Kestrel & Ballistics App

[OSIAS]

So it has become so very clear that I really need to aqcuire a kestrel. So I want to make sure I purchase the correct one up front as I keep learning it would seem I keep replacing or upgrading gear to get the right items.

The kestrel 4500 seems to be the definate one to get correct me if I am wrong. However my big question is it worth spending the extra money and aqcuiring the 4500 with the balistic app included, generally speaking it costs about 300 more for it. Is it worth it?

I saw in the training about cutting down on gear and I couldnt agree more so combining two devices to have less to carry would be a good thing, but is the software worth it?

Also what should be the top dollar I should pay for a kestrel with and without the software.

If I should not get the one with the software then that will lead to another thread later on about ballistics programs.

Thanks in advance from the new guy

 

[WhiskeyWebber]

Re: Kestrel & Ballistics App

I'm in the market for one too. I'm thinking of the one that can measure density altitude and it has a bluetooth connection to my phone. I noticed the shooter app on my phone now has a Kestrel bluetooth option so it will automatically plug in my atmospherics for me. I think the 4000 is the one to get.

Actually I just read the details on the 4500 and it looks like it would feed in wind direction along with speed if you have the time to set up the weather vane contraption. Has anybody used this in conjunction with the Shooter app?

 

[vinsonr]

Re: Kestrel & Ballistics App

I recently obtained a 4500nv with atrag and it is a pleasure to use. I used shooter on the iphone previously and it is definitely nice to automatically get atmospherics outside of wind automatically and wind is just a button press away. I also like that it is a single unit and only one battery to worry about.

Apparently it only does G1 ballistics so I Intend to do the per velocity BC entries for more accurate results.

Regarding price, not sure. I got a screaming deal here on the Hide but another deal like that would be amazing.

 

[GrantB]

Re: Kestrel & Ballistics App

The 3500 will give you all the readings you will need for long range shooting, the 4500 gives you bluetooth. As for the ballistics I don't know how good the Kestrel is. I have the 4500 that bluetooth's into my ballistic program. I run Field Firing Solutions software and can set it up to update every minute with pressure, temp, humidity, wind mph and direction if I want, its nice playing at the range with it but when time is short I just manually input the data

 

[OSIAS]

Re: Kestrel & Ballistics App

So how do you go about getting a killer deal? You said its nice having the ballistics on the one device but how accurate is it at distance?

Sent while fishing.

 

[joemusso]

Re: Kestrel & Ballistics App

this is the best price i could find. if someone knows somewhere cheeper please tell.

http://www.alwayslowest.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=shop.dspSpecs&part=38079311

thank you
joe

 

[OSIAS]

Re: Kestrel & Ballistics App

Ya searching online that is the best price I have found as well with the horus ballistics included. 540 with shipping I believe the unit for 525.

 

[Killer Spade 13]

Re: Kestrel & Ballistics App

Bought the 4500 NV. It gives the density altitude. Just print out a small ballistics card with about 5 DA's on it and you should be good.

 

[OSIAS]

Re: Kestrel & Ballistics App

Well I just bought the one in the link 540.00 Total

 

[near_miss]

Re: Kestrel & Ballistics App

Hello guys. Any feedback from you all that just ordered the 4500 with Horus atrag?

 

[roggom]

Re: Kestrel & Ballistics App

I consider myself a tech junkie, I like gadgets and the sort, but in the field I have become more of a minimalist. I do collect data and use the G7 LRBC to get me on paper/steel, but have found that for my rifle and load (Rem 700 1:12 22" 178 approx 2650 fps) the Kestral 2500 and the Adaptive FDAC (Field Density Altitude Compensator) get me on target.

No need to keep going back and adjusting the software for DA, or temp etc. I just get wind, temp and altitude from the Kestral, calc DA on the graph and then slide the card.

Dont get me wrong, all of the bells and whistles of the 4500 are nice, but in reality you can only read the wind at your location. If someone wants to invest in a 4500, it will do anything the 3500 and the 2500 will do, but for the shooter who prefers not to drag their home office into the field, the 2500 or 3500 will get the job done.

 

[vinsonr]

Re: Kestrel & Ballistics App

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OSIAS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So how do you go about getting a killer deal? You said its nice having the ballistics on the one device but how accurate is it at distance?

Sent while fishing. </div></div>

A guy was selling one here and I bought it.

It has been spot on for me out to 750 which is about as far as I've been shooting. I used it for both a 308 and 6.5 Grendel. I hit a LaRue target @ 750 with the first round from my .308.

Horus ATRAG software is in use by the military so I'd expect it to be as accurate as any other software. It does not however support G7 coefficients, so you are best served by inputting several G1 BC's for various velocities.

 

[raider1v1]

Re: Kestrel & Ballistics App

the horus software in the 4500 is that going to only help you with a horus scope? or is it something like shooter without another device?

 

[jasonk]

Re: Kestrel & Ballistics App

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Raider1v1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the horus software in the 4500 is that going to only help you with a horus scope? or is it something like shooter without another device?</div></div>

Works with any scope, gives corrections for elevation/wind, just uses real time weather without need for a 2nd device. Works well.

 

[raider1v1]

Re: Kestrel & Ballistics App

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Raider1v1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the horus software in the 4500 is that going to only help you with a horus scope? or is it something like shooter without another device?</div></div>

Works with any scope, gives corrections for elevation/wind, just uses real time weather without need for a 2nd device. Works well. </div></div>

thanks for the quick response! i think that ill just get the regular 4500 as i have shooter already and can get the calculations from that. this way, as the applications get better i don't have to get another device.

at least thats my thinking.

 

[Oham1]

Re: Kestrel & Ballistics App

kestrel 4500 and shooter app for android. That works for me and is everything I need.

 

[SpinDrift338]

Re: Kestrel & Ballistics App

I have the 4500NV Horus, and that thing has quickly found a place in my kit. The batteries last a lot longer than a smart phone and it's a tough little unit. The first day I tried it using my MWS at 800yds (KD range) and dialed the dope it gave me, held 1/2 mil high for cold bore, and scored a first round hit, followed by more good hits on the 14" square steel plate. The elevation is always spot on when you take the time to build your weapon/load profile accurately, & the windage is always better than guessing. However it only reads wind at my location ontop of a burm (false drafts) and the round is sailing through the air a bit higher than dirt level. Skill at calling wind is still paramount. I've gotten excellent data out to 1190+ yards with my 300WM, 1350 with a 338. Elevation is continually perfect and it's nice to have that removed from the equation. The thing gives fast numbers, and also breaks down the exact ballistics if you need to see it. It will tell you your spin drift, vertical & horizontal Coriolis (internal compass), max ordnance, time of flight, energy at target, compute leads on moving targets, slope doping algorithm, barometric pressure, density altitude, etc... And the icing on the cake for guys like me who like caveman scopes with mil reticles and moa turrets (gasp) the unit will deliver elevation in MOA and wind calls in Mils so I can hold left (usually) or right for wind.

EDIT: SD and Coriolis DO matter for 1200+ and it's awesome to be able to dial those constants, eliminating them from my in-reticle wind hold.