21 replies to this topic

[Martyjuggles]

I'm interested 'cos chrimbo is round the corner and i guess i was thinking about kite related gifts (although b-series/ set of race rods is looking more appealing about now!).

So, if you use a wind meter do they give you any greater insight into the wind than 'feel' or looking at the how the trees are bending? - which to be fair has served me ok for 6 years or so....

THANKS

Marty

[steveb]

I've owned a couple of wind meters and used them to train my wind sense.
I'm now reasonably accurate at my local flying spots, as I've got the waves on the water, nearby trees, flags and sometimes smoke from chimneys to help me estimate the wind strength.
Once you've used one for a length of time, you will probably find that your own mental estimate is very close. It's very helpful for "calibrating" the back of your neck.

[Robert]

I'm interested 'cos chrimbo is round the corner and i guess i was thinking about kite related gifts (although b-series/ set of race rods is looking more appealing about now!).

So, if you use a wind meter do they give you any greater insight into the wind than 'feel' or looking at the how the trees are bending? - which to be fair has served me ok for 6 years or so....

THANKS

Marty

I have been using a meter for several years now. After busting myself up flying a parafoil - I realised that it is not so easy to guess the wind speed. The waves can look the "same" but the wind can be different. When the wind is up, and I'm flying a big kite, then I check, especialy in a new area.

Thanks

Rob

[lummas]

I used to use a meter when I flew dual lines more, but to be honest the wind range of each model of Rev is so wide that it is pretty easy to hit the right combo just by feel. It obviously takes some practice, but after a while it becomes failry easy.

Thanks,

Mark.

[Aerochic]

I'm with SteveB... I have a windmeter that I bought off of eBay, but I pretty much use it to train my "wind sense". I'll take a reading with it before I decide to go setup, but once I hit the field / or beach then I try to use natural means. I think it's helped me determine what certain windspeeds look and feel like.

[big bri]

Here ya go mate


http://www.kiteworks...eferences.shtml

Great guy and site.Oldschool kiter is Keith

BRIAN..

[John F]

You look pretty intelligent to the non flyer when you go out to fly and check the wind with a meter. Then you scratch your hear or anything handy. Check the wind again. Pull out a kite, put it back, pull out another kite put it back and then finally pull out the kite you were going to fly in the first place.

It does help to have a meter to calibrate the hair on the back of your neck but once that is done, they are for show.

[awindofchange]

Most of our group has wind meters, funny that the only time they really get pulled out is when there gets a heated debate on whether the wind is 12-15 mph or 10-12 mph. We'll sit and argue about it for say 5 minutes or so then someone will get irritated and pull out the wind meter. Once the debate is settled (usually proving that the wind is actually 8.6 mph) we all settle down, give excuses as to why we were off so badly and then fly the kite that we had out in the first place.

When you purchase a wind meter you will probably use it quite often in the first week or so, then it will collect dust like that old $12.00 p.o.s. stunt kite that you bought from wally world.

[Jim Dingsdale]

I've owned a couple of wind meters and used them to train my wind sense.
I'm now reasonably accurate at my local flying spots, as I've got the waves on the water, nearby trees, flags and sometimes smoke from chimneys to help me estimate the wind strength.
Once you've used one for a length of time, you will probably find that your own mental estimate is very close. It's very helpful for "calibrating" the back of your neck.

I found the best wind meter is your hair.
Unfortunately, I use a wind meter occasionally because I have no hair. It's always in my truck and whenever I want to use it, the batteries are dead.
It gives you an idea of what happens at certain wind speeds. EG: waves on the water, tree leaves rustling and trees bending over or seagulls tumbling across the grass. In Hacksville, one good indicator of high winds is blowing sand.
Have flown a small Flexifoil in 60 mph winds.
Ask Steve B about the results of hitting the ground with that strong of wind.
What's needed is a wind meter that attaches to a ball cap.
A webcam would be nice on top of the arena next to our flying field, although we do have several of these in our area.

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[Love2fly]

Hi.
I have one but only use when it's extremely windy because I'm a weather junky and want to make mental notes of extreme winds. Like everyone else, you develop a sense for the speed... and like was stated previously, we don't need to be spot on with the Revs. It's a cool little gadget and if the person is into the weather and all it's glory, get one so that he/she can play. imho.

[Martyjuggles]

Thanks everyone that's pretty much born out what i was thinking - handy gadget but probably best to save my pennies and buy something that i can fly! I think the back of my neck is reasonably accurate but i'm not sure if i can entirely trust my hair:

[Jim Dingsdale]

Thanks everyone that's pretty much born out what i was thinking - handy gadget but probably best to save my pennies and buy something that i can fly! I think the back of my neck is reasonably accurate but i'm not sure if i can entirely trust my hair:

Welcome to the no hair club.

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[beach]

Hey there's something to measure the wind, I figure if I can hold on to it then I'm good to go,
no really I have a wind meter but I have to agree with Mark at the stage where I'm at I can just tell what will
work the best...... Also because of in my other life I flew big kites I'm pretty much in tune with the wind and weather
conditions because it's always been about safety first and then it's no fun when you put up a big kite in bad conditions....
I do think this is a good tools and handy to have around cause if there questions lets find out for sure...
Ben

[FlyEmAll]

Personally, I just watch what the other guys, like Ben, are doin' .

[SkyPuppet]

When I first started kiting, I was into power kites. I bought a Skywatch Xplorer 3 to help gauge the winds.

After staring at it every time I went kiting for a year, I got the feel for different wind speeds, from 2 to about 12 mph.

It is a cool tool to have, but unnecessary.

[Bazzer]

I trust in the ear hair vibrations!

[RevWizard]

I don't have mine anymore. It only measured in the Beaufort scale.
It was great for bragging concerning how strong or light a wind you flew a kite.

[Kitelife]

I'm with Bazzer... I use my ear fuzz, hair and the ripple of my t-shirt.

[--Pete]

I use a wind meter. Maybe it's just because I like gadgets.

Now I just need one that I can send up with a kite to measure the winds aloft.

[ahofer]

Never felt the need. However, having tried kitesurfing, I might want one for that. Those big kites are not for fooling around.