Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter
Features
Sensor Specifications
Wind Speed |
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Units of Measure: | mph | kt | B | m/s | ft/min / km/h |
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Accuracy (+/-): | Larger of 3% of reading, least significant digit or 20 ft/min |
Notes: | 1 inch|25 mm diameter impeller with precision axle and low-friction Zytel® bearings. Startup speed stated as lower limit, readings may be taken down to 0.4 m/s | 79 ft/min | 1.5 km/h | .9 mph | .8 kt after impeller startup. Off-axis accuracy -1% @ 5º off-axis; -2% @ 10º; -3% @ 15º. Calibration drift < 1% after 100 hours use at 16 MPH | 7 m/s. Replacement impeller (PN-0801) field installs without tools (US Patent 5,783,753). Wind speed calibration and testing should be done with triangle on impeller located at the top front face of the Kestrel. *F/S only in Ballistics units. Beaufort not available in Ballistics units. |
Ambient Temperature |
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Units of Measure: | Fahrenheit, Celsius |
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Notes: | Airflow of 2.2 mph|1 m/s or greater provides fastest response and reduction of insolation effect. For greatest accuracy, avoid direct sunlight on the temperature sensor and prolonged sunlight exposure to the unit in low airflow conditions. Calibration drift is negligible for the life of the product. For further details, see Display & Battery Operational Temperature Limits. |
Pressure |
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Units of Measure: | inHg, hPA, mb |
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Notes: | Monolithic silicon piezo-resistive pressure sensor with second-order temperature correction. Between 1100–1600 mbar, unit will operate with reduced accuracy. Sensor may not operate above 1600 mbar and can be damaged above 6,000 mbar or below 10 mbar. Calibration drift is negligible for the life of the product. |
Relative Humidity |
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Units of Measure: | % |
Specification Range: | 5 to 95% 25°C non-condensing |
Operational Range: | 0 to 100% |
Resolution: | 0.1 %RH |
Accuracy (+/-): | 3%RH |
Notes: | To achieve stated accuracy, unit must be permitted to equilibrate to external temperature when exposed to large, rapid temperature changes and be kept out of direct sunlight. Calibration drift is typically less than ±0.25% per year. |
Compass |
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Units of Measure: | Compass Heading in True or Magnetic |
Specification Range: | 0 to 360° |
Operational Range: | 0 to 360° |
Resolution: | 1° 1/16th Cardinal Scale |
Accuracy: | ±5° |
Notes: | 2-axis solid-state magneto resistive sensor mounted perpendicular to unit plane. Accuracy of sensor dependent upon unit’s vertical position. Self-calibration routine eliminates magnetic error from batteries or unit and must be run after every full power- down (battery removal or change). Readout indicates direction to which the back of the unit is pointed when held in a vertical orientation. Declination/variation adjustable for True North readout. |
Calculated Measurements
Altitude |
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Dew Point |
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Wet Bulb Temperature - Psychrometric |
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Wind Chill |
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Density Altitude |
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Heat Index |
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Downloads:
Accurate environmental conditions, not from a distant weather station but from the palm of your hand with the Kestrel 5500 Handheld Pocket Weather Meter!
Wind speed, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind direction and density altitude plus logging capabilities – the indispensable tool for portable environmental monitoring. The Kestrel 5500 measures every environmental condition plus wind direction, crosswind and headwind/tailwind. Use it golfing, sailing, flying, spraying, shooting and more. Drop-proof, dust-proof, waterproof and able to withstand extreme environments, your Kestrel weather meter travels with you anywhere you dare to go. The Kestrel 5500 has a larger, higher-resolution and contrast built-in dual color backlit display, made from extra-strong polycarbonate lens for improved font readability. Optional LiNK iOS and Android wireless connectivity and app support available. Like all Kestrel meters, the Kestrel 5500 is drop-proof, dust-proof, waterproof and able to withstand harsh environments without damage – so it can so it can work or play as hard as you do, wherever you do.
In addition to measuring the current environmental conditions, the Kestrel 5500 tracks and logs over 10,000 sets of time-stamped data. Your data log can be transferred to a iOS/Android device wirelessly with the LiNK wireless communication option and the Kestrel LiNK app, or to a Windows PC or Mac with either the accessory Kestrel LiNK Dongle or waterproof USB Data Transfer Cable (Both sold separately).The true versatility of the Kestrel 5500 becomes apparent with the addition of the Kestrel Vane Mount. This precision-engineered accessory securely mounts the Kestrel 5500 to any tripod or other ¼-20 fitted bracket. Once mounted, the Kestrel 5500 becomes a full-featured weather station. Select "Add LiNK (Bluetooth Connectivity) + Vane Mount" or select the standard 5500 and purchase the vane mount separately in our Accessories section.
Environmental Measures
- Current wind speed
- Average wind speed
- Maximum wind gust
- Wind Direction / Crosswind / Headwind
- Barometric pressure
- Pressure trend
- Altitude (Pressure Based)
- Relative humidity
- Heat stress index
- Dew point
- Wet Bulb Temperature (Psychrometric)
- Density Altitude
- Wind Chill
- Air, water, and snow temperature
Features
- Easy to read, high resolution screen (standard and NV backlit).
- Time & date
- Waterproof & floats
- Exterior temperature, humidity & pressure sensors for fast & accurate readings
- Humidity sensor can soon be calibrated in the field via cable or Dongle.
- Min, Max & Average values
- Automatically store measurements, when powered on or off
- Manually store measurements with the press of a button
- Customizable data storage - 10,000 data points
- Graph & recall trends
- Customize screens to display user-selected measurements
- Data charting
- Data upload to iOS & Android phones & tablets
- Data upload to Windows or Mac computers with optional USB Data Cable
- Data upload to Windows & Mac computers via wireless Bluetooth (LiNK Enabled Meters only with the optional Kestrel Dongle)
- Languages: English, French, Spanish, German & Italian
- User-replaceable impeller
- impeller cover allows use of other functions & protecting the impeller
- All instruments and accessories are completely assembled in the USA
Physical Specifications
- Dimensions: 5.0 x 1.8 x 1.1 in. / 12.7 x 4.5 x 2.8 cm
- Weight: 3.6 Ounces / 102 Grams
- MFG Part# 0855OLV, Model# 5500 (Olive Drab)
- MFG Part# 0855TAN, Model# 5500 (Desert Tan)
- MFG Part# 0855YEL, Model# 5500 (Yellow)
- MFG Part# 0855LVOLV, Model# 5500 with LiNK & Vane Mount (Olive Drab)
- MFG Part# 0855LVTAN, Model# 5500 with LiNK & Vane Mount (Desert Tan)
- MFG Part# 0855LVYEL, Model# 5500 with LiNK & Vane Mount (Yellow)
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Ask a Question-
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Does the 5500 do average wind speed like the 3000?
Yes it does.
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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.
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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