Precision Rifle Gear Tell me Where I’m Wrong: AB Quantum App + Calypso out preforms Kestrel 5700 Elite

Eagle’s Eye08 said:

I switched to the AB Quantum app with the calypso mini AB and instantly have shot 10% better in PRS. It feels like switching from DOS to Windows 11. If you don’t already own a kestrel 5700 Elite ($769) you can buy the Calypso mini an ($315 Walmart) and pay $29.99 a year for the Quantum pro app.

What am I missing here?

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The engines and CDM/PDMs are the same, no?
And yes, the Calypso/ABQ combo are Kestrel killers unless using a phone/tablet is verboten.

Eagle’s Eye08 said:

I switched to the AB Quantum app with the calypso mini AB and instantly have shot 10% better in PRS. It feels like switching from DOS to Windows 11. If you don’t already own a kestrel 5700 Elite ($769) you can buy the Calypso mini an ($315 Walmart) and pay $29.99 a year for the Quantum pro app.

What am I missing here?

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With the exception of very extreme hot or cold the app for $30 a year is the way to go over a 5700

If it makes you happy, that's cool. Don't know how you'd use it in NRLH though.

I bought a 5700 Elite in 2017(?) for $600. If you subtract the cost of a Calypso it pretty much amortizes out to the same cost. But that's all just bean counting. The truth is I've got so much AB it's coming out my ass and I find spare AB in the couch cushions. It's in my LRF, I have the phone app(which now I have to pay for, thanks), I have a 901, a 5700E, and I just sold a Garmin Solar with AB. Over the last 20 years I have used ATRAG on a PDA, ATRAG in a Kestrel, tried different phone apps, and been using AB since it came out. I have the HUD laying around, watched Garmin discontinue the Tempe that's needed to feed the watch and 901. It's all a rat race. AB is going to come out with a new pyramid scheme in 2 years, discontinue support for the Calypso, integrate in your scope but you have to pay monthly licenses for each scope you want to use it in. I have a hard time getting excited by it. I don't use wind at my location unless I'm in Wyoming and it's 35mph so I don't calibrate my compass, adjust direction of fire and capture the wind for each target. I just zero all that shit out to 0° and 12 o'clock. I want AB to tell me the data, without AJ, and I use the range card to figure out my gun number and wind dot speed. Raw wind speed x wind direction and then factor +/- .1mrad of AJ for every 8mph L/R if you want. I don't like the Quantum menus, way too much unnecessary shit going on. I give two fucks about WEZ.

Garmin, Thunder beast, and Applied Ballistics sitting in the backroom of their rich people club, timing the drop of their new hotness to just after you paid your sezzle bill off.



Nightforce completely unaware of the passage of time up in Idaho

Agree with the above. I bought a 5700 Elite in 2017/2018, and it’s been one of the better purchases I’ve made. I use it all the time - during the week at work, on hikes, shooting at the range, hunting, matches, etc. I trust it more in cold weather hunting/shooting conditions than a smartphone, and I sure as shit don't want to solely rely on a BT connection between multiple devices.

I have ABQ Elite, and it's fine. Also have AB in my BLRF. If I could only pick one, it'd be the kestrel, and I'll likely grab a 5700X in the future.

There's something to be said for having a standalone hard device. It just stays in the pack that I use for matches. It's interface is streamlined for all day use during a match, if you want to get into analytics you can scroll to a different menu for that, don't have to wade through theoretical WEZ stuff everytime you're jotting down a range card. I really like the 901 except for the lack of environmental sensors and the ass pain that is BT connecting them to get temp. The form factor of the 901 is great for use during a stage. The Vector X's do a pretty good job at staying connected. I had a local shooter buddy that has a 3D printer make a dope card grabber for it and the quick fit Garmin wrist bands are nice to easily disconnect it and transfer to your tripod for a PRS match or over to the gun for a troop line stage or Hunter match. I also like that the menu-ology is similar to the Kestrel. When I'm at a match, I lase the targets to populate the target card off the tripod, check what I ranged with the match booklet, and then pop the 901 off the tripod "grabber" and snap it onto the data card mount to shoot the stage. In reverse after shooting. No more dry erase. I just bought the replacement data card arm for the HUD from Kestrel in their parts section and screwed the 3D printed grabber on.

Eagle’s Eye08 said:

Nice setup JR1200W3 I have an e-dope but ABQ doesn't export. Been using expo markers. I am looking into purchasing the Vector X.

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The customer service on the Vector X blows. I think they are objectively nicer glass than the Sigs and the reticle is tits, but they're not nicer enough to offset the lack of customer service and warranty. With the SIGs you call SIG up and tell them a story about how you were drunk driving, running from the cops, and accidentally ran over your binos and they'll send you a replacement before the next match. Not so with Vectrononix. I've used Vectrononix stuff forever. From the old Vector 21's, PLRFs, Terrapin, Terrapin X. But this is likely my last purchase from them because monetarily it's just not worth the risk. It's only a matter of time before it's a $3000 brick. I advise against it.

And for anyone reading this that owns Vector X's. Replace the screws in your ARCA mount with plastic screws from McMaster Carr immediately. My tripod blew over in Wyoming 40moh wind and the arca mount screws pulled the magnesium right out of the binos. Like fragmented little helicoils with magnesium buggers. I had to drill the holes out to #8 - 32 and retap them. Went back and forth with Matti for 5 weeks. It takes him a week to respond to an email and he doesn't speak to or answer half of your last response. In the end all he did was suggest a different screw size for me to go out and buy and see if it works in my gaped ass ARCA mount holes. Very disappointing. I just took matters in my own hand. Like I need a technical customer service to suggest a slightly longer screw.

Secant said:

Agree with the above. I bought a 5700 Elite in 2017/2018, and it’s been one of the better purchases I’ve made. I use it all the time - during the week at work, on hikes, shooting at the range, hunting, matches, etc. I trust it more in cold weather hunting/shooting conditions than a smartphone, and I sure as shit don't want to solely rely on a BT connection between multiple devices.

I have ABQ Elite, and it's fine. Also have AB in my BLRF. If I could only pick one, it'd be the kestrel, and I'll likely grab a 5700X in the future.

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I took a Kestrel off a prize table, thanks to them. I am old and don’t trust a smart phone any more than a hot waitress, so I’m happy with using the Kestrel only. The kids like the apps, and most “shooting for fun” folks fall into this category.

Emerson0311 said:

I took a Kestrel off a prize table, thanks to them. I am old and don’t trust a smart phone any more than a hot waitress, so I’m happy with using the Kestrel only. The kids like the apps, and most “shooting for fun” folks fall into this category.

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I have downloaded at least two versions of the AB app in the past. I think I paid for the version before Quantum. The fact that you now have to pay again for the phone app but my 9 year old 5700E is still doing what it did when I bought it, for free, is another point to consider. Own vs leasing.

JR1200W3 said:

I have downloaded at least two versions of the AB app in the past. I think I paid for the version before Quantum. The fact that you now have to pay again for the phone app but my 9 year old 5700E is still doing what it did when I bought it, for free, is another point to consider. Own vs leasing.

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You should be getting ABQ Elite for free. have you BT'd your kestrel to the app? You should only be paying if you want AB Professional in the App.

Secant said:

You should be getting ABQ Elite for free. have you BT'd your kestrel to the app? You should only be paying if you want AB Professional in the App.

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Not recently. Thanks for clarifying that. Guess I need to look into that.

Related note, Did AB take a Webinar from SiriusXM on vague and convoluted pricing schemes?

JR1200W3 said:

I have downloaded at least two versions of the AB app in the past. I think I paid for the version before Quantum. The fact that you now have to pay again for the phone app but my 9 year old 5700E is still doing what it did when I bought it, for free, is another point to consider. Own vs leasing.

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I just set up my boy with ABQ. $3/month is not $1300 that the Kestrel costs.

Secant said:

You should be getting ABQ Elite for free. have you BT'd your kestrel to the app? You should only be paying if you want AB Professional in the App.

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That’s what I have. Elite for free due to previous download. My boy is a new user. I think it’s $3/month. A non-issue. I am not a tech guy, but setting him up using an Apple GC was incredibly simple. My friend complained about the cost too. He also asked me to grab a box of Hornady 6.5CM 143 gr factory ammo. $90. JFC!