VoxAlti
Manual and Instructional Video

☠ WARNING ☠

Skydiving is an inherently risky activity that can lead to injury or death. All skydiving equipment is subject to failure. Failure to follow instructions, warnings, and operating procedures could imperil you and others. Every skydiver is solely responsible for his or her safety on each skydive he or she makes. Audible altimeters such as VoxAlti use high sound pressure levels in order to cut through noise and can cause hearing damage; for this reason, Freefall Data Systems LLC recommends wearing earplugs when using any type of audible altimeter. Altimeters are subject to error and malfunction and should only be used as a secondary indication of altitude—second to a visual ascertainment. It is possible that any altimeter can read higher than the distance you actually are above ground level. Failure to maintain visual altitude awareness regardless of altimeter readings can lead to serious injury or death. The default settings on the device are merely suggestions and skydivers should set the altimeter for their own specific use case. Many factors can compromise the accuracy of a barometric altimeter reading, including but not limited to: body position, position relative to other skydivers or objects, altimeter placement, and malfunction. In the end, each skydiver is and must be responsible for their own altitude awareness and safety. Loss of one's own altitude awareness can in certain cases lead to endangering others on the ground as well as in the sky. Many distractions can occur on a skydive; just because you are using an altimeter, it does not mean that you will necessarily register the information it is intended to convey. Additionally, just because two altimeters (e.g. a wrist mounted one and an audio-visual altimeter) are in sync during ascent, this does not necessarily mean that they will be in sync during freefall or under canopy as well, as barometric altimeters are more greatly affected by wakes (burbles) at high speeds than at low speeds. This altimeter contains a lithium-ion battery; do not use it if the case is damaged in any way. Stop use immediately if the device becomes excessively hot, begins to swell, or emits an odor.

LIMITS OF LIABILITY

This product was manufactured for skydiving only. By using this product, you accept full responsibility for its use and agree that you are solely responsible for each skydive you make as well as your safety and that Freefall Data Systems LLC will not be held legally responsible for any malfunction whatsoever that this product may have, whether good or defective.


1.1 VoxAlti Description
2.1 Altimeter Installation
3.1 Downloading and Connecting to the App
4.1 Main Settings
4.2 Presets: General Settings
4.3 Presets: Voice
4.4 Selecting Presets
4.5 Default Settings
5.1 Data Syncing
6.1 Battery Life
6.2 Charging and Maintaining the Battery
6.3 Checking Battery Status
6.4 Sleep Mode
7.1 Firmware Updates
8.1 Troubleshooting
8.2 Restoring Default Settings
8.3 Erasing All Jumps
8.4 Restoring Default Settings and Erasing All Jumps
9.1 Technical Specifications

1.1 VoxAlti Description

VoxAlti is a speaking barometric audible altimeter with a rugged anodized aluminum case and a built-in electromagnetic speaker. The presets on the altimeter are customized using the FDS Altis app (Android or iOS) via Bluetooth® wireless technology. Users can set up to five presets, choosing individual settings for the three phases of a skydive: ascent, freefall, and canopy. In addition to custom altitude and speed announcements, there are 101 pre-recorded notifications that users can insert at any point in their skydive (e.g. "Pull altitude" , "Check equipment" etc.). Presets can be selected on the fly via button press on the ground or during ascent in the aircraft, eliminating the need to carry a mobile device for this purpose. Bluetooth mode is also initiated via button press and times out automatically for safety. The altimeter is not designed to have the Bluetooth mode used in the aircraft on ascent; for maximum flexibility, the actual preset used is selected by button press on the altimeter itself, and not via the mobile app. The FDS Altis app can also be used to synchronize jump data (altitude, vertical descent speed, temperature) to Freefall Data System's cloud-based FDS Logbook. VoxAlti enables users to set a custom freefall threshold (default is 80 mph), which can be useful for wingsuiters as well as swoopers. VoxAlti automatically adjusts to local elevation, allows for landing zone elevation adjustments on each preset, and is always on until the battery is discharged. No data or settings are lost when the battery has discharged, although the current time is lost (simply connect to the FDS Altis app to set the time). VoxAlti has a rechargeable lithium polymer battery with a life of approximately 50 jumps or 4 months. The battery takes approximately 2 hours to charge fully. One can check the battery status by pressing and holding both buttons at once (more details below). A low battery warning (a spoken notification at 1,000 feet on ascent) is automatically given if the altimeter has a low battery and does not have much life remaining. Battery life depends on how the altimeter is used and transported. The longest battery life is obtained when storing the altimeter in one location. The altimeter also features a sleep mode, which can be used as a battery-saving mode and also ensures no data is logged. VoxAlti can be used with full accuracy as high as 30,000 feet MSL and is waterproof to a depth of three feet for 30 minutes (IP67).

2.1 Altimeter Installation

VoxAlti fits in the audible pocket of most skydiving helmets. The speaker should face the jumper's ear. Do no cover the pressure sensor port (on the side opposite the speaker adjacent to the LED indicator window) with anything that would prevent it from breathing or expose it to sunlight during use, as this may interfere with its accuracy.


3.1 Downloading and Connecting to the App

The iOS or Android app used to set VoxAlti is called FDS Altis. It can be downloaded on Google Play or Apple's App Store. First download the app onto your device from the App Store or Google Play. Open the app and first carefully read and agree to the Terms of Service. At this point you can log in if you have a Wi-Fi signal and an FDS Logbook account, or simply press "Cancel" or "Login as Guest" if you are not using the logbook or out of range of Wi-Fi. After this, press and hold the Bluetooth button (the lower button) on VoxAlti until you hear a sound indicating that Bluetooth mode has been turned on . You should also see the blue LED on the altimeter flashing, indicating it is ready to connect. After this, select VoxAlti and then "CONNECT & SYNC." Your VoxAlti should appear with its serial number (e.g. FDS VA Z4673, where the last five digits are the serial number). Select your device and the altimeter will begin to send data to the device. A solid blue light on the altimeter (not flashing) indicates an active connection. It generally takes approximately five seconds to transfer the data. The connection process also sets the time on the altimeter to the time on your phone. To set up the altimeter for its first use, click on "Settings" and you will see another menu in which you can set up to five "Presets" as well as "Main" settings at the top that apply to all presets. To download data from the altimeter or upload a jump to the cloud, click on "Data Syncing;" this will be greyed out and not available if you do not have an FDS Logbook account, or not logged in, or do not have a Wi-Fi signal. If you click on "Info," you can check the serial number, battery status, the number of jumps currently stored in memory, and the current device firmware version. When finished using the app, you can either disconnect on the app and manually power off Bluetooth mode by pressing and holding the Bluetooth button until you hear a sound indicating that Bluetooth mode is off . You can also simply let Bluetooth mode automatically time out after two minutes of inactivity. The time-out prevents one from accidentally leaving Bluetooth mode on, which drains the battery more quickly and does not register altitude.

4.1 Main Settings

Main settings apply to all presets on the altimeter. At the top, one can choose whether or not the altimeter logs jumps; this could be useful, for instance, when loaning the altimeter to another jumper. Next, one can activate or deactivate the altimeter's metric mode, which makes it so that the FDS Altis app displays in kilometers per hour and meters. Below this you can include an optional pre-jump brief that is automatically triggered upon the altimeter recognizing ascent in an aircraft. The pre-jump brief simply includes the current preset and battery status. In addition, you can choose to include a post-jump brief that will be heard approximately one minute after landing. The post-jump brief includes: jump number, exit altitude, open altitude, freefall time, canopy time, and battery status. After this, you can set your next jump number here; this is useful when you first set up your altimeter, or in case you did not use the altimeter on a jump and need to manually adjust the next jump number. Below this you can copy presets by entering the preset you wish to copy, and then the preset you would like to copy to. Below this you can let the altimeter know your network and Wi-Fi password; this is necessary for firmware updates (described below) and will speed up the process if you set these when you first get your altimeter. The Wi-Fi network name and password are only used for firmware updates, so they are not required to use the altimeter nor for data logging.

4.2 Presets: General Settings

When you click on a preset, you will see a menu with two options, the top of which is "General" settings. At the top, one can set a landing zone offset for that particular preset; enter a positive number if your landing zone is higher than your take-off altitude, a negative number of it is lower. A custom freefall threshold can be entered below this, which can be useful for wingsuiters and swoopers (e.g. wingsuiters might use something like 30 mph and swoopers 100 mph). At the bottom, you can set voice volume for the three different phases of the skydive (ascent, freefall, and canopy).

4.3 Presets: Voice

Under "Voice," one can set regular announcements and notifications to be played during the three phases of a skydive: ascent, freefall, and canopy. At the top, one can set the range in which one wishes to hear regular announcements for each phase of the skydive. Just below this, one can choose to include altitude, speed, or both for these regular announcements. One can then choose the announcement increment in feet: this is the setting that sets the rhythm, so to speak, tells you how often you get updates (e.g. 200 would mean you hear an announcement every 200 feet—or meters if you are in metric mode). One can press "Play Example Announcement" to hear the results of the current settings. Below this one can insert additional notifications; these notifications will override regular announcements when they occur at the same altitude. Simply select the sound you want and include the altitude you want it to sound at and press "Insert." Two special notifications enable granular control over the entire experience of VoxAlti: 1) [Altitude] enables one to insert an additional altitude reading (and speed if enabled) at any point during the skydive (the number given must be a multiple of 100), and 2) Silence can be used to silence the regular announcements at the altitude(s) indicated.

4.4 Selecting Presets

Once you have set up your altimeter with the app, you can now select between your various presets on the device itself. To select a preset, hold the top button of your altimeter down until you arrive at the desired preset. If you press and hold again, or keep holding, the altimeter will cycle through the various presets. There is no way to select the current preset using the FDS Altis app, rather this must be done on the device itself via button press.

4.5 Default Settings

Freefall Data Systems recommends users come up with their own presets, but for convenience, VoxAlti comes with pre-programmed presets. All presets have regular altitude announcements. In addition to these, they have as default notifications "Seatbelts" at 1,500 feet on ascent, "Break-off" and "Pull altitude" at 5,500 and 4,000 feet respectively in freefall, and "Downwind leg," "Base leg" and "Final approach" at 1,000, 600, and 300 feet.

5.1 Data Syncing

You must have a Wi-Fi connection, and a set-up subscription to FDS Logbook (as well as be logged in on the FDS Altis app) to log a jump. Once you have set up your logbook, in "Logbook Settings" you will see dropzones, aircraft, and equipment located on the first tab: these are the "Current Settings" in your logbook, which can be changed in FDS Logbook as well. When syncing jumps in the Data Syncing tab, the jumps will be uploaded according to the current settings in the logbook. The number of data files on the altimeter is shown at the top (this altimeter only logs one jump). Press "Go" next to "Download Files from Altimeter" to begin downloading data. The file will download and will only be erased from your altimeter when it has successfully been downloaded to your mobile device. Below this, you can see the number of files on your mobile device waiting for upload to the cloud. You can "Upload All Files" by pressing "Go" or upload them individually in the list below; this can be useful if you know that certain jumps were made at different locations. Then one can change the Logbook (aka "Current") Settings. To delete a file from the mobile device (if one wishes to discard data), press and hold on that file (Android) or swipe left (iOS). Deleting a jump file from a mobile device is permanent and cannot be undone. It is recommended to watch the entire FDS Logbook instructional video in order to get more familiar with the logging system.

6.1 Battery Life

VoxAlti's battery typically lasts approximately 50 jumps or 4 months. Altimeters that are subject to long car rides through hilly or mountainous terrain will naturally discharge the battery faster. The longest battery life is obtained by leaving the altimeter in one location or utilizing sleep mode (see below).

6.2 Charging and Maintaining the Battery

VoxAlti has a lithium polymer battery that is rechargeable with the included USB cord. It takes approximately two hours to fully charge the battery when it is completely empty. A red LED indicates that the battery is charging, and this LED will go off to indicate the altimeter is done charging. During long periods of storage (e.g. winter months), the altimeter should ideally be placed in sleep mode as described below and charged once every three months in order to preserve battery life. It is best to store the altimeter in a cool, dry place.

6.3 Checking Battery Status

In addition to being able to check VoxAlti's battery status on the app under "Info," one can also simply hold down both buttons (provided one is not in Bluetooth mode) to hear it read off.

6.4 Sleep Mode

To enter sleep mode, continue holding down both buttons past the battery and firmware reading until you hear "Sleep mode." This can be used when traveling with the altimeter, for storage, shipping, or simply to save energy. The altimeter does not function when in sleep mode.

7.1 Firmware Updates

You can check the current firmware by continuing to hold down both buttons on the altimeter past the battery indication. Firmware updates on VoxAlti are carried out via Wi-Fi. It is first necessary to let the altimeter know your Wi-Fi network's name and password as described above under Settings→Main. Refer to this specific point in the Instructional Video for instructions on the process of carrying out a firmware update.

8.1 Troubleshooting

If the altimeter fails to function on a skydive, first make sure the altimeter is charged. Next, if the altimeter is charged, see if you can select a preset on the unit on the ground to see if it is responding as expected (press and hold the top button). Perhaps the wrong preset was selected. If the altimeter does not respond to any type of button presses, take a small paper clip and insert it into the small hole between the Bluetooth and settings buttons and depress the manual reset button (you should feel the button slightly give way). This will reset the unit, which takes several seconds. Now try to connect your altimeter via the app. Certain Android devices may be required to bind the device via Bluetooth settings before the altimeter is visible. It also may be necessary to restart certain Android devices before being able to connect. If this fails to solve your problem, contact Freefall Data Systems LLC for assistance.

8.2 Restoring Default Settings

To restore default settings, hold down the Bluetooth button and continue to hold it down while quickly tapping the reset button (in between the Bluetooth button and the settings button) with a paper clip a single time until you hear "success."

8.3 Erasing All Jumps

To erase all jumps from the altimeter, hold down the settings button and continue to hold it down while quickly tapping the reset button (in between the Bluetooth button and the settings button) with a paper clip a single time until you hear "success." This also will erase your next jump number as well as Wi-Fi network and password.

8.4 Restoring Default Settings and Erasing All Jumps

To erase all jumps from the altimeter and restore default settings at the same time, hold down both buttons and continue to hold them down while quickly tapping the reset button (in between the Bluetooth button and the settings button) with a paper clip a single time until you hear "success." This also will erase your next jump number as well as Wi-Fi network and password.

9.1 Technical Specifications