With the increase in storms over the past few years, more and more individuals and professionals are installing a wind measurement device to adapt their activities based on wind speed and direction.
The anemometer with weather vane can be installed at the top of a roof or on a vertical mast. In an open area, without obstacles, the device will perform regular and accurate measurements of wind direction and speed. Some devices are also capable of evaluating the volume in cubic meters of wind.
Whether for simple leisure or professional activities, the anemometer with weather vane provides real-time measurement readings and archives data for comparisons.
In this regard, we have conducted several tests and share our opinions on different models of anemometers with weather vanes.
| Davis Bresser | La Crosse Technology WS6860 |
Netatmo for Wireless Weather Station |
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 |
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| Professional equipment | Ideal for small budgets | The TOP of high technology |
| Weather vane technology | Weather vane technology | Ultrasonic technology |
| Measure wind speed and temperature with professional quality | An economical choice for beginners or enthusiasts, excellent performance | Very precise measurement and wireless operation with the Netatmo weather station |
What is an anemometer with weather vane?
The anemometer with weather vane is a wind speed measuring device. It typically consists of 3 half-shells placed at 120° horizontally relative to each other. The whole assembly is mounted on a vertical mast. This type of device allows for daily data collection on the wind.
Anemometers with weather vanes are precise devices offering a wide range of data allowing different types of measurements for various activities.
Thus, the measuring device will calculate wind speed, direction, and gusts. It can perfectly be associated with other sensors to obtain more meteorological data from your installation.
Anemometers with weather vanes are very comprehensive devices allowing regular and precise measurements of the meteorological environment. They appeal to enthusiasts and provide valuable professional services.
Difference between fixed and portable anemometers
With a few exceptions, anemometers with weather vanes require a fixed installation and are not easily portable. Therefore, although they offer certain advantages, they are much less ergonomic and portable than their cousin, the portable anemometers.
In some cases, anemometers can be installed on vehicles, but most often the installation is situated high up, at the top of the roof or on a mast to capture accurate wind data.
Unlike portable devices that provide immediate data, anemometers with weather vanes are most often connected to a weather station. Therefore, in addition to purchasing the anemometer, you should consider buying a weather station.
However, more and more connected models are available that also allow receiving information on smartphones. Thus, it is possible to access data even when far from your weather station.
How to properly use an anemometer with weather vane?
Firstly, it is essential to choose the right location, especially if the device is to be fixed on the roof, which is primarily the case. To obtain correct and precise measurements, the surrounding environment must be clear (without obstacles). The minimum height is 3 meters in open fields, but some devices can be placed much higher.
Connected to a wireless weather station (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth), the propeller anemometer can measure the force and direction of the wind through mechanical rotation. The weather vane consists of 2 to 4 cups that cause rotation when the wind blows. The wind power is calculated based on this rotation. Another type of device exists, namely the ultrasonic anemometer, which is devoid of mechanics and provides more accurate measurements of wind speed and direction. It can also transmit atmospheric pressure like a barometer to the LCD screen of the weather station. Wind measurement data can also be transmitted, for some models, to a computer or smartphone application.
Opinions and tests of the anemometer with weather vane
We have selected the best anemometers with weather vanes and share our opinions and feedback from our tests. This information will be useful for you to choose the anemometer that best fits your measurement needs.
La Crosse Technology MA10065
The MA10065 kit from La Crosse Technology that we present below is a true weather center. It provides clear and precise information and has a mobile alert system.
The data from each sensor can be transmitted individually.
Composition of the La Crosse Technology MA10065 station
- 868 MHz gateway (ref MA10000)
- Pro 868 MHz thermo-hygrometer sensor with LCD screen (MA10200)
- 868 MHz rain gauge (MA10650)
- 868 MHz propeller anemometer (MA10660)
- Signal relay extender for the anemometer (MA10251PRO)
In addition to the above items, the product comes with a 20V power adapter and a LAN cable for internet connection.
The 868 MHz gateway allows connecting the different elements together and collecting all the data.
The thermo-hygrometer sensor displays current temperature and humidity levels as well as maximum and minimum values. An alert can be programmed based on these measurements.
The temperature can be measured within a range of -39.9°C to 59.9°C with an accuracy of +/- 1 degree Celsius.
The measurement range for humidity is from 20% to 99% RF with an accuracy of +/- 3% RF. A measurement is taken every 7 minutes with a range of 100 meters.
The rain gauge will indicate the start of precipitation based on the programmed alert (below a certain threshold or above). The 30-day history allows consulting the data, exporting them for processing with precision to the hour.
The 868 MHz anemometer will provide wind speed, gusts, and wind direction over a period of 30 days. Data is stored in history and can be displayed in a pie chart.
The adjustable alarm allows receiving an alert based on various predefined parameters. All data can be exported in CSV format for processing.
The anemometer with weather vane from the La Crosse station measures 16 wind directions over a range of 0 to 50 m/s, which is 0 to 180 km/h or 0 to 97 knots with an accuracy of 5% (0.5 m/s). Measurement is taken every 7 minutes.
An anemometer signal relay extender is provided to ensure direct data transmission.
Data Collection
All data can be transmitted via the internet or retrieved on a smartphone using Mobile Alerts (compatible with iOS and Android).
The multitude of sensors present on this station allows for the collection of many useful data and their retrieval in CSV format for complete processing.
Summary of La Crosse Technology MA10065
- Anemometer
- Rain gauge
- ThermoHygrometer
- Collected data: wind speed, direction, and gusts, precipitation, temperature, humidity
- Wind speed measurement: 0 to 50 m/s
- Accuracy +/- 5%
- 16 wind directions
- Measurement every 7 minutes
- Power supply: 2 rechargeable AAA LR3 batteries with solar energy
- Precipitation measurement: 0.25 mm/h
- Power supply of the rain gauge: 2 AA LR6 batteries (not included)
- Temperature measurement: -39.9°C to 59.9°C
- Temperature accuracy: +/- 1°C
- Humidity measurement: 20 to 99%
- Humidity accuracy: +/- 3%
- Power supply of humidity sensor: 2 AA batteries (not included)
- Data: display of 24h, 7 days and 30 days history
- MA10000 gateway La Crosse technology
- LAN cable provided
- Range of 100 meters
Our opinion
Whether you are a true enthusiast or a professional, this weather station is to be installed to obtain a variety of precise and reliable measurements thanks to the multiple sensors provided.
The La Crosse Technology MA10065 and its anemometer offer excellent value for money. Installation is facilitated, and data can be accessed on computers as well as on iOS or Android devices. A diversity of supports increasingly appreciated and sought after by users.
La Crosse Technology WS6860 Weather Station
In terms of weather equipment, the La Crosse Technology brand is a well-known and recognized name among enthusiasts and professionals in the field of metrology. We invite you to discover more about the WS6860 weather station dedicated to wind speed.
Technical characteristics
Are you looking for a good quality device to measure wind? The La Crosse Technology WS6860 is an ideal model.
This weather station dedicated to wind measurement integrates a high-performance sensor that allows precise readings regarding the wind and provides useful weather information such as indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity measurements, heat index, dew point, perceived temperature, and weather forecasts.
It is possible to program various alerts regarding temperatures or wind.
Anemometer with weather vane
This station is primarily dedicated to wind measurement. It includes a very precise anemometer with weather vane that allows measuring and archiving data related to wind.
- Wind speed measurement: from 0 to 120 km/h
- Resolution: 1 km/h
- Degree of accuracy: 10%
- Measurement in kilometers per hour or in Beaufort units
- Colored graph to monitor wind speed
- Recording of maximum speed
- Data history for 1 year
- Alert programming
This weather station dedicated to the measurement of wind is a good product for beginners or for enthusiasts wanting to obtain data on wind speed around them. Although the product may have some inaccuracies in the provided measurements, this weather station is an excellent choice for small budgets.