![]() ![]() While full featured, I think the Vaavud smartphone app is more than many pilots might use. Plus, it’s up to the user to position the anemometer into the wind for more accurate computations, and the device needs to sample the wind for at least 30 seconds. The anemometer isn’t sophisticated enough to measure wind direction on it its own, but instead uses the smartphone’s compass, accelerometer and GPS. The specs say the omnidirectional meter records 44,100 measurements per second. Weighing 14 grams, the Sleipnir seems almost as durable and compact, but it uses two curved rotating blades and an internal optical recording sensor, rather than magnets. The flatter blades made it easier to stash. Inspired by more expensive professional anemometers that often have a three-cup design, the original Mjolnir (still in the product line) uses two rotating measuring cups with magnets built in the hub. I preferred the early model’s measuring blades. Part of the problem is that the Lightning adapter’s pigtail is too short to clip the anemometer on the phone (especially with a fat case on it), so you have to hold the phone in one hand and the anemometer in the other-stressing the flopping cable. Simply one-hand the phone into the wind and view the data. While it’s still compatible with the phone, you’ll need to use the Apple Lightning/3.5-mm jack adapter.Īn older iPhone, an iPad or an Android device is better matched because the anemometer plugs directly into the 3.5-mm jack, while an attachment clip secures it upright. I tried it with my current Apple iPhone 7, which doesn’t have a 3.5-mm audio jack for plugging the device in. Distributed by Sporty’s, marine outlets and weather equipment suppliers, it sells for $59.95 and is one of several portable anemometers from Denmark-based Vaavud. It turned out to be the favorite.įirst, the Vaavud Sleipnir. Pleased with the company’s home weather station gear, I also tried the WeatherFlow WindMeter. That’s why I was anxious to try Vaavud’s newer Sleipnir, which has new measuring blades and a wind direction utility. The disappointment was a lack of wind direction display. I used it for seaplane flying on remote lakes where local wind reports weren’t available, and to compare aging ATIS recordings on the home field. I’m not getting anything for posting this, nothing free, no extra discount – just thought I’d share a neat product with other sailors.I reviewed Vaavud’s first-gen Mjolnir smartphone anemometer a few years ago and discovered its shortcomings, yet appreciated its utility on the water and land. the red model (with 2 cups) is the older model, the Sleipnir is the grey/black model, updated to measure wind direction as well as wind speed. ![]() I posted about the Vaavud previously, but here is another promotional video for the latest Vaavud model, the Sleipnir, that now measures both wind speed and direction. I currently have an app on my iPhone called Wind Meter – which is pretty neat, but I’m always skeptical that my case might interfere with the results, or just that the speaker/microphone on the iPhone is partially blocked by dust, etc.Īnd there are certainly dedicated wind meters, often used by sailing race committees – but that’s another piece of equipment to deal with. I’m not well versed enough in the Beaufort wind scale to estimate wind speeds accurately myself, so gadgets that do it for me are always appealing. there are often times when I’m standing on the beach, thinking about – or getting ready to go out sailing my Sunfish, and I’ve wondered what the wind speed currently is. This is a post about a neat gizmo for measuring wind speed using a smart phone. ![]()
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