It’s January, and we all know what that means….SHOT show time in Vegas! This is definitely one of the Kestrel team’s favorite shows of the year, getting to see other vendors, long-time customers, and new users as they stop by our booth at the show.

This year, we’ll be introducing a newer Kestrel, the Tactical unit. The option is only available in the 4000 and 4500 series. The new model features all of the same features and functions as the regular version except the Tactical line also adds in a matte label that is camouflaged to blend in and reflect less light.  The unit also comes with Lithium batteries that are less weight and have a longer battery life. In addition, a berry compliant lanyard comes attached to the Tactical Kestrel.  Lastly, the newest addition to the Kestrel line comes with a Tactical MOLLE Case for convenience storage. Be sure to visit booth 3621 to check them out!

Of course, some other familiar favorites will also be available for purchase at the booth. We’ll have our Kestrel 4500 with Horus unit as well as our Blue Ocean Rugged Megaphone. As always, we’ll be running some hard to pass up specials including Tactical MOLLE cases for just $20 (regularly $39), show prices on our entire line of handheld weather meters, free screen protector kits and more.

This year we’ll also be spreading the brotherly Philadelphian love at our booth by hosting a “Tastykake Sampling” every day at 2PM. So if you’re craving an afternoon snack, the Kestrel booth is the place to be!

We are really looking forward to seeing new and familiar faces and seeing what the newest gear is this year. We hope you’re able to stop by and say hello during the show.

We’ve always built our Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters to be extremely durable and tough but we heard a story from a proud Kestrel user that made us realize just how rugged the meters actually are. One of our Kestrel customers uses her Kestrel meter regularly for Search and Rescue K9 operations, which is standard equipment for many handlers.

During a SAR K9 call out, this particular Kestrel user took her Kestrel 4500 out to measure some of the environmental elements that could affect the operation such as wind speed, temperature, wind direction, and relative humidity. When she went to grab it from her bag the very next day, it was nowhere to be found. After a good bit of searching she gave up, figuring she dropped it along the way and it was lost for good. Months later, after a long winter and spring and a great deal of snow and rain, the woman’s son came across the Kestrel carry case covered in mud in the horse pasture. Sure enough, when he picked it up and unfastened the velcro, the Kestrel meter was inside. He returned it to his mom and when she tried to turn it on, it worked!  She thinks one of her four-legged search and rescue co-workers may have mistaken it for a toy earlier that year and wanted to play a game of “hide and seek”.

She was pleased to learn that after months of the unit sitting under feet of snow, inches of rain, and covered in mud, the only thing that the Kestrel unit needed was a new impeller. With the simple pop out design, replacing the impeller was an easy fix, costing less than $20 and it’s good as new. Now, we think that is money well spent!

We enjoy hearing back from all of our customers. Thanks to our users for sharing their stories of how their Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters survive many of nature’s elements. If you have a story you’d like to share, feel free to email us and let us know.

We’re going to have some great deals and money savers this coming Black Friday that will be valid one day only! We’re knocking big bucks off of some of our favorite products, and because the discounts are big, we’re only offering them to those on our email list.  Don’t worry if you’re not on our list, there is still time to sign up. You can add yourself simply by going to http://bit.ly/nkbkfriday so be sure you sign up soon.

Here is how it will work:

On Thanksgiving Day, we’ll be sending out an email to our fans and customers who are signed up with us detailing what deals will be available the very next day. Our offices are closed Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday so all orders must be submitted online. The discounts are only available Black Friday so offers cannot be applied to previous or future orders.

Remember to check your email on Turkey Day for details.