Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter / Heat Stress Monitor

So, having spent a good 2 weeks with this device in the field I'll share my impressions so far.I purchased this device for recording weather parameters for private wildlife field research. Mainly, this discipline requires temp, rel humidity, and dew point. The wind readings really dont have much value in my application but it's nice to have that capability.The most attractive point the Kesterel offers is the Cert of Conformity in compliance with NIST calibration. It's great to know the company is in the market to produce an accurate instrument and prove that. Though, I didnt examine the cert in its entirety, I did not see a date on the cert so I'm a bit confused if it's just a general cert that goes out with every product.The device appears to be quite accurate and the navigation is a bit simplistic but very easy and intuitive. The green LCD backlight is a plus for night conditions.In terms of actually using the device for measuring, it's a bit of a challenge. It would be nice if Kesterel would provide more information on how to use this device to get the best possible readings for ones application. The documentation says take recordings in shade. My application allows for almost no shade. Plus, I need air temp in the sun, not in the shade for my research so this is confusing to me.The other point worth mentioning about using this device, the way i measure is i take the device out of my pocket and let it acclimate for about 2 minutes to the surrounding air. I watch the meter (for instance temp) and usually it bounces around +/- 3.0 units until it 'somewhat' stabilizes around a target. I then record that target. This stabilization or acclimation phase is a bit tedious and could very well be just the sheer fact that my weather conditions are changing so drastically. Either way, I've found that, if my goal is to capture the "average" or best representative sample of a particular parameter, it's to use the method I describe above by letting the device acclimate and stabilize for a minute or two and finding the target. I think if Kesterel put out more info or a complete user guide on how to operate this device more correctly, it would benefit the customer.I will definitely be looking into other Kesterel products in the future. I wish this model could save data points in memory for export later. Writing down my recordings after every sample gets a bit tedious but doable.Will update if anything else becomes important over time.

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.

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.

Puntualità. Tutto perfetto grazieGood

Funciono muy bueno

bought one two years ago, it works awesome, bought another one for doing temp and wind monitoring on the farm forspraying, you will never be disappointed with Kestrel, it's the best!

日本語の説明書がついているのかと思ったら付いていませんでした。なかなか表示も℃に変えられませんでしたが、両側の矢印を同時を押すと日本用の表記に変えられます。

A+++++