I am looking to purchase a handheld anemometer and would appreciate any information that anyone may have on what to look for or any to stay away from. Thanks Mike
Handheld Wind Gage
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I bought one of these. I think from WM for about
25 bucks or maybe it was 40 or 50. I forget the brand name and price it seems. Black plastic about 3" square and 1" thick. The handle folds out of the body. The trick is to get the eye of the wind right into the opening so you can see the guage. The other trick is that it is fine when sitting at the mooring deciding whether to go out or not. Once you start sailing you are measuring the apparent wind, not the true wind. Having said that I like the unit and keep it folded up in the cabin unless I want to brag about the wind speed (+10) around the water cooler. I cant find the exact model I bought a few years ago on either WM or defender but I bet you can still find it somewhere for much cheaper than the prevailing price of all the digital stuff that cost hundreds of $ailbucks.
25 bucks or maybe it was 40 or 50. I forget the brand name and price it seems. Black plastic about 3" square and 1" thick. The handle folds out of the body. The trick is to get the eye of the wind right into the opening so you can see the guage. The other trick is that it is fine when sitting at the mooring deciding whether to go out or not. Once you start sailing you are measuring the apparent wind, not the true wind. Having said that I like the unit and keep it folded up in the cabin unless I want to brag about the wind speed (+10) around the water cooler. I cant find the exact model I bought a few years ago on either WM or defender but I bet you can still find it somewhere for much cheaper than the prevailing price of all the digital stuff that cost hundreds of $ailbucks.
I have a Kestral 2000
The Admiral made it one of my Christmas presents last year. Since the weather has been less than cooperative I haven't had a chance to use it yet. However, it does work well in my back yard.
The Admiral made it one of my Christmas presents last year. Since the weather has been less than cooperative I haven't had a chance to use it yet. However, it does work well in my back yard.
Try this one
I had the type that CalebD has and I didn't like it at all. I gave it away. I think it was a Davis. I got this one (see link) this winter but haven't had it on the water yet. Like newsailor06, it works fine in my backyard. It is the same "type" as the Kestrals but much cheaper at $35. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=261448
I had the type that CalebD has and I didn't like it at all. I gave it away. I think it was a Davis. I got this one (see link) this winter but haven't had it on the water yet. Like newsailor06, it works fine in my backyard. It is the same "type" as the Kestrals but much cheaper at $35. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=261448
Lacrosse
I bought a Lacrosse battery powered anemometer from Amazon (+/- $30) and really love it. Tells wind speeds in 3 scales, ambient temperature and wind chill. Seems to be pretty accurate.
I bought a Lacrosse battery powered anemometer from Amazon (+/- $30) and really love it. Tells wind speeds in 3 scales, ambient temperature and wind chill. Seems to be pretty accurate.
SkyMate
I have the Speedtech Skymate wind meter (SM-18,)I got it for Christmas a year ago, see link. Nice little unit, but the novelty wears off after the first season and I find I don't use it as much, actually have to make a concious effort and wear it around my neck to remember. They work well and are sort of fun at first, you can actually keep a record of what wind speed requires your first reef or what wind speed is required to hoist your sails (if you are lazy like me) actually you might start gaging wind speed for lots of activities. After a season of it you might ask yourself what for? Still a neat little item for the sailor who has everything.
I have the Speedtech Skymate wind meter (SM-18,)I got it for Christmas a year ago, see link. Nice little unit, but the novelty wears off after the first season and I find I don't use it as much, actually have to make a concious effort and wear it around my neck to remember. They work well and are sort of fun at first, you can actually keep a record of what wind speed requires your first reef or what wind speed is required to hoist your sails (if you are lazy like me) actually you might start gaging wind speed for lots of activities. After a season of it you might ask yourself what for? Still a neat little item for the sailor who has everything.
Hand held
I have a hand held Kestrel unit it is blue and the handle folds out of the body Got it at WM in Key West i enjoy using it to see how close my guesses are When i use it before we go out, i can anticipate how much i will need to reef to have an enjoyable sail I recommend it to you All sailors love gadgets and this is fun and informational at the same time t
I have a hand held Kestrel unit it is blue and the handle folds out of the body Got it at WM in Key West i enjoy using it to see how close my guesses are When i use it before we go out, i can anticipate how much i will need to reef to have an enjoyable sail I recommend it to you All sailors love gadgets and this is fun and informational at the same time t
Speedtech
is the one I have. I find it more useful for weather prediction than for deciding on sailing tactics. The barometer, and dew point indicator are useful for predicting fog for example. http://www.windpowersports.com/accessories/wind-gauge/skymaster.html
is the one I have. I find it more useful for weather prediction than for deciding on sailing tactics. The barometer, and dew point indicator are useful for predicting fog for example. http://www.windpowersports.com/accessories/wind-gauge/skymaster.html
Save your money
as the wind readings you get in the cockpit are not nearly indicative of what is happening up the mast. The novelty will wear off in your first outing and then it will gather dust. I guess I have trained my face to recognize a degree of wind speed on which to raise sails, reef or take them down. Having an ST-60 helps too. I find that I mostly use the instrument for narrowing down the angle of direction of the wind rather than aparent wind speed readings. I do take a look at it when entering an anchorage or marina to help me anticipate windage in planning manouvers. I have it because it came with the boat; otherwise I be flying a Windex from the top of the mast.
as the wind readings you get in the cockpit are not nearly indicative of what is happening up the mast. The novelty will wear off in your first outing and then it will gather dust. I guess I have trained my face to recognize a degree of wind speed on which to raise sails, reef or take them down. Having an ST-60 helps too. I find that I mostly use the instrument for narrowing down the angle of direction of the wind rather than aparent wind speed readings. I do take a look at it when entering an anchorage or marina to help me anticipate windage in planning manouvers. I have it because it came with the boat; otherwise I be flying a Windex from the top of the mast.
Windtronic 2
We have a Windtronic 2 and it is great. The unit is made in Germany, and the quality is first rate. What I like best is it has cups for the readings, so no mater where it is facing it works. We have it mounted on the sliding hatch and it's great. It has a mounting screw whole on the bottom, so we screw it into place and turn it on. And no I do not get tired of it. Dale
We have a Windtronic 2 and it is great. The unit is made in Germany, and the quality is first rate. What I like best is it has cups for the readings, so no mater where it is facing it works. We have it mounted on the sliding hatch and it's great. It has a mounting screw whole on the bottom, so we screw it into place and turn it on. And no I do not get tired of it. Dale
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