Man just got a $40 wind gauge off good old ebay... took it to the beach in what i estimated to be at very least 15 knots.. highest reading i could get was 4 knots.... actually had an awesome session but man l hate getting ripped off. was looking forward to being able to better judge those light wind days....

Anyone else found the same thing or did i just get a sh**ty one?

It's the special "flysurfer version" windmeter

now you can say your flysurfer is keeping you upwind in 0.8 knots - with video evidence

Hi Smedg,

A wind meter is a nice bit of gear for use when you need exact wind speeds for kite reviews and if you are in areas which do not show wind on the water well, like Augusta or any sort of mountainboarding on Terra Firma.

A good quality anemometer like the Windtronics 2 is a precise measuring instrument and not something I'd buy second hand from e-bay. It must be kept clean and in it's case so it doesn't get sand or crap into it to keep it accurate.

We use anemometers in the school for confirmation of upper and lower wind strengths although I can usually tell the wind speed to within a couple of knots by looking at the water.

Beginners who have no experience with wind or water sports need wind meters to judge the wind strengths until they get experience. They get that experience by looking at the read out and then at the water to get a visual indication or reference of what 20 knots looks like. Saying they are for geeks and freaks is a bit harsh don't you think Ben?

When buying wind meters, you get what you pay for and the better quality ones use a paddle wheel type impellor with the little half cups, not the fan impellors types. Such as the windtronics kiteboardingschool.com.au/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=32&category_id=11&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=84

Most other cheaper ones like the ball in the tube type are within 5 knots wind speed which is not good enough, but if you pay $40, thats about the quality you get.

Good winds,

As I have got more experienced I have relied less and less on what the screen tells me and what I feel. I don't think I actually know where my Skywatch is at the moment. That said, its handy to know what the gusts are sometimes.

Kitehard said...

Hi Smedg,

When buying wind meters, you get what you pay for and the better quality ones use a paddle wheel type impellor with the little half cups, not the fan impellors types.

I wouldn't say that is what makes a good or bad meter. Like you said you get what you pay for. The only difference is with the fan looking impellor types need to be pointed at the wind to give an accurate reading.

These are the most accurate ones I know of- http://www.jdcusa.com/products/omnidirectional.html

But these are more than sufficient for kiteboarders- www.jdcusa.com/products/xplorers.html

Jason

I am coming back to Aus!!! Can't wait.

I still think you don't need them though. You can always tell by the water, the sand, the trees and what other people are flying in about 2 minutes. And that little bit of a question mark as to whether or not you are over gunning it while you pump up, just adds to the pre-session rush.

Geeks and freaks - I stand by that.

check that fan on top of meter is pushed down, mine sometimes works it way up out of meter.underneath blades is a fat bit that goes into body of meter, get fingernails on this and push it down. mine Once read 15mph when it was in fact over 30mph.

some down to earth tree huggin hippie advice eco. thanks. I'll take that on board.

au_rick said...

doesn't matter how good or bad quality an anemometer is as long as it's consistent in it's readings.

Hit the nail on the head here rick.
As long as it gives consistent readings the numbers are just that, numbers.

I had never used on when I was back home in WA, but the wind here is SH**E and because there are different trees, no waves, the sand isn't as fine and varies in how coarse it is even from beach to beach, I got one and swear by it. I call it my 'Truth Meter' because on the days when you haven't been out for a month or two due to lack of wind and you drive to the beach, you almost need one. If for no other reason to talk yourself out of the old "Yeah, I don't think it was enough when I got here, but I think it's picked up a couple of knots since I did". Especially when almost nobody here kites so there's nearly never anyone else out.

D

echostorm said...

D_Meredith79 said...

I had never used on when I was back home in WA, but the wind here is SH**E and because there are different trees, no waves, the sand isn't as fine and varies in how coarse it is even from beach to beach, I got one and swear by it. I call it my 'Truth Meter' because on the days when you haven't been out for a month or two due to lack of wind and you drive to the beach, you almost need one. If for no other reason to talk yourself out of the old "Yeah, I don't think it was enough when I got here, but I think it's picked up a couple of knots since I did". Especially when almost nobody here kites so there's nearly never anyone else out.

D

Whitecaps are the answer. Whitecaps = wind = yes i can kite today

Sorry Echo, but even that one fails here at times. On the upside though, I'm headed home in 6 weeks so won't have to mess with the terrible wind here. Got SO desperate that went out in the wind coming in front of a thinderstorm and ended up dropping my kite 10 minutes before it hit which left me packing up in the Queenslandesque downpore and associated lightning and thunder.

D