ALL Features
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Kestrel 4500NV adds Night Vision capability to the Kestrel 4500 Pocket Weather
Tracker which adds Heading (true & magnetic), Cross Wind, Head Wind, Tail
Wind along with Current, Average & Max Air Velocity to the outstanding
features of the KS-4000.
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. 3 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 4
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 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 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.
6 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 button to scroll quickly through the data points. Press
the 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/Avgas 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 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 minutes the
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 7 8 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 Dew point
Wet in Hg 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 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 offer 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.
Dew point is the temperature to which air must be cooled in order for
condensation to occur. The difference between dew point and temperature is
referred to as the temperature/dew point spread. A low dew point spread
indicates high relative humidity, while a large dew point 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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