Capturing Wind Direction with a Kestrel Applied Ballistics (Or Any Wind Meter)

[DocUSMCRetired]

It is not uncommon to answer the question of how to properly capture the wind, or to even see someone doing it incorrectly. So to address this, here is the correct way to capture wind with a wind meter when you have no environmental aids. Important note, you can use your environment to help with this. Looking for flags, or dropping grass can help point you in the right direction. Also the best, and easiest way is using the Wind Vane Mount. However if you are doing this by hand, use the following as your guide.

Step 1 find the winds general direction.

Step 2 Rotate the Wind Meter 90 degrees (like when you calibrate the compass), so that the wind is impacting the side and not the back of the wind meter, while still being able to see the impeller.

Step 3 Fine tune the direction until the impeller drastically slows, or comes to a complete stop (a complete stop is preferred). It might be impossible to get the impeller to come to a complete stop, so finding the direction which has the lowest impact on the impeller is the next best option.

Step 4 Turn the back of the Kestrel in to direction the wind is coming from, press the capture button, and capture your wind speed.

Never Point The Kestrel's Back In To The Wind Until You See the Highest Wind Speed To Capture Wind Direction, This Is the Incorrect Method For Finding Wind Direction.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Lick your finger, stick it in the air, and shoot. ;D

Best way is to just hold it perfectly perpendicular to your rifles bore. The speed you get is the value. That's the important part. Don't care so much about the direction as long as I'm not in a tornado

 

[CharlieNC]

I have a light section of yarn tied to mine for rapid direction check.

 

[DocUSMCRetired]

Lick your finger, stick it in the air, and shoot. ;D

Best way is to just hold it perfectly perpendicular to your rifles bore. The speed you get is the value. That's the important part. Don't care so much about the direction as long as I'm not in a tornado

Make sure you always measure wind high above the ground, Wind Gradient plays a key role in this aspect.

Also this method, because of the steep angle the wind can come from and still directly hit the impeller, has the potential to give you an wrong solution. You could get a proper reading, however you could get a bad reading, and how would you tell which is which....