Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter

$359.00

The world's most complete weather meter AND the world's most portable weather station. Lightweight, handheld, multi-function weather meter and data logger with large sunlight-readable graphing display and tripod vane mount option.

Availability: In stock
SKU
0855




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Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter Overview

The Kestrel 5500 Rugged Weather Meter

Kestrel - The Trusted Tools of the Weatherperson


Environmental Measures
Altitude (Barometric)
Barometric Pressure
Compass Direction
Crosswind
Density Altitude
Dew Point Temperature
Headwind/Tailwind
Heat Stress Index
Relative Humidity
Station Pressure (Absolute Pressure)
Temperature
Wet Bulb Temperature (Psychrometric)
Wind Chill
Wind Speed/Air Speed
Tips For Taking Accurate Measurements

The next generation of weather monitoring is here with the Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter.

This Kestrel meter does it all. The Kestrel 5500 weather meter provides the same trusted accuracy, reliability, and usability as the original Kestrel 4500. Measure every environmental condition plus wind direction, crosswind and headwind/tailwind. Use it golfing, sailing, flying, spraying, shooting and more. Drop-proof, dust-proof, waterproof and able to withstand extreme environments without damage, your Kestrel weather meter travels with you anywhere you dare to go. A range of carry pouch options makes it even easier to take your Kestrel meter with you.

The Kestrel 5 Series platform offers a large, high-resolution and contrast display with ease of font readability. It also includes a built-in dual color backlight, extra-strong polycarbonate lens, AA battery operation and optional LiNK iOS and Android wireless connectivity and app support.  Like all Kestrel meters, the Kestrel 5500 is drop-proof, dust-proof, waterproof and able to withstand harsh environments without damage – so it can so it can work or play as hard as you do, wherever you go. A range of carry pouch options makes it even easier to take your Kestrel meter with you.

In addition to measuring the current environmental conditions, the Kestrel 5500 tracks and logs over 10,000 sets of time-stamped data. Your data log can be transferred to a iOS/Android device wirelessly with the LiNK wireless communication option and Kestrel LiNK app, or to a Windows/Mac device with either the accessory Kestrel LiNK Dongle or waterproof USB Data Transfer Cable (Both sold separately).

The true versatility of the Kestrel 5500 becomes apparent with the addition of the Kestrel Vane Mount.  This precision-engineered accessory securely mounts the Kestrel 5500 to any tripod or other ¼-20 fitted bracket. Once mounted, the Kestrel 5500 becomes a full-featured weather station – with a large wind vane and precision pivot keeping the Kestrel oriented into the wind for continuous measurement and logging of wind speed, wind direction, and all other key weather parameters. The Kestrel LiNK app also displays the Kestrel’s real-time readings on a vivid, customizable dashboard – providing a remote display that functions up to 100’ away. The ENTIRE Kestrel 5500 + Vane Mount kit weighs just 10.5 ounces / 295 grams, and packs into the included padded belt carry pouch that is just 2.5 x 3 x 8.5 inches / 6.5 x 7.5 x 22 cm. Providing hundreds of hours of accurate measurements, the Kestrel 5500 is truly the world’s most compact weather station. The Rotating Vane Mount is included with the 5500 with LiNK, or available for purchase separately. It works with any Kestrel 5 Series meter.

Kestrels have been put to the test in some of the harshest conditions on the planet. U.S. Special Forces, combat weather teams, HazMat crews, wildland firefighters, smoke jumpers, Mt. Everest expeditions and auto pit crews are just a few who rely on a Kestrel to provide them with the crucial environmental data they need. Watch any on-screen meteorologist during a hurricane, and you’re sure to spot a Kestrel in action. Be your own meteorologist, anywhere in the world, with a Kestrel 5500.

Engraving Note: Please make sure that everything is spelled correctly, as your engraved product cannot be returned. All sales are final on engraved products. Add 2 business days to all engraving orders.

  • Backlight - Switchable White/Red
  • Battery Life Indicator
  • Data Log Graph View
  • Data Logging - Adjustable Interval
  • Date & Time
  • Digital Compass
  • Drop-Tested to MIL-STD-810G
  • High Contrast, Sunlight Readable Monochrome LCD Display
  • Integrated Flip Open Impeller Cover
  • Intuitive Tactile Up/Down/Enter Keypad
  • Multilingual Menus (English, French, Spanish, German)
  • Minimum/Maximum/Average Reading
  • Pressure Sensor
  • Relative Humidity Sensor
  • Temperature Sensor (Patented External Isolated)
  • Waterproof to IP67 (3'/1M for 30 minutes)

* Applies to LiNK models only

  • Battery - 1 x AA
  • Certificate Of Conformity (Spec Sheet)
  • Instructions
  • Lanyard
  • Protective Drawstring Pouch

The specs on this page relate to all Kestrel 5 series meters. Just because a measurement is listed in this chart does not necessarily mean that it is included with all meters. To see a listing of all measurements and features for this meter, please click on the In-Depth tab above.

SENSORS
SENSORS ACCURACY RESOLUTION SPECIFICATION RANGE NOTES
Wind Speed | Air Speed Larger of 3% of reading, least significant digit or 20 ft/min Speed 0.1 m/s
1 ft/min
0.1 km/h
0.1 mph
0.1 knots
1 B*
0.1 F/S*
0.6 to 40.0 m/s
118 to 7,874 ft/min
2.2 to 144.0 km/h
1.3 to 89.5 mph
1.2 to 77.8 knots
0 to 12 B*
2-131.2*
1 inch|25 mm diameter impeller with precision axle and low-friction Zytel® bearings. Startup speed stated as lower limit, readings may be taken down to 0.4 m/s |79 ft min|1.5 km/h |.9 mph |.8 kt after impeller startup. Off-axis accuracy -1% @ 5º off axis; -2% @ 10º; -3% @ 15º. Calibration drift < 1% after 100 hours use at 16 MPH|7 m/s. Replacement impeller (NK PN-0801) field installs without tools (US Patent 5,783,753). Wind speed calibration and testing should be done with triangle on impeller located at the top front face of the Kestrel. Measuring wind speeds above 60 m/s / 134.2 mph can damage the impeller
Ambient Temperature 0.9 °F
0.5 °C
0.1 °F
0.1 °C
-20.0 to 158.0 °F
-29.0 to 70.0 °C
Airflow of 2.2 mph|1 m/s or greater provides fastest response and reduction of insolation effect. For greatest accuracy, avoid direct sunlight on the temperature sensor and prolonged sunlight exposure to the unit in low airflow conditions. Calibration drift is negligible for the life of the product. For further details, see Display & Battery Operational Temperature Limits.
Relative Humidity 2%RH 0.1 %RH 10 to 90% 25°C noncondensing To achieve stated accuracy, unit must be permitted to equilibrate to external temperature when exposed to large, rapid temperature changes and be kept out of direct sunlight. Calibration drift is typically less than ±0.25% per year.
Pressure 1.5 hPa|mbar
0.044 inHg
0.022 PSI
0.1 hPa|mbar
0.01 inHg
0.01 PSI
25°C/77°F
700-1100 hPa|mbar
20.67-32.48 inHg
10.15-15.95 PSI
Monolithic silicon piezo-resistive pressure sensor with second-order temperature correction. Between 1100–1600 mbar, unit will operate with reduced accuracy. Sensor may not operate above 1600 mbar and can be damaged above 6,000 mbar or below 10 mbar. Calibration drift is negligible for the life of the product.
Compass
1/16th Cardinal Scale
0 to 360° 2-axis solid-state magneto-resistive sensor mounted perpendicular to unit plane. Accuracy of sensor dependent upon unit’s vertical position. Self-calibration routine eliminates magnetic error from batteries or unit and must be run after every full power- down (battery removal or change). Readout indicates direction to which the back of the unit is pointed when held in a vertical orientation. Declination/variation adjustable for True North readout.

CALCULATED MEASUREMENTS
MEASUREMENT ACCURACY (+/-) RESOLUTION SENSORS EMPLOYED
Air Density 0.0002 lb/ft3
0.0033 kg/m
0.001 lbs/ft3
0.001 kg/m3
Temperature, Relative Humidity Pressure
Air Flow 6.71% 1 cfm
1 m3/hr
1 m3/m
0.1m3/s
1 L/s
Air Speed, User Input (Duct Shape & Size)
Altitude typical: 23.6 ft/7.2 m
from 750 to 1100 mBar
max: 48.2 ft/14.7 m
from 300 to 750 mBar
1 ft 1 m Pressure, User Input (Reference Pressure)
Barometric Pressure 0.07 inHg
2.4 hPa|mbar
0.03 PSI
0.01 inHg
0.1 hPa|mbar
0.01 PSI
Pressure, User Input (Reference Altitude)
Crosswind & Headwind/Tailwind 7.1% 1 mph
1 ft/min
0.1 km/h
0.1 m/s
0.1 knots
Wind Speed, Compass
Delta T 3.2 °F
1.8 °C
0.1 °F 0.1 °C Temperature, Relative Humidity Pressure
Density Altitude 226 ft
69 m
1 ft 1 m Temperature, Relative Humidity Pressure
Dew Point 3.4 °F
1.9 °C
15-
95% RH. Refer to Range for Temperature Sensor
0.1 °F
0.1 °C
Temperature, Relative Humidity
Evaporation Rate 0.01 lb/ft2/hr
0.06 kg/m2/hr
0.01 b/ft2/hr
0.01 kg/m2/hr
Wind Speed, Temperature Relative Humidity Pressure, User Input (Concrete Temperature)
Heat Index 7.1°F
4.0°C
0.1 °F
0.1 °C
Temperature, Relative Humidity
Moisture Content | Humidity Ratio (“Grains”) 4.9gpp
.7g/kg
0.1 gpp
0.01 g/kg
Temperature, Relative Humidity Pressure
Probability of Ignition (PIG) PIG Accuracy dependent on proximity of inputs to reference table steps. 10% Temperature, Relative Humidity
THI (NRC) 1.5 °F
0.8 °C
0.1 °F
0.1 °C
Temperature, Relative Humidity
THI (Yousef) 2.3 °F
1.3 °C
0.1 °F
0.1 °C
Temperature, Relative Humidity
Relative Air Density .0.3% 0.1% Temperature, Relative Humidity Pressure
Wet Bulb Temperature - Psychrometric 3.2 °F
1.8 °C
0.1 °F
0.1 °C
Temperature, Relative Humidity Pressure
Wet Bulb Temperature - Naturally Aspirated (NWB TEMP) 1.4 °F
0.8 °C
0.1 °F
0.1 °C
Wind Speed, Temperature Globe Temperature, Relative Humidity, Pressure
Wind Chill 1.6 °F
0.9 °C
0.1 °F
0.1 °C
Wind Speed, Temperature
 
ADDITIONAL PRODUCT INFO
Display & Backlight Multifunction, multidigit monochrome dot-matrix display. Choice of white or red LED backlight.
Response Time & Display Update Display updates every 1 second. After exposure to large environmental changes, all sensors require an equilibration period to reach stated accuracy. Measurements employing RH may require longer periods particularly after prolonged exposure to very high or very low humidity. WBGT requires about 8 minutes to reach 95% accuracy and about 15 minutes to reach 99% accuracy after exposure to large environmental changes.
Data Storage & Graphical display Min/Max/Avg History Logged history stored and displayed for every measured value. Manual and auto data storage. Min/Max/Avg history may be reset independently. Auto-store interval settable from 2 seconds to 12 hours*, overwrite on or off. Logs even when display off except for 2 and 5 second intervals. Kestrel 5 series units hold over 10,000 data points.
data Upload & Bluetooth Data Connect Option Wireless range up to 100ft. Connection requires optional USB data transfer cable or Kestrel Link Dongle or Kestrel LiNK app. Employs Kestrel Link protocol for data transmission with Link supported devices. (Kestrel LiNK for iOS/Android, Kestrel Link for PC/MAC).
Clock/Calendar Real-time hours:minutes:seconds clock, calendar, automatic leap-year adjustment.
Auto Shutdown User-selectable – Off, 15-60 minutes with no key presses.
Languages English, French, German, Spanish.
Certifications CE certified, RoHS, FCC, IC tested and WEEE compliant. Individually tested to NIST-traceable standards.
Origin Designed and manufactured in the USA from US and imported components. Complies with Regional Value Content and Tariff Code Transformation requirements for NAFTA Preference Criterion B.
Battery Life AA Lithium included. Up to 400 hours of use, reduced by backlight, alert light and buzzer, or Bluetooth radio transmission use.
Shock Resistance MIL-STD-810g, Transit Shock, Method 516.6 Procedure IV; unit only; impact may damage replaceable impeller.
Sealing Waterproof (IP67 and NEMA-6)
Display & Battery Operational Temperature Limits 14° F to 131° F | -10 °C to 55 °C Measurements may be taken beyond the limits of the operational temperature range of the display and batteries by maintaining the unit within the operational range and then exposing it to the more extreme environment for the minimum time necessary to take reading.
Storage Temperature -22.0 °F to 140.0 °F | -30.0 °C to 60.0 °C.
Size & Weight 5.0 x 1.9 x 1.1 in | 12.7 x 4.5 x 2.8 cm, 4.3 oz | 121 g. (Lithium battery included)

Kestrel 5 Series Certificates of Comformity

Kestrel 5 Series specification chart



Models & SKUs:

  • Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter (yellow): 0855YEL
  • Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter (olive): 0855OLV
  • Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter (tan): 0855TAN
  • Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter with LiNK + Vane Mount (yellow): 0855LVYEL
  • Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter with LiNK + Vane Mount (olive): 0855LVOLV
  • Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter with LiNK + Vane Mount (tan): 0855LVTAN

Support Documents for all Kestrels

Replacing the Kestrel Impeller

Product Safety and Warranty Kestrel 5000 Series

Kestrel 5 Series Certificates of Comformity

LiNK (Kestrel)

This tutorial will show you how to create a graph of the data that you exported from your Kestrel 5000 series or Kestrel DROP using one of the Kestrel LiNK applications.

An application that can be used to view and analyze your Kestrel data on an Android device.

Kestrel 5 Series Downloads

The attached document in Excel will help with determining average wind direction and the use of a wind rose by using the exported CSV file. This would be pertinent to any of the 5500 models, especially important for spray drift and measurements in the protected zones.

Tips for taking accurate measurements Support tab at www.kestrelinstruments.com

Kestrel 5 Series Troubleshooting Documents

A simple guide to help you update your Firmware on your Kestrel using LiNK for Android

A simple guide to help you update your Firmware on your Kestrel using LiNK for Windows

Troubleshooting Bluetooth Dongle Issues with the Kestrel 5000 Series Models and LiNK for Windows.

Kestrel LiNK Manuals and Documentation


Kestrel 5 Series Instruction Manuals

Kestrel Vane Mount Instructions

User Guide for the Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter

Visit our support page for FAQ and more.

  1. Ghost Hunting with Kestrel Instruments: A Scientific Approach to the Supernatural Ghost Hunting with Kestrel Instruments: A Scientific Approach to the Supernatural
  2. Monitoring the Weather to Understand the World Around You Monitoring the Weather to Understand the World Around You The world is a big place with all kinds of wonders to experience. There are endless curiosities to explore including the many elements of weather and its impact on the world around us. The Kestrel Instruments line offers a variety of tools for weather geeks, nature lovers, and those want to explore the world and better understand the environment.
  3. What is Density Altitude? What is Density Altitude? While many of us don't think about density altitude in our everyday lives, it impacts the environment and even how airplanes perform while in the air. With dense air, nitrogen and oxygen are tightly packed together to make the surrounding air heavier than other locations. Air density varies depending on where you're located in the world, but temperature and altitude are two primary factors that influence density altitude.
  4. Barometric Pressure vs. Station Pressure: What's the Difference? Barometric Pressure vs. Station Pressure: What's the Difference? When it comes to measuring barometric pressure, there is a bit of science going on behind the scenes. Let's take a look at the difference between barometric vs. station pressure and the variables that go into calculating the two readings.
  5. Kestrel Meters & Storm Chasing: Reliable Tracking for Severe Weather Conditions Kestrel Meters & Storm Chasing: Reliable Tracking for Severe Weather Conditions We're heading into the end of hurricane season (November 30), but the impact of hurricanes from this year has left lasting results. Hurricane Michael was the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane to reach landfall in the United States, resulting in $8 billion in damages. Earlier this year, Hurricane Florence hit the coast of North Carolina and South Carolina. Weather anchors and meteorologists from various networks rely on Kestrel Weather Meters 
  6. Getting into the Spirit of Ghost Hunting with Kestrel Weather Meters Getting into the Spirit of Ghost Hunting with Kestrel Weather Meters From old and abandoned asylums to creepy cemeteries with nothing around for miles, paranormal investigators depend on Kestrel meters for ghost hunting. Searching for spirits with the naked eye is a shot in the dark (quite literally, in most cases), which is why it’s important to rely on other senses to detect paranormal activity. Goosebumps on the back of your neck? The hair raising on your arms? These could be signs that spirits are nearby, but
  7. The Need for Environmental Monitoring in Scientific Studies The Need for Environmental Monitoring in Scientific Studies Knowing and understanding the environment around us allows us to preserve it, protect it, and even learn from it. Technology makes a major impact on how we apply our understanding to scientific studies, especially with environmental monitoring. With the help of the Kestrel 5500 and DROPs, scientists ranging from ecologists to hydrologists can improve their scientific studies with reliable, accurate data.
  8. 4 Ways the Kestrel Wind Meter Enhances Outdoor Adventure 4 Ways the Kestrel Wind Meter Enhances Outdoor Adventure Whether you consider yourself a thrill-seeker or an outdoor sports extremist, the Kestrel wind meter can take outdoor adventure to a new level. From fly fishing to parasailing, wind can play a significant role in outdoor activities.
  9. Kestrel Spotted on Wake Island after Typhoon Halola Kestrel Spotted on Wake Island after Typhoon Halola Wake Island is one of the most isolated islands in the world and Kestrel Weather & Environmental Meters were used by the military to re-establish the opening of the island after Typhoon Halola.
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