Digital Barometer or Hand-Held Weather Station

[Tsehum Pete]

I have a very old barometer/clock set on Tula's forward bulkhead. It is more nautically decorative than anything. I am looking to buy a digital barometer or hand-held weather station that can sit in a holder at the nav station. And can be taken outside. A friend likes his Kestral 4100. Any ideas guys or gals?

 

[Ross]

I googled Digital Barometers

and came up with this.http://www.ambientweather.com/habaal1.htmlI have a Kistral anomometer and am quite pleased with that.

 

[Calif. Ted]

I'm just using an inexpensive digital station

that tracks the pressure so always gives an indication of where the pressure is going with an arrow. One feature I like best is that I put a remote temperature sending unit in the icebox so can monitor beer temp from the nav station.

 

[Benny]

What's a name?

Just curious about the name of your vessel as that was my mother's first name. Thanks for sharing whatever you may.

 

[John Nantz]

I'm Sold on Digital

After looking long and hard at mechanical barometers, bang for the buck, I think these electronic digital barometers are a good way to go for the coastal cruiser.It would be nice to have the paper drum wind-up type but the price...ouch!Anyway, this is a picture of the one I've been using for the past five years. It has a "history" which I think is really necessary for the short-handed crew. You don't have time to "log" every reading on the hour like onboard a crewed ship.Also, on the West Coast you have to be more of a weather guesser than the east coast folks because there's practically nothing out there for, what, 9,000 miles? The east coast has the whole continent for the weather to cross so there's lots and lots of data before they ever get to see it (editorial comment). To top it off, (as of last year) our Federal government won't even fund weather radar to get coverage on the other side of the Olympics. The Olympics blocks the view of the Puget Sound weather radar so we get about, oh, 30 to 40 miles or so and that's it.This SM-8 model isn't in the line anymore but like everything electronic what is available is probably better, cheaper, has more features, and is made in China.Speed Tech: http://www.speedtech.com/asp/prodtype.asp?prodtype=4

 

[Tsehum Pete]

Benny this is for you

Thanks for the comments. Benny, Tula is apparently Swahili for "peace and calm my children". A friend from Zimbabwe laughed when I told him this story and he said it means "shut up!". The former owner's wife went into her class one day and a Kenyan sub teacher was there. The class was way out of control. He stood up raised his hands and said "Tula, Tula Tula". The class immediately fell silent and were perfectly attentive for the remainder of the lesson. Stacey went home, told Fred the story and next day they renamed the boat (using the proper decorum of course). The former name was Chateau de Pampelone, which I think means Spanish whorehouse.

 

[John Nantz]

"lost" picture

Apparently the picture didn't make it into my post - must have closed the wrong window! Had both the picture software and this web site posting window open at the same time and thought it was the picture software window I was closing. Anyway, second time is the charm....I appologize for the charcoal color coming in a bit too dark so it makes it difficult to see the controls.The chart it's resting on is Ketchikan and the pressure dipped down into the 988 or 989 range before it started moving up.

 

[Dan Johnson]

Alternative

Peter, I picked up an alternative to the Speedtech unit that has more features. It's made by Oregon Scientific--I bought mine at Lowe's for about $70 US. It has the ability to add up to three remote temp/humidity units ($16 US ea) as remote sensors in addition to the main unit's ability. I have the traditional brass cased barometer & clock which add to the cabin ambiance, but find the digital barograph invaluable when tied to the forecast icon that offers a prediction of things to come. It's bars show a history like the Speedtech unit too. The temp and humidity numbers also show a trend icon.S/V Intrepid H34 #113

 

[Tsehum Pete]

This site is a big help and you guys are great. Thanks for all the good advice. John, I will check out Speedtech.

 

[John Nantz]

Peter....

The unit I have was bought in 2001 so it's getting along in years. Bought it at Captains Nautical in Seattle and they're very good people to talk to about these things. Link to Captains: http://www.captainsnautical.com/about.aspJust checked their web site for barometers and was surprised - could find only one model like the one I have!!! Enter at http://www.captainsnautical.com/dept.asp?d_id=249&l1=249 and select "Clocks and barometers".The staff of Captains are an excellent resource for information on the products they carry and I've never had them to "push" anything on me and barometers is one area I'd say they are very expert on since they do repair and testing of same. You might want to try the "contact us" link and ask them for their opinion?