WindScale app for iPhone and iPad
The Beaufort scale is an empirical measure for describing wind speed based mainly on observed sea conditions. Its full name is the Beaufort wind force scale. THIS iPhone delivery mechanism of Beaufort wind force scale is ideal for the world boater, sailor or yachtsman, who has no internet access and lacks electronic or paper versions. Relate information on VHF Wx channels to current conditions. Works great in Airplane Mode. Additional activities that may benefit are fishing, golf, cricket, hunting, baseball - virtually anything outdoors.
Pros and cons of WindScale app for iPhone and iPad
WindScale app good for
Thanks, this product fills a need for me. My iPhone is rapidly becoming my backup nav system to my Raymarine C80. Any information related to weather (in this case wind speed), is of help to me, as I navigate remote waters in British Columbia. The price is right.
This application is great. I really like the description of what the weather would look like, ie, white caps begin to form on waves etc. Very helpful to have aboard any boat!
I have something to do with wind farms. I am interested with anything to do with wind. I knew about this scale and I am glad to have this on my i touch to take with me.
First off I like the app. I have three suggestions that I think will improve the app. First off, I would like you to incorporate windsock observations into the land conditions. Windsocks are used at airports and industrial facilities, so this would be a nice reference. Next, it would be nice to add a wind chill factor calculator into the app. I know there are other apps that do this, but I like the idea of multi-function apps. Perhaps the calculator could provide results in °F and/or °C, with input from either mph and/or knots. Finally, I would like you to consider a background option of black on white for the reference info. Outdoors on a sunny day, the current version would be difficult to read. Please consider my suggestions: I like the app, but I want to make it better. M.Marcus
Some bad moments
Theres virtually nothing here. Just one screen for each level of the Beaufort scale. Each screen has a few words telling you the Beauforts wind speed equivalent, some of its visual cues (behavior of smoke, dust, twigs & branches), and its effect on wave height.
Lots of visual cues are missing. For example, nothing on the flapping behavior of flags - often the primary cue at a marina.
And its presented really unattractively. Just typed in. No graphics. No "look" or layout.
To be helpful to me, a Beaufort device would take me from visual cue to wind speed, not just describe the speeds. For example: click on how flags are flying; click on how trees are moving.... heres your estimated Beafort and its equivalent in knots. Of course, this device doesnt do anything like that.
Theres tons of free apps that people have put a lot of work into. Dont pay 99 cents for nothing. This is as close to nothing as it gets.