Satisfy The Inner Weather Buff - Brunton Sherpa Atmospheric Data Center
Written: Feb 10 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Measures wind-speed, temperature, barometric pressure, altitude and can calculate wind-chill, pressure trends and more
Cons: none really
The Bottom Line: Accurate and tough, the Brunton is a great addition to any backpacker or climber’s backpack and is perfect for those people who always want to know more about the weather
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| jps246's Full Review: Brunton Sherpa Atmospheric Data Center |
Are you a weather buff or looking for the perfect gift for someone who can’t get enough about the weather? The Brunton Sherpa Atmospheric Data Center is a handheld device that provides temperature, atmospheric pressure, airspeed, wind-chill and altitude information. Basically it is a weather station that can fit into your hand
Accurate and tough, the Brunton is a multi-purpose device that’s a great addition to any backpacker or climber’s backpack and is perfect for those people who always want to know more about the weather. It can easily answer those questions you think about while out in the elements.
The Details
Weighing only 1.5 ounces, the Brunton Data Center is very light. In addition to its light weigh, it only measures about 4 inches by 1-½ inches by seven inches. It’s small enough to slip into a backpack pocket or comfortably carry in your hand (if you’re monitoring the weather as you walk).
After turning on the Brunton the LCD screen comes up with different sections displaying the different information available. If you want the wind speed, hold up the Brunton perpendicular to the wind direction for a few moments to let it get an accurate reading. Wind speed can be displayed in miles per hour, kilometers per hour, meters per second and knots. The Kestrel also can display an average wind speed (smooth out the gusts while you are standing there) and can display a maximum wind speed (to catch those big gusts). Temperature can be displayed in both degrees F and C. Wind chill is calculated by comparing the current temperature and the wind speed. The barometer shows the current atmospheric pressure and the pressure trend in the last 16 hours. The altimeter provides accurate data up to about 30,000 feet. There is also a clock feature so that you can tell time with the Brunton. Controlling the functions on the Brunton is easy and as you cycle through the various options not show immediately on the screen.
The Brunton is waterproof and weatherproof. Therefore you do not need to worry about holding it up to measure the wind in a storm. The battering rain or snow will not harm it. It will even float in water should you drop it in a puddle or in a body of water if you are out on a lake or in a river.
The Brunton uses a lithium CR2032 cell type battery to power itself. This battery lasts for a long time (the instruction manual states it should last for 2 years). The battery is included with the Brunton. After a few minutes of inactivity, the Brunton will turn itself off to conserve battery life.
Do I want it?
If you can’t get enough weather information, then by all means, yes. In general my partner and I have found that the Brunton operates accurately and easily (honestly it couldn’t be easier and that’s important for him) and it is a neat gadget to have along on any hike or climb – or wherever you are outdoors and want an “on-the-spot weather report.”
Plus if you are as interested in the weather as my partner is, then the Brunton Sherpa Atmospheric Data Center is a great tool for making on-the-spot weather observations. I of course sit there and go into “why do you get so excited about the weather” mood while he runs around with it measuring wind speed (he did go to college for meteorology) and going on and on about changes in pressure and temperature. But even then, it’s still a cool gadget and it turns out to be more useful than for just bragging rights as my partner has shown me – using the barometric trends you can actually predict impending weather (increasing pressure – better weather, decreasing pressure – bad weather coming).
The Brunton Sherpa Atmospheric Data Center makes an excellent gift for the weather buff you know if you personally are not that interested in knowing about all this information when you are outdoors.
Final Take
If you have ever wanted to know how strong that wind speed is wherever you are, what the temperature or pressure is, or how high you are, the Brunton Sherpa Atmospheric Data Center is a useful, fun and easy to use tool to have with you.
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Recommended:
Yes
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