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Built-in Ballistics Boosts Targeting Power of Hand-Held Weather Meter

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

The upcoming release of the all new Kestrel Pocket Weather Tracker with Horus Ballistics (yep, I can say that all in one breath) has triggered a decent amount of questions, comments and cyber high-fives from you. I wanted to share the latest information on the arrival of this highly anticipated Kestrel meter and answer some of your most common questions.

So, when can I get it?

The official release date is scheduled for this fall.

We make all of our own products right here at the Kestrel headquarters so we’re on top of the entire production process. We’re also perfectionists. We refuse to let you have products that aren’t up to extremely high standards. We put our Kestrel meters up against stringent NIST standards, rigid military drop-test specs, and IP-67 & MIL-STD-810 protection from dust and water damage. If you don’t know what those codes stand for, it’s basically a fancy, super official way of saying a product is darn TOUGH. Let’s just say the Kestrel is the Clint Eastwood of hand-held weather meters, or Chuck Norris even. What that means for you, is that we conduct robust rounds of beta testing and updates to ensure the product that reaches your hand is top notch. Check back for schedule updates or changes.

Which Kestrel meters will be available with Horus Atrag Ballistics software?

The Kestrel 4500 NV series will be available with Horus Vision ballistics. The Kestrel 4500 is the only model to give wind direction, which is important for long-range shooting and a perfect complement to an integrated targeting solutions system. The Night Vision (NV) series is the preferred model for the military because of its dim red back light that does not obscure or bleach out your natural vision in low light situations. Nocturnal or early AM hunters like this one too for the same reason.

You will also have the option to choose a model with Bluetooth data transfer or without the wireless technology. With the Bluetooth technology, you would be able to wirelessly transmit all of the Kestrel weather data to a laptop for analysis or long-term documentation. For example, tracking and comparing shooting competition performance against range conditions or for training purposes.

The available colors will be in Olive Drab and Desert Tan.

See what they look like here.

How much do they cost?

We will have more info on this going forward so be sure to check back at our site and this blog. You could also follow me on Twitter @KestrelChick. Fan us on Facebook and of course shoot me an e-mail: mdevlin@nkhome.com.

The Kestrel with Horus Ballistics will certainly cost less than the price of a ruggedized PDA and Kestrel meter combo. This new Kestrel meter eliminates the need for a PDA- all the critical data you need is right in the unit!

For more info on the new Kestrel with Horus Vision ballistics, please click here.

Know Your conditions.

Your Kestrel Weather Girl,
Monica Devlin

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Un Fuego! Kestrel Weather at Interschutz Firefighting Tradeshow

Monday, July 5th, 2010

NK Sales & Marketing Manager, Katie Godfrey, and Kestrel Business Development Manager, Christy Munding, took on Germany for the Interschutz Tradeshow. Interschutz is the international exhibition for Rescue, Fire Prevention, Disable Relief, Safety & Security. For short, us industry folks call it Interschutz.

Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters are used by wildland firefighters all over the globe. Knowing relative humidity, wet bulb temperature and various other conditions is critical when battling wind-whipped blazes. Imagine being responsible for containing one of the most unpredictable, volatile forces of nature — fire. Talk about pressure. Particularly, in dense brush areas where the environment and ambient conditions fuse to create a potentially deadly crucible that knows no boundaries.

Firefighters are able to use their Kestrel Pocket Weather Meter to quickly get accurate weather conditions right where they are. Monitoring the on-site blaze conditions gives firefighters the information they need about fire behavior and making decisions for safety and strategy.

We understand what a dangerous job firefighters have and are proud to make products that are as tough as the demanding environments they face. When you’re facing a field with quickly-spreading orange stripes of destruction, you don’t have time to guess. You need reliability, accuracy and something that can take the heat.

Before the Kestrel Meter became the standard tool for firefighters more than a decade ago, they used an apparatus called a sling psychrometer, which is basically two thermometers mounted together with a handle attached to a chain. One thermometer has a wet cloth over it for determining wet bulb temperature. They’d twirl the sling psychrometer around and this would tell them the measurement based on temperature and evaporation rate of the wet cloth. A lot more work than just turning on your Kestrel Meter!

Here’s a pic of a Kestrel 3000 one of our wildland firefighters sent me after it survived a 500 degree blaze. Definitely one for the trophy case. It still turns on and the impeller still works. Though, the screen is a bit smoked out. Kestrel S’More anyone? Kestrel meters are regarded as the toughest hand-held weather meters available for a reason. So we feel confident offering an atypical five-year warranty on all our meters.

If you’d like to learn more about wildland firefighting, check out this cool (or hot) resource center the National Geographic site has posted.


Sales Manager Katie doesn’t just sell Kestrel Meters to firefighters, she’s so dedicated she even went and got certified as a Wildland firefighter herself!

That’s pretty smoking hot, huh?

See Katie and Christy talk Kestrels and fire in an interview from the tradeshow.

Kestrel Girls at Interschutz

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Can you Spot the Kestrel in this Weather Channel Commercial?

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Before you read, please watch:

Wherever there’s a need for humidity, wind speed, barometric pressure or temperature readings…there’s a Kestrel Pocket Weather Meter to save the day with accurate, instant measurements!

If I were the casting director for this latest Weather Channel commercial, the above statement is how I would describe the epic role and significance that the scene-stealing Kestrel 4500 plays just at the .08 second mark. Sure, you only catch but a brief glimpse of the Kestrel’s noble, quarter-turned profile, rugged American-made cool, and sturdy exterior which earns its 5-year warranty. However, there are no small parts, only small actors- and weather meters. Positioned between Storm Tracker Jim Cantore’s official “Weather Channel” hat and mic, the Kestrel 4500 is clearly part of his essential gear.

Jim Cantore is kind of a big deal in the weather world. I mean, heck, as this commercial conveys, he’s like the Raging Bull of Meteorology. The undefeated champion of storm tracking!

But, not only superstar meteorolgists use Kestrel Meters to get instant environmental conditions. Just about every TV weather team in the country relies on the Kestrel to get on-the-spot weather data. That way, when you see your meteorologist doing a live report, screaming above the roar of a hurricane, “I’m standing in 70 MPH winds” , they can whip out their Kestrel to prove it!

Thanks to our friends at local ABC affiliate WPVI-TV, for pointing out the Kestrel cameo. Their weather team is top notch.

Who is your fave local weather team or meteorologist?

Send me your picks and why. I’ll feature the top 5 submissions on our page, Twitter and Facebook. Plus you’ll win a Kestrel Weather Prize pack!

I’m going to give a shout out to one of my fave meteorologists. She’s a former Philly weather girl who is currently a Chief Meteorologist in Chicago. She LOVES everything weather and covers some of the coldest games in the NFL. Plus her name is Amy Freeze. Seriously.  Doesn’t get better.

Learn more about Amy and download some DIY forecasting tips from her Freeze Front website . It’s pretty “cool”. Pardon the weather humor, you knew it was coming.

amy freeze

Amy Freeze & her Kestrel 2500 at Chicago Bears game

Your Kestrel Weather Girl,

Monica Devlin

mdevlin@nkhome.com

twitter.com/KestrelChick

Facebook.com/KestrelMeters

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Kestrel Weather Meters get a Boost with Bluetooth Technology

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Imagine getting all the instant environmental data you could hope for and just as instantly and easily,  sending it straight to your laptop or PDA. No interface, no connector cable… no problem!  Your wish is our command.  The Great Kestrel Genie has granted this must-requested customer demand. Ok, actually our awesome team of engineers made it happen. Either way, the all new line of Kestrel Weather Meters with Bluetooth Technology is as cool as magic.

The entire Kestrel 4000 model line of Pocket Weather Instruments will have wireless capabilities for the ultimate in portable and accurate environmental data immediately available to every application. This exciting line will be introduced just in time for the holidays. So be sure to put this on your gear wish list…as small as a cell phone- it’s the perfect fit for a stocking stuffer…and with a 5-year warranty, longer lasting than a fruit cake!

A few key features to look forward to with the release of Kestrel Weather Meters with Bluetooth Technology:

Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters have specifically customized our Bluetooth integration to answer the unique needs of our customers:

  • Streamline your work and reduce your equipment in the field – wireless data transmission eliminates the need for a separate interface and cabling.
  • Every bluetooth Kestrel will include custom communication software designed to quickly and easily configure your data transmission frequency, download logged data, graph data, and transfer data to other applications.
  • Data transmission range adjustment allows you to maximize power to communicate with your Kestrel at up to a 30 feet range, or reduce power for closer, more secure operation.
  • Individual unit ID’s ensure you pair with the Kestrel you want, even when more than one system is operating in the same area.
  • Permanently coded unique 4-digit Pin numbers provide extra security when pairing and transmitting data.
  • Power efficient Bluetooth module and software based power management maximize battery life – transmit a full set of every weather parameter once every 30 minutes with only a slight reduction in the Kestrel’s battery life.

If you’d like to receive the latest e-mail updates and news on this new product please shoot me an e-mail at mdevlin@nkhome.com to get added to the Kestrel Bluetooth pre-release list.

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