from base to final altitude. After a couple of skydives you’ll have the confidence needed to trust your new equipment and know what altitude is correct for your canopy when you switch to a new altimeter.

The post Things to Know When Changing Altimeter Brands first appeared on Deep and Steep - Skydiving Altimeters.