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| SkyScan Lightning Storm Detector | |
| Introduction Product Overview and Description Product Use and Procedure Features and Benefits Frequently Asked Questions Warranty Product Ordering Information |
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| Introduction The SkyScan Lightning Storm Detector is the newest and most exciting weather product available anywhere in the world today. It is a hand-held instrument with the electronic sophistication to detect lightning as far as 40 miles away and accurately ranges its approach, by both an audible tone and by four LED's which are ranged in miles (20-40, 8-20, 3-8, 0-3). This feature tells the user if the storm is moving towards, away or parallel to their position.
 Product Overview and Description The basis of SkyScan's new and patented technology is that the unit samples and analyzes selected pairs of frequencies within the electromagnetic spectrum of a lightning stroke. It then applies this information to determine the distance of that lightning stroke. The strength and uniqueness of the SkyScan approach is that it allows a tremendous amount of information to be extracted and analyzed by a relatively simple hardware system. The simplicity of the hardware is made possible by the proprietary software, which performs the analysis of the incoming information. The reliance on software, rather than on hardware, also allows the SkyScan system to be extremely intelligent with regard to eliminating false triggering while displaying several different types of important information to the user. One of the most important advantages of using this unit is that the user can detect a thunderstorm as far away as 40 miles. This gives the user approximately 1-1/2 hours warning on average. The SkyScan is accurate to within 1 to 2 miles 97% of the time. Another very important feature is that SkyScan starts detecting a thunderstorm up to 70 miles away, even though it does not visually register until 40 miles. This feature helps SkyScan determine if the inclement weather could possibly be a line of thunderstorms (squall line), or if the storm is within those 10% of the most severe thunderstorms that might create severe winds, torrential rains, hail or even possibly a tornado. If these conditions are present, then the unit will activate the severe storm warning light, along with a different type of audible tone, alerting the user to these conditions. The user can then readily tell the location of the storm relative to their position. SkyScan will continually update this information each 15 minutes until the conditions no longer exist. Because of terrain and obstacles, the human eye will only see lightning approximately 3 miles away and the human ear will only hear thunder 3-4 miles in most parts of this country. It can readily be noted that human guesswork grossly lacks in its ability to see a storm coming in time. Keep in mind that the SkyScan Detector is only detecting lightning and not trying to predict where lightning might strike. Even with the use of Skyscan, the first stroke of lightning put down by the storm might in fact be the one to hit at your location. Therefore, anyone out-of-doors during thunderstorm season should constantly remain aware of the build-up of inclement weather. But until now, there has never been a hand-held unit capable of doing what the SkyScan Lightning Storm Detector can do. The unit has the capability of indoor use -- the unit will obviously detect lightning and track the storm whether it is being used inside or out.
Product Use and Procedure Each time SkyScan detects a lightning stroke, it emits an audible warning tone (if this feature has been turned on by the user) and lights the Range Indicator column. The full column stays lit for approximately 3 seconds. The single indicator corresponding to the range of detected stroke will then blink for approximately 25 seconds. This feature allows you to quickly see the distance to the last, closest detected stroke without waiting for SkyScan to detect a new stroke. VERY IMPORTANT! Because the average stroke of lightning is 6 miles long, and because thunderstorms can move at speeds of up to 25 mph or more, you are in immediate danger any time there is detected lightning activity within 8-10 miles of your location. You must also remember that SkyScan does not predict where the next lightning stroke might occur. Thunderstorms are unpredictable and should be considered extremely dangerous. BE AWARE THAT STORMS CAN FORM DIRECTLY OVER YOUR LOCATION, OFFERING LITTLE OR NO ADVANCE WARNING, EVEN WHEN USING A SKYSCAN. Whenever thunderstorms are present, take immediate shelter and obtain more information from your local or regional weather professionals. SkyScan may also identify certain types of especially strong storms. These storms can produce dangerous winds, heavy rains or tornadoes. When SkyScan detects lightning patterns indicating the presence of these storms, it activates the Severe Thunderstorm Alarm and emits a distinctive 15-second continuous audible tone, different from the detection of normal lightning activity. Once activated, the severe thunderstorm alarm remains on for approximately 15 minutes. At the end of this period, the SkyScan checks again for indications of severe storm activity. If none is detected, the Severe Thunderstorm Alarm is turned off. If severe thunderstorm conditions are still detected, the indicator remains on for another 15 minutes, accompanied by another 15 second warning tone. There are two types of lightning produced by a thunderstorm, cloud-to-ground and cloud-to-cloud. For any user on the ground, the cloud-to-ground is the most dangerous. SkyScan is designed to detect cloud-to-ground lightning strokes. While it may detect cloud-to-cloud strokes, there may be occasions where storms will produce cloud-to-cloud lightning strokes that are not detected by the SkyScan. User should therefore still exercise extreme caution when exposed to lightning storms. SkyScan is designed to operate in a vertical position. The case is designed for proper orientation when placed on a flat, stable surface. An alternative is to use the optional Wall Mount, sold separately. If the SkyScan is used in any other fashion, loss of accuracy and sensitivity may result. The SkyScan contains hardware and software protection against false triggering. False triggering is defined as displaying strikes that are not real. Certain electronic products and other devices (TVs, computer displays, motors, gasoline engines, radio transmitters, or other high power communications equipment) emit high levels of electromagnetic noise, which interfere with the normal detection of lightning/storm activity, and will cause the unit to false trigger. SkyScan has the ability to identify this type of problem and alert you by continuously cycling all indicators on the unit, as it does when the unit is first turned on. The false triggering alert process takes approximately 60 seconds to initiate. During this time, the SkyScan may continue to display false triggers as if they were lightning strokes. When the noise source has been identified as coming from something other than lightning, the SkyScan will start the continuous cycling of its indicators. Turn the SkyScan off, move the unit to a different location, and turn it on. Basic Operation
Care and Maintenance SkyScan has been manufactured of the highest quality materials and components to provide the user with years of service with minimum maintenance. A few important tips will maximize the operational life of your SkyScan. Remember, SkyScan is weather-resistant, but it is NOT waterproof. Your SkyScan should NEVER be immersed in water. Whenever you have used your SkyScan under damp, humid or rainy conditions, it is recommended the user remove the batteries and dry the battery terminals to prevent corrosion. If SkyScan is to be stored for an extended period of time, the batteries should be removed and the unit should be stored away from high temperature, high humidity, or corrosive substances.
Features and Benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
Warranty 1 year limited warranty
Product Ordering Information
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