I've got the $100 dick smith job. It's readings typically calibrate well with the expected experience of choosing an Xm sail in Y knots of wind. I find it really handy when sailing new locations where the whitecaps, chop size etc can be quite misleading in comparison to the true windspeed. It's also a nice reality check when you wish it was 20 knots, the inner voices are telling you it's 20 knots, you're dying for it to be 20 knots but the windmeter doesn't lie and tells you it's 10 knots so don't waste your time. I've never been left wanting for a more accurate or complicated windmeter than this.
Eckas
that one works real good on a dry salt lake,not
mind you there were actual whitecaps on friday
The 'lick ya finger and stick it in the air' works well for me
Seriously though I reckon the best way is to use your observations.
There is no better way than to look at the trees, sand and water to determin what size sail to use.
If you have an iphone you can download one for $1.99 and it work as good as an
anemometer that cost $199.
Hi, Dany,
For many years, I've used the Skywatch Elite, which may have now been replaced by the Skywatch Eole or the Skywatch Meteos. Here is a link for them in Australia:
www.radio-active.net.au/web3/ (just scroll down the page).
I'm not sure if either of the meters is still available: the more I hunted, the more confusing it became, but at least the link site said they had stock.
It's best features are the large display, the fact that you don't have to point it directly into the wind and the number of measurement systems available ie knots, m/s etc.
Laurie's suggestion of using the Beaufort system is also very good. The Brits use this all the time if you read their magazines and forums and it's good practice if you've left the wind meter at home or the battery has just died.
Hope this helps,
Regards,
WindmanV
Not sure how it works i assume it uses wind noise and some sort of algorithm to calculate wind speed, i've had no issues with it. As i said i've ran it side by side with a good anemometer and it's within a knot or two...good enough for the average person i think...given the price. There is a few apps like this, one of which can be calibrated to improve the accuracy.
Hi Dany.
I brought one on ebay for 40 bucks all up, (from hong kong) had it for a year now, works great with digital display of speed in knots or km's and also has a bar graph beaufort scale, direct reading or average, just have to be pointing it in the right direction. just do a search for wind gauge on ebay. Jimbob.http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Pocket-Electronic-Wind-Speed-Gauge-Anemometer-Meter-New_W0QQitemZ310154237862QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment?hash=item4836a217a6&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
Check out the Dwyer wind meter.
I bought mine years ago at whitworths marine for about $40. Might still have them?
See: http://yourcatalog.dirxion.com/dwyerinternational09/Main.asp
or
www.hobiecat.com.au/pdf/sailboat/panda_08/08_20.pdf
Better than an electronic meter as the floating ball gives a better visual indication of the wind strength and variation.
No batteries required, which means it will work when you need it to!
Very accurate! Have compaired it many times to expensive wind meters. Every time the Dwyer is spot on.
Just keep the thing dry as water stops the little ball from moving.
I'm always amazed at how much people over estimate the wind strength....
Check out the Dwyer wind meter.
I'm sure I've got one of those locked away somewhere for our yachting days..Ill have to find it..
graceman: The jaycar model is ****. I suspect they suffer from EMI issues.
NotWal: Acoustic wind meters use the speed of sound to calculate the speed of the wind. Sound will travel through air at a certain speed at a certain pressure and temperature (ie 331m/s at 0 degrees C). When it's windy (when the air is moving), you have moving air, so the sound will travel 330m/s or so, plus the speed of the wind if the sound is travelling down wind, and 330 (or so), minus the speed of the wind if the sound is going up wind.
jh2703: regarding the i-phone wind meter software app accuracy, I am very surprised to learn that.
