I was thinking of buying a wind meter and was wondering whether it's worth buying one. Is it better to have a meter than just judging from white caps? How accurate are they? What's a good one?

Who cares if it is 19 or 20 knots. Learn to judge it by yourself, it is much easier and you dont have to rely on wind meters which are inaccurate. Especially when the wind is up high.

Look what sizes other people are flying or if you are the first out talk about it with someone else. Or if you are completely alone you will just have to go on your instincts.

if you're a hellman/girl, wet your finger.
if you're a gadget guy/girl, get a windtronic.

I have a Windtronic. Its not only good to check the wind speed but also check the consistancy and the gusts. I have learnt that you should go as close to the water as possible and hold the meter as high as you can.

The wind is stronger 25-30mts up in the sky. So the reading on your Meter is just an indication. 12knts on the wind meter is about 15knts @ 25mtrs up approx. There is an exact science to it, others have posted it before.

In my opinion it is definately worth the money if your new to the sport and are getting used to reading wind conditions.(when you get hardcore and can read wind by sight then you can give yourself a pat on the back) Until then a wind meter does help.

Heaps of people use them even really good riders Ive seen. Its a handy gadget when your not quite sure. Hope this helps..good luck

I have a wind meter (the kind with the impeller inside the "stick")

it is crap... it always measures 9.9 knots (I HATE IT - probably because I only take out the windmeter when it is marginal anyway)

Then, when the wind is blowing, it under reads... Especially the gusts.

In all honesty, I think the impeller ones suck. Get the ones with the cups, if you have to get one -- they measure the gusts much better.

Why I think it is not worth it
1) The beach is "almost" always more shetlered than the water / trees, buildings, dunes in the background.

2) You are only 2m up from the ground... you have no idea what the wind is doing at 5m, never mind 30 (how often have you launched, and just as you get over 45degrees, you feel it!)

3) Air temp and humidity greatly affect the power of the wind. 15 knots in cold humid conditions is much much stronger than 20 knots dry hot air inland

4) Very few windmeters accellerate fast enough to meassure punchy gusts, by the time terminal velocity is reached, the wind has already started dropping.

I have mine, and I only use it when I know the wind is too light, and just want to confirm and read 9.9 knots... the physical barrier of imposibility and frustration

You can make your own from a windsock and measure the angle of the dangle of the wind sock. Do a web search and I'm sure you'll find out how to make one and calibrate. As a guide if the windsock is at 90deg wind is about 20knots.

Thank's for the input by everyone.

I only really want a meter for those light days when you can't quite tell if it's windy enough. It's annoying rigging up, going out and finding there's just not enough wind. From what I've heard, I'm not convinced a wind meter will really cut it. I'll just continue doing what I'm doing. Thanks guys.