Wind speed anemometer with iPhone logging?

[Eugene Hollingsworth]

<p style=”text-align: center;”> I am looking for a handheld anemometer that I can optionally plug into my iPhone to log data if I choose. I want it to be freestanding, in other words not dependent on my phone at all, and of course very inexpensive and lightweight. This is definitely a luxury item.</p>
There seem to be plenty handhelds available in the $15-$30 range but I’m having trouble finding one that has a cable to plug into my iPhone.

[Ken Thompson]

Why? Genuinely curious

[Greg Mihalik]

I googled “bluetooth anemometer” and got many hits. Of course they are not cheap, but they do exist.

 

[David Thomas]

Hold iPhone four feet over a marked spot.

Drop phone.

Measure distance it lands to the side.

Do the math.

[David Thomas]

I see a lot of data-logging anemometers for $250-$350.

One used one with a USB port for $60:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Digi-Sense-Data-Logging-Vane-Anemometer-with-NIST-Traceable-Calibration/173646359201?hash=item286e212aa1:g:JucAAOSwGYhb8D96

It doesn’t meet your “free-standing” criteria, but one way to capture data from a $15, non-data-logging anemometer is to run a time-lapse photography app (one frame every 1, 10, 20, 60. . . seconds) on your phone while it’s pointed on the display of the anemometer.   And while maybe you don’t want to leave your high-end, daily-driver smartphone on a mountaintop, you can get new, off-brand smartphone for $100 and used ones for less.  It wouldn’t need a phone plan, just bluetooth or USB connection for when you get it home.

[Eugene Hollingsworth]

Tnx for the replies. let’s see if I can address them:

why? I’m always curious about things, and my perception of the environment vs actual data. Wind speed and direction at ground level and how it affects my fire, stove, tarp or tent setup when out luxury disbursed camping. Also I have cranky neighbors likely to call the police about my backyard fire pit-so a little logged data of wind speed and direction might help.

By freestanding I meant can use as a stand-alone device not tethered to my phone or logging data.  I didn’t mean to imply leaving it unattended somewhere.

I tried dropping my phone and doing some measuring. Ineffective at less than gale winds. Thanks for the suggestion.

Regarding doing my own searching-if there is such a tool at the weight and price I want, BPL folks I can trust. Otherwise any ol’ $15 wind speed meter off Amazon will do.

 

 

 

[Author]

Posts