Kestrel vs. Inspeed

[A Newcomb]

I can't decide which handheld anemometer to get for myself. So everyone can vote for me...

• New Inspeed Vortex for $55
• New Kestrel 3000 for $100.

Which should I get? Take your pick and help me out...thanks!

 

[Billy Griffin]

I have the Kestrel. Works great and is accurate as best I can tell.
I use it for a lot of indoor air quality (cfm) airflow testing as well.

 

[Wesley Luginbyhl]

I have the Kestrel 3500. I have never heard of Inspeed, but the Kestrel is definitely worth the money.

 

[Gaetan Cormier]

Inspeed!!!

I love those anemometers... I'm not saying that the Kestrel are not great but Inspeed are the best bang for the buck

 

[Bob Hartig]

I own the Kestrel 4500 with all the bells, whistles, and gizmostats. I don't use half the features on it, but when it comes to storm chasing, I seem to be a widget maniac, and if Kestrel made a model that included a fish-finder, I'd probably have gotten that, too. I LOVE my Kestrel and wear it like an amulet on just about every chase. However, when it comes down to just anemometers, I suspect that a cup anemometer is more accurate, and as Vortex points out, you don't have to point it into the wind in order to get a good, consistent read. I've actually thought about getting one of those hand-held babies.

 

[John Wetter]

Inspeed all the way. Kestrels are great, but in bang-for-the-buck, Inspeed takes it.

 

[Chris Nuttall]

I have both, and I've used the Inspeed more. There's just something about rolling down the window during a heavy downpour that doesn't appeal to me.

 

[Bob Hartig]

Inspeed all the way. Kestrels are great, but in bang-for-the-buck, Inspeed takes it.

If we're talking strictly about anemometers, then I agree. I bought my Kestrel primarily as a psychrometer, and once you add in its other functions, which include wind speed, it can't be beat. I'd never trade it for an Inspeed. That being said, I would still like to get an Inspeed at some point because I suspect that for its specific application it outshines impeller-style anemometers, and it's affordably priced.

So you might want to consider functionality. If I was looking for wind measurements only, at this point I'd buy an Inspeed. But if I wanted other data in addition to windspeed, such as dewpoints, temperature, barometric pressure, compass direction, and trends, Kestrel is the way to go.

 

[A Newcomb]

Thanks for all the advice. Ive thought this over a lot but still not sure.


I just got an offer for a Kestrel 3500...New in Box for $115....do you think I can pass this offer up? I'm having a hard time saying no.

 

[Perry Williams]

I have both a Kestrel 3500 and an Inspeed Vortex anemometer, and when it comes to chasing, prefer the Inspeed for wind speed. I primarily utilize the Kestrel for other readings (temp/ dewpoint/ wet bulb temp, etc).

 

[Ian Miller]

My chase buddy has used a Kestrel for a few years andswears by it, but for in the field and surviving hail and rain my meteos has done eight seasons now, it's not fancy but speed, gust and temps for a low cost it has preformed well. shame theres no dew points

 

[Connor McCrorey]

Where is the cheapest place to buy the Kestrels? Here you have said $100 for a Kestrel 3000, but I can't find it for less than $150.

 

[Alan Switzer]

Inspeed vs Kestrel

I have both. I use the Kestrel for measuring dewpoint and temperature. I use Inspeed for measuring the wind. It's just more convenient that way.