Anemometers
About Anemometer
You might need to keep track of the wind to find the best time for your pastime activity or to check the airflow through an HVAC system. Whatever the use may be, having access to a reliable anemometer is essential.
Anemometer sounds like a strange word because it is from the Greek word “anemos”, which means wind. The working of these meters uses simple physics to measure the speed of the wind. If you have seen red and white striped windsocks fluttering in the wind, then you have seen a basic wind speed measuring device. You can estimate the speed of the wind by looking at where the windsock bends down and the direction depending on the direction that it points towards. But modern anemometers are more complex than this. This article will tell you everything you need to know about them.
Four best anemometers that you can buy
Although it might seem like the wind speed is a matter of concern only for scientists and weather forecasters, there are some activities that necessitate the need for them. These include navigating, sailing, sports activities like hiking and golf, shooting, and farming. However, most people do not need a massive device for this purpose. Rather a small, pocketable, digital meter would suffice for most people out there. Here is a list of four of the best anemometers that will give you the best worth for your money.
Extech 45158
This is a highly practical device that packs humidity and temperature measurement, along with the wind speed measurement device. Because of its compact size and less than five oz weight, it is really versatile and is convenient for small spaces. People use it for various small-scale applications like the efficiency of ventilation systems and the wind movement in farmhouses to ensure the comfort of the animals. Even though the accuracy of this device is pretty impressive, it takes a while for it to register changes in the wind speed. Therefore, it is not suitable for real-time monitoring.
HoldPeak HP-866B Anemometers
If you are looking for a portable anemometer that you can use with one hand, this one is a really good option. And for the price range of this device, it is decently accurate. Furthermore, you can also use it for measuring wind speed as well. This anemometer is about 6.5 inches tall and a little more than 3 inches wide. While it is true that it is slightly larger than other anemometers in this range, its single-handed design makes it easy to carry around and also to fix on a tripod or any other type of mount. That is why people like shooters and hikers who prefer their devices to be portable prefer this equipment.
OriGlam High Sensitive Digital Anemometer
For industrial purposes where you want to measure the wind speed to a greater level of accuracy, you need this type of anemometer. The measuring range of this device is from 3.6km/h to 90km/h, which is pretty huge for such a small device. You can change the measuring unit to m/s, ft/min, or knots. The wind blades of this anemometer extend two inches above the handle making it less prone to mistakes. Being an industrial measurement device, the manufacturers have put quite a bit of effort into making it durable. You can feel the sturdiness of the device when you hold it in your hands.
Extech 45158 Waterproof Thermo Anemometer
As you can tell from the name, this device is a really good thermometer and an anemometer at the same time. This device is geared towards non-industrial users such as farm owners and adventurous hikers who might be travelling in wet weather conditions. The waterproof seams keep it safe from occasional splashes and rainwater. Another reason for household users to get this device is because of how simple it is to use it. The functionality of it is fairly simple and doesn’t require much expertise for a person to operate.
Tips on how to buy Anemometers
Finding an anemometer that is right for your needs can be harder than you might think. There are so many different kinds of wind measuring devices that can cost a few thousand dirhams to really affordable ones that cost less than a hundred dirhams. Therefore, it is necessary to put some thought into the measuring device that you are buying. To get the best value for your money, you should know what criteria to consider in them. Here are some tips that you can follow while shopping for them.
- Type of the anemometer – Firstly, you need to decide what type of anemometer you want to buy. Most common types of them include cup anemometer, vane anemometer, pitot tube anemometer, sonic anemometer, and hot-wire anemometer. Basically, all of these are different methods that these meters use to sense the speed of the wind. But not all of these are suitable for all use cases.
- Accuracy – You need a device that measures the wind speed to an accuracy level that is acceptable for the type of work you are doing. For a chicken farm, you only want to get a general idea about the weather and don’t need to know the wind speed down to the decimals. But if you are shooting a sniper gun, slight changes in the wind can affect the trajectory of the bullet.
- Portability – There are really large anemometers that measure a few meters across to really small ones that you can fit inside your pocket. Really large anemometers are necessary for applications like air traffic control and weather forecasting. But most of you won’t find them of any use. For most consumers, they need an acceptable range of accuracy, battery life, and portability.
- Built quality and design – In a lot of cases, you will need to plant the meter outside of your facility and expose it to constant weather changes. Devices designed for indoors will not survive more than a couple of days outside. So, you should always consider the construction of the meter before buying one.
Besides anemometers, there are other weather guages that are quite useful for gardens and general outdoor use. These include barometers, outdoor thermometers, hygrometers, infrared thermometers, window thermometers, radiographic weather stations, and rain gauges. The best part is that you can find all of them easily using our shopping search engine . Also, compare the prices and features of those products to pick the most suitable one out of them. Finally, don’t forget to check out other useful products from the Garden category.
Question & Answer
How does an anemometer work?
The basic working principle of an anemometer is that it converts wind energy into a digital signal that corresponds to the speed of the wind. However, not all anemometers work the same way. Cups and propeller wind meters catch the wind, and the speed of its rotation is proportional to the wind speed. The oldest wild speed and direction measuring technique is the pitot tube that is used for air traffic control. Most portable devices use dissipation techniques to measure the speed of the wind. The most accurate than all of these are speed-of-sound anemometers.
Can anemometers measure more than just wind speed?
Most consumer wind speed measuring devices tend to have a few other sensors as well. Generally, these include a thermometer, a hygrometer, and a barometer. It is not necessary that one that you buy should have all of these. But it is common to find at least one of these in addition to the wind speed sensor. There are even some devices that effectively work as mini weather stations. But such meters that are also reliable are really expensive. Such meters are not necessary unless you have some specific need for them.
Do portable anemometers work in the rain?
Before using an anemometer in the rain, you have to make sure that it is waterproof. So, do waterproof wind speed measuring devices work in the rain? Well, they will give you readings if you use them. However, there will be a slight deviation between the reading and the real wind speed. Water droplets on the measuring technique can affect the accuracy of the reading. If wet, the meter will give you a reading that is slightly lower than the actual wind speed. Wind speed measuring devices that use ultrasonic sound can give accurate readings even when it is raining.
If you are looking to buy anemometers online in the UAE, look no further as you are in the right place. There are more than 500 shops and brands offering them here on Shops.ae. Explore products from the best shops. These shops offer products from brands like Extech, Testo, Fieldpiece, Fluke, Amprobe, Davis, and TSI.