jps246's Full Review: Kestrel 1000 Pocket Wind Meter
Ever stood on top of a mountain holding on to some boulder to stop from being blown over and wondered exactly how fast that wind was really blowing?
The Kestrel 1000 is an accurate and tough anemometer (we’ll just say wind meter from now on) that’s a great addition to any backpacker or climber’s pack. It answers those questions you think about while out in the elements.
The Details
Weighing in at only a few ounces and small enough to fit in the palm of an average adult’s hand, the Kestrel 1000 does not overload the pack of any hiker.
Operation is simple, merely turn on the Kestrel, hold it up perpendicular to the wind direction for a few moments to let it get an accurate reading and you will have the wind speed. Wind speed can be displayed in miles per hour, kilometers per hour, meters per second and knots. The Kestrel also can display an average wind speed (smooth out the gusts while you are standing there) and can display a maximum wind speed (to catch those big gusts).
There is no memory or data storage on the Kestrel 1000 other than the average and maximum wind speed functions – however, this information cannot be saved. So if you want to save it, write it down or remember it to write down later.
The Kestrel is waterproof and weatherproof. Therefore you do not need to worry about holding it up to measure the wind in a storm. The battering rain or snow will not harm it.
One limitation of the Kestrel for users in more extreme areas is that it is accurate to wind speeds of only 85 miles per hour and for higher speeds near that number, the bearings supporting the impeller that measures the wind can wear out very quickly. Thus it’s not suggested that you use the Kestrel in the extreme conditions for long periods of time. Another limitation is the temperature range of the Kestrel, it’s good from about 5 degrees F to about 120 degrees F. The upper limit isn’t generally a problem for anyone, but on winter ski trips or climbs, I’m often out in temperatures well below 5 degrees and noticed that: a) unless you keep the unit warm, the batteries freeze (as do all electronics); b) unless you keep the unit warm, the impeller itself will stiffen up and freeze; and c) under about 0 degrees, the unit is not worth trying to use as either the battery will almost immediately freeze or the impeller will stiffen up so much that the accuracy is out the window.
The Kestrel uses a CR2032 cell type battery to power itself. This battery lasts for a long time (the instruction manual states it should last for 400 hours). I have had the Kestrel for some time and have used it quite regularly on hikes and climbs and I have yet to have to replace the battery and have not noticed it losing its charge. This is mostly because the Kestrel itself is only powered on for a few minutes here and there when you have it along with you, you do not keep it constantly turned on.
Is the Kestrel 1000 worth having?
I’d give it a qualified yes. I would prefer a unit with higher tolerances for more extreme conditions, but in general, the Kestrel 1000 operates accurately and easily (honestly it couldn’t be easier) and is a neat gadget to have along on any hike or climb. Now whenever I’m standing on the summit of a mountain holding onto something with one hand, the other hand is holding the Kestrel into the wind and I’m yelling to my fellow climbers “can you believe that the wind is blowing at ___!” Call me a geek, but it’s cool to have something like this with you. Before I would have to estimate and pretty much guess on wind speed (like the time I was in a wind over 100mph on the summit of North Brother in Maine) and I think it’s helpful (if not just fun) to know exactly what the wind speed is.
Plus if you are interested in the weather, as my partner is, the Kestrel 1000 is a welcome tool to taking weather observations. I of course sit there and go into “why do you get so excited about the weather” mood while he runs around with the Kestrel measuring wind speed (he did go to college for meteorology). But even then, it’s still a cool gadget and it turns out to be more useful than for just bragging rights as my partner has shown me.
So if you have ever wanted to know how strong that wind speed is, the Kestrel 1000 is a useful, fun and easy to use tool. You won’t be disappointed with the capabilities of the 1000, but if you are frequently in fairly extreme conditions, you might consider getting the next model up just to make sure that it will operate in all conditions you might be in.
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