An Overview of Kestrel Environmental Meter Models 5000 to 5500
Kestrel Instruments designs and manufacture portable, accurate, and reliable weather measuring devices that encompass simple-to-use meters designed to aid everyday weather observations and professional, multi-parameter meters.
This article profiles an advanced and professional offering of Kestrel meters known as the Kestrel 5000 series.
Introducing the Kestrel 5000 Range
The 5000 series of Kestrel Meters are designed for professional and semi-professional use. These comprehensive meters combine all of the features usually found in much larger weather monitoring devices in handheld and portable units without forgoing required precision and reliability. Further, the Kestrel 5000 series has an established reputation for robust design and waterproofing well-suited to harsh field conditions.
All Kestrel 5000 handheld meters offer data retention and review functions on the device itself.
There are three options to view data on a smartphone or a computer.
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1. Wireless: LiNK-enabled Devices Most of the Kestrel 5000 series have both a “basic” and “Link-enabled” functionality.
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2. Wireless: Kestrel to PC To wirelessly send data to a computer for review, you will need both a LiNK-enabled Kestrel 5000; and |
3. USB: Kestrel USB to PC The Kestrel USB data transfer cable interfaces any Kestrel 5000 with a computer to view data using the LiNK software. The Kestrel USB Data Transfer Cable for 5000 Series is sold separately.
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What is Kestrel LiNK?
Most of the Kestrel 5000 range has the option to come supplied with or without Kestrel LiNK. Kestrel LiNK is powered by BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) technology that wirelessly connects the weather data from your Kestrel meter to your smartphone or computer (computer connection requires a LiNK dongle).
The Kestrel LiNK App is free (Apple and Android) and allows you to view and manage all your critical environmental data on a smart device from a distance of 30 meters. Once all your environmental data is tracked and collected, you can choose to view results in the form of charts and graphs, plus share it at the touch of a button.
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Interesting examples of data usage using Kestrel LiNK:
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Kestrel 5000 Series
Below our scientists profile all 16 models in the Kestrel 5000 series. If you have any questions or need more information about any of the meters, contact us!
Kestrel 5000
While the Kestrel 5000 is the “baseline” model of the series, there’s nothing basic about this compact and professional unit.
Key Features & Benefits of the 5000 model:
- data storage of up to 10,000 data points - track environmental changes over significant periods
- view changes using graphs in your Kestrel 5000's display
- upload the data to your PC or Mac.
Measures
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Models
Kestrel 5000 Environmental Meter
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Kestrel 5000 Environment Meter with LiNK
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Kestrel 5000 AG
Producers, growers, veterinarians, and consultants in every field of agriculture use the Kestrel 5000 AG to gain vital insights to determine the micro-climate conditions that maximise performance and profitability.
Features & Benefits: This lightweight, handheld, multi-function meter can be used indoors and outdoors to spot-measure current conditions, plus track and log over 10,000 sets of time-stamped data.
Measures
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Models
Kestrel 5000AG Livestock Environmental Meter
Product code: IC-0850AGHVG
Kestrel 5100
The Kestrel 5100 Racing Weather Meter is Kestrel's meter designed for motor racing pit crews. It’s the trusted meter for last-minute energy transfer, jetting, tuning and race strategy decisions.
Features & Benefits:
- portability facilitates measurement where it counts - at track level, not in the trailer.
- Kestrel’s 5100 Racing Weather Meter captures moisture content, air density, relative air density, humidity, and other factors critical for motorsport professionals and enthusiasts.
Measures
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Models
Kestrel 5100 Racing Weather Meter
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Kestrel 5100 Racing Weather Meter with LiNK
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Kestrel 5200
The Kestrel 5200 is a versatile meter used by professionals to monitor environmental conditions for concrete pouring, balancing HVAC systems and assess job site safety conditions.
Features & Benefits: The Kestrel 5200 outperforms the competition due to its:
- portability; plus
- complete suite of environmental measurement settings and special features designed for HVAC technicians, construction and agriculture professionals.
Measures
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Models
Kestrel 5200 Professional Environment Meter
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Kestrel 5200 Professional Environment Meter with LiNK
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Kestrel 5400
This meter is Kestrel’s special device for predicting and monitoring environments for heat stress.
Features & Benefits:
- Wet Bulb Global Temperature (WBGT) reading
- displays thermal work limit (TWL).
- Kestrel 5400 models - WBGT and TWL - provide on-screen alarms when conditions enter heat stress caution and danger zones. Allows managers to adjust clothing levels and other aspects of health and safety management.
Measures
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Models
Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress WBGT Meter
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Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker + Vane Mount
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Heat Stress Tracker Pro With LiNK, Vane Mount And Compass
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Kestrel 5400 Cattle
The Kestrel 5400 Cattle Heat Stress Tracker gives farmers and agricultural professionals the ability to capture micro-climate measurements and monitor conditions at the pen, truck or yard level.
Recommended for managing herd heat stress, ultimately maximising your bottom line.
Features & Benefits:
- Kestrel 5400 Cattle features a built-in globe temperature sensor for complete cattle-specific calculations.
- Measures both temperature-humidity index and heat load index.
- Tracks accumulated heat load units (AHLU) based on easy-to-input herd and pen parameters.
- Perform spot checks or mount in place with an included vane mount accessory to track Accumulated Heat Load Units (AHLU) over many months.
Measures
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Models
Kestrel 5400 Cattle Heat Stress Tracker with LiNK + Vane Mount
Product code: IC-0854AGLVCHVG
Kestrel 5500 FW
The Kestrel 5500FW Fire Weather Meter measures all weather parameters critical for managing fires, particularly:
- Probability of Ignition (PIG); and
- Fine Dead Fuel Moisture (FDFM).
Measures
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Models
Kestrel 5500FW Fire Weather Meter Pro
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Kestrel 5500FW Fire Weather Meter Pro with Link
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Kestrel 5500
The Kestrel 5500 does it all! This powerful meter provides the portability, accuracy, reliability, plus ability to measure key environmental factors.
Recommended for golfers, sailors, pilots, farmers, horticulturalists, hunters and more.
Measures
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Models
Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter
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Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter with LiNK and Vane Mount
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Kestrel 5500 AG
The Kestrel 5500 AG is the farmer’s choice for taking Delta T measurements to assess spraying conditions and ensure safety and efficiency guidelines are met.
Measures
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Models
Kestrel 5500AG Agricultural Weather Meter
Product code: IC-5500AG
(Choose between Kestrel 5500AG meter only or 5500AG meter with LINK and Vane Mount)
Kestrel 5000 Series Comparison Chart
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5000 |
5000 AG |
5100 |
5200 |
5400 |
5400 Cattle |
5500 FW |
5500 |
5500 AG |
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Primary Use |
Environment |
Livestock |
Racing |
Professional |
Heat Stress |
Heat Stress & Ag |
Fire & Weather |
Weather |
Agricultural |
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Wind Speed |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|
Temperature |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|
Wind Chill |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|
Rel. Humidity |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|
Heat Stress Index |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|
Dewpoint Temp. |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|
Wet Bulb Temp. (WBT) |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|
Station Pressure |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
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Barometric Pressure |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|
Altitude |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
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Density Altitude |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
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Wind Direction |
|
|
|
|
* |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
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Crosswind |
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|
|
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* |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
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Head/TailWind |
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|
|
|
* |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
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Digital Compass |
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|
|
|
|
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
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Clock / Date |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
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PIG Screen |
|
|
|
|
|
|
✔️ |
|
|
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FDFM Screen |
|
|
|
|
|
|
✔️ |
|
|
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Moisture Content |
|
|
✔️ |
✔️ |
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|
|
|
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Air Density |
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|
✔️ |
✔️ |
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|
|
|
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Relative Air Density (RAD) |
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✔️ |
✔️ |
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Evap. Rate |
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✔️ |
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|
|
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Vol. Air Flow |
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✔️ |
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✔️ |
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|
|
|
✔️ |
| Delta T |
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|
|
✔️ |
|
✔️ |
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|
✔️ |
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Wet Bulb Globe Temp. |
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✔️ |
✔️ |
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Thermal Work Limit |
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✔️ |
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Globe Temp. |
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✔️ |
✔️ |
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Naturally Aspirated WBT |
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✔️ |
✔️ |
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ALHU Accumulated Heat Load Units |
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✔️ |
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HLI Heat Load Index |
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|
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✔️ |
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THI Temperature-Humidity Index |
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✔️ |
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|
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✔️ |
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✔️ |
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Backlit Display |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
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Waterproof |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
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*Optional (Requires vane and tripod mount) |
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Conclusion
Kestrel’s 5000 series of meters are powerful handheld tools capable of measuring comprehensive selections of environmental parameters. The comparison table provided (above) will help you select the most appropriate Kestrel meter for your measurement needs.
Can't see a Kestrel meter listed above that meets your weather measurement needs? Browse the full range of Basic and Advanced Kestrel meters here.
Want more information on Kestrel products? Speak with an Instrument Choice Scientist: Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].
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