Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter with Link and Vane Mount, Tan

Updated Review: 7/7/2025 I recently repurchased this unit for Christmas. This is about the most accurate weather sensor you can get. It is better than my AccuRite weather station. There are almost no other weather stations on the market that allow data to be transmitted by Bluetooth. The build quality of the '5500' is fantastic. It feels like you are holding a Nokia phone. It is extremely durable. The impeller is also replaceable, so if it does get damaged you can just switch it out with a new one. It can be a bit tricky to calibrate the compass, but if you watch some online tutorials it is doable. Everything about this is astetically pleasing. The impeller cover clicks into place, the buttons click nicely. Its built like a tank. It definitely is worth it to get the LiNK enabled Bluetooth model. I'm going to post my final review first, below was my initial review: The product is well built but it doesn't do enough for something that costs over $400. I would expect an integrated GPS at least. The product is well made and there is nothing wrong with it other than it is insanely expensive. My phone can tell my altitude and barometric pressure better than this can. The altitude is also frequently wrong (again it needs GPS for better accuracy). It is also only slightly more accurate than other cheap 20 dollar sensors. My initial review: For 400 dollars for a weather sensor I expect the best. The plastic film that covered the sensor was scratched (thankfully not the actual screen) out of the box and there were plastic hairs next to the buttons. I also saw logs from 2021 as well which either means they were logging in the factory and testing it or I was sold a used product as new. I think it was tested though based on the measurements. Its accurate but takes way too long to cool down. One of the selling points is that it takes a few seconds to take accurate measurements. Also the lithium battery is only half full per the indicator out of the box. It was also very cold when it was delivered. After using it for a day it is more accurate and faster to cool down than my Protomex which was 20 dollars. It really feels like a Nokia when you are holding it. Its solidly built. Everything that moves feels sturdy including the battery door and cover for wind protector. The propeller sounds a little brittle but that might just be the design and it works well. For some reason it is not taking a regular Energizer Max battery it only takes the liion version which are very pricey. The return is taking a lot longer than expected.

Working great

Kestrel 5500 weather station arrived quickly from Amazon. Instructions were through and clear. This is a very high quality professional level instrument. Some reviews cite a lack of instructions. My device came with complete instructions. Kit included the carrying case; the 5500; a lanyard; a lithium battery; a weather vane kit for mounting the device to a tripod so it free wheels into the wind; and a link capability to bluetooth link the 5500 with a mobile device or PC. It also has a port for a wired connection to a PC. I found the device easy to use after spending about 30 minutes learning the simple menu system. You can customize a 3 row initial screen with measurements of your choice or scroll down to look at them individually. Some people are confused by the station pressure vs barometric pressure. Station pressure is the actual pressure at your station. As an example, my site is about 4300 feet above sea level. Station pressure in this case is the actual atmospheric pressure adjusted for the elevation since less air is above my site. It typically reads something like 25.xx inches of mercury for station pressure instead of 29.xx inches of barometric pressure. Pressure change is the most important thing to keep in mind and that change will ripple into both barometric and station pressure. You may find atmospheric pressure given both ways on some internet sites depending upon the site. Typically barometric pressure is more common and provides a simple way to track pressure changes. I've found that pressure going up causes wind as does pressure going down. Pressure going down is indicative of a low pressure storm moving in and increasing pressure indicates warmer weather coming. One needs to use the app for mobile devices to pair the 5500 with your mobile device via bluetooth (assuming you have the 5500 with link). I tried paring it without using the app and it would not connect. Just scroll thru the multiple screens on the app after it is loaded and you will get to a page where it allows you to connect to your mobile device. The Kestrel web site has great instructions on pairing as well. I hope this review helps to clear the air on this very powerful device.

Kestrel is a name brand high quality precise piece of equipment. What can I say. They nailed it! They have so many options with so many features. It took me about 6 months to decide on what one I wanted/needed for my application. I just went with what I needed with the option to expand. This thing has it all, everything I could ever need for windspeed. I upgraded from a $59 unit from 10 years ago to this and I am so glad I did. I HIGHLY recommend Kestrel no matter your application because they make it. Like I always say, If it doesn't say Kestrel on the box, someone else makes it and Kestrel STANDS BEHIND THIER PRODUCT.

I use the Krestrel 5500 every day and love it. The App works great on my iPad and Samsung Android phone. Only word of caution is that the lanyard is poorly made and can come apart. Mine did and I fortunately was not.in a boat or over water! The Kestrel is rugged and showed no damage from falling 4 feet to the floor. I modified the lanyard so that the string and the cord are tied together. Then I added some industrial epoxy/glue and pulled the small black cover back over the knot. Presto - I don’t have to worry about the lanyard breaking again.

Very good product for storm chasing and etc. tracks pressure inside the storm, wind speeds, and etc

I am a weather geek, I like tracking weather patterns and the Kestrel 5500 give me all of the data I would ever need in a small compact package. The included vane and travel pouch is perfect for backpacking and mobile applications. I did set up the Kestrel iPhone software and the software is terrible, the GUI is a joke and pretty much unusable on the iPhone, on the iPad the vertical orientation requires me to remove the iPad from my keyboard / stand. The bluetooth connection eats batteries (lithium) and consistently disconnects from the iPhone. If I were to buy again I would not but the Link version and save myself the aggravation and money. Overall this is a good solid product that is well made and looks to be capable of field use. I am impressed with the device operation and features as well as battery life after turning off bluetooth. Disappointed in the remote display ability and app which is why I deducted one star. As an added note if you buy the kit with the vane there is no reason to buy the worthless clamp that Kestrel sells for tripod mounting. The clamp dose not hold the 5500 securely, the cradle portion of the vane can be mounted on a tripod with no modifications.

Got this to use when in the field for Search and Rescue missions and when we need to call in helicopters for the rescue. The meter has a wealth of features above and beyond what would be needed in these situations, but all worthwhile because you never know what you'll need the next time around. It seems to pair quickly with my Note 7 and the Kestrel app that you can download for free. The app seems a little anemic, but I'm not sure how useful it would really be if you're actively using the meter. The meter comes with a little weather vane attachment that lets you mount the contraption to a 1/4-20 thread, like on a camera tripod. This is actually a nice addition for "longer term" use like if you are stationed at a check point and have to relay weather information on a regular basis. You could set up a tripod, mount the meter to it, link it to your phone, and the run the app and record the weather information as needed. Also, it will then give you a true wind direction and speed and not be affected by your body as you hold the meter. I'm glad I purchased it!

I got this just before going on long trip abroad and could not thoroughly test it. When I came back and tried it out, the impeller got constantly stuck, producing clicking sounds and of course recording much too low wind speed readings. I contacted support and was told to nudge it away from the casing, but I could not even tell where it touched. To get a better look I decided to remove the impeller from the instrument, which is normal procedure for replacing it and described in the manual. It came out and fell apart as you can see in the photo. It is a really cheap looking frail plastic part. You should know that they sell replacements for between 30 and 40 Euros including tax and shipping and it is supposed to be calibrated in a wind tunnel and come with a certificate. This is absolutely ridiculous. And it also proofs that it is not made to last. Why make it so easily replacable otherwise? Support told me to send it back to Amazon (which is not possible anymore) instead of offering at least a free replacement impeller. The only thing Kestrel is good at is marketing to sell their cheap quality product for a ridiculously high price.

Nothing to complain about with this weather Meter. Well built, accurate and easy to use. Still learning how to log and graph my readings though.

This guys are awesome. The kit is too!

Excellent produit

Andava bene anni fa, ora basta uno smartphone per avere gli stessi dati