The SkyScan Model P5-3 lightning detector is a high accuracy weather monitor. It is a hand-held instrument with an electronic system to detect the presence of lightning/thunderstorm activity occurring within 40 miles of your location. It uses patented technology (Full digital microprocessor insuring accuracy and reliability) to determine the distance to the detected stroke. The distances are indicated in four ranges: 0-3 miles (0-5 km), 3-8 miles (5-13 km), 8-20 miles (13-32 km) and 20-40 miles (32-64 km).

Since this SkyScan lightning detector allows you to know the level of activity of the storm, it determines if it is moving towards, away or parallel to your position. Each time the SkyScan P5-3 portable lightning detector 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. This feature allows you to see the distance to the last, closest, detected stroke without waiting for the SkyScan detector to detect a new stroke.

The SkyScan lightning detector detects electromagnetic emissions from individual lightning strikes, and can be detected at long range by use of ad hoc sensors. You are at immediate risk any time there is detected lightning activity within 9 miles of your location.

Since this SkyScan lightning detector kit allows you to know the level of activity of the storm, it determines if it is moving towards, away or parallel to your position. Each time it detects a lightning strike, 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. This feature allows you to see the distance to the last, closest, detected strike without waiting for the instrument to detect a new strike.

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 strike. It then applies this information to determine the distance of that lightning strike. The strength and uniqueness of the SkyScan approach are 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.

The unit is accurate to within 1 to 2 miles 97% of the time. 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 as the average storm in most parts of the country travels at approximately 25 miles an hour. SkyScan has ranges (20-40, 8-20, 3-8, and 0-3) allowing the user to easily tell if the storm is moving towards, away, or parallel to their location. Each time the SkyScan unit detects a lightning strike within one of the ranges, the unit will display a rising column of lights for three seconds with each strike. For example, if it detects a strike in the 3-8 mile range, the 20-40, 8-20 and the 3-8 lights would illuminate for three seconds. The 3-89 light would then blink for 60 seconds telling the user where the closest lightning strike had been within the past minute. The unit will continue to monitor the storm so that each time the unit sees a lightning strike, the lights would continue to illuminate for three seconds. It also incorporates an audible tone that the user can either have "On" or "Off", and if "On", the user can set the range where the tone will sound.

Dimensions: 6.5″x3″x2″ Weight apprx. 2lb.
Accuracy: State-of-the-art electronics and full digital microprocessor insures accuracy and reliability.

Power: The SkyScan P5-3 detector can be powered by:

• (6) “AA” batteries (not included)
• Detector will operate approximately 75 continuous hours with full use and approximately 100 continuous hours on battery save mode.
• 120V AC adaptor (optional)
• 220V AC adaptor(optional)
• 12V cigarette lighter adapter (optional)
• Unit has AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF after five hours of continuous operation for extended battery life.