PRECISION ULTRASONIC WIND SENSOR
When the measurement has consequences
High-performance wind measurement for demanding environments
When wind data feeds dynamic positioning, aviation weather systems, turbine control or offshore operations, the sensor has to do more than measure speed and direction. It needs to keep producing dependable data in the environment, conditions and system where that measurement matters.
We aim to respond in one working day.
Open-head design
Accurate at steep flow angles
No moving parts
Ultrasonic, 0 to 360° direction
Stainless steel 316
Sealed to IP66, NEMA 4X
Status code on every output
Built-in error checking
- Up to 90 m/sThe highest range in the family, WindObserver 90
- Down to -55 °CAnti-icing heating on the heated models
- FAA and CAAAccepted for AWOS on WindObserver 70
- ATEX, IECEx and UKEXWindObserver IS for hazardous areas
The measurement problem
Built for demanding applications
Wind speed and direction may be straightforward to measure. The engineering challenge comes from where the sensor has to operate and what depends on its output.
A sensor on an offshore structure may face salt spray, vibration and severe weather. One installed in an aviation weather system may need specific aviation acceptance. A wind turbine sensor needs to keep operating in exposed conditions while feeding the wider control system. In a hazardous area, the instrument must meet the relevant certification before its measurement specification even becomes the discussion.
WindObserver is designed around those requirements, combining ultrasonic measurement with stainless steel construction, high wind-speed ranges and model-specific approvals. WindObserver measures the wind 115 m up the Emirates Spinnaker Tower and on runways at airports worldwide. Designed and manufactured in Lymington, Gill technology is specified in 150+ countries.
Open-head design
Higher wind speed measurement and better accuracy as the flow angle increases.
Stainless steel 316
IP66 and NEMA 4X across all six models.
Heated down to -55 °C
Anti-icing heating on the 65, 70, 75, 90 and II.
Status code on every output
Built-in error checking and fault reporting.
Choose your WindObserver
Six models, separated by speed, heating and approval
The family shares the stainless steel head, IP66 and the ultrasonic measurement. What separates the models is the top of the speed range, the heating and the approvals.
WindObserver 65
When output rates up to 10 Hz matter more than an extreme speed range.
WindObserver 70
For aviation weather systems. It is the model carrying FAA and CAA acceptance for AWOS.
WindObserver 75
When the site needs 75 m/s, or the reading drives turbine yaw and pitch.
WindObserver 90
When site wind can reach 90 m/s, the highest range in the family.
WindObserver II
For marine installations needing analogue outputs alongside Lloyd's Register and ABS approval.
WindObserver IS
For hazardous areas, where ATEX, IECEx or UKEX certification decides the specification.
No single WindObserver does all of that. Our team can suggest a pairing.
Lloyd’s Register Type Approval: WindObserver 65, 70, 75, 90 and II. ABS Product Design Assessment: WindObserver II. FAA and CAA acceptance for AWOS: WindObserver 70. ATEX, IECEx and UKEX certification: WindObserver IS, which carries no Lloyd’s Register or ABS approval. Confirm approval status against the current datasheet before ordering.
Choosing between them
Which WindObserver, side by side
Every model shares the stainless steel head, IP66 and the ultrasonic measurement. The difference is the speed range, the heating and the approvals each model carries. Every figure is from the released datasheets.
| Specification | Up to 10 HzWindObserver 65 | AviationWindObserver 70 | Turbine controlWindObserver 75 | Extreme windWindObserver 90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choose it when | Output rates up to 10 Hz matter more than an extreme speed range | The reading is used for AWOS surface wind reporting and must be FAA and CAA accepted | Winds reach 75 m/s in cold climates, or the reading drives turbine yaw and pitch | Survival in storms up to 90 m/s matters most |
| Wind speed | 0 to 65 m/s (145 mph) | 0 to 70 m/s (156 mph) | 0 to 75 m/s (168 mph) | 0 to 90 m/s (201 mph) |
| Speed accuracy | ±2% at 12 m/s | ±2% at 12 m/s | ±2% at 12 m/s; ±1% within ±25° of datum for turbine control | ±2% at 12 m/s; ±4% at 90 m/s |
| Direction accuracy | ±2° at 12 m/s | ±2° at 12 m/s | ±2° at 12 m/s; ±1° for turbine control | ±2° at 12 m/s |
| Output rate | 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 or 10 Hz | 1 to 4 Hz | 1 to 4 Hz | 1 to 4 Hz |
| Heating | Option, 3 A at 24 V AC or DC | 7 A at 24 V AC or DC | 7 A at 24 V AC or DC | 7 A at 24 V AC or DC |
| Operating temp | -55 °C to +70 °C with heating | -55 °C to +70 °C with heating | -55 °C to +70 °C with heating | -55 °C to +70 °C with heating |
| Weight | 1.4 kg | 1.3 kg with connector, 1.7 kg with 2 m cable | 1.3 kg with connector, 1.7 kg with 2 m cable | 1.3 kg with connector, 1.7 kg with 2 m cable |
| Supply | 9 to 30 V DC, 30 mA at 12 V | 9 to 30 V DC, 60 mA max | 9 to 30 V DC | 9 to 30 V DC |
| Outputs | RS422, RS485, full or half duplex | RS422, RS485, full or half duplex | RS422, RS485, full or half duplex | RS422, RS485, full or half duplex |
| Approvals | Lloyd's Register Type Approved | FAA, CAA, Lloyd's Register Type Approved | Lloyd's Register Type Approved | Lloyd's Register Type Approved |
| Datasheet | Datasheet | Datasheet | Datasheet | Datasheet |
| Specification | Ships and platformsWindObserver 65 | Analogue marine systemsWindObserver II | Hazardous areasWindObserver IS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose it when | You need stainless steel and optional de-icing for commercial marine use | The vessel's system takes 4 to 20 mA or voltage, alongside marine approval | The area classification calls for ATEX, IECEx or UKEX certification |
| Wind speed | 0 to 65 m/s | 0 to 65 m/s | Not stated |
| Direction accuracy | ±2° at 12 m/s | Under 2° RMSE at 12 m/s | Under 4° RMSE at 12 m/s |
| Outputs | RS422, RS485 | RS422, RS485; 3 analogue channels, ±2.5 V, 0 to 5 V or 4 to 20 mA | RS422 from the anemometer; RS422 and RS232 from the interface |
| Heating | Option, 3 A at 24 V | Option, 3 A at 24 V | No |
| Power | 9 to 30 V DC, 30 mA at 12 V | 9 to 30 V DC, 40 mA at 12 V | Through its certified interface |
| Weight | 1.4 kg | Not stated | 1.9 kg |
| Marine approval | Lloyd's Register Type Approved | Lloyd's Register Type Approval, ABS Product Design Assessed | No |
| Hazardous-area certification | No | No | ATEX, IECEx, UKEX |
| Traceable calibration | Option | Option | No |
| IP rating | IP66 (NEMA 4X) | IP66 (NEMA 4X) | IP66 (NEMA 4X) |
| Datasheet | Datasheet | Datasheet | Datasheet |
Ultrasonic measurement
Reliable measurement without mechanical wear
Traditional cup-and-vane anemometers rely on rotating components to measure wind. Cups, vanes and bearings operate continuously in the environment, creating mechanical wear points that can eventually require maintenance or replacement.
WindObserver measures wind speed and direction ultrasonically, with no rotating cups, bearings or vanes in the wind measurement system. That matters where the sensor is expensive or difficult to reach: an intervention on an offshore structure, vessel, airport mast or turbine can involve access equipment, specialist personnel and downtime. Removing the mechanical wind-sensing components reduces those wear points and helps lower the lifetime cost of ownership.
Environmental performance
Built for exposed installations
WindObserver is designed for installations where exposure to the environment is part of normal operation rather than an exception. The range uses 316 stainless steel construction with IP66 and NEMA 4X protection.
Model-dependent configurations extend that further. Wind-speed measurement is available up to 90 m/s, heated models operate down to -55 °C, and the appropriate configuration depends on the expected wind range, temperature and exposure.
How ultrasonic wind measurement worksAccuracy across the full range
Sensor status on every output
A status code travels with every reading, so the connected system can judge the validity of the data it receives, not just whether data arrived.
View specifications →Data configured around the application
Customer-selectable averaging and gust measurement, including 3-second gusts, with averaging options aligned to WMO guidance.
Compare the models →Certification comes first
In a hazardous area, start with the area classification. WindObserver IS carries ATEX, IECEx and UKEX certification and uses its own certified interface.
See WindObserver IS →Applications
Where WindObserver is specified
WindObserver is designed for situations where wind measurement sits within a wider operational requirement, from dynamic positioning and aviation weather observation to wind-energy monitoring and hazardous-area instrumentation.
Marine and dynamic positioningWind is one of the external forces acting on a vessel holding position. WindObserver 65, 70, 75, 90 and II carry Lloyd's Register Type Approval in a 316 stainless steel head.Dynamic positioning →
Aviation weatherWindObserver 70 is accepted by the FAA and CAA for suitable AWOS installations, measuring to 70 m/s and operating down to -55 °C with heating.AWOS and airport weather →
Wind energyWind speed and direction for turbine monitoring and control. WindObserver 75 adds ±1% accuracy within ±25° of datum for turbine control.Wind turbine control →
Hazardous areasWindObserver IS is the intrinsically safe model, certified for ATEX, IECEx and UKEX, including offshore installations.Oil refineries →WindObserver vs other Gill sensors
Which sensor suits depends on the application
WindObserver is heavier and costs more than WindSonic or WindUltra, so it should not be over-specified for a simple monitoring job. The question is what the installation requires the sensor to withstand, measure and integrate with.
When the job is general-purpose 2-axis measurement
- Dependable wind speed and direction for conventional installations
- 0.5 kg ASA/PC body, models to 60 or 75 m/s
- Digital and analogue outputs, including SDI-12
When size, weight and power are the constraint
- 270 g with its 1-inch pole mount
- Sealed to IP66, IP68 and IP69K
- Drones, uncrewed vessels and other mobile platforms
Not sure which fits? Speak to our team
See it work
WindObserver, where failure is not an option
Two short films on the environments a precision two-axis anemometer is specified for, and why the approvals matter.
Every landing is different
Offshore doesn’t offer second chances
Prefer to watch them together? Watch them all on the Gill Group channel
Technical specification
WindObserver technical specifications
| Specification | WindObserver 65 | WindObserver 70 | WindObserver 75 | WindObserver 90 | WindObserver II | WindObserver IS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind speed | 0 to 65 m/s | 0 to 70 m/s | 0 to 75 m/s | 0 to 90 m/s | 0 to 65 m/s | Not stated |
| Output rate | 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 or 10 Hz | 1 to 4 Hz | 1 to 4 Hz | 1 to 4 Hz | 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 or 10 Hz | Not stated |
| Heating | Option, 3 A | 7 A at 24 V | 7 A at 24 V | 7 A at 24 V | Option, 3 A | Unheated |
| Weight | 1.4 kg | 1.3 to 1.7 kg | 1.3 to 1.7 kg | 1.3 to 1.7 kg | Not stated | 1.9 kg |
| Approvals | Lloyd's Register | FAA, CAA, Lloyd's Register | Lloyd's Register | Lloyd's Register | Lloyd's Register, ABS | ATEX, IECEx, UKEX |
| Traceable calibration | Option | Option | Option | Option | Option | Not available |
Exact electrical, accuracy, environmental, mounting and certification specifications should be taken from the relevant model datasheet when specifying the instrument.
Accessories
WindObserver accessories
Installation, set-up and spare parts for the WindObserver range. Pick a model to see only the parts that fit it.
Chosen at order. The base connector, cable gland and base mount are part of the WindObserver order code. The parts below are for installation, set-up and spares.
Showing all 12 parts
Cables
- Cable, 9 pair, cut to lengthNot for WindObserver II or WindObserver IS
Connectors
- Connector kitNot for WindObserver II or WindObserver IS
- Connector kit, 20 way, with backshellFits WindObserver IS
Mounting
- Bracket for pole or wall mountingNot for WindObserver IS
- Base mount, shortNot for WindObserver II or WindObserver IS
- Base mount, longNot for WindObserver II or WindObserver IS
- Base mount pipe adaptorNot for WindObserver II or WindObserver IS
Set-up and configuration
- USB to RS422, RS485 and RS232 adaptorNot for WindObserver IS
Displays
- Meteorological TFT display, 110 to 240 V ACNot for WindObserver IS
- Meteorological TFT display, 24 V DCNot for WindObserver IS
Spares
- Bird deterrent kitNot for WindObserver IS
- Integrity check chamberNot for WindObserver IS
Order accessories with your sensor or on their own. Quote the part number when you get in touch.
Technical resources
Everything you need to specify WindObserver
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is WindObserver?
WindObserver is a family of 2-axis ultrasonic wind sensors designed for demanding applications including marine, aviation, wind energy, industrial and hazardous-area installations.
What is the maximum wind speed WindObserver can measure?
Depending on model, WindObserver measures up to 65, 70, 75 or 90 m/s. WindObserver 90 provides the maximum 90 m/s range.
Is WindObserver suitable for marine applications?
Yes. Applicable WindObserver configurations are designed for marine applications, including dynamic positioning, with marine approval available on relevant models.
Can WindObserver be used for dynamic positioning?
Yes. WindObserver is used in marine and dynamic positioning applications where reliable wind speed and direction data forms part of the wider vessel control system.
Does WindObserver provide sensor status information?
Yes. Instrumentation status information is available alongside the measurement output, providing the connected system with additional information about sensor condition.
Which WindObserver should I choose?
Selection depends on wind-speed range, environment, certification, outputs, heating and de-icing requirements. The relevant model datasheet should be reviewed against the application specification.
What is the difference between WindObserver 65, 70, 75 and 90?
The principal distinction is the maximum wind-speed measurement range: 65, 70, 75 or 90 m/s respectively, with additional configuration differences depending on the model.
What is the difference between WindObserver and WindUltra?
WindUltra prioritises compact size, low weight, power consumption and environmental survivability. WindObserver is designed for applications where environmental protection, certification, approvals and higher wind-speed capability are more important.
What is the difference between WindObserver and WindSonic?
WindSonic is Gill's broad general-purpose ultrasonic wind sensor. WindObserver is intended for more demanding applications where environmental resilience, certification, marine or aviation requirements, hazardous-area operation or extreme wind measurement form part of the specification.
Have an application to discuss?
Speak to our team
Tell us what you need to measure, where and under what conditions. We’ll help you work out the appropriate approach.
Enquiring about WindObserver
- You tell us the application What you measure, where and in what conditions.
- A real person reads it Not an account manager, and not a queue.
- We aim to respond in one working day Monday to Friday.