Product of the Week- Pocket-sized Turbo Meter

by Sail-World Cruising on 15 Dec 2012 Particularly when sailing remotely, redundancy is the key to successful cruising - when one system breaks another takes its place. Here's a natty pocket-sized tool which will contribute to your overall redundancy. If your wind instruments become damaged - even a bird can do it - it can require a trip up the mast to correct it. That's not a good thing in heavy weather, when knowing the wind speed is critical.

With the handy Turbo Meter from Davis Instruments you'll never be at a loss to know the wind speed. Compact yet sophisticated, the Turbo Meter employs high-tech electronic circuitry for maximum sensitivity and accuracy, measuring wind speeds from 0 to 44.8 m/sec.

(Sailing adventurer Jeanne Socrates, currently on her way towards the Horn in her attempt to solo circumnavigate the world non-stop and unassisted, recently had to climb the mast just for this reason. In a recent email she was rueing the fact that, until the weather abated and she was able to climb the mast, she had to guess the wind strength. Wouldn't she have liked one of these little gadgets!)

This handheld anemometer operates on the principle that a freely turning turbine rotates at a speed directly proportional to wind speed. Even the lightest winds are detected by the instrument's sensitive sapphire jewel bearings. The turbine's rotation is sensed by an infrared light beam, which adds no friction.

Large scale integrated electronic circuitry increases the reliability and accuracy of the Turbo Meter's readings. The instrument's versatile three-digit display can be switched between four different scales to indicate wind speed in miles per hour, knots, feet per minute or meters per second. A high resolution screen provides excellent viewing contrast, even in bright sunlight or at night.

Small enough to be tucked into a pocket, the Turbo Meter weighs only 85 g and measures 7 x 12 cm.

It runs off three AAA batteries, and an automatic power-off function helps preserve battery power.

If your local marine store doesn't have one, contact one of the Australian distributors:


Whitworth's Nautical
15 Clearview Place
Brookvale NSW 2100 AUSTRALIA
Ph: + 61 2 9907 3344
F: + 61 2 9907 3187
http://whitworths.com.au

Susan Brophy
Australian Fishing Network
PO Box 544
Croydon VIC 3136
Ph: + 61 3 9761 4044
F: + 61 3 9761 4055
sbrophy@afn.com.au
www.afn.com.au

Clarkson Imports &
Dist Pty Ltd
1 Naismith Court
Rowille Victoria, 3178
Ph: + 61 397555377
F: + 61 397555388
rod@
piscesfishingtackle.com

Harrold Marine Wholesale Pty
3/19 Success Street
Acacia Ridge, QLD 4110
Ph: + 61 7 3277 6563
F: + 61 7 32776567
hmw@optusnet.com.au
www.harroldmarine.com.au