Weather Department

Skywatch Xplorer 4
Compact mini wind gauge plus compass & barometer

By JDC (xplorer4)

The Xplorer 4 is the top of the Skywatch Xplorer line, providing an upright digital compass & barometer in addition to wind & temperature readings. This tiny pocket wind gauge is built tough to handle the rigors of field work and is waterproof like the rest of the Skywatch Xplorer line.

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JDC'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.

Skywatch Xplorers Measure...

Wind Speed
- current, maximum
Wind Direction
- electronic compass (Xplorers 3 & 4)
Ambient Temperature
- current, windchill, maximum, minimum, water (Xplorers 2, 3, 4)
Barometric Air Pressure
- absolute, relative, maximum, minimum (Xplorer 4)
Altitude
- maximum, minimum (Xplorer 4)

The Skywatch Xplorers also calculate important data...

Windchill (Xplorers 2, 3, 4)
Relative and Absolute Pressure (QFE/QNH) (Xplorer 4)
Weather Tendencies (Xplorer 4)
48 hour History of barometric pressure (Xplorer 4)

The Xplorers are loaded with many unique features...

Electronic Compass
- analogical and digital (Xplorer 3, 4)

Bright EL Backlight
- to view data in dim light

Replaceable Impeller
- factory replaceable

Sealed and weatherproof
- perfect for use around water

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....a world exclusive feature!

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
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