Over the years, HoldPeak has strived to grow from strength to strength as an established manufacturer in the international measuring industry. Its position in the industry as a manufacturer of technology has further been advanced by the accuracy of its products. It is true that its digital measuring instruments are not only globally recognized, but also known to be secure and functional.
The HoldPeak HP-866b Digital Handheld Anemometer is a one-of-a-kind instrument. It has the capacity of measuring both the speed and the temperature of wind with a backlight to help you see the measurements even in low light. This device also comes with a one-year warranty to cover you against any malfunction.
You can get this instrument and begin using it today, for quite a decent price. There are also a couple of extra features that come with the HoldPeak HP-866b Digital Handheld Anemometer that you can check out below:
Ambient Weather has been a market leader in high-quality instruments for environmental monitoring and weather stations since 1998. The company also offers thousands of products including consumer electronics, home improvement, personal safety, and media devices, and it makes them available to clients from across the globe through its website. Its aim is to provide premium customer service and support while offering the most affordable prices in the market.
The Ambient Weather Handheld Weather Meter is compact, rugged, and portable, making it ideal for shooters, model plane pilots, hikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. It comes with a lanyard and replaceable user batteries to improve performance.
The anemometer also has a versatile LCD display to help you switch between the units of measurement for wind speed (mph, m/s, Km/h, ft/min, or Knots), units of measurement for temperature (Celsius or degrees Fahrenheit), wind chill and temperature, and the average, maximum, and instant wind speed. The included backlight allows for low-light and night viewing.
Here are some more features of the Ambient Weather Handheld Weather Meter:
Acurite is a product of Chaney Instrument Company, a subsidiary of the Primex Family of Companies (PFOC). It’s a family-owned business with headquarters in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Since 1943, Acurite has earned a long-standing reputation in the field of precision time and weather instruments. To keep up with today’s mobile technology, most of Acurite’s products are now augmented with internet connectivity to allow users to access sensor data remotely from any part of the world through smartphones, tablets, or computers.
The AcuRite Pro Color Weather Station generates accurate temperature and weather forecast information to help you plan your day with confidence. The AcuRite Pro 5-in-1 Anemometer provides reports on your current weather conditions including humidity, temperature, wind speed, barometric pressure, rainfall, and wind direction in a visible, vivid color display. It comes with a weather ticker that streams real-time information such as “feels-like” temperature, indoor comfort levels, moon phase, and much more.
Here are some extra features of the AcuRite Pro 5-in-1 Anemometer:
This weather station has two versions: the full color version and full color with dual displays, so choose according to your needs.
Proster’s products are manufactured to satisfy a wide range of requests in the science and technology space. The company ensures that everything it makes is made to meet strict standards as required in the respective industries.
The Proster Wind Speed Meter Gauge is a one-of-a-kind anemometer as it’s made with a large LCD display to ensure you don’t miss a single reading. It also features a backlight, meaning that you can use it any time of the day or night. If you prefer to have it on a fixed place, it offers that option, as well as a handheld option for windsurfers and other professionals.
Besides the fact that this anemometer is affordable and portable, here are more features that make it a hard-to-beat deal:
UYIGAO Technology Co. Ltd is an integrated manufacturer of measuring instruments. It specializes in developing, designing, producing, and selling various measuring instruments. The brand targets meter and instrument industry elites in China and across the globe with characteristic products that meet the needs of a wide range of users.
The UYIGAO Digital Anemometer offers fast measurement of critical environment conditions such as wind speed, wind chill, and temperature in a single LCD display. It has a wind speed range of 0.4-30m/s (MAX is 67mph) with a wind speed accuracy of 0.1dgts.
The Handheld Digital Anemometer measures wind speed in 5 different units (km/h, m/s, Knots, ft/min, and mph). Through its built-in temperature regulator, you can easily adjust C/F temperature. It also has a record and recall Max/Min/Average/Current function. The low-battery indication alerts when your battery is running low. Further, a screw hole on the bottom can be used to connect to a lanyard for easy portability.
More features of the UYIGAO Digital Anemometer include:
Anemometers are critical gadgets you’ll find in almost every weather station, right from the warm equatorial to the frigid Arctic regions. Don’t be fooled into thinking anemometers are the exclusive preserve of weathermen and research scientists. Wind speed is a clear indication of changing weather patterns like approaching storms, which is critical for pilots, climatologists, and engineers. As you prepare to go out sky diving, boat riding, or deep sea fishing, it’s paramount to keep tabs on the prevailing wind speeds and take charge of your safety. Remember to wear your GPS watch just in case you lose track of your location.
Choosing the right anemometer can be quite complicated. Every type comes with unique styles and functionalities, but the key factors and aspects to look out for include accuracy, portability, build quality, ease of reading, and method of powering.
The cheaper anemometer brands are propeller-based units, but you must precisely face the wind to obtain accurate readings. High-end units have propellers that are independent of the wind direction and give more accurate values. Many models require 9V batteries which are not included in the package, while others come with two AAA batteries that you can simply slot in and begin to operate. Models that don’t require batteries to operate are also available.
Let’s go through the consideration factors before we jump to our picks.
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.