Kestrel 3000 Pocket Wind Meter

I have had the opportunity to test several Kestrel models, including the 3000. This review is specific to the 3000 but some of the terms are to be applied universally to Kestrel products.I hope to answer this question:Why pay up to 5 times more for USA made Kestrel than the many china-made models?First up is the manufacturing build. The accuracy is obvious and should not be in question. Many items can accurately measure temperature, wind speed and humidity, with temperature fairly accurate on expensive models and the very cheap ones, as well. Wind speed and humidity will be addressed separately.Kestrel has built their units to last, and to impact daily use. The 5 year warranty is a low risk investment for them, and speaks to the confidence they have in their manufacturing. The unit is rugged, and with almost every part of it easily replaced through the website. They have built it to last, and to give the consumer confidence. It will be tossed around, squished in pockets, dropped in water and have overall 'field' use for a finely tuned scientific instrument. The cost effectiveness, first off, is found in the fact that this is not a disposable item as most of the china-made weather instruments that I have tested are. The cheap china models do a good job with temperature measurement, but are not built to last. China factory managers are in an endless war of cost cutting competition which includes reported slave labor, prison labor, and incessant ingredient short cuts. (see down jackets for example). That you may get a delay in temperature reading speaks to accuracy, even as you move it closer to your body. It is a sensitive instrument in a non-sensitive package.Kestrel costs more because it is made to last and withstand field use.Next, the accuracy of the Kestrel in the wind speed and humidity are without peer. The heat index is important for sports and health and even with the upper models (5000), I find that the accuracy even of barometric pressure is precise, as our local airport is more elevated than where we live. With elevation differences, can come small differences in temperature and humidity. The Kestrel measures well. While walking up a lengthy hill, the winter temperature can differ as much as 10 degrees; so noticeable that even without measure, kids comment, "feel the cold air?" as they walk. Kestrel's measurement of windspeed, too, shows consistency model to model, including testing fans (its a nice little tool to use when buying fans or even air conditioners where floor models are available. I was able, this summer, to test the air conditioner and make small adjustments in the room to make it most efficient. I use it in the car, backyard, and when out. It is not only valuable for sports and health, but for science and teaching and...it is fascinating.It is manufactured for not just accuracy, but longevity.

Just received my 3000 today. First off, I have to comment on Amazon's service -- I continued to be overly impressed with PRIME. I ordered this 3000 yesterday at 3:37 PM and it arrived this morning at 11:37 AM. 20 hours! Can anyone beat that?As to the 3000. I am a retired engineer and I look for quality of design in everything I buy. This unit exceeds my expectation for that criteria -- I expected it to be strong, etc., but not this good. This device packs a real punch in-so-far as being a walking weather station. I had primarily been interested in being able to switch between mph and kts, but this does SO much more. I hate humidity, and this gives me first-hand accounting of the conditions I find myself in, including a readout for Heat Stress index.My primary purpose for purchasing this quality instrument is for use on Race Committees for sailboat races (including mark boat duty that I enjoy doing).I was impressed by their Certificate of Conformity, all based on measurements calibrated to NIST. Before purchasing, and just looking at pictures, I admit I was skeptical in the accuracy of wind readings with such a small impeller. But oh my - the impeller is SO sensitive to even just slight movement through the air that I am no longer a doubter.My ONLY criticism is the size of the icons. They are quite small to these old eyes -- at least indoors. I expect that out in the full sun, they will be more visible.One thing that the instruction manual does not discuss is the average life of the battery. It would be nice to know how long to expect before I have to change the battery. I think I will query the brain trust here to get an approximate time frame.Update:Just got a response from two gentlemen who have had their units for 1-2 years, and neither has had to replace the battery.

I got this for primarily for my adventures in the Arizona outback (summer & winter); and it is a good little combination meter, with one caveat. When going from one environment to another very different one, it can take a very long time to get an accurate temperature reading - unless you employ some tricks. For example, when my unit arrived, the outside temp (including the UPS truck) was in the single digits. 10 minutes later the kestrel's temp reading was still 10 degrees lower than my indoor ambient. Once acclimatized, I then took it back out, with the same results: 10 minutes later, it was reading 10 degrees too high. The reason for this is that the temp sensor is housed in a cavity in the fairly solid meter, which is good for protection. But it remains sensitive to the heat, or absence thereof, in the surrounding body of the meter. My solution started with a test: hold it out the window of my car while moving, and an accurate temp was achieved in less than 10 seconds (5 degrees F, at the time). Now, when I change environments I sweep the meter in an arc back and forth for up to 20 seconds and then I get a pretty accurate reading. You might think that being a portable meter an accurate reading would be faster, or that the manual would mention this and advise accordingly - but not so the manual that came with mine. {Note: I subsequently found that the online pdf manual at the kestrel site does cover this - and their info matches my experience closely.} Because, unlike my Fluke digital meter with remote thermocouple, if left to itself in still air, it can take quite a while to arrive at the correct temp - unless you speed up the process in some way.Other than that it works very well, and its form factor, including the lanyard that passes through the excellent travel case, makes it a very practical travel companion.