Kestrel Pocket Weather Tracker.

In line with our article on soldier communications found in this issue, one further piece of equipment, one very important piece--that combines altimeter, barometer, thermometer, anemometer and hygrometer into one very small unit--is worthy of note. The Kestrel 4000 Pocket Weather Tracker from Nielsen-Kellerman is a small (12.7 x 4.5 x 2.8-centimetre), waterproof, hand-held marvel weighing a sleight 102 grams. The 4000 quickly and efficiently records the above parameters as well as wind speed and wind chill factor, dew point, wet bulb temperature and heat stress. Forward operating units, meteorologists and command centres use the Kestrel 4000 for logging environmental data and for after-action reporting. Armada's editors took this small unit for a spin each morning and evening for two weeks, recording the data into the Kestrel's memory for later recall and comparison. User-defined custom screens succinctly provide important information at the press of a button, and weather trends can be displayed graphically on the eye-friendly backlit screen. Some 250 separate measurements can be charted and stored and recalled within seconds. The simplicity of the unit's controls is in stark contrast to the wealth of mission critical information the Kestrel 4000 provides. An optional PC interface allows for the downloading of data to a variety of spreadsheet applications. The suggested operating temperature range is between -20 C and +60 C, although below -20 accurate readings may be taken by keeping the unit warm and exposing it for the minimum time necessary to take the reading (usually less than one minute). Just two AAA batteries power the unit (for up to 400 hours) and the 25 mm impeller and housing assembly are user-replaceable in the field. A standard one-year warranty accompanies the unit.