The Instrument Choice Team of Scientists regularly reviews new and popular products, so when searching for the perfect scientific instrument for your application, you can make more informed decisions.
This article evaluates the Kestrel 5200, a multi-purpose, robust and waterproof handheld environmental meter that measures over 15 essential weather parameters for monitoring work sites, conditions before pouring concrete, balancing HVAC systems, and spraying crops.
About Kestrel
Kestrel meters are the go-to instruments for handheld and portable weather and environmental devices. Kestrel’s extensive range includes basic wind meters for hobby applications right up to professional environmental monitoring devices.
Introducing the Kestrel 5200 Professional Environment Meter
The Kestrel 5200 Professional Environment Meter takes the guesswork out of environmental monitoring by measuring and making speciality calculations for 17 critical parameters. The parameters measured and calculated by the Kestrel 5200 include:
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1. Air Density |
10. Humidity Ratio |
Kestrel 5200 Models
Kestrel 5200 Professional Environment Meter
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Kestrel 5200 Professional Environment Meter with LiNK
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Impressive Features and Benefits of the Kestrel 5200 Professional Environment Meter
- Plenty of Parameters: The Kestrel 5200 offers a complete suite of environmental measurements plus special features designed to aid HVAC technicians, construction and agriculture professionals.
- Exceptional Readability: The high-contrast display enables straightforward interpretation of measurements and readability.
- Bright Backlight: A dual colour backlight permits easy reading of measurements under any lighting conditions.
- Virtually Unbreakable: Drop-proof, dust-proof, waterproof and able to withstand harsh environments without damage – the Kestrel 5200 will take anything your industry can throw at it.
- Data at your fingertips: Track and view minimum, maximum and average values at the press of a button.
- Delta T Measurement: The Kestrel 5200 includes the measurement of Delta T. Delta T measurement is critical to help estimate the efficiency of an air conditioning system in HVAC balancing and determining the most efficient and safe time for spraying in agriculture.
- Effortless Data Logging: The Kestrel 5200 tracks and logs over 10,000 sets of time-stamped environmental data for later review.
- Replaceable Impeller: As with all Kestrel pocket meters, the impeller is easily replaceable if it becomes damaged.
- Impeller Cover: A convenient flip-top impeller cover lets you use other functions while protecting and prolonging the life of the replaceable impeller.
- Conveniently User Customisable: Customise screens to display user-selected measurements. Switch off screens you don’t need to view.
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Data Transfer: Export your data log to a mobile device or computer in three ways:
- Devices with and without LiNK: Using the Data Transfer Cable (sold separately).
- LiNK enabled devices: Wirelessly with the LiNK wireless communication option and Kestrel LiNK app; or
- LiNK enabled devices: LiNK enabled devices Wirelessly to a PC/MAC with the accessory Kestrel LiNK Dongle (sold separately).
Kestrel 5200 Professional Environment Meter Key Specifications
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SENSOR SPECIFICATIONS |
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Sensor |
Accuracy |
Resolution |
Specification Range |
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Wind Speed / Air Flow |
Large of; 3% or reading, least significant digit of 20ft/min |
0.1 m/s |
0.6 to 40 m/s |
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Ambient Temperature |
±0.5°C |
0.1°C |
-20 to 158°F |
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Relative Humidity |
±2%RH |
0.1%RH |
10 to 90% 25 C non-condensing |
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Pressure |
±1.5 mbar at 25°C, 700-1100 mbar/ ±0.044inHg at 77°F 20.67-32.48 inHg / ±0.022 PSI 10.15-15.95 PSI. |
0.01 inHg |
25 C/77 F |
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Compass |
±5° |
1° |
0 to 360° |
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GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS |
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Battery Life |
Included AA Lithium battery. Up to 400 hours of use. Battery life reduced by the backlight and Bluetooth radio transmission use. |
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Shock Resistance |
MIL-STD-810g, transit shock, method 516.5 Procedure IV; unit only; impact may damage the replaceable impeller |
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Sealing |
Waterproof (IP67 and NEMA-6) |
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Display & Battery Operational Temperature Units |
-10°C to 55°C. Measurements may be taken beyond the limits of the operational temperature range by maintaining the unit within the operational range and then exposing it to a more extreme environment for the minimum time necessary to take a reading. |
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Size and Weight |
12.7 x 4.5 x 2.8 cm, 121g |
Kestrel 5200 Professional Environment Meter Applications
We recommend the Kestrel 5200 Professional Environment Meter wherever professional-level precision is required. Applications include:
- Monitoring job site conditions, e.g. construction sites
- Before pouring concrete
- Balancing HVAC systems; and
- Spraying crops.
Conclusion
What do our scientists conclude about the Kestrel 5200 Professional Environment Meter?
“Simple, functional and precise, the Kestrel 5200 monitors various environmental parameters essential for HVAC, job sites, agricultural applications and more. Along with options for data export, this pocket “weather station” is guaranteed to not only meet but exceed your expectations time and time again.”
Want more on the Kestrel 5200 professional environment meter? Speak with an Instrument Choice Scientist: Call 1300 737 871 or email customer-service@instrumentchoice.com.au.
