What is the best wind meter for offshore boating?

We have found that the Kestrel 5500 is pretty popular with boaters. It gives you wind speed, wind direction, barometric pressure, humidity. They float and record data for later viewing. If you need only wind speed, you can get away with the Kestrel 1000 wind meter.

Looking for good reviews pocket barometers. Any suggestions?

The Kestrel 3500 measures pressure and if you know your altitude, it will report Barometric Pressure. Also check out the the Kestrel 2500. If you want a meter which logs data, the Kestrel 5000 or Kestrel 5500 would be what you would need.

I am looking for an instrument that will measure temp, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction. It will only be used a couple times a year. Wondering if there is something in the $100 to $200 range that might work. Possibly the 3000 model.

The Kestrel 3000 would do all you want but wind direction. For that, you would need the 5500. The 5500 has an internal compass which gives it the ability to tell wind direction. The 5 series meters also log data which is stored in the meter and can be downloaded later or viewed on the meter.

I am a wilderness canine handler. I am interested in a weather meter to assist in recording temperature / humidity wind speed and direction. I am having a little trouble deciphering which product would be the best for me. Thanks

The best meter for all you require would be the Kestrel 5500. You can scroll down to the "Environmental Measures" tab to see all it can do. Besides the color, there are two versions of the 5500, the 5500 and the 5500 with LiNK. Both can download stored readings to a computer using the Kestrel USB data transfer cable. The 5500 with LiNK can also transfer data wirelessly via Bluetooth Low Energy to an iPhone, iPad or Android device using the free Kestrel LiNK app. The LiNK enabled model will also download wirelessly to a PC or MAC using the Kestrel LiNK Dongle and the Kestrel LiNK app for Windows or Mac. The LiNK model also comes with a Kestrel Vane Mount with case.

I\'m looking for wind meters that read both wind speed and wind direction. It doesn\'t have to be too elaborate, but something with those two basic functions.

The 5500 is the lowest priced meter we have which will give you wind speed and direction.

I am considering buying a 5500 for shooting with blue tooth to link to a ballistics calculator on android but I am not sure what model I need to buy to be able to do this. Will the 5500 with Bluetooth do it or do i need the Elite model? will the Elite make the calculations without being paired to anything?

If you wanted to use a ballistics calculator app with android, you would have to make sure the app is compatible with the 5500 with LiNK. The 5500 series meters just came out in late 2015 and many of the older apps which worked with the 4500 series meters do not work with the 5500 series unless the App makers updated. You could go with the 5700 Elite Model which has the Applied Ballistics software (including Custom Drag Models) built in.

I need a device that will measure temperature and heat index ABOVE 130 degrees F. Which models do so?

Any of the Kestrel's 5 series meters which measure temperature starting with the 5000 have a temperature sensor range of -20.0 to 158.0 °F. Note: Display & Battery Operational Temperature Limits 14° F to 131° F | -10 °C to 55 °C Measurements may be taken beyond the limits of the operational temperature range of the display and batteries by maintaining the unit within the operational range and then exposing it to the more extreme environment for the minimum time necessary to take reading.

Can I receive real time data from 5500 unit all the time by Bluetooth ? I want to use my own app, but I need read the data. Is this possible?

While within Bluetooth range, you can receive data real-time using a kestrel with LiNK and the Kestrel LiNK app, I am not sure how your own app would work with the Kestrel.

How does the kestrel 5500 know the wind direction? Do you have to do something in order for it to know or is it automatic somehow?

The 5500 has an internal compass. All you need to do is to calibrate it initially then it's all automatic.

Does the 5500 do average wind speed like the 3000?

Yes it does.

Is the Kestrel 5500 w/LINK compatible with and function with Strelok Pro ballistic software as Igor Borisov claims?

Yes, the Kestrel 5500 with LiNK does communicate with the Strelok Pro ballistic APP.

The lowest temperature the Kestrel 5500 can display is -20 degrees Fahrenheit? It often drops down to -20 to -30 in Minnesota.

Kestrel Meters with a thermistor will record lower than 0. Their specification range is: -20.0 to 158.0 °F. They will record lower than that but the issue becomes the functionality of the screen and battery so you would need to keep the meter in safe place, take your readings, then return it to a safe place.
You can get the full specifications here: Kestrel 5 Series Specifications