BEST WBGT MONITORING ALTERNATIVES
Perry Weather vs. Handheld Kestrels: Which Heat Safety Monitor is Right for You?
Handheld Kestrel WBGT meters depend on manual calibration and inconsistent readings. Perry Weather delivers real-time, on-site readings, automated policy alerts, and hands-free logging you can trust. Here’s how they compare:
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Precise, on-site real-time WBGT data
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Automated alerts based on weather policies
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Automatic, time-stamped logs for audits
Trusted by thousands of organizations large and small
Perry Weather vs. Handheld Kestrel WBGT Meters: Compared
Why Switch to Perry Weather from Handheld Kestrels?
The best WBGT monitoring alternative for schools and athletic programs.
Real WBGT Monitoring, Minus the Manual Checks
Kestrels require 10–20 minutes to equilibrate, must be held at a precise angle/height, and often spike or drift. One university study found 40% of readings would have triggered unnecessary restrictions. Perry Weather tracks and calibrates WBGT in real-time from your exact location.
Faster, More Reliable Alerts
Perry Weather pushes instant, policy-based heat and lightning notifications to the right staff, with automatic all-clear countdowns, so everyone knows when it’s safe to resume activities.
Policy-Based Alerts Aligned with Your Plan
Kestrels give you a number but no enforcement. Perry Weather applies your exact safety policy and pushes the required action to coaches and staff, minus the guesswork.
Dedicated 24/7 Meteorologist Support
Tough calls shouldn’t rest on a meter. Perry Weather connects you directly to professional meteorologists by phone, text, or email for 24/7 guidance on go/no-go decisions—when it matters most.
User-Friendly Dashboard & Multi-Location Monitoring
A handheld shows one reading to one person. Perry Weather gives your district a single dashboard for every campus, role-based notifications, and automatic, time-stamped logs—so everyone follows the same rules and you have audit-ready history in seconds.
Where Handheld WBGT Meters Fall Short
Handheld WBGT meters like Kestrels rely on manual checks, user handling, and after-the-fact paperwork. In heat and storms, it’s slow, inconsistent, and easy to get wrong. Here’s where it matters most—and how Perry Weather fixes it:
Manual Checks, Not Continuous Protection
Kestrels need 10 to 20 minutes to equilibrate and must be held at a precise height and angle.
A university review found about 40% of readings from a popular model would have triggered unnecessary restrictions.
No Policy-Based Custom Alerts
A handheld gives you a number—but doesn’t enforce your rules.
Perry Weather automates alerts based on your heat policy and pushes the required action to the right staff, reducing disputes and standardizing calls across teams.
No Historical Logs, No Accountability
If there’s no record, there’s no proof. Kestrels require manual note-taking and spreadsheets every 30–60 minutes; missed entries create compliance risk.
Perry Weather auto-logs time-stamped WBGT data for instant export to audits, board reviews, or incident reports.
No Access to Real Meteorologists
When severe weather strikes, Kestrels can’t talk you through it.
When weather escalates, Perry Weather gives you 24/7 access to certified meteorologists—real people ready to help you make the right call under pressure.
No Continuous On-Site Heat Tracking
A handheld shows one moment to one person. Athletic trainers reported standing in the heat to capture a reading, waiting for stabilization, then messaging coaches.
Perry Weather delivers shared, real-time WBGT for every campus with automatic, simultaneous alerts to all relevant staff.
No Customizable Live Widgets
Handheld WBGT meters can’t be tailored to your team.
Perry Weather lets you create custom weather widgets for dashboards, TVs, or public displays—making it easy to communicate critical conditions at a glance across every site or facility.
Professional WBGT Monitoring
What Perry Weather Can Do For You
Perry Weather gives athletic trainers the real-time, on-site WBGT data they need to make fast, confident decisions. From automated alerts to compliance-ready logs, it’s built to protect athletes—not just estimate conditions.
Track weather across locations from a single dashboard
Perry Weather lets you make confident decisions using weather information that’s updated in real time—not hourly—and reflects current conditions on-site with unmatched accuracy.
Stay on the same page
Customizable public display widgets for instant access to key weather data, ensuring teams stay informed.
Automated alerts to minimize your risks
Create policy-based custom triggers that automatically send alerts to your team based on your safety protocols.
Get instant text alerts
Perry Weather sends automated alerts with detailed instructions to everyone involved, so they can take consistent action quickly.
Export historical reports
Prove you followed policy, learn from past events, and stay ready for audits or legal challenges, while reducing manual paperwork and automating compliance.
Customer Stories
Perry Weather vs Handheld Kestrel WBGT Meters FAQs
How is Perry Weather better than Handheld WBGT meters like Kestrel?
Perry Weather is a complete, automated weather safety system, whereas a Kestrel is a manual measurement tool. While a Kestrel can provide a single WBGT data point, Perry Weather offers a comprehensive platform that delivers automated, real-time WBGT readings from fixed on-site sensors—no one needs to be present for accurate data or alerts. You get continuous tracking, historical logs, and built-in automation, all from one platform.
Is Perry Weather easier to manage across multiple fields or campuses?
Absolutely. Perry Weather’s centralized dashboard lets you monitor multiple locations at once—no running around with a handheld meter. Alerts, data, and logs are all centralized and accessible from any device, so staff and admins stay aligned and covered.
Why is on-site WBGT measurement important for heat safety?
On-site Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is the gold standard for measuring heat stress because it accounts for the full range of environmental factors: air temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation (sun intensity). A standard heat index from a weather app only considers temperature and humidity from a distant airport, completely missing the direct impact of the sun on your specific field or court. Conditions on a blacktop tennis court or a turf field with direct sun can be drastically more dangerous than a regional forecast suggests. On-site WBGT gives you the true, hyperlocal reading of the conditions your people are actually experiencing.
How does the accuracy of Perry Weather compare to a Kestrel meter?
Perry Weather provides more consistent and reliable data by removing human error. Our weather stations are professionally installed in a fixed, optimal location on your grounds, ensuring readings are taken under the same conditions every time.
The accuracy of a handheld Kestrel meter can be compromised by many variables:
- User Error: Is the user standing on hot asphalt or cool grass?
- Acclimation Time: Has the device been out long enough to adjust to the environment?
- Inconsistent Timing: Are readings being taken at the same regular intervals every day?
Perry Weather’s fixed, automated system eliminates these inconsistencies, providing more scientifically valid and defensible data for your safety protocols.
Aren’t Kestrels more affordable? Why pay more?
Kestrels may seem cheaper up front—but they cost time, consistency, and reliability. Perry Weather reduces labor, removes guesswork, and helps prevent incidents that could lead to liability. Many schools and teams report saving 30–40 hours a season just by automating.
Can Perry Weather automate alerts and rest breaks?
Absolutely. Perry Weather sends policy-based alerts the moment WBGT crosses your district’s safety thresholds. It can also trigger sirens or PA systems based on your policies. Kestrel requires manual checks and offers no automation at all.
Does Perry Weather help with compliance and recordkeeping?
Yes. Perry Weather automatically logs every heat reading, alert, and decision with timestamps—giving you a full audit trail for school boards, athletic directors, or even legal review. With Handheld WBGT meteres, you get a number on a screen with no backup.
Who uses Perry Weather—and why?
Athletic trainers, coaches, and school safety personnel across the country rely on Perry Weather to protect student-athletes and reduce liability. It’s purpose-built for sports, with 24/7 meteorologist support and tools that scale across entire districts. Perry Weather is also trusted by professionals in construction, parks, and golf for accurate, policy-based weather safety. Zelus, by contrast, is a consumer-grade app with no infrastructure, support, or compliance features.
