Elitetrack: Sport Training & Conditioning

Thoughts?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wind-speed-Anemometer-Wind-Gauge-NEW_W0QQitemZ200100947261QQcmdZViewItem

I think it would work fine. The only problems I could see would be placing it in the appropriate place for a given event. Also, how useful would it be? Would there be any practical usage? Perhaps as a gauge for meets where there wasn't one?

QUIKAZHELL - 23 April 2007 07:33 PM

Thoughts?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wind-speed-Anemometer-Wind-Gauge-NEW_W0QQitemZ200100947261QQcmdZViewItem

I've used a similar guage at meets before to the one below.  http://www.everythingtrackandfield.com/detail.aspx_Q_ID_E_3283_A_CategoryID_E_412

The only difference I can see between them is the tube on either side of the fan (cuts down on cross wind influence) and the tripod and, of course, a huge $ savings.

Those "pocket" gauges aren't very reliable.
I used to compete in 1000 yard target rifle. A few guys tried those gauges, but found that "reading" the flags was better. Plus, they estimate the wind right at the instrument, but the wind can be different 100 yards away. We had flags every 100 yards down the range (sometimes blowing different directions and strengths).

Richard_703 - 24 April 2007 07:10 AM

Those "pocket" gauges aren't very reliable.
I used to compete in 1000 yard target rifle. A few guys tried those gauges, but found that "reading" the flags was better. Plus, they estimate the wind right at the instrument, but the wind can be different 100 yards away. We had flags every 100 yards down the range (sometimes blowing different directions and strengths).

But are they reliable compared to a traditional (single) track&field;wind gauge?

Good question, I don't know…
I'm trying to imagine why you might want one. I guess during training you could have a ballpark figure to go with your times.  The question is how well do they measure the direction component of the wind that is aligned with the track?

Would want one for as Mike said (for meets that do not have wind gauges) as well as for training just to see what the wind is like. And just for fun.

Did you buy it?

mike - 01 May 2007 08:06 AM

Did you buy it?

Mort did…......

How is it Mort? Have you found it to have a practical use?

It seems to do its job.  The most basic model should be fine.  I got the one with altitude/barometer (why, I don't know).  I will see if I can take it to the meet this week and compare it with the real wind gauge.  I have never really played with an athletics wind gauge (Gill) so I can't give much critical/comparative info.

This is the one I got.  I still have not figured out the exact specifics of the avg. wind speed feature.
http://www.snowboardfusion.com/item.php?id=&type;=&ref_no=95976

I own and use a Kestrel 1000 pocket guage and Springco Wind Guage System (complete with tripod), as well as operate a UCS Wind Guage configured for Lynx.  I use the Springco for horizontal jump events at regional championships.  The pocket unit is a soft backup or when events are going at different times and opposite directions.

In my experiences, the Kestrel has an accuracy of 0.2% of the Springco unit when setup to the wind and 0.14% when setup with the wind.  Though setup on a tripod, the Kestrel was compared using a homemade wind tube.

Alternatively, when I replace the Springco guage with the Kestrel in the Springco configuration (tube and tripod), the difference is less than 1% (=< 4 mps) in both directions to that of a calibrated UCS (sprint events).  The Springco guage is less accurate.  Perhaps a factor of impeller quality.

Price - 02 May 2007 11:03 AM

I own and use a Kestrel 1000 pocket guage and Springco Wind Guage System (complete with tripod), as well as operate a UCS Wind Guage configured for Lynx.  I use the Springco for horizontal jump events at regional championships.  The pocket unit is a soft backup or when events are going at different times and opposite directions.

In my experiences, the Kestrel has an accuracy of 0.2% of the Springco unit when setup to the wind and 0.14% when setup with the wind.  Though setup on a tripod, the Kestrel was compared using a homemade wind tube.

Alternatively, when I replace the Springco guage with the Kestrel in the Springco configuration (tube and tripod), the difference is less than 1% (=< 4 mps) in both directions to that of a calibrated UCS (sprint events).  The Springco guage is less accurate.  Perhaps a factor of impeller quality.

Good info. So you would recomend the Kestrel 1000?

The Kestrel 1000 has worked quite satisfactorily as a snapshot wind guage.  The variability of controls provides a better instrument during training (max speed, avg speed, MPH, etc.) as well.  With tripod and tube, it operates just as well as the Springco unit and would meet HS and IAAF requirements, if necessary.

Price - 02 May 2007 05:58 PM

The Kestrel 1000 has worked quite satisfactorily as a snapshot wind guage.  The variability of controls provides a better instrument during training (max speed, avg speed, MPH, etc.) as well.  With tripod and tube, it operates just as well as the Springco unit and would meet HS and IAAF requirements, if necessary.

Did you make the extension to attach to the tripod yourself alogn with the tube?

QUIKAZHELL - 02 May 2007 06:15 PM

Did you make the extension to attach to the tripod yourself alogn with the tube?

Yes.  With industrial velco straps and rigid plastic tubing (L=1'/W=1.5").