Instruction Manual - NTech USA

Instruction Manual
visit www.ntechusa.com/support.html for full
manual with all other languages
FEATURES:
• Instant Windspeed
• Maximum Windspeed
• Waterproof
• Backlight

INDEX
TOPIC
PAGES
Technical Specifications .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Brief Instructions................................................. 3
General Information............................................... 4
Warranty................................................... 4
Care & Maintenance .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Switching On & Off. .............................................. 5
Permament Operation.......................................... 5
Battery........................................................ 6
Backlight .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Wind speed..................................................... 7
Other NTech Products.............................................. BACK
Contact Information............................................... BACK
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Size and weight: 3.5 x 1.5 x 0.75 in, 2 oz. (41 x 93 x 17 mm, 52 g)
Operational temperature: -22°F to +140°F (-30°C to +60°C)
Waterproof:
1 meter for short duration; does not float
Battery:
1 CR2032 button cell
Battery Life:
Approx. 30,000 1-minute measurements; 500 hours
WIND SPEED:
2 measurements per second with 0.1 unit resolution
Measuring range:
1.1 to over 93 mph (150 km/h, 42 m/s, 81 knots, 136 fps)
Accuracy: +/- 3%
All accuracies are based on ideal situations. Actual accuracies will depend on airflow, proper
use, and time to adjust to surrounding variances.
2

BRIEF INSTRUCTIONS
For complete instructions on each feature, please refer to the instruction manual
GENERAL OPERATION
The SKYWATCH Xplorer features one-button operation. The battery is already installed. To turn on,
press and release the button on the front of the unit, located beneath the LCD screen. Press and hold
the button to enter different screens and features. The SKYWATCH Xplorer will automatically shut off
one minute after the last button press. This feature can be temporarily disabled by pressing the button
while the LCD is flashing.
WIND SPEED
Wind speed is measured by holding the Xplorer upright into the wind. The small impeller rotates, which
creates a magnetic field read by the Xplorer. Wind speed is displayed at the top in all modes other than
pressure or altitude history. Maximum wind speed can be displayed in the bottom. To change units,
select the maximum wind speed mode, then press and hold the button. After five seconds the units will
change; release when the desired units are displayed.
GENERAL RESET
This mode resets by default all figures and removes the calibration of the compass. In order to carry
out a general reset, switch off the instrument as normal. Then hold the button pressed down. At the
moment where all the LCD digits appear release it briefly, then press and hold the button down until it
turns off. You can then start up your instrument in the normal way.
3

GENERAL INFORMATION
Thank you for purchasing NTech USA’s SKYWATCH ® Xplorer 1. This instrument is manufactured by
JDC Electronic SA, based in Switzerland, designed and tested to meet the highest standards.
The Xplorer 1 is fitted with a precision replaceable impeller and internal sensors to measure your
environment. It is suitable for a range of activities including hang gliding, kiteboarding, hunting,
shooting, hiking, climbing, or atmospheric monitoring.
The SKYWATCH ® Xplorer range has been designed to withstand short-term immersion in water at a
depth of up to three feet.
IMPORTANT!
This instrument is designed as an aid to users who are in an open air environment, but IT
CANNOT replace advice and warnings from the local weather station. This means that you
should regularly check and compare the measurements provided by your instrument with the
information put out by local sources. NTech USA and JDC ELECTRONIC SA can in no way be held
responsible for any consequences, direct or indirect, or for any prejudice, which might result from
the use of this instrument.
WARRANTY
NTech USA warrants this product for 2 years from date of purchase, with proper receipt or product
registration, or one year from date of manufacture with no receipt. Warranty does not necessarily cover
misuse, physical damage, or battery. Please contact us with any problems!
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Avoid items such as hair, thread, sand and other dust materials getting into the impeller, as they could
cause defective rotation of the impeller and therefore a loss of precision. If a hair or a piece of thread
should manage to get into the impeller, extract it gently using tweezers; in the case of dust or sand,
you can run clean water over the impeller. The Xplorer 1 features a removable, replaceable impeller.
4

Avoid exposing the instrument to extreme climatic conditions for over-long periods. While it uses
components resistant to such temperatures, we recommend that you do not expose your instrument to
strong sources of heat, for example under the windscreen of a vehicle. DO NOT EXPOSE the instrument
to powerful chemicals. Such products could damage it.
SWITCHING ON
The Xplorer 1 features a one-button operation. Thus, this one button will perform several operations
depending on the mode and the amount of time it is depressed. To turn on the Xplorer, press and
release the button. The startup will show the software version (in this example 1.28), the model
number (1, 2, 3, or 4), then show measurements.
SWITCHING OFF
Switching off automatically (Auto-off): Your SKYWATCH® Xplorer goes off automatically 1 minute
after the button was last pressed or after the wind was last measured. This means that it does not stop
while the impeller is still turning (more than 10 seconds).
Switching off manually: In order to switch Xplorer off manually (valid in every mode), hold the
button pressed down until it switches off, then release.
Permanent operation possible: Either at the time of the manual switching off by releasing the
button during the flashing of the large digits, or at the time of automatic switching off by pressing
briefly on the button during the flashing. During permanent operation, any pressure on the button
returns Xplorer into automatic off mode.
BATTERY
Your SKYWATCH® Xplorer gets its power supply from a replaceable lithium battery 3V type CR2032.
To change the battery:
1. Unscrew the metal back (6 screws). Place screws in safe location.
2. Unscrew the screw of the battery cover.
5

3.
4.
5.
6.
Gently bend back the cover in order to extract the battery.
Put in the new battery observing the polarity (+ upwards), then screw back the battery
cover. Make sure that the tiny tongue in the centre of the top is raised so that it touches
the metal back.
Before refitting the back make sure that the seal is clean and securely positioned
in its slot.
Refit the back and the 6 screws.
IMPORTANT! This operation must be carried out with care! ANY DEFECTIVE MANIPULATION
DURING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BATTERY CAN CAUSE LASTING DAMAGE TO YOUR
INSTRUMENT. IN CASE OF DOUBT CONSULT YOUR WATCH DEALER OR REPAIRER, OR
CONTACT NTECH USA.
Normal battery life: approximately 30,000 measurements of 1 minute (auto-off) and more than 20
years when off.
BACKLIGHT
To get the backlight to light up keep the button pressed for 1 second and as soon as the backlight lights
up, release the button. The backlight remains illuminated for 3 seconds. If within the 5 seconds which
follow you re-illuminate the backlight, it stays lit up for 15 seconds. Beyond these 5 seconds, it lights
up again for 3 seconds. Note: the backlight lights up in the same way in all modes. When the button
is held, for example to change the units, the backlight will flash on briefly and turn off. IMPORTANT:
intensive use of the backlight reduces the life of the battery approximately 100 x greater than without
backlight.
6

MODE: INSTANT WIND SPEED WITH MAXIMUM
Choice of wind speed measurement unit:
To select the wind speed measurement units, the Xplorer must be in the instant
wind speed and maximum wind speed mode. By keeping the button pressed for
approximately 4 seconds, the units start to change. You can choose between the
following units : km/h (kilometers per hour), mph (miles per hour), knots, m/s
(metres per second), and fps (feet per second). When the unit of your choice
appears, release the button and the unit of measurement is thereby selected. This
unit will remain on all wind measurements until changed, even after the Xplorer is
turned off.
Measurement of speed:
For the measurement to be as exact as possible it is necessary to align the instrument along the axis
of the wind.
Display:
The display of the current speed is done on the large digits and the maximum speed reached on the
small digits with the indication max.
Deletion of the maximum:
The maximum is retained even when the instrument is off. In order to reset it to zero keep the button
pressed for at least 2 seconds, then release it.
Accuracy:
Measuring range:
Measuring cycle:
Resolution:
Display range:
+/-3% from 1.1 mph to 93 mph
from 1.0 to over 93 mph (42 m/s, 81 knots, 150 km/h, 136 fps)
2 measurements per second
to one decimal place up to 99.9, then in whole units
from 0.0 to 299 units (accuracy is reduced when over the stated range)
7

Products available through NTech USA:
WIND METERS
Xplorer 1: Wind speed only
Xplorer 1: Adds Temperature
Xplorer 1: Adds Digital Compass
Xplorer 1: Adds Air Pressure and Altitude
EOLE: “Cup-style” Wind Speed
METEOS: “Cup-Style” Wind plus Temperature
ATMOS: “Cup-Style” Wind, Temperature, Humidity
OTHER PRODUCTS
FLOWATCH: Flow of water/fluids
SPEEDWATCH: Wireless Boat Knotmeter
POROSIMETER: Porosity of fabrics
North American Sales & Support:
NTech USA
PO Box 284
Holmen, WI 54636
www.ntechusa.com
info@ntechusa.com
608.498.4021
Developed and manufactured by:
JDC Electronic SA
Switzerland
www.jdc.ch