Handheld Wind Indicators?

[RonRock]

I am sure this has been beaten to death, so I start by begging forgiveness for the question. I would search, but I have no idea what search terms to use.

Anyway, I am thinking that I "need" a handheld wind speed indicator. I know nothing about them other than that they should tell me the wind speed from where I am holding it. I started looking online and of course they start out at free and go up from there with the sky as the limit. As I said I know nothing about them so maybe my expectations are too high, but I'd like to get one for 100.00 or less. Unless there is reason to step up, as usual I'm open minded on price when it comes to a tools function and quality.

I live in Iowa and sail on lakes, so a complete weather station seems like overkill. But I do like the one I have on my home tower.

 

[Warren Milberg]

I've been using a La Crosse handheld wind meter for years and love it. A basic wind meter showing wind speed in mph/kts/kph. Shows Beaufort Scale, too. Also tells local temps and wind chill. Very handy and inexpensive device. Sells for around $30 on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/La-Crosse-Tec...674406&sr=8-10&keywords=la+crosse+wind+sensor

 

[jimg]

Handheld Wind Meters

I have two, a Davis mechanical one and a digital one the brand of which escapes me now. I have found that the only time I ever use them is at the dock to satisfy my curiosity when I think it's really windy (and it is never as much as I think). When I am actually sailing I make decisions based upon how the boat is behaving, the sea state, wind direction, visible lifts and headers, and other indicators of weather on the sea, in the sky, and on land if visible. Actually having a number just does not seem important.

 

[Merlin Clark]

That La Crosse wind meter is at a great price. Thanks Warren.
The Beaufort Wind Scale http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/beaufort.html will give you a much better idea of what the wind strength really is than guessing. I haven't memorized it, just know when it gets more than "scattered whitecaps" it's time to reef.

Edit: be advised, if you're in a smaller body you probably won't see the wave heights because there isn't enough room for the waves to build (fetch).

 

[FourPoints]

I have the Kestrel 1000, it was a birthday present a few years ago, not terribly fancy as it only does wind speed (the 2000 does temp wind chill and other stuff as well), but works very well. It's waterproof and floats so no need to worry about getting wet. The impeller is also (very easily) replaceable so it should last forever.

http://www.kestrelmeters.com/collections/frontpage/products/kestrel-1000-wind-meter

Given the quality construction of the unit, I would certainly purchase one if I didn't receive this one as a gift.

 

[keithbennett]

Here is another option

Ususal disclaimers

http://inspeed.com/anemometers/Pole_Mount_Anemometer.asp

 

[Joe]

I have the Skymate model with the temperature feature which will give you wind chill.... not that it's that useful here in san diego, heh, heh... If you can't figure out when to put a sweater on perhaps it's time to take up bowling.. but anyhow... shop around, places like Amazon.com have pretty good deals.... When I ordered mine they actually sent me TWO... I sent the second one back because the guilt was keeping me awake at night. ......

 

[zeehag]

a friend of mine had one--great tool--his pegged at 65 kph wind when his boat snapped a chain link easter sunday 0200, 1999......in san diego bay. was the event some still know as the china chain incident.....

 

[JWH2050]

if you have a I-phone there is an app for that

 

[RonRock]

So far I have avoided the Iphone and am quite happy with my old "Dumb Phone." But I can see that soon I will have no choice.

There have been several good choices suggested. I had actually looked at the Skymate, and the LaCross before posting. I do like the Kestral also and the pole mount unit is interesting but not portable and probably not the best for my trailer sailer.

Thanks for the thoughts guys, keep them coming. And thanks for not beating me up for asking.

 

[Tricia]

wind meter...

I have one of these, which doesn't require you to point it directly into the wind.

http://www.windtronic.us/accessory.html

 

[kenn]

I have a small Kestrel handheld unit from my windsurfing days... but for boat sailing I confess i never use it. A handheld meter will only tell you the windspeed right where you are, at deck level, at that particular moment. It's much more important, I believe, to be able to take in the local forecast, to look out at the water, the sky and the other boats, to feel the wind on your face, and to make your calls based on that.

Having a small boat, I've also learned the wisdom of reefing early, and that it's easier to shake out a reef on the water, than to put one in.

 

[Brian D]

Like Tricia, I too use the Windtronic II.

http://windtronic.us/images/Windtronic_HiRez.jpg
http://windtronic.us/

 

[Ross]

I use a Kistrel to confirm my observations. If you wait to reef when the anemometer tells you it is needed it is already too late. But it is kinda fun to be able to talk about how strong the wind was.

 

[Keith13315]

I have a Skymaster 28 I will sell. I bought it when my boat had no instruments. I moved up in size and got instruments. PM for details if interested. It does wind, temp Barometric pressure and I think some other stuff but can't remember the rest.
Keith