Best Anemometer Reviews 2018

Anemometer prices vary widely depending on the features and functionalities. Generally, you will find a good quality anemometer from $20, but more advanced models will cost about $100 or more, inclusive of shipping charges. Although high cost models are always preferred, you’ll also find some cheap anemometers that still offer good functionalities and durability. Regardless of your budget, if you take into account these consideration factors, you will find the most suitable anemometer for your needs. Just ensure your pick offers quality, accuracy, portability, and ease of reading.

However, we don’t recommend the cheapest brands since the displays may be harder to read and some are very sensitive to wind direction. If you don’t have the expertise to navigate the winds and pick the correct positioning, go for high-end models which are independent of wind direction and offer better accuracy.

Anemometer might come with some common features, which is pretty obvious. However, there are unique features you should place your tabs on as you begin shopping for a good anemometer. Here’s a look at some of those features:

Type

There are two types of anemometers you can choose from, and it all depends on your budget and where you’re going to use it. Weather station anemometers are highly priced and will usually come with cups that spin when hit by a stream of air to generate a reading of wind speed. The device is mounted on a pole or set up on a console. The second type is the digital anemometer that again has several brands with various price ranges. The digital display makes reading quick and easy. They are designed to be handheld and incorporate a small fan that turns when hit by air and calculates the wind speed.

Battery power and range

Anemometers will offer different ranges, which is something you need to look at, especially if you’re going to use it for long range shooting. In such a case, choose an anemometer with a longer range like 0-5,000 feet.

Since most anemometer models are battery powered, it’s critical to consider batteries that will last for several days of continuous operation. Some models are designed with power saving modes so they only power on when the wind is blowing, hence saving on the battery life.

Accuracy Rating

The quality of an anemometer is determined by its accuracy level, which is an indication of how accurate the displayed reading is. As a general rule of thumb, go for anemometer with accuracy ratings of ± 5%, or better.

Response and Wind Speed

Wind speeds will usually fluctuate quickly within short time periods. It’s important for your equipment to offer fast response to these fluctuations and update the readings. A good anemometer should accommodate wind speed ranges between 0 and 100 mph.

Other Features

There are numerous other features of importance like color, which affects thawing out when operating in icy areas (black color thaws faster than white). Also check on accessibility to clean-up, and resistance to electrical interference from sources like radio transmission.

The material and construction parameters of the anemometer are contributing factors to the durability of the equipment. Since anemometers will be continuously used outdoors and exposed to harsh environmental conditions like rain and snow, the units must be rugged and sturdy enough to withstand these harsh weather conditions. Here’s a look at the design and construction of the two common types of anemometers:

Mechanical anemometers

Usually, cup and vane anemometers operate on a mechanically rotating cup or vane on a hinge. These anemometers will not withstand ice and may quickly fail due to icing effect. However, you’ll find some high-end heated models of cup anemometer that can operate even during freezing weather conditions. Additionally, some models come with non-friction rotating parts and can last much longer than the traditional cup and vane anemometers.

Electronic anemometer

Some of the simplest anemometers work more like electricity generators. Electronic anemometers still have small fans resembling the cups and propellers. As the wind blows, the fan spins and drives the miniature generator attached to the end. The generator connects to an electronic circuit that records an instant readout of the prevailing wind speed on the digital display.

Now, let’s analyze the performance of various types of anemometers you’ll find in the market to help you make an informed choice:

Cup Anemometer

A cup anemometer basically comprises of 3 or 4 cups arranged in a vertical axis. When the wind blows, the cups rotate and the wind speed is recorded through an integrated read switch. They are highly rugged and reliable since you don’t have to face the direction of the wind. A major drawback is that it won’t work well in icy conditions and it may not accurately record low velocities.

Vane Anemometers

Vane anemometers work like cup anemometers, but the sensors are shaped like turbines or windmills. The anemometer has to be positioned parallel to the wind direction and rotates on a horizontal axis. Vane anemometers can withstand the harshest weather conditions and can measure very high wind speeds. However, to achieve accurate readings, you must position the instrument towards the wind source.

Hot Wire Anemometers

These anemometers use a very thin wire that is electrically heated and cools down when the wind blows by. The current required to keep the wire at a constant temperature is then determined. Finally, the air velocity is calculated by converting the heat loss. Hot wire anemometers offer lower starting thresholds than vane and cup anemometers and also provide high levels of accuracy and quick response times. A notable downside is that large particles in the air may damage the instruments and it’s not appropriate in areas with rapid temperature fluctuations.

PitotTube Anemometers

This unique anemometer first measures wind pressure before converting it into wind speed. It can handle extreme air temperatures and velocity. The sizes are small and can be easily fitted into duct work. However, it must be oriented towards the flow of wind and may not work well in areas with fluctuating wind flow.

Sonic Anemometers

Finally, sonic anemometers provide the most advanced options in the market. The instrument uses ultrasound waves to measure wind velocity. It’s applicable in the aviation industry by tapping the sonic pulses between transducers at the time of flight. They offer profoundly fine resolutions of 20Hz or more. However, they are quite expensive and may only be appropriate for commercial applications.

In general, if you’re not going to use the anemometer in a weather station or for air traffic control, consider the easy-to-use digital anemometers which are battery-powered and can give accurate digital displays of wind speeds.