Kestrel 2000 Pocket Weather User manual

2000
Pocket Weather
®Meter
with Backlight
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Revised 01/09
Thank you for purchasing the Kestrel 2000 Pocket
Weather Meter. This instrument will measure the
following environmental conditions:
• wind speed
• maximum wind gust
• average wind speed
This instrument also features a data hold function and
an automatic power-down function. Every unit is fully
tested at our factory for measurement accuracy and
waterproof integrity.
• temperature (air, water, snow)
• windchill

OPERATION
1. Slide o cover.
2. Turn on. Press the center button (
MAX AVG
) to turn on the unit.
3. Select operating mode. Press the right arrow (
MAX AVG
) to scroll through the measurements
listed below. Press the left arrow (
MAX AVG
) to scroll through the measurements in reverse
order. The instantaneous measurements will be displayed. (See Understanding the
Measurements section for more information.)
4. Select the units of measure. Press
MAX AVG
while holding
MAX AVG
to scroll through the units
of measure.
Mode Hint Icon Units of Measure
Wind Speed SPd m/s, ft/min, km/h, mph,
kt, B
Max Gust SPd MAX m/s, ft/min, km/h, mph,
kt, B
Avg Speed SPd AVG m/s, ft/min, km/h, mph,
kt, B
Temperature dEG C, F
Wind Chill chill C, F
Kestrel® 2000 Pocket Weather® Meter

5. Hold mode. Press
MAX AVG
while holding
MAX AVG
to hold the measured value on the display. The
word“HOLD” will blink to indicate the Hold Mode. Press
MAX AVG
while holding
MAX AVG
to exit
the Hold Mode. This mode can be useful for taking measurements when unable to view
the display, as within a duct. The Max and Avg Wind Speed Modes will continue to work
as usual.
6. Turn on the backlight. Press
MAX AVG
to activate the backlight for 10 seconds. If
MAX AVG
or
MAX AVG
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 o
the backlight.
7. Turn o. Hold
MAX AVG
for 2 seconds to manually turn o the unit. The unit will automatically
turn o if no buttons have been pressed for 45 minutes.
3

UNDERSTANDING THE MEASUREMENTS
Wind Speed - Average over the previous three seconds. The measurement will be accurate
for air ow 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 ows 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.
Wind Chill - Combination of wind speed and temperature, as dened by the US National
Weather Service. Wind chill is the eective 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.
MAINTENANCE & TROUBLESHOOTING
Environmental
Every Kestrel Meter is fully waterproof and oats, and has passed mil-spec drop testing.
Kestrel® 2000 Pocket Weather® Meter

Storing Your Kestrel
Avoid storing your Kestrel where it will be exposed to temperatures below -30°C [-22°F] or
above 60° C [176° F] for extended periods of time. Doing so may cause permanent damage.
(Note that the inside of a car parked in the hot sun can reach very high temperatures.)
Use of the Lanyard and Cover
The cover can be captured on the lanyard to avoid loss. First, remove the cord poplock. Then
feed the lanyard end through the large opening in the over and out the slot. Replace the
poplock on the lanyard.
Replacing the Battery
When your display becomes dim or disappears, replace the
battery. Use a large coin to open the battery compartment.
Use only new CR2032 coin cell batteries (available where
watch batteries are sold). Wipe the battery clean of any
ngerprints and insert the positive (+) pole up, angling the
battery downward and pressing it rmly into place. When
replacing the battery door, be sure to keep the black rubber
o-ring seated in the groove on the case back.
Why does the Impeller Appear Imbalanced?
It is NORMAL for the impeller to oscillate as it comes to a stop. It is NOT imbalanced. Rather,
it contains a very small magnet that responds to the earth’s magnetic elds. This does not
aect the accuracy of the wind speed readings because the magnetic eld applies both a
Replacing the Battery
5

braking and an accelerating force which cancel each other. The impeller has been calibrated
to provide wind speed readings accurate to within at least ± 3%.
High Speed Use
After several hours of sustained operation over 25 M/S (~49 KT, 90 KM/H, 56 MPH or
4,923 FPM), the Kestrel will lose some accuracy due to wear of the sapphire bearings in
the impeller.
Replacing the Impeller
You may recalibrate the wind speed readings by replacing
the impeller. Press FIRMLY on the sides of the black
impeller housing with your thumbs to remove the entire
assembly. When inserting the new impeller, be sure the
arrow is facing the display side of the unit, and is aligned
with the top of the meter. Press on the sides of the housing
rather than the center. Replacing the Impeller
Kestrel® 2000 Pocket Weather® Meter

BEAUFORT SCALE
The Beaufort Scale is a system for estimating
wind force without the use of instruments based
on the visible eects of the wind on the physical
environment. The behavior of smoke, waves, trees,
etc., is rated on a 13 point scale. The scale was
devised in 1805 by the British naval Commander
Sir Francis Beaufort (1774-1857) and is still
commonly used by mariners.
KESTREL POCKET WEATHER METERS
WARRANTY
NK does not believe in “disposable electronics.” We know that Kestrel Meters don’t typically
lead pampered lives, and we design them for years of performance in tough conditions.
Every Kestrel is designed and manufactured at NK’s facility in Boothwyn, PA. We guarantee
every Kestrel Pocket Weather Meter to be free of defects in materials and workmanship
for a period of FIVE YEARS from your date of purchase. We will repair or replace any
defective product or part when notied within the warranty period, and will return the
product via domestic ground shipping at no charge. Additionally, each Kestrel has a 30-day
money back guarantee.
Force Description Kts
0 Calm 0
1 Light Air 1-3
2Light Breeze 4-6
3Gentle Breeze 7-10
4Moderate Breeze 11-16
5Fresh Breeze 17-21
6Strong Breeze 22-27
7Near Gale 28-33
8Gale 34-40
9Strong Gale 41-47
10 Storm 48-55
11 Violent Storm 56-63
12+ Hurricane 64+
7

The following issues do not result from a manufacturing defect and are not covered under
this warranty: damage due to improper use or neglect (including corrosion), impact damage,
modications or attempted repairs by someone other than an authorized NK repair agent,
impeller failure not caused by a manufacturing defect, normal wear from use of the product,
failed batteries, and re-calibration beyond 30 days from your date of purchase.
Your warranty period will be measured from your date of purchase. The best way to ensure
full warranty coverage is to REGISTER your NK product promptly on our website:
www.kestrelweather.com. We keep your registration information strictly condential and
do not sell it, share it, or use it for anything but product-related information bulletins (which
you may decline receiving). If you do not register and cannot provide proof of purchase,
your warranty period will be measured from our date of manufacture, determined by
serial number.
We request that you contact NK if you feel your product is not working properly. We can
often solve product issues by phone or e-mail, saving you the time and expense of returning
the unit. If we require the product to be returned, we will issue a Return Authorization to
expedite the handling of your warranty claim.
The Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters are covered by the following patents: 5,783,753,
5,939,645, 6,257,074, and 7,059,170.
Kestrel® 2000 Pocket Weather® Meter

LIFETIME CUSTOMER CARE WARRANTY
NK wants you to be an NK customer for life, so we take care of you even beyond the terms of
the above warranty with our Customer Care Program. Trade-in any Kestrel Pocket Weather
Meter, no matter the age or condition, and receive a generous discount on the replacement
product (same model only). Our Customer Care Program applies only as long as we
manufacture the product, and does not cover product upgrades.
CALIBRATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND SERVICE
Every NK product is tested and calibrated before it leaves our factory. We guarantee that it
will perform within specications when you receive it. Each Kestrel comes with a Certicate
of Conformity, with the stated specications for that product on the back. If you feel an
NK product is not meeting specs when you receive it, call us and we’ll make sure you are
operating it correctly. If it still appears that it may be out of spec, return it to us within 30
days of purchase and we will test and recalibrate all values at no charge. Beyond 30 days, we
oer reasonably-priced tests, calibration services and N.I.S.T. certied calibrations as well as
Kestrel tune-ups.
All of our measurements are traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology,
ensuring the highest level of accuracy. Our primary Calibration Standards are sent for
calibration in accordance with N.I.S.T. requirements and based on a regular schedule.
Only approved laboratories and N.I.S.T themselves are used for these calibration services.
Incoming and outgoing data is supplied with the certicate of calibration.
9

We also oer full factory service on every product we manufacture for as long as we make
the product (and as long after as component availability permits). If we can’t repair a
product, we will oer you a brand-new replacement under our Customer Care Program
(even for accidental damage and misuse).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
What is a “Kestrel”? The American Kestrel is the smallest North American falcon.
Beautiful and highly adaptable, it can be found virtually everywhere in North
America. It is unique among falcons for its ability to both hover at very low
speeds and dive at very high speeds.
Assembled in the USA. The Kestrel 2000 is protected by US Patent 5,783,753 and
5,939,645. Other patents pending. Nielsen-Kellerman reserves the right to change product
specications. ©2009. Kestrel, the Kestrel logo, Pocket Wind, NK and the NK logo are
trademarks of the Nielsen-Kellerman Co.
Kestrel® 2000 Pocket Weather® Meter

11
Need Help?
Our NK Knowledge Center has answers to many common
questions, along with tips and tricks for using NK products.
It’s available 24-7 at www.kestrelweather.com/knowledgecenter .
For email assistance with the installation or operation of your NK
product, write [e-mail].
For help with an apparent malfunction, or to arrange or inquire
about a repair, write [e-mail].
Or call 800-784-4221 (610-447-1555 outside of the USA),
Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.

Register your Kestrel® Pocket Weather® Meter online at www.kestrelweather.com.
NIELSEN-KELLERMAN
21 Creek Circle, Boothwyn, PA 19061
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Web: www.kestrelweather.com
Email: [e-mail]