We sell products we feel are a good value, good quality, with very few issues. However they are electronic goods, and there will be problems on occassion. Many times it is an issue with the operation, perhaps not so much "user error" but unclear instructions, which can be fixed via email or phone. Sometimes we'll have to ship out a part, while sometimes it requires a replacement. If you have a problem or a question, before or after your purchase, please contact us!

Product Manuals
We make every attempt to keep our online product manuals up to date, however we can't guarantee that we are always informed when a manual is updated. Our manuals are listed below, hosted on our server. However we also list the source within the manufacturer's site.

NTech USA (formerly NTECH USA)
For manufacturer's product manuals:
www.ntechusa.com/manuals/index.html

Skywatch Xplorer Series:

Xplorer Manuals:
English - Multilingual - French - Italian - German - Czech - Dutch
Spanish - Portuguese
Xplorer 1 Flowchart - Xplorer 2 Flowchart - Xplorer 3 Flowchart
Xplorer 4 Flowchart

Quick Troubleshooting:
Q1) Xplorer will not turn on
A1) Dead battery. If new, contact us for a new battery. If old, replace with CR2032 (available on our site). If new, 80% of the time it was a dud battery, 20% of the time faulty programming on the Xplorer, requiring a new Xplorer. We'll also replace your battery on any Xplorer for the cost of the battery ($2.00) and shipping ($5.00 in US).

Q2) Wind speeds too slow/doesn't register low wind speeds
A2) The Xplorer's small impeller registers wind speeds much higher than any other manufacturer. They also virtually eliminate accidental damage. However they won't register wind speeds much below 1.5 mph. If you feel the speed displayed is far too slow, the impeller may be sticking. Blow lightly into the impeller; it should rotate freely and stop slowly. One fin is magnetized and slightly heavier, so you will notice one fin weighted toward the bottom. If it doesn' spin freely, see Q3.

Q3) Impeller is sticking or broken
A3) The impeller is replaceable. Contact NTech USA for a replacement. There may be a small fee for shipping. You can view a video on how to replace, or they can replace it for you.

Q4) Windspeed is reading as dashes
A4) Lightly blow into the impeller. If it is still reading dashes, perform a reset (see manual). If still dashes, contact NTech USA; it may need to be replaced.

Q5) Compass does not work (Xplorer 3 and 4)
A5) The digital compass needs to be calibrated. While in the compass mode, press and hold the button until "CAL" is displayed, then release. SLOWLY turn in a circle, making sure to hold the Xplorer vertical. Press the button to confirm. This needs to be done when you first receive the Xplorer, or after a reset or battery change to get any reading. The angle you hold the Xplorer while calibrating is the angle you need to hold it when getting a reading. The Xplorer is designed to either give an accurate reading, or none at all!
A5) Hold the Xplorer vertical, away from electrical interference. The Xplorer will either give an accurate reading, or none at all! With most digital compasses, if it is not held in the perfect position, the reading will be off.

Q6) The altitude is not correct! (Xplorer 4)
A6) Without going into extreme detail....altitude in any device is calculated from an initial known altitude, and the change in air pressure. You will need to calibrate the altimeter every time you use it, as slowly changing barometric air pressure due to weather changes will affect the reading. Alternatively, you can adjust the QNH to the local air pressure (relative) reading.
A6) It will take the Xplorer 4 between 10 and 30 seconds to accurately measure a new altitude.
A6) A change in altitude can always be obtained without calibration. Place the Xplorer 4 on the ground at your feet. Allow it to settle into a reading, for example 602 feet. Now pick up the Xplorer 4 and hold it over your head. The reading will now be 609 feet, a seven foot difference! Obviously (we hope) this will be determined by your height. The Xplorer 4 is also accurate to about 3 feet, so this may be slightly off.
A6) When in a moving vehicle with airflow, the air pressure will fluctuate considerably, rendering an altimeter reading obsolete until stopped.

Q7) Temperature is off! (Xplorer 2, 3, and 4)
A7) The thermometer is located on the metal backplate, inside the instrument. It will take several minutes to adjust to a new temperature, for example from a pocket into cold weather. This can be adjusted much quicker by placing the Xplorer's metal backplate onto a surface the same temperature as the air (for example a rock outside, not exposed to sun).

Q8) There is no history of air pressure or altimeter! (Xplorer 4)
A8) The Xplorer 4 must be set to a history other than 0 for it to record data. There will be no history until this is done. For example, when first receiving the Xplorer 4, and turning on the record function, there won't be data until that amount of time has passed. The Xplorer 4 records pressure and altitude every hour, even while off. This will use a little bit of battery power.

Skywatch
Eole, Meteos, Atmos:

Eole Manual
Meteos Manual
Atmos Manual
Atmos Multilingual
Repairing Impeller
Troubleshooting

Quick FAQ's:

Q1) The impeller doesn't turn freely
A1) Check the above files - the plastic cups should not be resting on the plastic case. Slide the cups away from the case

Q2) The cups are turning, but there is no reading
A2) Most likely the plastic shaft is not set all the way into the case. See the above files

Q3) Temperature or humidity is off
A3) Allow some time to adjust to the surrounding temperature/humidity. Airflow will speed this up. The thermometer and hygrometer are very sensitive, and will react to a hand, breath, or sunlight.

Q4) How do I get that darn cap off??
A4) The cap is in two pieces, held tightly together at the top (there is a flexible sticker on the inside) and held together at the bottom by the foam surround. To remove the cap, the bottom must be pulled apart slightly. Be careful! We've seen a few people bend the metal shaft when removing the cap too forcefully!

Q5) The metal shaft is bent/the impeller wobbles
A5) 99% of the time this is caused by removing the cap too forcefully (see above). A replacement impeller is available for $16.00 here. Replacing it is simple (see "Repairing Impeller" above)

Q6) I dropped the Eole/Meteos/Atmos into water, and now it won't work!
A6) These are not waterproof, and certainly are not designed to be submerged! However, in most cases, once allowed to dry, they will be fine, although the battery may have to be replaced. Place your wet wind meter in a dry place with plenty of airflow (on top of a vent, near a fan, etc.). If left wet fora long period, there could be corrosion, which will render your product useless. But you can always contact NTech USA for repairs. We've seen them fix Eole's that are ten years old!

Q7) I want an Eole/Meteos, but can't find one!
A7) The Eole and Meteos were discontinued by the manufacturer in January 2007. Since then, ALL have been sold. :-( HOWEVER, a new version is near completion (August 2008) and will be available "soon". Check back, or email us and we'll add you to the list!

Skywatch
GEOS 11 & Software:

GEOS 11 Manuals:
English
French
Dutch
Spanish
Italian
Polish
Software Manual
Old GEOS 9 Manual

Quick FAQ's:

Q1) I can't get my GEOS11 to _________. Can a GEOS11 provide me with ______? Why will the software not ______?
A1) The GEOS11 is a serious device, with MANY options and features. NTech USA prefers to work one-on-one with these. Contact them by phone or email for FULL customer support!

Q2) Why is the GEOS11 so expensive?
A2) Perhaps the most asked question! There is a large price difference between the Xplorer 4 and GEOS11, with on the surface only humidity as a difference. The GEOS11 uses scientific grade sensors; the Altimeter can sense a change of 10cm! The case is virtually indestructible. The internal memory will store 24,400 data sets - that's over 2 weeks of data when stored every minute; 2 years when stored once an hour! The nearest competitor offers 2,000 data sets; 1 day if stored every minute, 11 weeks if every hour. Paired with the SkywatchLog software and interface, the GEOS11 can be used as a real-time weather station, along with data storage.

Q3) But why is it so expensive?
A3) Need more reasons? You bet! We sell 20 Xplorer 4's for every GEOS11. Most people simply do not NEED the accuracy of the GEOS11. So who buys the GEOS11? Here are examples of GEOS11 owners: Personal aircraft tester (you would recognize the company, but we can't divulge it) - Cave diving team about to set the world record in cave depth! (coming to a well-known television station in late 2008) - International motocross racing for engine tuning and altimeter checking - Military ops in various countries - Long-range shooters (1,000 yards? Yikes!) - Paragliders - .......

Q4) Why are there two batteries in the GEOS11?
A4) One battery powers the GEOS11, the other is a spare, and holds the battery in place. The spare can be dead...but then you won't have a spare

Q5) How does the GEOS11 record data? Does it have to be on?
A5) The GEOS11 records data in three ways: 1) When two buttons are pressed (manual) 2) Only when on (can be enabled or disabled) 3) constantly (can be enabled or disabled). You can set the GEOS11 to record every hour when off, but every second when on...the possibilities are limitless!

Q6) Will using the LED flashlight affect battery life?
A6) NO! The LED flashlight uses its own batteries. You can in fact remove the LED light to save on weight, or to have a small LED light!

Speedwatch Knotmeter:

Speedwatch Manuals:
English
German
Spanish
French
Italian

Quick FAQ's:

Q1) I have a ____ boat, will this work?
A1) The Speedwatch is the most versitile knotmeter available. No connection betweem the display and impeller, no holes to drill, maximum range. If your boat has a place that remains under water, the Speedwatch will work. It may take some experimentation to place the impeller in a spot with little turbulane. Hydrofoils can be a bit tricky.

Q2) How many displays will work on one transmitter?
A2) There is no limit. All displays and transmitters work on the same frequency.

Q3) Will there be interference with another boat with the Speedwatch?
A3) Possibly, although the range of transmission is 16 feet. If the display picks up two signals, the stronger signal will override the weaker signal.

Q4) I'm not moving, but the display is showing a speed!
A4) The transmitter and display are very sensitive, however outside electrical pulses may be picked up (computer, engine). When the impeller is rotating, the interference will be ignored.

Q5) How do I turn off the transmitter?
A5) Unplug the 9Volt battery. The transmitter will not transmit if there is no signal. However if you store it in a place near electrical interference, you may want to remove the battery.

Q6) Can I have two impellers on one boat?
A6) No. Only one impeller/transmitter can be used. Multiple displays can be used.

Flowatch Flowmeter:

Flowatch Manual

Quick FAQ's:

Q1) Where can I buy a Flowatch?
A1) This was discontinued in late 2006, and since then ALL have been purchased! A new one is in the works, but we don't know exactly when it will be released. :-(

Q2) My impeller broke!
A2) Order a replacement impeller, which are still available

Seawatch UV Watch:

Seawatch Manual
UV Index Chart

Porosimeter:

Porosimeter Manual
Parachute Maintenance

Skywatch AWS:

AWS Manual

Skywatch WWS:

WWS Manual