Looks like I need some new digital hardware to go with my new kite. I had a heart racing session this afternoon with my Twister 7.7. The last two evenings I have gone out in a light breeze and have been peacefully flying but the wind picked up today. Using a plastic anemometer tube thingy that came with a used single string kite, the wind said between 8 and 60 km/h. Now, I've little faith in its accuracy but figure is is good for "relative wind speed." Well I don't know what the real wind speed was, but after getting comfortable, I scudded 20m on a single pass and was feeling the static lift with the kite at zenith (I weigh about 220lbs). Then the wind speed picked up and the trees started shaking. The Twister went back into the bag and I pulled out the 2m flux. I was scudding continuously (until I lost balance) with down loops on the damp grass.
Seems the saying would be that the wind was epic to stupid.
So, I am buying a new anemometer so I don't misread the wind.

I wonder if a spinner sock wouldn't serve you better?

It is best to have a visual clue and spinners tell a lot. Wind direction , gusts, wind shifts and an indication of speed. After very little time you can tell how strong the wind is by how you spinner reacts with a glance.

I use the waves, flags or the windmill at my locations.

I have one but I rarely use it. I always look at one specific tree at my spot to tell what the wind is doing. Maybe if I had a bigger kite (hopefully soon) it would be different, I don't know.

Quote:

Originally posted by acmbarber Seems the saying would be that the wind was epic to stupid.

glad my wind scale is still getting used!
ROFLMAO!!!

I really like mine but as mentioned, it's better to have an on-site reference up higher than you can hold an anemometer. The wind is remarkably different the further you get off the ground.

In any case, the one I bought is here:
Windtronic

The site is really low tech and could be perceived as suspicious but fear not. I had zero issues with the ordering and shipping and payment.

Previous to this I had a LaCrosse which had a fan on top and I always questioned whether I was holding it "square" to the wind or not. This one with the little cage on top is direction-independent. Has a tripod hole on the bottom so you can set it up and leave it to record max and avg while you play. I don't really use mine much anymore.....my trust is now in the way the wind sounds, what the trees and waves are doing and/or what others are flying.

I have 2 ,and never use them. I can look at the water ,or sand on the beach, and am pretty close. However ,it is true that the wind higher up is different(unless it is onshore)than the wind at ground level.

Quote:

Originally posted by acmbarber Looks like I need some new digital hardware to go with my new kite. I had a heart racing session this afternoon with my Twister 7.7. The last two evenings I have gone out in a light breeze and have been peacefully flying but the wind picked up today. Using a plastic anemometer tube thingy that came with a used single string kite, the wind said between 8 and 60 km/h. Now, I've little faith in its accuracy but figure is is good for "relative wind speed." Well I don't know what the real wind speed was, but after getting comfortable, I scudded 20m on a single pass and was feeling the static lift with the kite at zenith (I weigh about 220lbs). Then the wind speed picked up and the trees started shaking. The Twister went back into the bag and I pulled out the 2m flux. I was scudding continuously (until I lost balance) with down loops on the damp grass. Seems the saying would be that the wind was epic to stupid. So, I am buying a new anemometer so I don't misread the wind.

Hey I sent you a U2U. I'm in town for the next week. Since I sent my message I decided to pack the access and snowkite harness. Board and protective gear arrived this afternoon. Now we need a breeze or a nice hill to play on.

+1 for no anemometer!

http://www.howtoons.com/?page_id=150

That link leads to a visual representation of the beaufort scale.