PAGE 14 • WINTER 2005 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION
AMERICAN
SAILING
R ASSOCIA TION
ASA MEMBER PRODUCT REVIEWS
by Thomas Carpenter
T
he new Skymaster Weather Meter gives you
advanced weather information in a convenient,
For more on the Skymaster, visit
pocket-knife design that fits ergonomically into
Speedtech Instruments at:
the palm of your hand. It is a precision instrument built
www.speedtech.com
to last. Its body is constructed with highly visible yellow
molded plastic. It measures 5.9 x 2.1 x .85 inches and
weighs a mere 3.9 ounces. It is powered by a
this same effect, the unit does need to be calibrated
replaceable 400-hour lithium battery. The wind impeller
occasionally either to altitude (easy for us sailing types
is non-corrosive plastic and is also
who can usually be found at sea level) or by a current
replaceable. It comes with clear
reliable barometric pressure
and concise directions. With
reading. Both calibrations are a
countless features, I believe it to
very simple task using just the
be a great value at only $175. I
on/off and mode keys, which, by
use it both at home and when
the way, are the only two keys on
travelling and it has become a
the unit.
permanent part of my “don’t leave
home without it” gadget bag.
One can scroll through all the
functions available easily with just
the two keys. Once you have gone
I have used the Skymaster Weather
through the functions, it is clear
Meter on land, sea and air and find
that the unit is easy to operate
it to be quite accurate. I took the
even for someone who is not a
unit from sea level all the way up
gadget geek. The units of measure
to Donner Summit at 7,089 ft. in
are also adjusted to your own
weather including hot and sunny,
personal preference using the two
cold and raining and freezing with
keys. The unit comes from the
snow. It accurately measured
manufacturer complete with
weather in all these conditions.
battery and a spare. It uses just
The Severe Storm Audio Alert
one CR2032 battery, which lasts a
feature even went off while crossing Donner Summit.
long time, as I have not replaced mine after using it for
This feature is set to go off if the air pressure changes by
more than a month almost daily. To conserve battery life,
six millibars (up or down) within a three-hour period. The
you must either turn the unit off or leave it in barometric
storm alarm feature is disabled when the Skymaster is in
pressure mode when not in use. When left in barometric
altitude mode to prevent it from sounding a false alarm
due to the effect altitude has on air density. Because of
continued on page 22
Skymaster Features
· Wind Speed · Knots, Mph, Kph, F/M, M/S, Beaufort
· Temperature · Digital current barometric pressure
· Windchill · 16 Hour Pressure History Bar Graph
· Heat Index · Temperature Functions in F or C
· Barometric Pressure · Folding Protective Cover
· 16 Hour Pressure History · Water Resistant to Four Inches
· Severe Storm Audio Alarm · Floats
· Altitude · Shockproof
· Relative Humidity · Tripod Mountable
· Dew Point · Includes Lanyard, Battery and Spare
· Current, Average, & Maximum Windspeed · One-year Warranty
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