WIND METERS

[Guy B Jr]

In researching wind meters, I found three main brands.

Kestrel

Ambient Weather M/N WM-2

La Crosse Tech. M/N EA-3010U

Has anyone had any experience with these and what is the best bang for the buck?

[55chevr]

I have a Kestrel ... compact and versatile.  Not pricey.  I cant speak for the others.

[bob whitney]

 i have a KESTREL 4000  works good

[Dave_Trible]

The La Cross for me.  Works fine.

Dave

[frank williams]

This one works well and is not expensive.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__23869__turnigy_mini_anemometer_wind_meter_usa_warehouse_.html

[GGeezer]

Out here in the windy mid-west we can't use these delicate instruments, we use instead a logging chain tied up on a post... when the wind blows the chain horizontal, we go for coffee!
Sorry guys, I couldn't resist belly-aching about the wind... comes from too much caffeine.

Orv.

[Norm Furutani]

My favorite for FF contest work is a Kaindl Windtronic. It doesn't matter which way it faces and can be mounted on a tripod. For spot reading, a Kestral type is handy because they have a built in case, they're sort of flat and fit in your pocket.

There are lots of choices based on need and price. There are the old direct reading like a Dwyer or Copernicus. The Topflight prop balancer has a wind speed function using a prop and tach. You can even get a smart phone app that reads wind speed by the noise it makes (free or close to).

If it's for contest purposes, it should probably read both MPH and meters per second (FAI stuff).

Norm's 2cents

[Kim Doherty]

I have the left and right side of my face, the left and right side of my head, the back of my neck, the bald spot on top of my head, my bare arms, the leaves on the trees, the pieces of grass I throw into the air as I head to the lines, the pieces of grass I reserve in my left hand, the clouds, the pull on the model, my observations of the last model to fly, where the strongest and lightest pull occur on the circle, an approach to a manoeuvre that allows me to select any of several points as my downwind point and a little common sense. 

Batteries not included. Life time warranty.

Besides, what difference does it make how hard the wind is blowing ??


Kim.   

[Steve Helmick]

This one works well and is not expensive.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__23869__turnigy_mini_anemometer_wind_meter_usa_warehouse_.html

Maybe this will work better. But if you read the user's comments, there have been some defective units that Hobby King is not replacing, nor responding to complaints. Price is listed at $18.29, but they offer discounts the longer you take to decide to order it. Kinda screwy...  

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/catalog/Anemmometer.jpg

If I had the money (I don't), I'd order the Kestrel unit that will tell you the density altitude...more useful than simple wind speed.  Steve

[Paul Taylor]

There are a few free apps for the iPhone. Seems to be close enough.

But I too use my ears, back of the neck. 

[GGeezer]

Besides my logging-chain wind speed indicator, I also have rattling around in my field box an old-school Dwyer Wind Meter. This analog device always works, needs no batteries, stays in calibration and is very robust. Prices though, are all over the map but here is the lowest cost I could find.
http://cspoutdoors.com/dwyerwindmeter.html

Orv.

[Brett Buck]

I also have rattling around in my field box an old-school Dwyer Wind Meter. This analog device always works, needs no batteries, stays in calibration and is very robust. Prices though, are all over the map but here is the lowest cost I could find.
http://cspoutdoors.com/dwyerwindmeter.html

  If all you want to know is the wind speed, that is definitely the way to go, really no reason to spend any more.

   What most people quickly find is that they are overestimating the wind speed drastically. 10 is a fair bit of wind for stunt planes, 15 it starts to get challenging, and 20, you better know what you are doing. Anything anyone ever said about flying with no problem in 25 or above is, uh, (to be charitable) an over-estimate.

    The most velocity I have ever flown in was around 22-25, gusting to 30 at times. That was the 2003 NATs, and a WAM contest at Del Mar High School in maybe 1987 they were about the same. It was close to that at the 95 NATs at times but without the gusts. 

   The very worst conditions I have flown in, however, it was about 15 MPH or so at the second Dayton Buzzin' Buzzards site down by the river. I wasn't nearly as skilled as I am now, and my equipment was nothing like as good, but when I lost control multiple times just flying around level, and ended up folding the stab trying to keep from crashing in inverted flight, I don't think skill was the problem.

   Brett

[Brian Massey]

Take Brett's suggestion; the Dwyer. I purchased one some time ago (based on his recommendation) and have not been disappointed. The biggest lesson it taught me . . . you over estimate the wind. Knowing the real wind speed has helped me learn to fly in wind that I wouldn't have tried before, just because I was over estimating. However, with my skill set, and flying ability, I sit down and watch at around 10mph. For the past several weeks we've had nothing bu 10+ here in Madera/Fresno area.

The link that was provided is a great price on the unit too. http://cspoutdoors.com/dwyerwindmeter.html  About 10 bucks cheaper than Amazon.

Brian