Anemometers and wind speed meters are very important in windsurfing and kitesurfing. These measurement devices might give you critical information about the right conditions to hit the water and enjoy a sailing session.
Wind sensors not only analyze the speed, but they also can show how and which way the wind is blowing. Are there regular wind gusts? Is it blowing steadily from North? SurferToday.com helps you sweep all doubts.
The anemometer market is vast and there are many brands putting out several models. Pocket-sized unites, equipments prepared for multiple wind speed units (km/h, knots, mp/h, m/s), with or without backlight, waterproofed, resistant to high or very low temperatures and accurate to Swiss standards.
When choosing an anemometer, you should also take in consideration the absolute and relative air pressure, a weather forecast tool, calibration and compass issues, humidity levels, as well as an air temperature overview.
Some anemometers are incredible weather stations with fully packed skills. The best anemometers and handheld wind measurement sensors are available from $16 to more than $400.
The Kestrel 4500NV Pocket Weather Tracker w/ Wireless Bluetooth Technology is the jewel of the crown. Features exposed sensors for fast and accurate readings, it is waterproof and floats, and manually stores measurements with the press of a button.
The Kestrel 3000 accurately measures wind and temperature, wind chill, air/water/snow temperature, current/average/maximum wind speeds. It is waterproof and floats.
The Kestrel 1000 is a simple and compact device, extremely durable and totally waterproof, allowing you to measure wind speeds in even the harshest weather conditions.
The Ambient Weather WM-4 measures wind speed, wind direction, temperature, relative humidity and compass direction, and calculates wind gust, dew point, wet bulb and dry bulb temperature, Delta T, wind chill and heat index.
The Ambient Weather WM-2 is a comprehensive handheld wind meter with wind speed, temperature, wind chill, wind gust, and Beaufort Scale, all in one compact, portable, rugged package. It also features wind hold mode and wind average mode.
The WeatherHawk WM-350 gives wind direction in degrees and compass points, and it calculates crosswind, head/tail wind. It also features temperature, barometric pressure, altitude, and humidity. Can be tripod-mounted.
The Skywatch Xplorer 4 measures and tracks windspeed, maximum windspeed, temperature, wind chill factor, altitude, and barometric pressure for only $119.
The WeatherFlow Wind Meter turns you smartphone into a high-tech meteorological tool. It records the wind speed (average and gust), direction and location. The Vaavud is a good alternative with its one-piece durable plastic rotor. It measures wind speed from 4 to 48 knots.
Click on each brand or model to buy directly from Amazon. Compare all the anemometers available in the market, at the best prices.
The anemometer review has been updated on the 18th February 2015.