Xplorer 1

NTech's SKYWATCH Xplorer series was launched in 2004, and has proven to be the most exciting line of windmeters yet! Packed with features essential to monitoring the environment, the Xplorer series breaks price barriers and is simple to use.

Designed for consumer and professional use, the Xplorer does not include complicated and seldom-used features such as downloading and storing. Press one button, and instant readings are at your fingertips. Designed in Switzerland and built to our demanding specifications, the SKYWATCH Xplorer series is engineered to provide a lifetime of accurate and dependable use.

Details:

WINDSPEED:

• All Xplorers
• Balanced impeller is integrated into wind meter
• The impeller is magnetized, producing a magnetic field when rotating which is measured internally
• Damage to the impeller is unlikely due to the small opening, but repair can be performed

TEMPERATURE:

• Xplorers 2, 3, 4
• Internal thermometer is attached to the stainless steel back
• Temperature adjusts quickly, although drastic temperature changes may require several minutes for accuracy
• Temperature is read quickly by touching the back to an object of the same temperature
• Water temperature is read quickly by submerging the unit briefly

DIGITAL COMPASS:

• Xplorer 3 and 4
• Designed to be used in vertical position
• Will display windspeed and compass simultaneously
• Electronic calibration before use ensures absolute precision (easy process)
• Calibration is essential for proper use
• Accurate wind direction can be found in this way - we introduced this feature in 2004

ALTITUDE:

• Xplorer 4
• Altitude is based on an initial set altitude and a change in air pressure (this is true of ALL altimeters)
• Drastic air pressure variance (weather front) will impact altitude readings (usually occurs over 12+ hours)
• Several seconds is needed to adjust to new altitude
• The highest accuracy is achieved when the altitude is properly set, a change in altitude is more than 10 feet, and several seconds are allowed for adjustment
• For example, the Xplorer 4 may be moved from one level of a house to another, and a change of 10 feet will be recorded (standard ceiling height)
• Altitude and air pressure are measured on the same sensor, and adjusting one will adjust the other
• Altitude history is recorded every hour for the past 48 hours
• Altitude in feet can only be displayed up to 9,999 ft., after which the unit will revert to meters. This is due to the number of digits available for altitude readings (four digits)
• See instruction manual for more details

AIR PRESSURE:

• Xplorer 4
• Air pressure is read in either "relative" or "absolute" air pressure
• Absolute air pressure is a precisely defined measurement, just like temperature
• Absolute air pressure is measured within .10 inHg, and cannot be adjusted
• Relative air pressure is the most common unit used in the US
• Relative air pressure factors out the change in elevation, essentially calculating the air pressure at sea level
• Relative air pressure is adjusted to reflect current altitude
• Once the relative air pressure is set, if no changes to altitude occur the accuracy is within 0.01 inHg
• The most important factor in changing weather is the change in air pressure
• Rising air pressure indicates better weather, falling air pressure indicates worsening weather
• With the air pressure history, one can accurately predict future weather
• Air pressure history is recorded every hour for the past 48 hours, although the past 6-12 hours is most important
• See instruction manual for more detail