ProDave
Well-Known Member
I'm looking to buy a hand held anemometer.
There appear to be basically two sorts:
Some that have 3 rotating cups on the top. Now that makes sense, as that would appear to give the correct reading regardless of what way you point the thing. But these tend to be a lot more expensive.
The cheaper ones instead have what can best be described as a "fan" through a hole in the top of them. These are a lot cheaper, but surely the accuracy of the reading will depend which way you point it? i.e point it side on to the wind and it will read virtually nothing?
I can't see from a manufacturing point of view why the sort with 3 cups on the top should be so much more expensive to make to justify the higher price.
All I want it for is to better understand wind speed and relate that to observed sea state to understand what weather we are (capable of) sailing in. I sometimes get the impression the sea state suggests a higher wind than we are really seeing.
There appear to be basically two sorts:
Some that have 3 rotating cups on the top. Now that makes sense, as that would appear to give the correct reading regardless of what way you point the thing. But these tend to be a lot more expensive.
The cheaper ones instead have what can best be described as a "fan" through a hole in the top of them. These are a lot cheaper, but surely the accuracy of the reading will depend which way you point it? i.e point it side on to the wind and it will read virtually nothing?
I can't see from a manufacturing point of view why the sort with 3 cups on the top should be so much more expensive to make to justify the higher price.
All I want it for is to better understand wind speed and relate that to observed sea state to understand what weather we are (capable of) sailing in. I sometimes get the impression the sea state suggests a higher wind than we are really seeing.
