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

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

Bluetooth Kestrel Press Release

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Contact: Monica Devlin
Nielsen-Kellerman
610-447-1555
mdevlin@nkhome.com

BLUETOOTH TECHNOLOGY ADDED TO LINE OF HAND-HELD WEATHER METERS FOR INSTANT DATA TRANSFER AND ULTIMATE PORTABILITY

Real-time weather information plus wireless capabilities create the perfect storm for lightening quick data logging and transfer with Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters.

BOOTHWYN, PA… Nielsen-Kellerman, manufacturer and distributor of Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters, introduces a new line of their rugged, reliable hand-held weather monitoring device equipped with wireless Bluetooth technology.

Kestrel meters are well-known as the portable weather data tool of choice for military and police professionals and first responders.  Their reputation for accuracy and reliability has been earned over thirteen years of proven performance in extreme environments.  Nielsen-Kellerman CEO, Alix Kocher, says the new wireless line significantly boosts the product’s potential for immediacy in application, “The integration of Bluetooth technology with Kestrel Meters means increased convenience, portability and relevance in the field when it comes to quick and necessary data transfer.”

In many current applications, the key environmental measurements from a Kestrel instrument are input into other systems – ballistics calculators, fire behavior models, hazmat plume predictors, heat stress models, weather reports, research data sets and more.  Now, both real-time and logged data can be transferred wirelessly and automatically to a laptop or PDA, making a Bluetooth Kestrel 4000 series weather meter the perfect tool for virtually any job that requires quick and truly accurate environmental data.

  • 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.

Integrated Bluetooth will be available as on option in EVERY Kestrel 4000 series weather meter:  The Kestrel 4000 and 4000NV Weather Tracker, the Kestrel 4500 and 4500NV Weather Tracker, the Kestrel 4200 HVAC Meter, the Kestrel 4250 Racing Weather Tracker, and the Kestrel 4300 Construction Weather Tracker.  The Bluetooth versions of each model are projected to be priced at $100 more than the standard versions.  The Bluetooth models will be externally identical to the current models and will work with all the same accessories.  The Kestrel Portable Vane Mount is a particularly useful accessory for a Bluetooth enabled Kestrel meter – creating a full weather monitoring and transmission station that costs less than $575 and can be easily carried in a pack and set up anywhere in minutes.

Every Kestrel Pocket Weather Meter is backed by a five year warranty and is designed, developed, built, tested and supported here in the USA. Nielsen-Kellerman’s Kestrel Weather division has been researching, developing and manufacturing technically advanced portable weather instruments for more than twelve years and owns multiple patents on their unique features. Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters are employed by thousands of users in hundreds of different activities around the world.

-Know Your Conditions-

For more information, contact Monica Devlin at 610.447.1555 x306, mdevlin@nkhome.com or visit www.nkhome.com.

###

Kestrel Bluetooth to Debut at US EPA Conference this weekend!

Monday, November 9th, 2009

The highly anticipated Kestrel Meters with Bluetooth series will make its official debut at the 2009 Emergency Preparedness & Prevention & HazMat Spills Conference. Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters have long played a critical role in accurate information gathering for first responders. Now, the addition of Bluetooth Technology to the Kestrel 4000 series increases its relevance AND customer convenience with instant, seamless data transmission to a laptop.

In emergency situations, every second counts. It can mean the difference between community safety and harm.

The conference will be held 11/15-11/18 in Baltimore. If you’re attending, stop by the Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters Booth, mention this blog post and receive a free gift!

We are offering a very special deal for the first 100 customers to purchase Kestrel Meters with Bluetooth if you place your order by the end of November. Interested in learning more? Contact Christine Munding at 610-447-1555 ext 227 or cmunding@nkhome.com.

All New Kestrel with Bluetooth boosts your potential across applications!

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.