ctrlaltkite Posted August 13, 2009 Report Posted August 13, 2009 So how many use a wind meter before flying and how many just wing it? I wing it but I'm just... Quote
Goz Posted August 13, 2009 Report Posted August 13, 2009 I used one initally when starting out, but now I have my calibrated my senses Quote
JKS Posted August 13, 2009 Report Posted August 13, 2009 Wind meters are one of those toys you think you need ... end up buying ... and use about 5 times max Put the money towards something special Quote
Chook Posted August 14, 2009 Report Posted August 14, 2009 I agree. Don't use mine much anymore for kiting but carry it as a fire weather officer. True ground windspeed is taken at a height of 10mtrs above ground level, so even weather actuals are sometimes a bit misleading. The bushes are swaying but nothing to launch into on the surface. Cheers Quote
Kaspy Posted August 30, 2009 Report Posted August 30, 2009 Hi I think 'to wind meter' is the answer after not ever owning one I now own one and it's just nice to have there, sure I don't depend on it but I do use it as a second judgement. It also comes in handy for me when people want to debate what speed I was flying in. Quote
koma Posted August 30, 2009 Report Posted August 30, 2009 Experience with your equipment is far more valuable than any wind meter could possibly be. Learning to read the wind based on the feeling of it rushing past your ears (force and sound) will allow you to factor in gusts as well as overall wind speed. The only point a wind meter is beneficial is when you don't know if it's 40 knots or 50 knots. Either way... it's too strong to fly in. Quote
KaoS Posted August 31, 2009 Report Posted August 31, 2009 Yep, I've got a wind meter. Last used it about 2002. Anyone want it? Kevin Willunga S.A. Quote
spotter Posted August 31, 2009 Report Posted August 31, 2009 I was thinking about getting a wind meter. Decided it is not worth it. I have been sailing for 14 or something years and can read the wind resonably well. I can generally tell what sort of kite for the wind strength is preferable, if it is border line I will put one up and see how it goes. Two of the guys I kite with have wind meters anyway so if I am unsure, I have one that I can borrow Quote
Jared Posted August 31, 2009 Report Posted August 31, 2009 For the first couple weeks when I first took up the sport, I wished I had one. But with a little bit of experience, I found that I could reliably determine which kite was appropriate for the wind speed. The only time since then that I've used one was during a sport kite competition, to determine if I needed to postpone my start until the wind dropped below 19mph. Quote
ctrlaltkite Posted August 31, 2009 Author Report Posted August 31, 2009 the general feeling i get from the replys is that "to wind meter" is good to start with and if you need evidence of the wind speed BUT "not to wind meter" leaves enough funds to buy a hat with a propeller on top with a small amount left over for a down payment on a decent sport kite! The hat? well thats easy...if it blows off its too strong to fly yer expensive sport kite in! Cheers Dave Quote
steve_hobart Posted September 1, 2009 Report Posted September 1, 2009 my wind meter blew out of my hand yesterday....... Quote
damp_weather Posted September 1, 2009 Report Posted September 1, 2009 We had a wind meter break one exceptionally windy day. ...Well, besides kudos for knowing exactly what winds people are flying in, a wind meter is useful for those times when it is actually useful to know the wind speed down to the last mph or so. For example, last weekend at the seaside, the wind was consistently staying above 9mph, but usually only by 1 - 2 mph. I wouldn't have been able to tell that without the wind meter. - The significance of that was our vented kites fly down to 9mph, but not much below without walking backwards, and we needed something that would fly slowly and stall near the centre of the window for coaching purposes in a very crowded festival flying area. No seriously, more generally, an accurate wind meter is such a useful device for saving the time of getting out the wrong kite for the prevailing wind conditions. (Around here, that is usually about whether we need SULs or indoor kites in the 0 to 3mph range.) - And we learnt which kites were right and wrong by comparing their behaviour with wind meter readings. ...Several experts say to us that it is all about instinct. One day my partner and I hope to be good enough to accurately read conditions without a wind meter. - But until that day, I'll be the guy looking silly holding his arm up towards the sky. Quote
jolli Posted September 1, 2009 Report Posted September 1, 2009 Would like to have one but so far the senses have served me well... 4 or 5 kites .... Small kite big wind. 2m or less (Flags going crazy, Trees bending over, 2-3 meter white caps) Everything in between 9.5 M (Flag standing tall, Trees branches move quite a bit, 1m White caps) Large kite light wind. 10m to 12.5 M (Flags just moving, Trees move slightly, no white caps) Easy no meter required.... JOLLI Quote
steve_hobart Posted September 2, 2009 Report Posted September 2, 2009 we use Alpha_888 as our wind meter.. When he gets thrashed we all get out smaller kites Steve Quote
nigel Posted September 2, 2009 Report Posted September 2, 2009 The only point a wind meter is beneficial is when you don't know if it's 40 knots or 50 knots. Either way... it's too strong to fly in. That's not too strong!! Perfect 6m Phantom weather. I'm with JKS, you get one use it a dozen times, and then never need to use it again. If in doubt, always launch a smaller kite, then put up a bigger one if need be. A simple solution which we all should be using. Especialy noobs. Quote
blackant Posted September 2, 2009 Report Posted September 2, 2009 I've got a wind meter, and use it when the winds gusty and over 20 knots. Depending on wind direction our local spot can be very nasty in winter, with gusts travelling up the hill from the river and/or around trees and buildings. I also rely heavily on what the trees are doing, as once my kite is in the air they are around about the same height as where my kite will be Kind regards Ant Quote
Alpha_8888 Posted September 2, 2009 Report Posted September 2, 2009 we use Alpha_888 as our wind meter.. When he gets thrashed we all get out smaller kites Steve Well you missed a good session today Steve. Blackant and myself was up there after work and had one of the best sessions for a long time. I got some nice static jumps in and Ant was even getting some small hops on his Landboard. To get back on topic, i do have a wind meter and do use it every now and again. I got mine off ebay for about $35. Quote
mad mick 199 Posted September 27, 2009 Report Posted September 27, 2009 i use a wind meter but more so because i have a shit load of kites and to put them all out would take half the day and i get a better idea on what will work and what wont and i can get the avge from it Quote
JKS Posted September 27, 2009 Report Posted September 27, 2009 i use a wind meter but more so because i have a shit load of kites and to put them all out would take half the day and i get a better idea on what will work and what wont and i can get the avge from it http://www.bom.gov.au otherwise .,... keep your eye on the palm trees Marty Quote
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