ALL Features
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Kestrel 4000 Pocket Weather Tracker�
Date/Time, Measurements,
User Defined Screens
POWER/SETUP BUTTON
Hold to turn power on or off.
Press
to enter and exit Main Setup Menu.
BACKLIGHT BUTTON
Press to activate
backlight for 1 minute.
COMMAND BUTTON
In Chart Screens, press
to view data points.
In Setup Menus, press
to make selection.
MODE BUTTONS
Press to change mode of
measurements: Current,
Min/Max/Avg, Chart.
BACK
PRESSURE SENSOR
Monolithic silicon
piezoresistive sensor.
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Kestrel� 4000 Pocket Weather� Tracker
TEMPERATURE SENSOR
Hermetically sealed
precision thermistor
coiled to isolate from
case temperature.
HUMIDITY SENSOR
Capacitive sensor with
secondary thermistor to
improve accuracy and
response.
IMPELLER
Sapphire jewel bearings
on a user-replaceable
impeller.
IMPELLER COVER
Swivel cover protects
impeller when not in use.
DATA UPLOAD OPTICAL COUPLER
Software and serial port
interface sold separately.
BATTERY DOOR
Sealed with o-ring to keep
product watertight.
SERIAL NUMBER
2 AAA BATTERIES
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Custom settings and chart data will be saved during a battery change! Only the date/time and MMA values will
be lost.
The Kestrel 4000 is set up to display 10 Measurements (some are actually calculations) in 3 Modes. The Measurements are listed on the
next page with their corresponding screen icon. Use the and buttons to scroll through the various Measurements.
The Modes are:
Current - displays the instantaneous reading
Min/Max/Avg - displays the Minimum/Maximum/Average readings from stored data
Chart - displays a graphical representation of up to 2000 stored data points for each measurement.
Examples of each of these screens are shown on the next page. Use the and buttons to scroll through the various Modes.
In addition to these Measurements and Modes, there are also 3 User Screens, which simultaneously show 3 current measurements; and the Date & Time Screen, which gives the current date and time.
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Measurements use
Wind Speed,
Temperature,
Wind Chill,
Humidity,
Heat Index,
Dew Point,
Wet Bulb,
Altitude,
Barometric
Pressure,
& Density
Altitude.
The Kestrel 4000 is capable of storing up to 2000 data points for each measurement. To review
the data, press the button while viewing a chart. A cursor will appear on the most recent data
point. Press the button to scroll through older data points and the button to scroll through
more recent data points. The date and time at which the data was stored will be displayed at the
bottom of the screen. The data value will be displayed at the top of the screen. Hold down the
or button to scroll quickly through the data points.
Press the or button to review the data for the other measurements. Please note that the cursor will remain at the same date and time.
If new data is stored while viewing chart data, the entire chart will shift left with the new data point charted on the right. The cursor will not shift
with the chart.
Press the button to return to the Chart Mode.
The Kestrel 4000 has three User Screens which can be customized to display three current measurements
simultaneously. Min/Max/Avg for Wind Speed and Wind Chill
The Min/Max/Avg values for Wind Speed and Wind Chill are measured independently from the stored and charted data. While viewing
the Min/Max/Avg screen for either Wind Speed or Wind Chill, press the button when the screen displays --average to begin
collecting data for both measurements. The Min/Max/Avg for Wind Speed and Wind
Chill will not affect any other Min/Max/Avg or stored data.
The Kestrel 4000 is capable of measuring RH to a high accuracy: +/- 3% RH. To ensure the Kestrel 4000�'s ability to operate within these
specifications, follow these recommendations:
Avoid taking measurements in direct sunlight, which will heat the air inside the humidity sensor enclosure and cause inaccurate
readings.
If your circumstances force you to expose the Kestrel to a large temperature swing prior to taking a relative humidity reading (such
as when taking a Kestrel stored inside at 70° F outside to a temperature of 40° F), you will need to take additional steps to ensure
that the Kestrel�s external temperature sensor is in thermal equilibrium
- Ideally, provide an airflow of at least 1 M/S (2.2 MPH, over the temperature sensor, moving from the back of the unit towards
the front. (In other words, point the Kestrel into the airflow.) With airflow over the temperature sensors and humidity
chambers, readings within specifications will be provided within two to three minutes, even after a large temperature shift.
- If no airflow can be provided, you must allow sufficient time for the RH value to stabilize. This can take as long as 20 minutesthe
greater the temperature change, the greater the time. You can use the logging capability of the Kestrel 4000 to confirm
that the unit has stabilized to a correct reading: Set the memory options to a relatively short logging interval (20 seconds works
well, see page 10 for instructions), select the graphical display of RH, and you can see when the value is no longer changing
significantly. At that point, the RH value is stable and can be relied upon to be within the accuracy specifications.
The Kestrel 4000 measures station pressure - the actual air pressure in the measurement location - and uses this value to calculate
barometric pressure and altitude. Station pressure changes in response to two things - changes in altitude and changes in the
atmosphere. Because the Kestrel 4000 is constantly changing location and altitude, it is important to enter adjustments or references�
when accurate pressure and altitude readings are needed.
Barometric pressure is station pressure corrected to sea level. In order to make the correction, the Kestrel 4000 needs an accurate
reference altitude. Altitude is the height above sea level. In order to correctly calculate altitude, the Kestrel 4000 needs an accurate
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barometric pressure reference, also known as an altimeter setting�. You only need to know ONE of these values (current barometric
pressure or current altitude) in order to set your Kestrel up to show accurate readings.
- Starting with the known barometric pressure for your location: You can obtain your current barometric pressure
by checking an internet weather site for a nearby location, or contacting a local airport. Set this value as your
reference pressure on the ALTITUDE screen to determine your correct altitude: Press the button to enter the
reference setting mode. Press the button to increase the reference pressure or the button to decrease the
reference pressure. You will notice that the altitude will change with changes in the reference pressure. Press the
button to exit the adjustment mode. Set your Kestrel down on a table and allow the altitude reading to stabilize. (Note: very small
changes in pressure generate noticeable changes in altitude. In order to provide meaningful readings for activities where altitude
changes quickly, the Kestrel 4000 features rapid altitude response. This is why the altitude readings tend to fluctuate by a few feet.)
After obtaining a current altitude from the ALTITUDE screen, move to the BARO screen and enter this value as your reference altitude
by following the same procedure. Both readings will now be accurate.
The Kestrel 4000 has a high-visibility green backlight, which makes the display easily read in low-light conditions. The Kestrel 4000
NV has a visible red backlight which preserves the natural night vision of users such as military personnel and pilots. It takes 30 to 45
minutes for the average eye to adapt to darkness and maximize night vision. Even a short burst of white, yellow, green or blue light bleaches out the rod cell photoreceptors in the eye and causes night blindness until the entire adaptation process can take place
again. Light in the red spectrum does not cause this bleaching out, preventing night blindness and night vision fatigue. This units red
backlight is also much dimmer than a standard backlight, making it more difficult to detect with the naked eye in night operations.
The Time Formats available are: 12 hour and 24 hour.
The Date formats available are day/month/year and month/day/year.
Language - Displayed text can be set in one of five languages: English, French, German, Italian or Spanish.
Weather Monitoring
Auto Store - These settings will allow you to track conditions for almost 3 months.
When the memory is full, each new measurement will be stored in
place of the oldest data point. The charts will provide a quick look at
the recent weather conditions. Keep an eye out for falling barometric
pressure, which indicates a storm is coming.
Hiking/Camping for the Weekend - These settings will allow you to track the conditions for almost 26
days. Measurements will be stored every 20 minutes, and stop storing
when the log is full. This will let you review the trip at your convenience
when you return. You can also manually store the conditions, in case
you get caught in 40 mile per hour winds or make it to the top of
a mountain. For more detailed information on your trip, set the
Store Rate to 2 hours overnight, and 10 minutes during the day.
Soaring/Hang Gliding -
These settings will allow you to track all conditions for 66
hours. Chart your altitude changes, watch how the
temperature and humidity vary with altitude, and log your
apparent speed. Data will no longer be stored once the log is
full, in order to preserve it until it can be reviewed later. Be
sure to clear the data log just before your flight.
Skydiving - These settings will allow you to record a detailed account of
your jump. Be sure to clear the data log just before jumping.
As you descend toward the ground, you will be tracking the
altitude every two seconds, as well as the conditions at that
altitude. The chart will clearly show the point at which the
parachute opens, as well as the point you get back on the
ground.
Units - The units of measure can be adjusted to best suit the application. The following units are available:
Wind Speed
Temperature
Pressure Altitude
m/s meters per second Dewpoint
Wet inHg inches mercury
Density Alt.
km/h kilometers per hour
Bulb Temp,
Wind
hPa hectopascals
Chill & Heat Index
psi pound per square inch ft feet
mph miles per hour
�C Celsius
mb millibar
ft/m feet per minute
�F Fahrenheit
Bft Beaufort
Highlight the desired measurement by pressing the or button. Press the or button to scroll through the available units.
Press the button to return to the Main Setup Menu.
The three User Screens can be reconfigured to display the most appropriate information for the application. Only
current measurements can be selected for the User Screens - Min/Max/Avg and Charts are not available.
The display Contrast and Auto Shutdown can be reconfigured as required.
The relative humidity and pressure sensors can
also be recalibrated. It is extremely important to know the precise altitude and mean sea
level barometric pressure at the time of calibrating the sensor. The humidity sensor can be calibrated by “teaching” it the correct humidity. Some special equipment is required for
this calibration, including two hermetically sealed containers and saturated salt solutions. We offers a calibration kit under Kestrel Parts & Accessories.
The Kestrel 4000 calculates altitude based on the measured station pressure and the input
barometric pressure - or “reference pressure”.
Barometric Pressure: The air pressure of your location reduced to sea level. Pressure will change as weather systems move into your
location. Falling pressure indicates the arrival of a low pressure system and expected precipitation or storm conditions. Steady or rising
pressure indicates clear weather. A correct altitude must be input for the Kestrel 4000 to display barometric pressure correctly.
Density Altitude: The altitude at which you would be, given the current air density. Often used by pilots in order to determine how
an aircraft will perform. Also of interest to individuals who tune high performance internal combustion engines, such as race care
engines.
Dewpoint is the temperature to which air must be cooled in order for condensation to occur. The difference between dewpoint and
temperature is referred to as the temperature/dew point spread. A low dewpoint spread indicates high relative humidity, while a large
dewpoint spread indicates dry conditions.
Heat Index is a practical measure of how hot the current combination of relative humidity and temperature feels to a human body.
Higher relative humidity makes it seem hotter because our ability to cool ourselves by evaporating perspiration is reduced.
Reference Pressure: The local barometric pressure. Input to the altitude screen to provide correct altitude readings. Also known as
the altimeter setting.
Relative Humidity: The amount of water vapor actually in the air divided by the maximum amount of water vapor the air could hold
at that temperature, expressed as a percentage.
Station Pressure: The air pressure of your location, NOT reduced to the sea level equivalent.
Temperature: The ambient air temperature.
Wet Bulb Temperature: The lowest temperature to which a thermometer can be cooled by evaporating water into the air at constant
pressure. This measurement is a holdover from the use of an instrument called a sling psychrometer. To measure wet bulb temperature
with a sling psychrometer, a thermometer with a wet cloth covering over the bulb is spun rapidly through the air. If the relative
humidity is high, there will be little evaporative cooling and the wet bulb temperature will be quite close to the ambient temperature.
Some exercise physiology guides use wet bulb temperature, rather than heat index, as a measure of the safety of exercise in hot and
humid conditions.
Wind Chill: The cooling effect of combining wind and temperature. The wind chill gives a more accurate reading of how cold it really
feels to the human body. The Kestrel 4000�s wind chill is based on the National Weather Service standards as of November 1, 2001.
HVAC - These settings will record conditions every five minutes, for a
total storage of almost 2 days. You can monitor the conditions
in a laboratory or manufacturing plant, both day and night, to
determine if the climate control is working properly. Or you can
examine the effect on the environment when employees enter
and exit the building.
HVAC/R - These settings will require you to press the Manual Store Button
in order to store any data at a duct, hood, vent, or other air system.
The meter will not store any data automatically. Be sure to record
the location and date/time of storage for reference when
reviewing the data. After storing the conditions at each location,
simply review the data and balance the system.
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