Spent $45 on a wind gauge that paid for itself in one morning...

I was up near Buffalo last month on a job site, and the winds were gusting all over the place. Dropped $45 on a Kestrel 1000 pocket wind meter after getting sick of guessing. Next morning, it showed a 28 mph gust right as I was about to hook a load, so I called it off and saved myself from a real bad swing. Anyone else trust these little gadgets over just feelin' it out?

3 comments

3 Comments

nancyramirez11h agoMost Upvoted

Gut feelings get people killed no joke.

zarag1716h ago

Dropping $45 on a gadget to tell you what your own two arms could figure out seems like a lot. Must be nice having that kind of cash to throw around for a little peace of mind. I've been working outside my whole life and still trust my gut over some plastic box that's probably off by a few mph anyway. Half the time these things get knocked around on a belt and end up reading funny. Seems like a waste unless you're doing crane work where a few feet really matters. But hey, if it makes you feel better about your day, go for it.

skyler_kelly695h ago

Nah, I gotta disagree a little. $45 is nothing compared to what a hospital visit costs if you guess wrong and take a fall. I've seen guys who can "feel" the wind just fine until they get complacent and a gust catches them off guard. Those little anemometers are cheap enough that there's no real excuse not to have one if you're working high up. Gut feelings are fine for most days, but it only takes one bad read to change your life.