Product Review: Waterproof Pocket Wind Meter - Kestrel-3000

The Instrument Choice Team of Scientists regularly reviews new and popular products, so when searching for the perfect scientific instrument for your application, you can make more informed decisions.

This edition examines the Kestrel-3000 waterproof pocket wind meter. The Kestrel 3000 is a highly sought-after wind meter with an impressive list of features and specifications.

About Kestrel Instruments

For the past 20 years, Kestrel instruments have been busy designing and manufacturing a range of world-class compact, innovative, and easy-to-use environmental meters. Kestrel’s most extensive and successful range is the assortment of handheld wind meters, suitable for home, hobby and professional use. This range packs all the features of much larger weather measuring devices into small, handheld units - without compromising reliability or accuracy!

The Kestrel 3000 is no exception.

Introducing the Kestrel 3000

The Kestrel 3000 is a robust, ten-in-one environmental monitoring tool that fits easily in your pocket. The meter measures and displays the following parameters on the onboard LCD:

Key Features and Benefits of the Kestrel 3000

1. Multiparameter Measurements: The compact Kestrel 3000 measures 10-key weather variables - so you can forget carrying around multiple sensors.
2. Waterproofing and Floatation: The Kestrel 3000 is IP67-rated waterproof and floats on water – which means you can rely on accurate measurements in challenging conditions and not losing your device if accidentally dropped in water.
3. Accuracy: The external temperature sensor, patented quick-response relative humidity sensor, and replaceable impeller produce highly accurate measurements.
4. Large Backlit Display: Readings are displayed as 9mm digits on the LCD so you can interpret results at a glance. The LCD is also backlit, so measurements are viewable in low light field environments.
5. Data Hold: With the press of a button, users can freeze the measurement display to record results easily.
6. Fast Response: Wind, temperature and wind chill have an impressive response time of 1 second. Relative humidity, heat index and dew point have an equally impressive turnaround time of one minute.
7. Replaceable Impeller: Some other wind meter brands with fixed impellers may require you to replace the entire device when the impeller fails or falls out of calibration, whereas Kestrel’s impeller is user-replaceable - which is significantly cheaper! The replacement unit is supplied pre-calibrated and takes under two minutes to replace.
8. Efficient Battery Use: You can expect up to 300 hours of battery life (depending on backlight use).
9. Highly Portable: The Kestrel 3000 is smaller than your average mobile phone so that it will fit easily in your pocket or bag, and you can take it anywhere.
10. Lanyard: The Kestrel 3000 comes with a pre-attached lanyard to help prevent breakage due to falls.

Detailed Features and Measurement Tips

In the video below, an Instrument Choice Scientist demonstrates all the Kestrel 3000’s features and provides some tips for taking accurate measurements.

Kestrel 3000 Specifications

Examples of Kestrel 3000 Applications

The following groups use the Kestrel 3000 to measure environmental conditions:

• Firefighters
• Athletes and trainers
• Occupational safety officers and consultants
• Crane operators; and
• Sailing and boating enthusiasts; and anyone who requires general-purpose, multiparameter weather assessments.

Conclusion

The Kestrel 3000 is portable, robust and suitable for a host of applications.

Our scientists' final verdict of the Kestrel 3000?

“The Kestrel 3000 is a fantastic, extremely popular portable environmental meter. It measures an excellent range of weather parameters for an attractive price. Owning a Kestrel 3000 is like having a weather station in your pocket!”

Want more information on the Kestrel 3000? Speak with an Instrument Choice Scientist! We’re here to help! Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].