I am thinking of getting a hand-held wind speed unit. I see in the catalogs that Davis makes a variety of them. I would like to hear some comments from people who have and like certain models. I am likely to shoot for the low end of the market getting something that will give accuarate wind speed. I see some units need batteries while others do not. What would you recommend and why. Thanks.
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Inspeed
I have used this for several years. I have used it for flying kites, windsurfing, and also have had it mounted on my boat. When I am not on my boat I can take it off and use it as a hand held. and for only $60 it is a good deal. Shane.
I have used this for several years. I have used it for flying kites, windsurfing, and also have had it mounted on my boat. When I am not on my boat I can take it off and use it as a hand held. and for only $60 it is a good deal. Shane.
Hand held Kestrel
I have had a Kestrel 2000 for several years and used when I had a H260. With my 356, I rarely use it, but took it to Maine last month when on a Schooner. Still works fine after all these years (probably 7). See the link for purchase and instrument information.
I have had a Kestrel 2000 for several years and used when I had a H260. With my 356, I rarely use it, but took it to Maine last month when on a Schooner. Still works fine after all these years (probably 7). See the link for purchase and instrument information.
Kestrel 1000
We didn't need the thermometer, wind chill, barometer, etc of the higher end models, so we went with the Kestrel 1000 for just wind speed. Works great. Here's the best price I found on it, including free shipping if you use the promotional code. http://www.ambientweather.com/kestrel.html
We didn't need the thermometer, wind chill, barometer, etc of the higher end models, so we went with the Kestrel 1000 for just wind speed. Works great. Here's the best price I found on it, including free shipping if you use the promotional code. http://www.ambientweather.com/kestrel.html
Not sure
My Kestrel seems a little slow, and there's no way to check it on site without a compatible model. Perhaps wind always seems worse than it reads.
My Kestrel seems a little slow, and there's no way to check it on site without a compatible model. Perhaps wind always seems worse than it reads.
keel-haul… thanks for the posting, as I was about to drop a note to Phil asking about the two units available at this chandlery. One of them is reviewed poorly and the other has no reviews. We’re not racers but would like to know the wind speed for comparison purposes and to relate to comments on this site, so +/- 10% accuracy should be OK. Paul s/v The Lord Nelson
German windmeter on ebay
I found mine on ebay. The great thing about this model is that you don't have to line it up with the wind direction. I tried the Davis cheapo thing with the floating styrofoam ball, and it just doesn't work above 10 knots.
I found mine on ebay. The great thing about this model is that you don't have to line it up with the wind direction. I tried the Davis cheapo thing with the floating styrofoam ball, and it just doesn't work above 10 knots.
Thanks for the Windtronic reference
I've been looking at handheld windmeters for a long time and that Windtronic 2 looks really interesting. One plus is the aneometer which uses cups instead of a propeller because that way it doesn't matter which way the unit is pointed because you're always going to get the same speed, so long as it's vertical that is. The propeller types have to be held perpendicular to the wind. In '91 up near Winter Harbor a guy on a fishing boat on one of those storm mooring bouys just north of Brooks Peninsula was reading over 80kts with his handheld meter.
I've been looking at handheld windmeters for a long time and that Windtronic 2 looks really interesting. One plus is the aneometer which uses cups instead of a propeller because that way it doesn't matter which way the unit is pointed because you're always going to get the same speed, so long as it's vertical that is. The propeller types have to be held perpendicular to the wind. In '91 up near Winter Harbor a guy on a fishing boat on one of those storm mooring bouys just north of Brooks Peninsula was reading over 80kts with his handheld meter.
I have the Kestral Sky-mate 18
bought it from sailnet.com a few years ago.... interestingly enough they sent me two units, while I only paid for one... now I see they're going out of business.... Anyway, it's given good service, easy to use, the settings mode is a bit hard to read....too small for these old eyes, but the data read out is excellent, even though there is no light. The skymate folds up like a pocket knife so you don't need a case.
bought it from sailnet.com a few years ago.... interestingly enough they sent me two units, while I only paid for one... now I see they're going out of business.... Anyway, it's given good service, easy to use, the settings mode is a bit hard to read....too small for these old eyes, but the data read out is excellent, even though there is no light. The skymate folds up like a pocket knife so you don't need a case.
Thanks to all for the input esp. Ticia
Many thanks for the information provided by all. Tricia's link was a great help and I just bought a German Windmeter via that link.
Many thanks for the information provided by all. Tricia's link was a great help and I just bought a German Windmeter via that link.
Keep in mind
That the hand-held unit will give a reading at the highest level from the deck at which you can hold it (Not at the top of the mast) and it will only give true wind speed. I have a hand held, can't remember the brand, which give temperature too. I have compared the reading to my friends mast mounted unit for true speed and it varies by about 10% low. Over all I like it though and use it mostly to track trends in wind speed changes as the sailing day goes along. Combine that info with temp and pressure and you can start to predict weather changes. Mike
That the hand-held unit will give a reading at the highest level from the deck at which you can hold it (Not at the top of the mast) and it will only give true wind speed. I have a hand held, can't remember the brand, which give temperature too. I have compared the reading to my friends mast mounted unit for true speed and it varies by about 10% low. Over all I like it though and use it mostly to track trends in wind speed changes as the sailing day goes along. Combine that info with temp and pressure and you can start to predict weather changes. Mike
re: wind gauge
Apparently the newer Davis wind gauges have some kind of flaw that makes them not work when you put your finger over the hole in the top.
Apparently the newer Davis wind gauges have some kind of flaw that makes them not work when you put your finger over the hole in the top.
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