Kestrel® Wind and Weather Instruments

Kestrel Drop Test Standard

We have drop-tested the Kestrel lineup to MIL-STD-810F (20 drops from 5’ onto a hard surface.)

Kestrel 4000 Drop Test Performed

The Drop test was performed in accordance with MIL-STD-810F, Method 516.5, Procedure IV (Transit Drop Test). Three Kestrel 4000 Pocket Weather Meters were sequentially dropped in non-operating mode, onto each face, edge and corner, for a total of 26 drops from a height of 122 cm (48 inches). The drop surface was vinyl composite tile over concrete.  Ambient air temperature was 26°C (78°F). The Weather Meters were visually inspected after each drop and a functional check was performed after each drop.

Kestrel 4000 Drop Test Results

The Weather Meters were fully functional following each drop and survived in excess of 26 drops. No visible damage to the units resulted from the drop tests. There were five instances of the Weather Meters resetting due to transient loss of battery power, but no loss of data or functionality occurred. There was one example of the Kestrel impeller only (field replaceable) suffering damage after ten drops to that unit, but the unit was restored to full function by replacement of the impeller. The protective impeller cover was observed to disconnect from the unit on six occasions, but neither the cover nor the unit suffered damage and the cover could be readily reinstalled.