Handheld Weather Instruments

[Scott Brady]

I am looking to purchase a handheld weather gauge that measure wind speed, air temperature and can calculate wind chill.

I am looking at the Brunton ADC Summit (http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=260)
http://www.brunton.com/images/catalog/ADC_Summit.jpg

The biggest issue I am finding is minimum displayed temperature, which the Kestrel's show as -20. I need on to hit at least -40.

Any recommendations or other ideas would be great!

[mountainpete]

Scott,

I have only played with these a few times in the store, but I remember a really excellent model under the brand name Skywatch. It was very, very pricey (over $500 CAD) though.

I did a bit of searching and came up that they are made by a company called JDC Electronics.

Check this model out: http://www.jdcusa.com/products/geos11.html or http://www.jdc.ch/en/geos11.html

http://www.jdcusa.com/images/geos11/geos_11_small.jpg

Windchill: 0 to 300 (peak) km/h
Temperature: -40°C to +85°C
Humidity: 0.1 to 100%rH
Pressure: 10 to 1100hPa
Altitude : -1000 to 21535m
Perpetual Calendar: to year 2175

Looks like it is around $400.

Hope that helps.

Pete

[mountainpete]

This one shows a range as low as -50C on the site, but the PDF manual shows operational range to -30C. Would need clarifying, but it would probably be a cheaper option.

http://www.jdcusa.com/products/xplorers.html

But I think you get what you pay for...

Pete

[slooowr6]

Here is another one. It goes to -49F.
http://www.kestrelmeters.com/Kestrel-2500-Wind-Meter.pro#specs

[Howard70]

Hey Scott:

Those look like cool units. One thing you might want to consider is how important accurate wind speed measurement is for your needs.

The units that have the small "enclosed fan" looking anemometers protect the vanes well, but they are extremely sensitive to orientation when measuring wind speed. If the wind is really blowing and you're in a spot where there aren't gusts or turbulence you can turn them and look for the highest readings - you assume that you've got the orientation correct when you get the high readings. Unfortunately, we're usually in areas with turbulent airflow so the gusts and slight directional changes make getting the orientation correct a real pain.

If you require accurate wind speed then you might want to consider a unit with an exposed "omni directional" anemometer. I've had good luck with these models:

http://www.ambientweather.com/dic3anemometer.html

(Photo attached below)

But they aren't an "all-in-one" weather station. They're also expensive, but accuracy and precision aren't cheap!

Howard L. Snell

[Blair G]

I have had a Kestrel for about 5 years. I think it is the 3000. It does everything well and is built well. It has survived in my chest harness for the whole time with no complaint. The one thing you need to remember is the Humiidity will need to be calibrated once in awhile. I check it occasionally when someone takes the weather by hand. Not really a big deal because you are still able to see the trending of the humidity based on the given numbers. The Kestral combined with the Suunto watch pretty much covers everything you need to know.

Blair

[Scott Brady]

Thanks guys. I am not too concerned about accuracy. If I am within 5% even it is ok. -49 should be enough (I hope :) )

[Brian McVickers]

Scott,
I have the WindMaster Weather Watch Pro by Speedtech Instruments.
It's nice and compact and wears as a watch.
Windchill measured to -40


http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/giftngadget/stww-1l.jpg

http://www.speedtech.com/product.asp?s=9cngqp32402&strParents=&CAT_ID=108&P_ID=441

Compare Speedtech’s impressive line of Wind meters against the competition HERE.
Windspeed Barometric Pressure Altitude Chronograph Yacht Racing Timer Clock with Alarm Date Temperature Windchill
Specifications
WINDSPEED RESOLUTION: .06 MPH RANGE: 0 - 186 MPH WINDCHILL FACTOR: -40 F to 176 F OPTIONAL UNITS: Knots, MPH, KPH, M/Sec, Beaufort scale graph - F or C ALTIMETER RESOLUTION: 3.3 ft RANGE: -30,065 ft to 30,065 ft SAMPLING: First 3 min: 1 Sec; After 3 min: 1 min BAROMETER RESOLUTION: .01 inHg; Temperature .18 F RANGE: 8.84 - 32.44 inHg; Temperature 14 - 140 F SAMPLING: First 3 min: 1 Sec; After 3 min: 1 min


Also check out the offerings here
http://www.windpowersports.com/accessories/windgauge.html

[kcowyo]

-49 should be enough (I hope :) )

I bet you do! :REOutCampFire03:

If you need a contact at Brunton let me know.