Recommended anemometer?

rcdancer · Dec 17, 2018

Yesterday out on the lake was quite windy with strong gusts. So strong that the Spark had a little difficulty maintaining a stationary hover. I had way of knowing for sure, but estimate the wind was around 10 mph gusting close to 20, maybe more (I believe max wind for the Spark is listed as 22mph). I was impressed with Sparky's ability to handle the wind (when we first got out on the lake, even my Visual Observer asked if it wasn't too windy to fly.) There's an impressive video here on the Spark's ability to handle wind.

Anyone have a recommendation for a good small anemometer to take with me? While there are several on Amazon, I like to hear from someone with personal experience. I'm leaning towards this one that is recommended over on the MavicPilot forum by someone who flies in the Rockies:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...page_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=mavicpilots-20

Andre Levite · Dec 17, 2018

The problem with an anemometer is that you are only measuring wind speed on the ground. This often correlates poorly with windspeed at 50-400 feet altitude. It is often marginally breezy on the ground but over 30 knots aloft.

Plenty reports of Sparks that didn't make it home because battery died quick fighting winds on return leg. I think anemometer on the ground is actually misleading and I don't see them used much.

The UAV Forecast app let's you select a altitude to check wind speed. It also gives a wind profile. Been very reliable for me and very popular choice on this forum.

rcdancer · Dec 17, 2018

Andre Levite said:
The problem with an anemometer is that you are only measuring wind speed on the ground. This often correlates poorly with windspeed at 50-400 feet altitude. It is often marginally breezy on the ground but over 30 knots aloft.

Plenty reports of Sparks that didn't make it home because battery died quick fighting winds on return leg. I think anemometer on the ground is actually misleading and I don't see them used much.

The UAV Forecast app let's you select a altitude to check wind speed. It also gives a wind profile. Been very reliable for me and very popular choice on this forum.

Problem was that there was little wind at home and no need to check there. On the lake though, I had no carrier signal and could not check UAV forecast. Some measurement on the ground would have been useful, knowing it would certainly be stronger aloft.

In strong wind, I always try to ensure I'm flying into it outbound.

Andre Levite · Dec 17, 2018

With UAV Forecast app you can check the future wind forecast at the lake before you leave home. Just enter the location's name or GPS coordinates in the app address bar when you are home with a signal. You can check next 24 hours wind speed at any altitude you desire.

It's prevented me from taking several wasted trips. Very accurate!

Spark 317 · Dec 17, 2018

rcdancer said:
Anyone have a recommendation for a good small anemometer to take with me?

Handheld Anemometer

BigAl07 · Dec 17, 2018

Here's the one we've used for over a year now (year in October) and it's worked flawlessly.

AAB ABM-200 Airflow and Environmental Meter Bluetooth for smart phones
https://www.amazon.com/AAB-ABM-200-...ocphy=9010269&hvtargid=pla-573868303652&psc=1

graywoulf · Dec 18, 2018

Then there is this website... Windy as forecasted

BigAl07 · Dec 18, 2018

graywoulf said:
Then there is this website... Windy as forecasted

That's a great site. I have it bookmarked on all my devices

Good suggestion

rangemaster728 · Dec 20, 2018

I have a cheapo one I keep in my flight bag...works well enough for what I do:
OTraki Wind Meters Handheld GM816 LCD High Precision 0.1dgt Wind Speed Anemometer Gauge and Thermometer Air Flow Velocity Measuring Indicator for Windsurfing Fishing Kite Flying
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DVYVBNG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_-j7gCb393QD7P

$13USD on Amazon..

Virtual1 · Dec 23, 2018

considering the spark has a gps, it should be able to guess at the wind speed? It knows the tilt of the aircraft and how much it's having to work to maintain position. It won't be terribly accurate, but should be able to guess? I know I've gotten "high wind warnings" on my display on occasion, clearly it knows something is up.

Tobias Claren · Dec 30, 2018

Hello.

I am also interested in an anemometer.
Are there any differences between the cheap devices from China?
A specific recommendation?
Is the size of the fan important? For the accuracy?
Many have small fans, some big fans.
Some have fans on a rod.
Some have fans on a cable.
Some have BlueTooth. Examples: "UT363BT" (small fan) for ~ $ 16 or "BT-866B" (big fan) for ~ $ 21).

Thanks.