Okay. So I lost my LaCrosse anemometer somewhere (it'll turn up when I buy a new one). Here's the deal though. I don't want a wind meter with a fan on top like this one:



Why? I find that the ones with the little cage on top with the whirligig kinda thingy inside it to be less "must have it pointed perfectly into the wind". Does anybody know what I mean and better yet - do you know what the make / model of such animal would be and can you recommend a good, durable one?

Sorry. Google image search....is there anything it can't do?

Anyone know anything about these:

Frathouse has one. Don't know anything more. I want that style too.

Windtronic 2. Generally runs about $99. Not a whole lot of undercutting.

Currently the best price I can find on it is $79 + $4.95 shipping (USD).

It's been tempting me a lot longer than it should. I have a wind meter, but it was a well-meaning present and a bit of a ugly stepchild.... omnidirectional, but the cups aren't protected in use. No.... it's not like it's going to be used as a football, but....

Have played with the Windtronic and it's nice.... I just haven't been able to justify it .... yeah not sure why justification seems to be an exception requirement in this instance.

Only nit(s): Unlike some of the flat meters, the impeller is not user replaceable if damaged.... small nit. Kind of annoying that for an upper tier (for the niche) product, the carrying case is a) optional accessory and b) not that impressive. Hmmm..... time for an Otter Box.

Heres the full spec sheet on the Windtronic.
Sensor Head:
- Cup-Type, jewel bearing
- Provides readings irrespective of wind direction

LCD-Display:
- Current wind speed
- Average wind speed*
- Maximum wind speed*
- Beaufort bar graph
(* max. 8 days data storage)

Wind Speed Units: (Adjustable)
- KM/H (kilometers/hour)
- KTS (Knots)
- M/S (meter/second)
- MPH (miles/hour)

Measuring Range:
- 2.5 ... 150 KM/H
- 1.3 ... 81 Knoten
- 0.7 ... 42 M/S
- 1.5 ... 93 MPH
- Resolution: 0.1 (0...19.9), 1 (20...150)
- Accuracy: typ. ± 4%, ± 1 digit

Housing:
- Tripod thread: in bottom of housing
- Plastic, densely bonded
- Water-resistant and floats
- Nylon protective bag (optionally available)
Battery:
- Button cell CR2032, replaceable
- Battery life: up to 10 years

Dimension & Weight:
- Dimensions: app. 127 * 55* 28 (39) mm
- Weight: app. 95 grams

Warranty:
- 2 Years manufacturer's warranty

ATB,
Sam

hi macboy i've got a windtronic. it's great to use and you don't have to worry about wind direction! i'd recommend it too anybody. :bouncing:

How long does the battery last on the windtronic?

about a year. the only prob i've found with it is you can accidentally switch it on in your pocket. which is bugger!

Looks like the one carltb has.

Thats sweet. Maybe I need to enter the 20th century soon. I still have the old spring box style! And the styrofoam bead type in my sail boat. Not nearly as acurate but nothing to go wrong with them either! :dunno:

I use the Windtronic one myself. I like not having to point it directly into the wind. The battery life seems pretty good too. I've had it for over a year now and the battery is just running out. I did leave it on in my kite bag for a few weeks too.... whoops!

There's kind of a disparity between 1 and 10 years (granted they don't provide any info on what type of usage is associated with a 10 year battery life span).

Even if the Windtronic lasted 2 years, that would be pretty good. The fact that it can be powered up so easily kind of begs for a hard case.

Even requiring both buttons to be depressed to power up would be an improvement.

ATB,
Sam

My battery has lasted 2 + years now but I rarely use mine.

I would buy a GPS if I had the cash for a wind meter. I get WAY more valuable info from my GPS. I can usually guess the wind well enough to choose the right kite. I can never guess how fast I'm going , how far I traveled, what direction I am headed, where in the world or how high I am !

That's the thing...the GPS in my pocket the other day said I had been cruising along at a nice 37km/h....I was dying to know the wind speed to see how efficiently I was riding.

(I lost an ice screw too....double whammy loss. But they'll turn up. Right after I replace em ; )

The wind speed where ???

The middle of the lake. Up at 20m above you where your kite is.Or where you have your camp ????? :frog::frog:

I can usually guess the wind within 2 - 3 mph ? I tend to pull out my wind meter to prove it's not as windy as somebody is saying and trust my senses for how fat the wind was blowing at any given moment.

Good reason though !

But BR - you're like.......a sponsored pro dude. Mad skills like yours...you can probably tell how fast you fart :P

HA Ha !

I think Pro means worthy of being paid ? I'm far from it !!

Am I wrong or don't most people get to know the wind speed without needing a meter pretty fast ? If I am by water it is even easier to be sure .

I just find the wind is SO subjective. Even when I am holding my meter it is constantly changing. That doesn't even account for the fact my kite is up higher not at ground level and so on ...... I'm not saying they are useless just subjective.

Could you not judge the wind that day ???

I got a $15 jobbie off eBay like the first pic - I don't think it's that hard to get it directly into the wind is it?

I like my windtronic2 I've had it about 2 years and the battery is just starting to die. I have had issues with accidentally turning it on in my bag but it is not a big deal. Its been real good to me and really came in handy up on tugg hill this weekend.

the windtronic is nice since it shows the top speed of the gusts as well as average wind speed. It has a tripod mount on the bottom, so leave mine at the base station. Inland contitions make you want to rig for the gusts. The gusts can be surprisingly big on the bald ass prairie. Sometimes I'm surprised at the top gust speed compared to the average wind speed - and glad I rigged for the gusts - otherwise I'd end up in Saskatchewan.

I can see BR's point about just knowing the wind. I seem to know 12-15km/h and 25-ish but anything else not really. Gusts....don't even get me started.

I think I just want gadgets

iphone ... tunes / gps / wind meter / games / oh yah and a phone too.

the caged fan ones require it to be pointed in the wind, still think these are less accurate. the one with the turnie thing on top is better.

Kaindl Windtronic II. Have had mine about 2 years, same battery. Well built.

I tested against a hot wire anemometer in a wind tunnel where I used to work and it was quite accurate (assuming the hot wire anemometer was accurate!).

krumly

Quote:

Originally posted by Kamikuza I got a $15 jobbie off eBay like the first pic - I don't think it's that hard to get it directly into the wind is it?

Yeah, I don't get it either. You only have to be within 10 degrees or so of the wind and that is not hard. Let the lanyard hang free and that is your wind vane. I like the cheap Lacrosse ones since they are easier on the wallet if lost.

As for accuracy, it's margin of error is likely smaller than the natural range of wind speed at any given site for a moment, even in "smooth" coastal winds. In seems consistent with readings from the local Weatherflow station on our beach and that is a professional installation.

The iPhone app is a clever idea but not accurate at all, I found.

Quote:

Originally posted by macboy I can see BR's point about just knowing the wind. I seem to know 12-15km/h and 25-ish but anything else not really. Gusts....don't even get me started. I think I just want gadgets

I like gadgets to ! I liked the windtronics because it was cheap enough to ask for as a Birthday pressy a while back ! I also like it for the min / max / avg function.

Wind meters are good. I'm just suggesting a GPS gadget gives me a lot of info that I can't judge well without. I would by a GPS with my own money over a wind meter.

Quote:

Originally posted by Bladerunner Am I wrong or don't most people get to know the wind speed without needing a meter pretty fast ?

Well...

Quote:

By now do you see were I am going? Went to the far end of the field checking the wind grabbed a hunk of grass and flipped it into the air SWISH IT WAS GONE!... {snip} ...then ALL BROKE LOOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! O to 60 in 3.5 seconds On two wheels for a good 50 foot then back to two headed for the end of the park faster than God could fly thinking “MY GOD MY ARMS ARE GOING TO RIP OFF MY BODY” my next thought was OH #@%$#! no more room and I can’t turn going this fast shot off of the grass field went from 60 MPH to 80 MPH when I hit the asphalt the police officer seeing all this had stopped the traffic, I flew across the intersection. Thinking while I am screaming what do I do now, head to the boat dock!!!... http://www.racekites.com/reviews/getReview.asp?reviewID=627

...I suppose that learning curve might be somewhat individualized - especially if the blades of grass aren't properly calibrated.

I think the SWISH IT WAS GONE gave it away. They normaly don't go to far in average winds. Unless old dried up grass. Healthy grass tends to be heavy and not fly so well.

That settles it then - my next kite will be made out of old dried up grass!:Ange09:

This is the one I have. I love it. Uses AA batteries so easy to replace. i put it on a tripod and check it occasionally.

Eole Skywatch

I would have that thing filled with beard hair in no time if the cap come off!! :o
It may work for you Macboy in Tyland and other places they make roofs out of old grass still. I bet they could thatch you one right up!!