Product Description

The Kestrel 4500 combines wind direction and wind speed with a built in digital compass to create a powerful hand held conditions monitoring system. It also calculates headwind/tailwind with reference to a user-set target heading, and stores the information along with other environmental readings in its 1400 data point memory. Pair the Kestrel 4500 with the Kestrel Vane Mount and you have a data-logging weather station that sets up in seconds and rotates in the slightest of breezes. The whole kit is the ultimate in portability- it packs down into a 2 X 6 inch pouch and weighs less than 8 ounces.

Product Details

• Brand: Kestrel
• Model: 0845
• Released on: 2008-10-28
• Dimensions: 1.60" h x 3.10" w x 5.20" l, .15 pounds

Features

• Handheld tool for measuring wind speed, temperature, barometric pressure, and altitude
• Ultralight impeller is mounted in jewel bearings for precision, wide range of speeds and low startup speed
• Flip-top impeller cover allows use of other functions while protecting the impeller
• Multi-function 3-line display; automatic and manual data storage
• Powered by 2 AAA batteries (included); 5-year warranty

Amazon.com Product Description
Kestrel's flagship meter, the Kestrel 4500 Pocket Weather Tracker is capable of monitoring and reporting an exhaustive list of environmental parameters--from temperature to barometric pressure, dewpoint, wind chill, and more. With a digital compass and monitoring of wind direction, crosswind, and headwind/tailwind, the 4500 is a great choice for military professionals, HAZMAT teams, and flight crews. Like all the pocket weather meters in the Kestrel 4000 series, the Kestrel 4500 is capable of storing and charting up to 1400 data points for later analysis. The Kestrel 4500 also measures:

• Current Wind Speed
• Max Wind Gust
• Average Wind Speed
• Temperature
• Wind Chill
• Relative Humidity
• Heat Stress Index
• Dewpoint Temp
• Wet Bulb Temp
• Barometric Pressure
• Altitude
• Density Altitude

Features:

• Additional measurements including digital compass, wind direction, crosswind and head/tailwind
• Waterproof and floats
• Time and date
• Easy-to-read, backlit display for low-light conditions
• Multi-function 3-line display
• Exterior temperature, humidity, and pressure sensors for fast and accurate readings
• Humidity sensor can be recalibrated in the field in the field with the Kestrel Relative Humidity Calibration Kit.
• Minimum, maximum, and average values
• Automatic and manual data storage
• Customizable data storage - 1400 data points
• Data charting
• Data upload (with optional interface)
• Five languages (English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian)
• Patented, user-replaceable impeller (no tools needed)
• Ultralight impeller is mounted in jewel bearings for precision, wide range of speeds and low startup speed
• Impeller is shock-mounted in a glass-reinforced plastic housing
• Flip-top impeller cover allows use of other functions while protecting the impeller
• US Patent Nos. 5,783,753 and 5,939,645 and 6,257,074
• All instruments and accessories are completely assembled in the USA
• Actual size: 5.0 x 1.8 x 1.1 inches (size without case)
• Power: 2 AAA batteries (average life of 400 hours)

All Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters are made in the USA and covered by a 5-year warranty against manufacturing defects. Additionally, every single Kestrel manufactured is calibrated for every single value, either directly against NIST-traceable standards or against an intermediary standard that is calibrated daily.

What's in the Box?
Kestrel 4500, soft carry pouch, neck lanyard, 2 AAA batteries, Kestrel Certificate of Conformity

Customer Reviews

Kestrel has outdone themselves
Kestrel's patents on a low cost precision istrument have been expanded with the model 4500. Our troops oveseas have come to rely on the accurate data from the kestrel to indicate signs of dehydration, wind, dew point, condensation, all of which it measures with grace.

I bought my first 2 Kestrel 4000 units and I must caution that with excessive use (battery changing) they eventually broke the battery door on both units. I'm subtracting one star from an otherwise perfect product because Kestrel has chosen not to incorporate a green rechargable option yet and still uses AAA alkaline or lithium cells - HOWEVER -

In the earlier models (4000) if you wanted a graph over time you had to leave the unit turned on CONSTANTLY - batteries were dead in 3 days, which wasn't bad for a 2xAAA alkaline system. With the 4500 you leave the unit turned off and give it a wakeup period (say every 30 minutes) when it takes measurements of every weather reading and stores them in memory then powers off right away. My first 2 aaa batteries have been in the unit since I got it and are at 87% full so no more "always on" usage - a big fix.

The case is hermetically sealed to prevent moisture from entering the electronics. The data output is infrared allowing you to download the long term data sets.

Additionally, the 4500 has a compass and optional mounting bracket so you can track wind direction and crosswind.

Kestrel makes 2 versions of the 4500 - Mine is the bright yellow with a neon blue backlight. For military purposes they make an olive drab green case with a subdued red backlight that does not interfere with night vision equipment.

All data (humidity, dewpoint, heat index and a ton more) are graphed based on the time index you specify in setup. The sealing allows you to use it outside in the moisture without fear of damage. Graphical data is viewable at each point you specify numerically with a cursor later. Days of data can be stored, allowing you to review barometric pressure over time in this manner.

Timekeeping has improved over the 4000 model which is a real help as the 4000 gained or lost 3 minutes a week. So far the 4500 is dead on.

The wind speed meter installed in the unit is removable and replacable for about $20. It is very accurate and uses a magnet that rotates. This speed sensor is common among all of the Kestrel products.

Finally you can choose the units you want data displayed in e.g. mph/kmh, deg C / F. It is small, light, comes in a protective case and has software for documenting weather data on your computer.

I would easily give it 5 stars if they used a li-ion battery / charger but the wakeup mode in the 4500 makes it very stingy on the batteries versus the older model so I'm not too concerned about breaking the battery door. One nitpick - there is no rain sensor in the small package so it is not "complete" but good enough for my use.

Given the wide array of sensors and low price plus PC connectivity and a much better design of software, I would highly recommend this to anyone needing critical weather data in a small package.