I always try to call the windspeed before I put the meter up. I'm pretty good on open water, lakes can be tricky because the limited fetch doesn't build up waves.

The Windtronic is the shiz - especially since you don't have to point it into the wind to get an accurate reading.

Santa didn't bring me anything since I already bought myself some hefty presents this year (a new Hobie 16 and a new Hobie 17), but he did bring a very nice, lightly used Laser for the 15 year old sailor in my household - she even paid for half of it (but didn't know it was coming for Christmas <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />).