Skywatch® BL 500
The Skywatch BL500 is a genuine pocket weather station that gives you an instant view of current weather conditions. Measure wind speed, temperature and humidity with your Skywatch® BL500 and quickly determine whether conditions are suitable for your activity. This concentrate of technology connects via Bluetooth to your mobile phone and can be taken on every one of your adventures.
Measured data can be recorded and published on Weathercloud
We recommend NMEA applications from :
Zapfware
Use NMEAremote or NMEAconnect with your Skywatch BL for improved functionality.
The Skywatch® is specially designed for all outdoor and professional activities:
Skywatch® BL500 - Technical Data
Instantaneous measurements
Graphical display of measurements with instantaneous, minimum, maximum, average and additional values
Tracking mode with automatic recording of measurements and GPS coordinates
Sharing measurements on Weathercloud
Measurement history
Display all measurements on a map
Wind measurement
| Measurement units | km/h, mph, m/s, fps, knots and Beaufort |
| Resolution | to the tenth |
| Precision | ± 3% / ± 0.5 km/h |
| Measurement range | from 3 to 150 km/h |
Temperature measurement
| Measurement units | °C and °F |
| Resolution | to the tenth of a degree |
| Precision | ± 0.3°C |
| Measurement range | from -25°C to +60°C |
Humidity measurement
| Measurement units | %rH |
| Resolution | to the tenth |
| Precision | ± 3% (10-90 %rH) |
| Measurement range | from 0 to 100 %rH |
Pressure measurement
| Measurement units | hPa, mbar and inHg |
| Resolution | to the tenth |
| Precision | ± 0.2 hPa |
| Measurement range | from 300 to 1'200 hPa |
Measuring the UV index
| Measurement units | UV |
| Resolution | per unit |
| Precision | ± 1 |
| Measurement range | from 0 to 15 |
- Dimensions: Ø26 x 116 mm (closed, without clip)
- Weight: 66 g (without clip)
- Materials: anodised aluminium
- Multidirectional propeller
- Low sensor inertia
- Bluetooth connection status and battery level indicator
- Powered by micro USB rechargeable battery with charge indicator
- Battery life: over a week
- Retractable sensor protection
- IP67 protection rating
- Operating temperature: -20 to +50°C
- Official Swiss calibration
Skywatch BL device
Hand strap
Metal clip
Pouch
Optional: Clamp mounting with ball joint
Instructions for use and FAQs are available on our website
iOS app (compatible with iOS 8.4 and above)
Android app (compatible with Android 4.4 and above)
Compatible with Bluetooth Smart (BLE) 4.0 and higher. Uses Environmental Sensing Profile (ESP) and Service Environmental Sensing (ESS) standards
Languages: French and English
One of the first things to do is to go to the phone's settings, and forget the device in the Bluetooth configuration as shown in the following link. Then try updating again.
Your phone must have Bluetooth 4.0 to work with the Skywatch®BL. You can test your phone's Bluetooth with the BLE Checker application. If your phone does not have access to Bluetooth 4.0, this is where the problem lies.
From the website, you can filter the data, in particular by pseudonym.
Try forgetting the device in the phone settings. Sometimes when the phone is paired with a lot of different devices, it struggles to connect properly. See the following video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXTm_jJxK20&index=8&list=PLKKHa5fz4ERX3vGUu-JJ8xZ2IT_np7-UB
The connection depends on the obstacles on the ground (open or with houses etc.). It can extend up to 15-20m.
Here's how to export your data:
Wind direction is given by the orientation of the smartphone. To get the correct direction, you need to orientate the phone in the direction of the wind. You need to have the phone facing into the wind to get a representative measurement (look at the screen while facing into the wind yourself).
There are two different measurements for pressure: QFE and QNH. The Skywatch®BL measures QFE pressure, which is the absolute pressure measured using the altitude given by your location. The QNH pressure is the pressure at sea level. To calculate the pressure, the Skywatch®BL uses the GPS altitude of your Smartphone.
The Skywatch®BL does not act as a datalogger, so it is not possible to leave the device open and then connect to collect data. It is the smartphone that records the data, so it is essential that a connection is maintained.
Unfortunately, your appliance is faulty. Please consult our returns conditions under our conditions of sale.
You can change your switch yourself if it falls over. To do this, you can write to us by email and ask us for a replacement switch. Then watch the following video to see how to do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsArRXB_22A
Yes, you can configure the application's offsets. See the following video for instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4w-uwBHdjc
There may have been a problem pairing your phone. You should forget your device in the Bluetooth settings. Here are the steps to follow:
IOS:
To end pairing between a Bluetooth accessory and your device, touch Settings > Bluetooth, locate the accessory, then touch "Forget this device."
Android:
In Settings > Wireless & Network > Bluetooth settings > Then long press on the desired device and > Unlink
Then reconnect.
No, your device can display instant measurements without an internet connection, and track them in aeroplane mode, for example. You won't be able to share your measurements on the internet or social networks, but you can save them and share them manually later.
It is rated IP67, which means that it is protected against the effects of immersion down to 1m. However, the humidity sensors will give false readings and the device will need to be left to dry out for 24 to 48 hours before being used again. It can, however, be left in the rain without causing any damage. The device has an IP67 protection rating, meaning it can withstand temporary immersion in 1 metre of water for 30 minutes. However, the device does not float and should be rinsed with clean water after use in a marine environment.
Try charging your device with another charger to ensure that the problem is not due to a fault in the cable. If charging still does not work, you should return your device to the place of purchase for repair (see our warranty conditions).
The yellow Skywatch® BL300 measures wind, temperature and humidity, the green Skywatch® BL400 adds a pressure sensor and the blue Skywatch® BL500 adds a UV index sensor for a complete pocket weather station.
The Skywatch® BL is equipped with a lithium-polymer (LiPo) battery that provides at least one week's autonomy in connected mode (device open).
Simply unscrew the back of the device and use a standard micro USB cable. A red light next to the USB socket indicates charging and goes out when the device is fully charged. (watch the video).
The Bluetooth® range depends greatly on the environment, but can be up to twenty metres in open terrain.
The rhythm and colour of the LED's flashing give an indication of its operation: the colour indicates the battery's charge level (see below), while the rhythm determines its state:
- Continuous: the device has been switched on for less than 30 seconds and is waiting for a fast connection.
- 2 taps every second: the device has been switched on for more than 30 seconds and is waiting for a connection.
- 3 beeps every 5 seconds: the device is connecting to a smartphone.
The colour of the LED indicates the state of charge of the battery:
- Blue light: the battery charge is greater than 20%.
- Purple light: the charge is less than 20, so you need to think about recharging the device soon.
- Red light: the charge is less than 10% and it is advisable to recharge the device quickly.
- Please note that when the firmware is updated, the light comes on continuously in red, then purple, before flashing blue again.
The battery is probably too weak, and the device needs to be fully recharged via the USB micro socket at the bottom of the device, which can be accessed by unscrewing the bottom of the device.
Yes, in the application, under the sensor information, you can check whether a new update is available and follow the procedure. Please note that the update can only be carried out if the battery has a minimum charge level of 50%.
During an update, the pairing information is lost on the device and you need to forget the device in your phone's Bluetooth settings.
The Skywatch® BL comes with a black wrist strap and metal clip.
The Skywatch® BL application is available free of charge for iOS on the Play Store and for Android on Google Play.
To be compatible, your device must be equipped with Bluetooth® Smart technology (v4.0 or later) and iOS 8.4 or Android 4.4.
No, unfortunately only iOS and Android are supported.
The Skywatch® BL application is currently available in English, French and German. The language changes automatically depending on the language of the smartphone, with English being the default language.
Bluetooth® Low Energy technology is used to communicate between the Skywatch® BL device and the smartphone.
You generally only need to move closer to the device to recover the connection. Inside buildings, for example, the Bluetooth® range can be greatly reduced.
The application uses the GPS position of the smartphone to position the measurement. If the current position is not available (out of GPS coverage, indoors, etc.), the last known position is used.
Yes, with tracking mode. By activating tracking, the application will acquire measurements and the GPS position automatically at the set measurement interval. However, the device is not autonomous and requires a Bluetooth® connection to be maintained with the smartphone.
No, unfortunately this feature is not yet available.
Simply go to the application settings, where you can change the units for wind speed, temperature, pressure and altitude.
The connection with the sensor has been lost. Check that the device is switched on, that the light is flashing continuously or twice every second and that it is not too far from the smartphone.
If the Skywatch BL application freezes or closes, you need to close it completely and not just quit it. Then restart the application.
To start tracking mode, GPS location must be activated on the phone.
Measurements are updated every second
The propeller is capable of speeds of up to 150 km/h.
Point your smartphone into the wind (display against you) and the application will tell you which way the wind is blowing.
For reasons of interference with the smartphone, the wind speed is filtered and prevents high values from being displayed when there are too many variations in wind speed.
When the propeller is not rotating, the Skywatch® BL may pick up a parasitic magnetic field (from the smartphone for example) and may display completely incorrect values. As soon as the propeller turns, the values displayed are correct again.
The temperature felt, or wind chill, is an indicator of how cold the average person feels. It is calculated by combining temperature and wind speed values, and gives an indication of how much heat is lost from the body if the temperature falls below 10°C. The new formula was developed in 2001 by scientists and medical experts from Canada and the United States, and has since been widely used. For example: an ambient temperature of 0°C and a wind speed of 30 km/h have the same effect on your body as a temperature of -6.4°C!
The air's dew point is the temperature at which, while the current barometric conditions remain unchanged, the air becomes saturated with water vapour. It is the phenomenon of condensation, which occurs when the dew point is reached, that creates clouds, mist and dew.
The Heat Index is an index developed in the United States that combines ambient air temperature and relative humidity in an attempt to determine how the human body perceives temperature.
Temperature and humidity are physical parameters that vary very slowly under natural conditions. To get a correct measurement, the temperature needs to stabilise. When you change environment (for example, when you leave a building and the difference is 10 to 20°C), the adaptation time can take a few minutes.
to Yes, you can correct each measurement by defining an offset. This is done from the sensor information page.
The altitude displayed is that of the GPS and not of the pressure sensor. In the application, there is no relationship between pressure and altitude.
QNH is the barometric pressure at sea level. To calculate it, the application uses the altitude provided by the smartphone's GPS. If the GPS is not activated or GPS data cannot be retrieved, the QNH value is not displayed.
The UV index is a scale for measuring the intensity of ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun, and the risk it represents to health (sunburn, cataracts and skin cancers). The UV index values are grouped into five ranges, each defining a level of physiological risk:
Values of 11 or more are very rare, but can occur in certain regions of the world where holes in the ozone layer are particularly pronounced, such as the southern hemisphere.
Take every precaution. Unprotected skin will be damaged and can burn in a matter of minutes. Avoid the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., cover up, wear a hat and sunglasses, and apply sunscreen.
Don't forget that white sand and other shiny surfaces reflect UV rays and increase exposure to them.
The UV index is measured at the top of the device, through the tiny window. For a good measurement, the device must therefore be held vertically.
To obtain good measurements, it is advisable to hold the sensor vertically above your head to avoid the wind measurement being disturbed by your body. In addition, the temperature and humidity sensors will be better ventilated and their measurements stabilised more quickly.
Yes, you can correct each measurement by defining an offset. This is done from the sensor information page.
Yes, of course, all you have to do is disable sharing with the Skywatch community in the application settings.
In the measurement history, in the list of measurements, each measurement that has been published is accompanied by a cloud-shaped icon. If it has not been possible to share the measurement immediately because of a lost Internet connection, a cloud-shaped icon with an arrow will appear to the right of the measurement. The measurement will then be shared automatically as soon as the Internet connection is re-established.
Simply select the measurement and click on the share icon at the top right of the screen.
If the Internet connection is not available at the time of measurement, the measurement is put on share hold (cloud with arrow) and will be shared automatically when Internet access is restored.
It is not possible to share all the measurements of a tracking system globally, so each measurement must be shared individually.
If you have forgotten your password, you can change it by writing to us using the contact form and giving us your username and/or email address. We will then give you instructions on how to change your password.
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