Favorite Wave Sensor?
So, Internet, I’m setting up a number of monitoring sites this summer. I’m hoping to get good wave height measurements from them to look at disturbance. I have yet to find something like the CDIP swell height model for the Gulf of Maine (although, I’d love to hear that this is due to a failure of my google-fu). So, I’m casting about for some good wave height sensors.
The problem I face is that I’d like to deploy a lot of them, and in some highly variable conditions, secured to subtidal transects. Possibly for 6 months. Or maybe even up to a year. So, I’m trying to see if a lower cost smaller profile solution is available. Something like a tidbit for wave heights.
I’ve found a few that kinda sorta fit the bill, although not quite. There’s the venerable SeaBird, products from RBR, the SEAGUARD tide and wave recorder, and the MIDAS from Valeport.
I’m a little worried that this might be too large or expensive given the conditions I’m deploying in. Or I might be asking for a pipe dream.
Internet - any thoughts, recommendations, or experiences you’d care to share? Am I being ridiculous?