Hi - I'm looking for recommendations on handheld windmeters $100 (USD) or less based of the following requirements.

Requirements:
* Reliable, accurate, compact, rugged and easy to read
* Measurements: Current/Avg/Max wind speed
* Nice to have: backlight, digital compass and temperature

I'm considering these for my short list. Any suggestions, recommendations, feedback or alternatives would be greatly appreciated.
* Windmate 200
* Windtronic II
* Kestrel 2000

Thanks,
BHG

Bump for the Windtronic 2...Love it!

Sorry I still have to old spring box type. :dunno:

I have a windmate. The one I have is yellow, not sure what model and I'm too lazy to go out to the truck right now. No compass on mine.

Been using it since November without any problems.

I like the protection afforded by how the meter folds up into it's cover; but it can be a bit challenging to open with cold hands... especially one-handed while flying a kite.

It shuts itself off after a while if I just fold it up and stuff it in my pocket. I like that.

The readings are consistent with the "feel" of the wind.

Another "feature" I've found myself using is letting the meter's leash hang down free to act as a wind vein to point out the wind's direction. So the directionality of the wind sensor/fan on this unit doesn't bother me. - but you might want to note it DOES have to be pointed in line with the wind for an accurate reading.

I got one off eBay for like $20 - seems to have all the functions of the Windmate but at 20% of the price
... except for the compass, that is ...

@Kamikuza - Which model did you get off eBay and how do you like it?

Thanks,
BHG

If you have an IPhone there is an app that Ripsessions posted a review of a while back (Wind Meter) - I used it this past weekend at the beach and it worked great - functions off measuring the volume created as the wind goes by the microphone. Can't beat a wind meter for .99. Besides I've found that when you're in the wind enough you can gauge the speed by feel - you know which kite to pull out of your bag and you know when you're out of your comfort zone. You don't need a piece of plastic to tell you when your not comfortable. It is nice to have something confirm your hunch, but it's not necessary.

I think it looks like this but I got it from the UK actually, so it was cheaper at that time ...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-Electronic-Wind-Speed-Gauge-Anemome...

Works good :bigok: nothing fancy, tells the wind speed just fine

@Kamikuza - thanks for the link and recommendation. I updated the original message to include the Kestrel 2000 to my short list. The Kestrel looks very similar to the wind meter you provided a link for. However, the Kestrel has more features and is available here in the states.

@flexiblade - thanks for the advise and wished I had an iPhone but won't switch to AT&T to get one. I tried that app on a friends phone, it's cool and works pretty well. I'm just getting started with power kiting and have a pretty good idea of gauging the wind speed by "feel" and knowing when to fly and when not to. As you mentioned with "confirm your hunch", I'm just looking to validate/correlate what I sense with the actual wind speed for now until I feel more comfortable. Much like knowing what golf club to use without looking at the actual distance, you just "feel" it