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.

It’s that time of year when we all start thinking about longer days, blooming trees, BBQs and the beach. Cabin fever is at all time high. We’re ready to shed our winter layers of sweaters, parkas, and scarves for breezy spring tank tops and flip flops. Everyone is eager to trade in that snow shovel for a beach umbrella! But most of us are not as eager to slip into boards shorts or bikinis after a long winter of hibernating with creamy casseroles, holiday treats and hot chocolate. Those forgotten New Year’s resolutions of tight gluts and washboard abs come flooding back at the first sign of green on trees. Ah, spring training. We’re pumped to hit the gym, the track, the bike trail and the PX90 DVD (well, the very brave souls are doing that).

When you’re doing outdoor activities, monitoring the environmental conditions is not only critical for your health and safety, but also for maximizing performance. Kestrel meters make that a cinch. Toss a Kestrel Pocket Weather Meter in your gear bag to stay on top of conditions and your training. Checking the heat stress index can help prevent heat-related injuries by alerting you to dangerous conditions. Know when to take extra precaution or prepare to stay fully hydrated.  Track the wind, elevation and temperature on long rides or runs to see how it affects your performance. On long hikes, easily observe the barometric pressure trends to watch out for any bad weather headed your way.

It’s important to track your progress and measure your training program to ensure results.  You can even chart Kestrel weather data and wirelessly transfer it to your laptop for a comprehensive training log. Kestrel meters give you all the pertinent weather information that affects performance and safety. It’s also helpful to track nutrition and workouts to help you reach your fitness goals.  MapMyFitness is an online forum and smart phone app that allows you map your walking, running or bike routes, find new ones, log distance, workouts, calories burned, and more. Plus, you can even connect with a workout buddy in your area through the online fitness community. Check it out here!

Got any fave fitness tips? Share them here. Plus post how you use the Kestrel meter in your workouts and you could win an NK water bottle.

Know Your Conditions.

Your faithful blogger & Kestrel Weather Girl,

Monica Devlin

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The Kestrel 4000 keeps you updated on weather conditions for outdoor activites.

Did You Know…?

What’s up with Magnetic North vs True North?

“True north” is the northern axis of rotation of the Earth. It is the point where the lines of longitude converge on maps. “Magnetic north” is the point on the Earth’s surface where its magnetic field points directly downwards.

Magnetic north does not exactly coincide with true north, and its location changes over time. The difference between Magnetic North and True North is called “Declination” or “Variation”.

The Kestrel 4500, just like any other compass, will measure Magnetic North. However, True North can be displayed by simply programming the Variation for your location. When viewing the Direction in Magnetic North mode, the display will show “Magnetic North” below the reading. When viewing the Direction in True North mode, the display will show “True N #.# E”, where #.# is the variation setting.

To switch between these modes, press the (–) button. Then use the < and  > buttons to toggle between Magnetic and True. To enter the variation for your location, press down to highlight Variation, then < and > to adjust the value.

How to Enter the Variation/Declination

These values for your location can be obtained on the internet. The NOAA website is an excellent resource for this information: www.ngdc.noaa.gov

To find your Variation value in the United States by zip code, go the NOAA Compute Your Declination page

If you are getting slight variations in your temperature / humidity readings with your Kestrel Pocket Weather Meter, take these easy steps to ensure accurate readings.

Kestrel tips and FAQs for using Kestrel on the fire line.

For the past two years, NK has awarded development grants to qualifying competitive athletes. Now, we’re excited to announce an expansion of this successful grant initiative to rowing programs as well.

Five rowing programs will be selected to receive a $500 grant to use toward NK products. Whether it’s the all new Cox Box, the just released Cox Box Mini or something from our speed line to round out your training needs, enter now for the chance to win your choice of NK products!

We get many requests for product donations each year from programs in need. These grants are a way to further support the rowing community with the NK products you rely on.

To qualify you must be a recognized USRowing Organizational Member and have at least ten current members.

Here’s how it works:

1. Apply online at HERE by October 31^st, 2010.
2. The Top 10 applications will be selected based on the quality of application and featured on our website. Check back to this page Monday, November 1st to see if you made the cut.
3. The online voting begins! We open up the vote to YOU to decide who wins the grant awards. So get the word out – tell your friends, post on Facebook & Twitter. Vote for who you think should win. Voting will last November 1-30.

Winners of the grant awards will be announced December 17^th, 2010. The winning rowing programs will also be featured in a profile on the NK website.

Applicants accounts must be in good standing with NK. Grants cannot be used for outstanding bills. Grant must be used at one time.