LB ALTIMETERS ALFA Tactical Altimeters User Manual

: July 18, 2024
: LB ALTIMETERS

Table of Contents

ALFA Tactical Altimeters
INTRODUCTION
DESCRIPTION
MENU OVERVIEW
LOGBOOK AND JUMP INFO
SETTINGS
FUNCTIONALITY
MAINTENANCE
TROUBLESHOOTING
SPECIFICATIONS
WARRANTY
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PHOTO SCOTT BEACH

ALFA™
MANUAL

ALFA Tactical Altimeters

WARNING
The ALFA™, even when used as your primary means of maintaining altitude awareness, may fail. Always use your eyes to determine your approximate altitude.
Altimeters may give erroneous readings if you are tumbling or the altimeter is in a burble (wake). Chest mount altimeters are more vulnerable to this problem compared to hand/ wrist mounted altimeters. If you are in doubt about how this limitation affects your skydiving, consult a licensed instructor.
DO NOT use this equipment unless you are currently participating in, or have successfully passed, an approved parachuting or freefall course.
Please read ALL instructions carefully prior to use.
The ALFA™ must be switched ON prior to entering the airplane.
ALFA™ is a trademark of LB Altimeters, Denmark
LB Altimeters operates a policy of continuous development.
Therefore, we reserve the right to make changes and improvements to any of the products described in this guide without prior notice.

INTRODUCTION

The ALFA™ is the most high-end, accurate, and reliable visual digital altimeter developed by LB Altimeters to date. The ALFA™ software includes second-to-none error correction to ensure correct live altitude readings in any application

Features

Large high contrast, non-flicker, LCD display
Electroluminescent backlight for night jumping
Waterproof and shock resistant aluminum casing with hardened glass
Quick buttons for access to primary functions
Jump profile playback
Basic logbook and daily jump counter
IR access functionality, to use with optional ALTISET II™ Remote Control

Functions

Calibration to the local elevation
User selection of feet / meter and mph / kmh
Stores up to 10 min of data from last jump
Log book stores up to 200 jumps including:
o Date / time
o Exit / opening altitudes
o Freefall time
o Max / average speed

DESCRIPTION

Altitude Offset / Up
Main
Back light / Down
Display
Battery cover
Reset button
IR Port

DISPLAY
Startup
When turning on ALFA™, the unit will display the following during the startup self-test

Main window
The main window is the default window after the unit is turned ON, and starting point for any further actions

Time/date indicator
Time/date display
mbar indicator
Altitude display (flashing when negative)
Battery indicator
Backlight indicator
IR Mode indicator
Feet / meter indicator

Altitude window
Shortly after take-off, the ALFA™ will enter Flight Mode. The main window will automatically display the current altitude when entering Flight Mode.The displayed altitude increments (feet / meter) depend on the current altitude.

0-990
Altitude display: normal
Increments of 10 feet / 5 meters| 1.000-9.990
Altitude display: 10s
Increments of 10 feet / 10 meters| 10.000 and above
Altitude display: 100s
Increments of 100 feet / 100 meters

Logbook and Jump Info / Settings
See “Logbook and Jump Info” section for display examples and more information.

Jump Profile
The jump profile window is used when playing back the last jump.

Time display
Altitude display / Speed display
Feet/meter indicator

Battery Indicator
The battery indicator shows the current battery status.
Full capacity: Two black bars are shown inside the battery symbol
Half capacity: One black bar is shown inside the battery symbol
Low capacity: The battery symbol is empty. The batteries must be replaced as soon as possible
Empty: The battery symbol is flashing. Do not continue jumping. Replace batteries immediately
Warning: Do not perform night jumps, or jumps in sub-zero temperatures (Celsius), when the battery symbol shows low capacity.

The ALFA™ menu system consists of 3 separate areas, which include the following (use road map for reference).

Quick Buttons

Turn ON unit
Altitude Offset
IR Mode
Backlight

Logbook and Jump Info

Daily Jump Counter
Total Jumps
Exit Altitude
Opening Altitude
Freefall Time
Average Freefall Speed
Maximum Freefall Speed
Altitude Profile – Last Jump
Speed Profile – Last Jump

Settings

Year
Date
Time
Jump Counter
Units – Altitude
Units – Speed
Dive Type
Delete Last Jump
Delete Logbook
Turn OFF

PERFORMING ACCESS
In order to access each of the individual areas, the following steps must be performed from the main window (use road map for reference).
Quick Buttons
Press and hold the designated button for 5 seconds.

Settings

QUICK BUTTONS
Quick Buttons are accessible from the Main Window and do not require ACCESS.

Turn the unit on
Turn on the ALFA™ on the ground before use. The unit runs a self-test and calibrates to the current ground level.
The ALFA™ will stay on for 14 hours after the last jump or after last ACCESS performed.
With the unit off, press and hold any button for 5 seconds.
If ALFA™ is turned on during flight, the present altitude must be adjusted manually.
Altitude Offset
Use Altitude Offset to adjust for altitude difference between landing zone and take-off elevation.
To ensure proper ground reference on landing zone:
Select a positive offset, if take-off elevation is HIGHER than the landing zone.
Select a negative offset, if take-off elevation is LOWER than the landing zone.
Alternatively enter the absolute air pressure for the landing zone. Select the mbar value registered/calculated for the landing zone.

Press and hold for 5 seconds.
Press to increase altitude. Press to decrease altitude.
Press to confirm Altitude Offset setting. The Altitude Offset will now be displayed in the main window (flashing when negative). Altitude Offset must be confirmed within 15 seconds following an altitude change. Altitude Offsetis cancelled if no button is pressed within 15 seconds.

Note: If using Altitude Offset during flight use the aircraft altimeter for reference.
Note: When performing an Altitude Offset, the ALFA™ enters Flight Mode and will retain any offset for 14 hours if no jump is made. After 14 hours the unit will calibrate itself to the field elevation where it is located.
IR Mode
Activate/Deactivate IR Mode for communication with ALTISET II™ remote control.
Press and hold for 5 seconds.
IR will flash and IR mode is active for 2 minutes.
Activate IR Mode on ALTISET II™. Point the ALTISET II™ at the IR port.
ALFA™ adjusts to the ALTISET II™ preset altitude and/or backlight.

Press to exit IR mode.
Note: Refer to the ALTISET II™ manual for more information on using the ALTISET II™ remote control.
Backlight
indicates if the backlight is on or off.
To enable/disable the backlight, press and hold for 5 seconds.
The backlight will turn off automatically after 10 minutes, if ALFA™ is not in Flight Mode. The backlight will remain on while ALFA™ is in Flight Mode.

Note: If an Altitude Offset is present, the backlight will stay on until the Altitude Offset is cleared by a jump, times out (14 hours), or the unit is restarted.

LOGBOOK AND JUMP INFO

Logbook and Jump Info contain detailed information regarding previous jumps.
Perform ACCESS to enter the first entry of Logbook and Jump info.
Press to scroll through all the entries.
ALFA™ exits Logbook and Jump info if no button is pressed within 15 seconds after ACCESS.

Daily Jump Counter
Displays daily jump counter for individual dates.

Press to select later date(s).
Press to select earlier date(s).
Press to continue.

Total Jumps
Displays total number of jumps.
Select jump number to display more information.

Press to select next jump.
Press to select previous jump.
Date and time for the selected jump is shown at the top of the screen.
Press to continue.

Exit Altitude
Displays exit altitude for selected jump.
Press to select next jump.
Press to select previous jump.
Selected jump number is shown at the top of the screen.
Press to continue.

Opening Altitude
Displays opening altitude for selected jump.
Press to select next jump.
Press to select previous jump.
Selected jump number is shown at the top of the screen.
Press to continue.

Freefall Time
Displays freefall time registered for selected jump.

Press to select next jump.
Press to select previous jump.
Selected jump number is shown at the top of the screen.
Press to continue.

Average Freefall Speed
Displays average speed for selected jump.
Press to select next jump.
Press to select previous jump.
Selected jump number is shown at the top of the screen.
Press to continue.

Maximum Freefall Speed
Displays maximum speed for selected jump.
Press to select next jump.
Press to select previous jump.
Selected jump number is shown at the top of the screen.
Press to continue.

Altitude Profile – Last Jump
Displays the altitude profile, at a given time, for the last jump.
Press to scroll forward in time (seconds).
Press to scroll backwards in time (seconds).
Holding down either or will fast scroll.
Time is shown at the top of the screen.
Press to continue.

Speed Profile – Last Jump
Displays the speed profile, at a given time, for the last jump.
Press to scroll forward in time (seconds).
Press to scroll back in time (seconds).
Holding down either or will fast scroll.
Time is shown at the top of the screen.
Press to continue.

Exit Logbook and Jump Info
is flashing.
Allows manual exit from menu.
Press or to exit from menu.
Press to start from the beginning.

SETTINGS

Settings are used to customize the ALFA™.
Perform ACCESS to enter the Logbook and Jump Info Window. While in the Logbook and Jump Info Window, press and hold for 5 seconds to access Settings.
Press to scroll through all settings.
ALFA™ will exit Settings if no button is pressed within 15 seconds after performing ACCESS.

Year
Sets current year.
Press to select next year.
Press to select previous year.
Year is displayed at the top of the screen.
Press to continue.

Date
Sets current date.
Press to select next date.
Press to select previous date.

To change month:
Scroll DAY until reaching 31 or 1, then ALFA™ will scroll MONTH up/down
Press to continue.

Time
Sets current time in 24-hour format.
Press to add minutes/hours.
Press to subtract minutes/hours.
Holding down either or will fast scroll time.
Press to continue.

Jump Counter
Sets the current total number of jumps.
Press to add jumps.
Press to subtract jumps.
Holding down either or will fast scroll.
Press to continue

Units – Altitude
Sets altitude display in either feet or meters.
Press or to switch units.
Press to continue.

Units – Speed
Sets speed display in either miles/hour or kilometers/hour.
Press or to switch units.
Press to continue.

Dive type
Sets the current dive type used for logging data:
0: Standard. Standard parameters.
1: Slow.
The exit and deployment parameters are designed to fit very slow fall rates, such as wingsuiting. Freefall detection is very sensitive, and may register jumps if the airplane descends.
2: Student. The descent rate parameters are changed to fit very short free falls (3 seconds).
Press or to switch between Dive Types.
Press to continue.

Delete Last Jump
Deletes the last jump in the logbook. To avoid unintentional deletions, the counter at the top of the screen must be set to ‘5’
Use and to match counter to ‘5’.
Press to accept deletion of last jump.
WARNING: If the counter is set at ‘5’, cannot be used to scroll through settings and will delete last jump. Once deleted, the jump data is lost.
Press to continue.

Delete Log Book
Deletes the entire logbook. To avoid unintentional deletions, the counter at the top of the screen must be set to ‘19’
Use and to match counter to ‘19’.
Press to accept deletion of entire logbook.

WARNING: If the counter is set at ‘19’, cannot be used to scroll through settings and will delete the entire logbook. Once deleted, the logbook data is lost.
Press to continue.

Turn off
Turns the ALFA™ off.
To avoid unintentionally turning the ALFA™ off, the counter at the top of the screen must be set to ‘5’
Press and to match counter to ‘5’
Press to accept turning ALFA™ off.

Warning: If the counter is set at ‘5’, cannot be used to scroll through settings and will turn ALFA™ off.
Press to continue.

Exit Settings
is flashing
Allows manual exit from menu.
Press or to exit from menu.
Press to start from the beginning.

FUNCTIONALITY

Automatic Calibration / Flight Mode
After the ALFA™ is turned on, it will continue to automatically calibrate itself to the field elevation where it is currently located. This will continue after each jump / landing, to ensure the unit is always zeroed before jumps are made and will take into account weather related pressure changes.
Shortly after take-off, the Ares II will enter Flight Mode. The main window will automatically display the current altitude when entering Flight Mode. Flight Mode indicates that the ARES II™ is calibrated to ground level and ready to jump.
Altitude Offset
When performing Altitude Offset, the ALFA™ enters Flight Mode and will retain any offset for 14 hours if no jump is made. After 14 hours the unit calibrates itself to the field elevation where it is located.
To exit Flight Mode, turn the unit off, then on.
Manual Zeroing
If the unit does not display the correct altitude when arriving at the drop zone, it must be manually zeroed. Turning the unit off, then on, will clear any Altitude Offset and re-enter automatic calibration.
Automatic Off
The ALFA™ automatically switches off if no jump has been made within 14 hours, no button has been pressed within 14 hours, or the unit has not been in Flight Mode within 14 hours.

MAINTENANCE

Reset ALFA™
A reset may be necessary for troubleshooting and firmware verification.
Locate the small hole on the side of the battery cover.
Insert a paper clip or similar into hole, press and release.
Battery system calibrates.
The firmware version will be displayed after reset.

Battery Change
Only use Renata CR-2325 batteries (2 ea.).
Battery cover screw specs: M3/T6 head (4.5mm length).
Remove the screws and battery cover.
Remove both batteries and note the polarity.
Install 2 new batteries.
Install battery cover, and ensure rubber seal is in correct placement.
Place and tighten screws, using a torque screwdriver set at 0.3 Nm.

WARNING|
---|---
KEEP BATTERIES OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
Swallowing can lead to chemical burns, perforation of soft tissue, and death.
Severe burns can occur within 2 hours of ingestion. Seek medical attention immediately.

Reset ALFA™ after battery replacement.
All settings and logbook is kept in a non-volatile memory and will not be lost, however time may need to be set again after battery change.
WARNING: The battery cover and seal must be installed correctly, using correct screws and torque, before any water jumps are made.

Air Filter Change
Prior to a water jump: Make sure the battery screws are tightened to 0.3 Nm and no foreign objects hinders the function of the cover.
The ALFA™ is waterproof to a depth of 5 feet, for 24 hours.
If the ALFA™ is submerged into water, allow the unit and air filter to dry in a warm place for 48 hours.
The air filter must be replaced if jumping is to be resumed immediately, or if the air filter is suspected to be contaminated.

To change the air filter, located inside the battery cover, remove the screws and battery cover. Install new battery cover and ensure rubber seal is in correct placement. Place and tighten screws using a torque screwdriver set at 0.3 Nm.
Reset ALFA™ after battery cover replacement.

TROUBLESHOOTING

If the ALFA™ detects an issue, an error symbol is shown (ERR) with a number at the top of the screen.
Error codes:
1: Transducer defective
2: Transducer out of range
3: Transducer Time Out too long
4: Crystal defective
5: Communications error to flash
100: Flash defective

Always restart ALFA™ to attempt to remedy a single ERR code.
If the ERR code persists, then also perform battery change.
After unsuccessful restart of the ALFA™, a Factory Reset is necessary:
To perform a Factory Reset, press and hold while pressing the reset button. Continue to hold until the display flashes 5 times and the screen returns to the main window.
WARNING: All logbook data will be lost with Factory Reset.
If the ALFA™ is still faulty after Factory Reset, it must be serviced by an LB Altimeters Service Center.

CALIBRATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Calibration and maintenance by LB Altimeters Service Center is optional every 4, 8, and 12 years, following the ALFA™ original date of manufacture.
If the ALFA exceeds mbar tolerances listed in the Specifications section, and absolute air pressure is required for DZ elevation or offset, calibration can be performed by LB Altimeters Service Center.
Note: When turned on the ALFA™ unit runs a self-test and calibrates to the current ground level, and the ALFA will use measured air pressure for altitude calculations.
The ALFA can continue to be used until calibration is possible.
When setting/changing the altitude using the mbar setting via Altitude Offset, the ALFA will use absolute air pressure for altitude calculations.
It is recommended the ALFA™ is calibrated by LB Altimeters Service Center before continued use.

SPECIFICATIONS

Mechanical:

Casing: Rugged and precision machined aircraft aluminum
Screen glass: 2mm thickness – Hardened glass lens
Dimensions: 64mm x 44mm x 15mm
Weight: 68g
LCD viewing area: 34mm x 29.5mm
Backlight intensity steps: 10
ALTISET II™ IrDa compatible: Yes

Altitude Adjustment:
Altitude in mbar offset: Yes
Altitude mbar offset range: 200 to 1075 mbar (20,67 to 31,74 In Hg)
Present mbar steps: 0.5 mbar
Altitude in feet/meter offset: Yes
Altitude feet/meter offset range: -19900 ft. to +19900 ft. (-6000 m to +6000 m)
Present altitude steps: ± 10 ft. (5 meters)

Tolerances :
Altitude display: ± 1%
Exit altitude: ± 1.2%
Deployment altitude: ± 1.2%
Freefall time: ± 1 sec
Speed: ± 3 mph (± 5 km/h)
Mbar: ± 1 mbar

Logbook:
Minimum freefall time for logbook generation in Normal mode: 8 seconds
Minimum freefall time for logbook generation in Student mode: 3 seconds
Maximum logging altitude (Normal mode): 30,000 ft. (9,150 m)
Maximum logging altitude (Student mode): 40,000 ft. (12,200 m)
Maximum Profile storage (last jump): 10 minutes. Sampling rate: 4/sec.
Accumulated number of jumps: 999
Exit Altitude, Deployment, Freefall Time, Speed: 200 Jumps
Storage principle: First In First Out
Factory default settings:
Feet / meter: Feet
Mph / kmh: Mph
Type of Dive: 0
Date: 2024:1:1 (year : month : date)
Time: 12:00:00 (hours : minutes : seconds)

Other:
Operating altitude: 0 to 40,000 ft. (0 to 12,200 m)
Clock: ± 4 min/month
Storing Temperature: -20°C to +70°C
Operating Temperature Range: -30°C to +60°C continuous operation
Will operate at -50°C for: 10 minutes
Storing Pressure: 200 to 1075 mbar
Maximum allowable humidity: Up to 99,9% relative humidity
Waterproof: 5 feet for 24 hours

Function Period: 14 hours
Maintenance: Optional 4, 8 and 12 years, from date of manufacture
Battery type: 2 x Renata CR 2325
L&B part no.: 285828
NATO Stock no. 6675-22-630-2342

WEEE
Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and materials can be dangerous or hazardous to either health or the environment and must be disposed of correctly. Device must not be disposed of as general household waste but must be collected separately.

WARRANTY

The following conditions apply to the ALFA™ warranty:
If within 24 months of the purchase of ALFA™ a defect or damage is identified by faulty manufacture, LB ALTIMETERS will repair the unit at no cost to the end user.
To make a claim under this warranty, send the unit to an authorized dealer or directly to LB ALTIMETERS together with the dated purchase invoice or receipt.
The warranty becomes void if damage is caused by external circumstances or if the unit has been serviced or repaired by third parties unauthorized by our national agents or LB ALTIMETERS.
All further claims, especially for defects after skydiving accidents, are excluded. LB ALTIMETERS has no obligation to honor any extension of warranty granted by any national agent.

WAIVER OF LIABILITY
The buyer and user of the ALFA™ indemnify the manufacturer and vendor from any liability for damage incurred before, during and after skydiving with the instrument.