I would like to buy a wind meter so I can get a feel foe the wind and what winds speeds do what. So many on the market. What have you used and which ones hold up?

I just grabbed one off ebay cheap, $17 shipped from china!

I have no way to verify how accurate it is, I think many guys judge wind by "feel"? I know I did not see anyone bringing them out @ SOBB, course there was no wind to measure when I was there on Sunday so would have been pointless anyway!

I just wanted something so I could have a relative idea of wind speeds when trying kites at different times etc.

True, I just want an idea on wind speed. Doesn't that determine what size kite you should be flying?

I ended up getting a like new Windtronic off of fleaBay for 50 dollars. I like this type more than the Kestrel that I borrowed from a friend. With the Windtronic, you never have to constantly shift and move parallel with the wind for accurate readings.

-joedy

That is true Power... I am also new at this and I bought the meter so that I can have a better idea of what my limitations are.

If I know I personally can safely fly a 6m in up to 6mph max wind and I am seeing it read 10mph, I know to pull out the smaller kite. Being new I do not have the skill at "reading" the wind or controlling a kite, the last thing I want to do is be:Ange09: for my life from 10ft up. This is just a way to cover my butt.

I have an omni-directional one that was given to me as a gift, but I don't think it has been out of the bag in close to 18-24 months.

Windtronics 2 is omni-directional and a nice unit.

Angus speaks well of the Lacrosse one which is a bit less expensive.

Beaufort Scale doesn't require batteries.

FWIW: In some cases, a ground wind speed reading will bear little resemblence to what is happening 60-80+ feet in the air.

ATB,
Sam

Lamrith, you took the words right out of my mouth. Exactly where I'm at.

Quote:

FWIW: In some cases, a ground wind speed reading will bear little resemblence to what is happening 60-80+ feet in the air. ATB, Sam

Indigo has a great point here too. lastnight was a prime example. Not even enough breeze to get 1/4 of a 4m kite filled, dead still. Jeff had to gave it an assisted launch and a few good pumps got it moving, then once it was @50ft it found solid steady air and flew great..

I found this "How Toons" to be a good visual wind guide:

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

-joedy

I agree with Indigo on the differences in windspeed at various elevations but I think that having a ground speed reading is valuable none the less.

If you can see the tree tops getting hammered harder that you are on the ground, and you're ground windspeed is XYZ, then you have a better chance of making the right descision on which wing to put up.

Or you can just fly an Arc.

I rarely use my meter anymore. You'll find that you use it less and less with expirience. I only bring it out if the wind is really nukin' just so I know what the wind was doing for a given session, not so much for wing choice.

Learning the visual indicators from your surroundings can easily be as valuable. Keep in mind warm winds carry a lot less punch than cold winds. 20mph in summer doesn't carry as much punch as 20mph in winter.:wee:

Quote:

Originally posted by Feyd Keep in mind warm winds carry a lot less punch than cold winds. 20mph in summer doesn't carry as much punch as 20mph in winter.:wee:

Great to know

+ 1 for visual indicators !

A good spinner sock will serve you far better than a wind meter IMHO !

Spinners show direction and wind changes while you are active. Think something has changed glance at the spinner. I didn't see many people looking at their wind meters either . Everybody was watching the spinner sock + flags though!

What is a spinner sock? got pic?

something like one of these.

The faster is spins the more wind there is. how steady it flies indicates gusts. Direction, it will show you if the direction has shifted.

Note that the wind up high can always be different but these are a great indicator.

Quote:

Originally posted by Bladerunner something like one of these. The faster is spins the more wind there is. how steady it flies indicates gusts. Direction, it will show you if the direction has shifted. Note that the wind up high can always be different but these are a great indicator.

+1 for visuals also.

Thats why you buy the insane 20ft pole to mount one from!:wee:

Where do you buy a big ole 20 foot pole and spinner sock.

$20 hand-held jobbie from eBay. Still on the original battery

There's a neat one I saw ... somewhere ... that's basically a bit of wood floating on a pin at the leading edge with a scale painted on the weather-#@%$#! tail - as the wind blows, the boards hangs down less and you can get a rough idea of the wind speed.

There's also the 3 piece flags that golfers use ...

...

After laughing at PMU and his ridiculous copy'n'paste anti-foil spam at the kiteforum zoo YET again, I thought I'd actually look up just how much the wind gradients can be ... I found a calculator online (cos the math is tough :D ) and threw in the numbers ... works out to be no more than a couple of knots at the end of the flying lines. Considering you do NOT fly the kite from the zenith, I'm betting the effect is negligible in the real world. Air density and gusts would factor more heavily in equations ... IMO

I can't post c0ck?

TDMC has the most skookum pole for his spinner!
It is designed so you drive your car tire on top of the base. Strong and adjustable !

I will call him and have him post.

He bought it from Above it all kites but We just came back from Seaside and it's not there anymore .

Sreweyfits made his car supported pole.

skookum ...?

I like the spinner idea. We use PL windsocks or orange flags on our anchors. But they only help us with launch and landing not so much 10 miles out or in heavy blowing snow.

Blowing snow is pretty much my favorite wind indicator. Tells me roughly windspeed and direction but also illustrates rotors, holes and venturies and currents. It's awesome to see a a current ahead of you before you grab on and pin it.

2nd Skookum?

Sorry, Skookum must be Canadian slang ! I meant, Extremely smart in design. GOOD !

Quote:

Originally posted by Kamikuza skookum ...?





Quote:

Originally posted by Feyd 2nd Skookum?



Parlez-vous Wikipedia?

Skookum is a Chinook jargon word that has come into general use in the Pacific Northwest region of North America.

The word skookum has three meanings:

1. a word in regional English that has a variety of positive connotations;
   
2. a monster; similar to the sasquatch.
   
3. a souvenir doll once common in the United States in tourist areas.

It has a range of positive meanings. The word can mean 'good,' 'strong,' 'best,' 'powerful,' 'ultimate,' or 'brave.' [1] Something can be skookum meaning 'really good' or 'right on! 'excellent!', or it can be skookum meaning 'tough' or 'durable'. A skookum burger is either a big or a really tasty hamburger, or both, but when your Mom's food is skookum, it's delicious but also hearty. When you are skookum, you've got a purpose and you're on solid ground, in good health/spirits etc. When used in reference to another person, e.g. "he's skookum", it's used in respect with connotations of trustworthiness, reliability and honesty as well as (possibly but not necessarily) strength and size.

ATB,
Sam

Oh che-che-bro!

I'm amazed at the things I learn in this community!

Hey Sailors,

Two things... First... use a wind meter to calibrate your eye.
Look around at everything that moves and guess the wind speed. Then pull out your meter and confirm your guess. Within a week or so you will become quite adept at seeing the wind accurately.
The pocket-size units are very handy and always available. The larger units have a bigger screen but don't usually fit in a pocket or hang around your neck.

Windsock poles: http://www.windpowersports.com/guides/windsock-pole-guide.ht...
Mounts that require a car to secure are limited to where they can be used. I spent 15 years flying about a quarter mile from where we parked. Be careful of anything rubbing against the vehicle.

I use 3/8" rebar. It bends before the pole snaps. I can straighten 3/8" rebar.

A nice Spinsock is the most useful of the spinning designs, in my opinion. With a bit of experience and a good meter, the Spinsock can be a very good indicator of direction, gusts and speed.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

Lacrosse - the yellow one. Great little tool

Quote:

Originally posted by Powerws I'm amazed at the things I learn in this community!

I see you becoming a lifer here! :wee:

I got a la cross too! But now I use my eyes!

You proficient at the beaufort scale ? Can't say that I am with the bloody gusty winds here in Denver