Handheld Anemometers

[Adam Ploessl]

Anyone here have any experience with the cheap $10-15 anemometers being sold on ebay? I have a couple of Kestrels, but I'll be working with some kids this spring summer and they seem like a cheap alternative to getting a few more and not having to worry about mine being accidentally destroyed.

 

[Ethan Schisler]

I purchased a 30 dollar handheld anemometer off of Amazon about 5 years back (don't remember the brand), but it was pretty decent for the money I spent on it. You had to hold it up high and in an open space though to get a decent measurement though. If you are looking for something for yourself, for chasing, I suggest going with a higher end model (IE Kestrels), but for the kids, the cheaper ones will probably work.

 

[MClarkson]

I had a couple cheap models that worked fairly well. One went through the 2004 Florida cane season and I got it up to 85 mph as Jeanne made her landfall (at which point I took shelter, precluding any more handheld obs - winds ultimately were in the 120mph ballpark). Between the hurricanes and windsurfing, I used it a bit and always thought the wind speeds were right where they should be, although the driving rain killed one of them.

 

[John Olexa]

I imagine that the biggest problem with cheaper anemometers would be with accuracy. But if your just showing kids how they work etc, what the heck.