3-AXIS ANEMOMETER FINDER
Research anemometers are not a spec-sheet decision
Answer three questions. We will point you to the closest fit.
WindMaster and the R3 and HS Research range resolve the vertical component as well as the horizontal, at data rates from 20 Hz to 100 Hz. Head geometry and output rate decide most of this, and both are in the questions.
Three skewed paths, three wind componentsMove your pointer to steer the wind
9Variants in the range
100 HzHighest output rate
65 m/sHighest measured wind speed
40+Years in ultrasonic measurement
Tell us what you’re measuring and how you’ll deploy it. We’ll narrow the choice to the sensors most suited to your application.
What is your primary application?
Pick the closest match. This drives the result more than anything else.
What specific capabilities do you need?
Select all that apply. These are soft criteria and will score candidates without eliminating any.
Any hard requirements?
Selecting these will eliminate products that cannot meet them. Skip if none apply to your deployment.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Three ways into the range
By data rate
Output rate is the cleanest dividing line in the range. WindMaster runs from 20 Hz to 32 Hz, which covers wind energy survey, ventilation control and most flux work. 50 Hz and 100 Hz come only from the Research range.
By head geometry
Head design is not cosmetic. Symmetrical, asymmetrical, horizontal and right-angle heads each distort the flow differently, which matters when the flow itself is the measurement. Mounting constraints often decide this for you.
By reading the specs
To work from numbers, the full matrix for all nine variants sits further down this page, including output rate, accuracy, construction and calibration.
EVERY MODEL
What selects each of the 9
The condition that picks each model, stated once. The finder above applies the same logic to your answers.
The reference 3-axis anemometer. Aluminium and carbon fibre, 1.0 kg, 0 to 50 m/s, 20 Hz standard output (32 Hz option). U, V, W, SoS and sonic temperature. Suited to meteorology, structural monitoring, wind energy and building ventilation studies. Typically specified for atmospheric research, structural monitoring, wind energy and turbine testing, building ventilation and airflow, remote measurement sites. Datasheet.
Stainless steel, 0 to 65 m/s, 32 Hz standard. Improved W (vertical) resolution and speed of sound accuracy versus the standard WindMaster. The choice for precision wind measurement involving high wind speeds, marine research and structural safety. Typically specified for atmospheric research, structural monitoring, marine and offshore, wind energy and turbine testing, remote measurement sites. Datasheet.
Right-angle head variant of the WindMaster. Aluminium and carbon fibre, 1.0 kg, 0 to 50 m/s, 20 Hz standard (32 Hz option). Designed for restricted installations or applications requiring a non-standard head orientation. Typically specified for atmospheric research, structural monitoring, wind energy and turbine testing, building ventilation and airflow, remote measurement sites. Datasheet.
Stainless steel, horizontal head design, 0 to 45 m/s, 32 Hz. The integral electronics unit provides analogue I/O. Designed for eddy covariance, structural monitoring and offshore installations where flow disturbance from the anemometer geometry must be minimised. Typically specified for eddy covariance and flux, structural monitoring, marine and offshore, remote measurement sites. Datasheet.
Research-grade 3-axis anemometer with 50 Hz output. Aluminium and carbon fibre, 0 to 45 m/s. Custom calibration as standard. RS422 only. PCIA analogue output unit and SIU analogue input unit supplied. The established choice for eddy covariance and surface flux studies. Typically specified for atmospheric research, eddy covariance and flux, wind energy and turbine testing, marine and offshore, remote measurement sites. Datasheet.
The same research-grade platform as the R3-50, upgraded to 100 Hz output. Aluminium and carbon fibre, 0 to 45 m/s. Custom calibration as standard. For high-frequency turbulence analysis and applications where 50 Hz is insufficient. Typically specified for atmospheric research, eddy covariance and flux, wind energy and turbine testing, marine and offshore, remote measurement sites. Datasheet.
Asymmetric head configuration, 100 Hz. Aluminium and carbon fibre, 0 to 45 m/s. The asymmetric design allows more accurate measurement of horizontal flows with minimum wind interruption from the sensor geometry. Custom calibration as standard. Typically specified for atmospheric research, eddy covariance and flux, structural monitoring, marine and offshore, remote measurement sites, specialist test facilities.
Stainless steel horizontal head, 50 Hz, 0 to 45 m/s. Built-in inclinometer. Horizontal design allows accurate measurement of vertical flows with minimal flow disturbance from the sensor geometry. For eddy covariance, offshore and remote research sites. Typically specified for eddy covariance and flux, marine and offshore, remote measurement sites, specialist test facilities, atmospheric research. Datasheet.
Stainless steel horizontal head, 100 Hz, 0 to 45 m/s. Built-in inclinometer. The highest output rate in the research horizontal-head family. For applications requiring 100 Hz alongside a horizontal design and stainless steel construction. Typically specified for eddy covariance and flux, marine and offshore, remote measurement sites, specialist test facilities, atmospheric research. Datasheet.
SPECIFICATIONS
Every variant, every number
Scroll sideways to see every variant. Figures are taken from the current product datasheets.
| Specification | WindMaster | WindMaster Pro | WindMaster RA | WindMaster HS | R3-50 | R3-100 | R3A-100 | HS-50 | HS-100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind speed range | 0 to 50 m/s | 0 to 65 m/s | 0 to 50 m/s | 0 to 45 m/s | 0 to 45 m/s | 0 to 45 m/s | 0 to 45 m/s | 0 to 45 m/s | 0 to 45 m/s |
| Wind speed accuracy | Under 1.5% RMS at 12 m/s | Under 1.5% RMS at 12 m/s | Under 1.5% RMS at 12 m/s | Under 1.5% RMS at 12 m/s | Under 1% RMS | Under 1% RMS | Under 1% RMS | Under 1% RMS | Under 1% RMS |
| Direction accuracy | 2° at 12 m/s | 2° at 12 m/s | 2° at 12 m/s | 2° at 12 m/s | Under ±1° RMS | Under ±1° RMS | Under ±1° RMS | Under ±1° RMS | Under ±1° RMS |
| Output rate | 20 Hz standard (32 Hz option) | 32 Hz standard | 20 Hz standard (32 Hz option) | 32 Hz (internal: 20 or 32 Hz) | 50 Hz (selectable 0.4 to 50 Hz) | 100 Hz (selectable 0.4 to 100 Hz) | 100 Hz (selectable 0.4 to 100 Hz) | 50 Hz (selectable 0.4 to 50 Hz) | 100 Hz (selectable 0.4 to 100 Hz) |
| Outputs | U, V, W, SoS, sonic temperature | U, V, W, SoS, sonic temperature | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Construction | Aluminium and carbon fibre | Stainless steel | Aluminium and carbon fibre | Stainless steel | Aluminium and carbon fibre | Aluminium and carbon fibre | Aluminium and carbon fibre | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| IP rating | IP65 | IP65 | IP65 | IP65 | IP65 | IP65 | IP65 | IP65 | IP65 |
| Operating temp | -40°C to +70°C | -40°C to +70°C | -40°C to +70°C | -40°C to +70°C | -40°C to +60°C | -40°C to +60°C | -40°C to +60°C | -40°C to +60°C | -40°C to +60°C |
| Weight | 1.0 kg | 1.7 kg | 1.0 kg | 2.96 kg | 1.0 kg | Not available | 1.2 kg | Not available | Not available |
| Digital output | RS232, RS422, RS485 | RS232, RS422, RS485 | RS232, RS422, RS485 | RS232, RS422, RS485 | RS422 full duplex only | RS422 full duplex only | RS422 full duplex only | RS422 full duplex only | RS422 full duplex only |
| Analogue outputs | Optional (12 or 14 bit, 4 channels) | Optional (14 bit, 4 channels; includes PRT input) | Optional (12 or 14 bit, 4 channels) | Optional (14 bit, 4 channels) | Supplied PCIA unit (7 channels, 14 bit) | Supplied PCIA unit (7 channels, 14 bit) | Supplied PCIA unit (7 channels, 14 bit) | Supplied PCIA unit (7 channels, 14 bit) | Supplied PCIA unit (7 channels, 14 bit) |
| Power | 9-30 VDC, 55 mA at 12 VDC | 9-30 VDC, 55 mA at 12 VDC | 9-30 VDC, 55 mA at 12 VDC | 9-30 VDC, 55 mA at 12 VDC | 9-30 VDC (under 150 mA at 24 VDC) | 9-30 VDC (under 150 mA at 24 VDC) | 9-30 VDC (under 150 mA at 24 VDC) | 9-30 VDC (under 150 mA at 24 VDC) | 9-30 VDC (under 150 mA at 24 VDC) |
| Custom calibration | Optional (wind tunnel test) | Optional (wind tunnel test) | Optional (wind tunnel test) | Optional (wind tunnel test) | Provided as standard | Provided as standard | Provided as standard | Provided as standard | Provided as standard |
| W resolution | Not available | Improved vs standard WindMaster | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Head design | Not available | Not available | Right-angle | Horizontal (minimal flow disturbance) | Not available | Not available | Asymmetric (horizontal flow accuracy) | Horizontal (vertical flow accuracy) | Horizontal (vertical flow accuracy) |
| Analogue inputs | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Optional SIU (6 differential, 14 bit) | Optional SIU (6 differential, 14 bit) | Optional SIU (6 differential, 14 bit) | 6 differential inputs (separate electronic unit) | 6 differential inputs (separate electronic unit) |
| Inclinometer | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Optional | Built-in (range ±20°, accuracy ±0.3°) | Built-in (range ±20°, accuracy ±0.3°) |
| Accuracy note | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Applies for incidence up to ±50° from horizontal | Not available | Not available |
KEEP LOOKING
Where to go next
ENGINEERING QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
When do I actually need 3-axis rather than 2-axis?
When the vertical component is part of the measurement. Eddy covariance, flux measurement, turbulence characterisation, building and clean-room ventilation studies and wind energy site assessment all read the vertical. Horizontal wind speed and direction for meteorology, aviation or marine navigation does not, and a 2-axis sensor is the better instrument for that job.
What output rate do I need?
Eddy covariance work is generally specified at 50 Hz or above, which limits the choice to the Research range. Wind energy survey, ventilation control and general turbulence characterisation are well served by WindMaster at 20 Hz to 32 Hz. Specifying 100 Hz where 20 Hz answers the question multiplies the data handling for no measurement gain.
Does head geometry change the measurement?
Yes. Every head shape distorts the flow it sits in, and the correction applied differs with geometry. Where the flow itself is the measurement, the head is part of the specification rather than a mounting preference. Horizontal and right-angle heads exist because some mounting positions make the standard head the wrong choice.
Can I have the sensor calibrated to my own requirement?
Custom calibration is available across the Research range, and the calibration option is listed per variant in the spec table. Where the work has to be traceable, Labcal is the UKAS-accredited laboratory that handles it.
Have an application to discuss?
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Tell us what you need to measure, where and under what conditions. We’ll help you work out the appropriate approach.
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