Kestrel 2500 - Manual (Page 3)

Kestrel® 2500 Pocket Weather® Meter 5
are pressed while the backlight is illuminated, the backlight will remain illuminated for
another 10 seconds. Press
MAX AVG
while the backlight is illuminated to manually turn off
the backlight.
7. Adjust the clock. Simultaneously press
MAX AVG
and
MAX AVG
to adjust the clock. While the clock is
blinking, press
MAX AVG
or
MAX AVG
to adjust the clock. Hold
MAX AVG
or
MAX AVG
to adjust the times quickly.
Simultaneously press
MAX AVG
and
MAX AVG
to exit the clock adjustment.
8. Turn off. Hold
MAX AVG
for 2 seconds to manually turn off the unit. The unit will automatically
turn off if no buttons have been pressed for 45 minutes.
UNDERSTANDING THE MEASUREMENTS
Wind Speed - average over the previous three seconds. The measurement will be accurate
for air flow through the front or rear of the unit.
Maximum Wind Gust - maximum 3 - second wind speed since the unit was turned on.
Average Wind Speed - average wind speed since the unit was turned on.
Temperature - instantaneous temperature of the thermistor, which is located at the end
of the long coiled leads in the open cavity below the impeller. The exposed thermistor will
respond quickly to changes in temperature when air flows past it. For fastest response, either
hold the unit into the wind or wave the unit side to side for 15 seconds. Readings should be
taken in the shade. Water and snow temperatures can be taken by hold the unit in the water
or snow.
Wind Chill - combination of wind speed and temperature, as defined by the US National
Weather Service. Wind chill is the effective temperature on a human or animal at low
temperatures due to wind speed. Wind chill readings will be the same as the temperature
readings above 45ºF or below 3 mph.
Altitude and Barometric Pressure - the Kestrel 2500 will measure station pressure in order
to calculate barometric pressure and altitude. Changes in either air pressure or altitude will
affect these readings, so it’s important to make adjustments as necessary.
ABOUT BAROMETRIC PRESSURE AND ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENTS
The Kestrel Meter measures “station” pressure, the actual air pressure in the measurement
location, and uses this value to calculate barometric pressure and altitude. Station pressure
changes in response to two things—changes in altitude and changes in the atmosphere.
Because the Kestrel Meter is constantly changing location and altitude, it is important to
enter adjustments or “references” when accurate pressure and altitude readings are needed.
Barometric pressure is station pressure corrected to sea level. In order to make the
correction, the Kestrel Meter needs an accurate reference altitude. Altitude is the height
above sea level. In order to correctly calculate altitude, the unit needs an accurate barometric
pressure reference, also known as an “altimeter setting”. Fortunately, you only need to know
ONE of these values (current barometric pressure or current altitude) in order to set your
Kestrel Meter up to show accurate readings.
Starting with the known barometric pressure for your location