You can use SkyScout in three ways: as an identifier, a locator or a GPS unit.

To use the Identifier, just line up the sights in the device on a visible object in the night sky and press the Target button. The display shows the name of the star, planet or whatever you’re looking at; it also displays information about the object. The information comes from SkyScout’s database, which includes more than 6,000 stars, 1,500 double and variable stars, 88 constellations, more than 100 deep space objects (such as star clusters or nebulae), nine planets and our moon.

To use the SkyScout as a Locator, just scroll through the list of common names or star numbers in the included library of stars, planets, constellations, nebulae and the like to select the object you’re interested in finding. Sight through the viewfinder, and a series of arrows show you which direction to point the SkyScout: up, down, left, or right; the arrows refine the direction as you go. Once the desired object is aligned in the sights, all the arrows flash to tell you you’ve found whatever you were looking for. In addition to choosing from specifically named objects, you can choose from a list of the night’s 20 brightest objects. If the object doesn’t appear on the list, it isn’t visible at the moment. The finder mode can also be used to find Asterisms (named star patterns) such as the Big Dipper or Northern Cross.

The GPS locator mode lets you find your location and also time and date here on good ole’ Earth, if you like. One of the technologies that SkyScout uses is GPS (global positioning system), which includes latitude, longitude and height above sea level. The unit can display that information and also a map of the GPS satellite locations in the sky and their signal strengths.

In either the Identify or Locate (Finder) modes you can find information about common selected objects, whether they’re a star, planet, constellation, deep space object or other. This information is presented in a text format, but if you plug in the included ear buds, you can listen to the mythology behind some of the constellations and hear information about the stars, planets and more. For detailed information you’ll want the optional SkyTour cards ($19.99/each), which plug into the SkyScout. The cards start you off with an Astronomy for Beginners card that provides an interactive tour of the night sky and a wealth of interesting information about stars, planets, constellations, deep space objects and the like. The All About The Stars SkyTour card provides a more detailed tour focusing on the Zodiacal constellations and their component stars and much more.

SkyScout is about the size and shape of a medium-sized camcorder. In addition to the GPS positioning information to identify its location on earth, the device uses magnetic sensors to identify which compass direction you are pointing the device (azimuth) and gravity sensors to identify the orientation of the SkyScout in your hand as well as the angle you’re pointing it up or down (inclination). Compiling location, direction and inclination information and matching it against its database, SkyScout knows what you’re looking at in the Identify mode or in what direction you need to point the unit to find what you want to look at in the Locate mode. Very cool stuff. An interesting feature of the SkyScout, since it depends on absolute positioning, is the ability to "point" to stars seen from the other side of the Earth.

The 5-line display, including lighted control buttons, glows a soft red/orange that will not disturb your night vision. The display is easily seen at night but difficult to see during daylight hours. You don’t look at stars during the daytime anyway, do you? But the unit can help you find the moon when it’s visible during daylight hours.

SkyScout uses two AA batteries that you need to place in the included magnetic shields to avoid disturbing the magnetic sensors. These same sensors are sensitive to the presence of large nearby metal objects (such as automobiles) or any objects generating strong electromagnetic fields (such as power lines or transformers), so you may have to move a bit for proper performance. The device provides about six or fewer hours of use on a set of batteries, so you should consider using rechargeable batteries or keeping extra sets on hand.

We found that SkyScout, although basically simple to use, does take some time to learn to use effectively. You’ll want to find the most comfortable position for holding and orienting the device, since you need to keep changing its position in your hand to read the display and to reorient it to check the object.

We know you’ll find SkyScout, along with the SkyTour cards, a personal, portable planetarium that provides great fun and a wealth of information for the whole family and especially for anyone who has ever looked at the night sky and said "I wonder . . ."

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