I’m super late to the 701 game and would like to pick one up. I think they came out in 2017 right? Anyone have any insight on when the 701 will get replaced? Something I need to worry about if I buy one right now?
Garmin 701 model cycle
- Thread starter 021411
- Start date
I bought one last and have no concern about any new models coming out. They have been super good about updating it and adding functions as technology has progressed. They now can connect to sig rangefinders which was a huge upgrade. I have no word on anything new coming out but continue to rave about mine. Good luck! I’ll be interested if anything new is coming along.
Thanks. I used to buy their Fenix watches and could predict when newer models were coming out. I always like the latest and greatest. I just hope they incorporate something in there that would allow a target card to be made by just lasering different targets in succession.
I have heard they’re working on that but it’s only rumors at the moment. If anything is gonna get released that hasn’t it would likely be at the NRA show in April.
Touch screen might be useful , and or a couple more buttons too . Like the Kestrel , it suffers from having
a solver stuffed into a device that was not originally designed for it . Having said that , It’s my primary
device these days . Once I got it trued , and adapted to a few of its quirks , it’s always within a click or
two with everything I run out to 3k or so . Wind is always more of an issue than the elevation solution .
a solver stuffed into a device that was not originally designed for it . Having said that , It’s my primary
device these days . Once I got it trued , and adapted to a few of its quirks , it’s always within a click or
two with everything I run out to 3k or so . Wind is always more of an issue than the elevation solution .
I think the non touch screen is actually a perk. I know the buttons will work when the screen gets wet but with a touchscreen that’s a issue, it saves on battery life, and there isn’t nearly as large of a chance at hitting the screen and changing something with the use of buttons. I think the size of the screen is a huge upgrade as well from the kestrel.
Agreed, though I will admit I had one of the buttons get a little "sluggish" when the temps got really low (like in the 20's). That being said, I still prefer the Garmin over the Kestrel.
Yeah, using it in below zero temps is not ideal. I’ve found I keep it under a few layers and pop it out as needed works best. Then again, no electronics work well outside in Montana in the winter...
Well to follow up I ordered one. Should be arriving Monday. I got the Tempe to go along with it.
It will only work with the 2400 BDX and 3000 BDX. Only the ones that feature ABE mode.
Interesting since I asked the SIG rep at a show and thier answer was the exact opposite.
Doesn’t change what the rep told me when I asked. I’m just surprised the rep was so wrong.
In the specifications we have marked the ones with AB External and the ones without. Plus other data. http://appliedballisticsllc.com/products/devices/sig-bdx-rangefinders/
It's unfortunate but in some instances sales reps are just that.. Sales rep. They just spit out manufacturers specs and actually don't have time using the product. Maybe the rep was just told ALL BDX"s work and relayed that info.
This^^^^
As someone who threads the needle between engineering and sales, I can tell you; most sales guys don't understand what they're selling (only the capability). As such, they tend to often takes "leaps of logic" (aka assumptions) that a capability does more than it was programmed to do. Just because a tech can do something, doesn't mean it was coded to do it. These things (devices, apps, etc.) only do exactly what they're coded to do, and not once scintilla more (there's no magical progression of incidental additional capability).
Since were all here drifting off topic, has anyone had issues with recent generation Tempe sensors? I keep reading that the old sensors don’t work worth a damn and additionally, if it does work for you, how much different is the Tempe readings against a Kestrel temp reading?
Also has anyone compared firing solutions between a Kestrel Elite AB and the 701. I was told the core engine inside the 701 the full AB engine where as the Kestrel Elite AB is not the full engine. So ideally I’m concerned with ELR shooting as the 701 would be used for +2000yd shots
Also has anyone compared firing solutions between a Kestrel Elite AB and the 701. I was told the core engine inside the 701 the full AB engine where as the Kestrel Elite AB is not the full engine. So ideally I’m concerned with ELR shooting as the 701 would be used for +2000yd shots
Tempe works great for me, and I’ve had mine for 1.5 years with original battery.
When I compare Kestrel Elite and 701 I basically get the same solution. My biggest gripe, and as others have complained about, is all the different “tricks” across different devices/apps to get the same read out.
The 701 not only gives the option to turn off spin drift and coriolis, you can also turn off aerodynamic jump. The Kestrel Elite does not give this option, thus one has to set wind 1 to 0, and then elevation will be the same regardless of wind direction.
Ultimately, it comes down to what you observe with your rifle, and then tune your device to your actual dope. For all practical purposes they get you hits easily to 1000. Then continue to verify as you Increase range.
When I compare Kestrel Elite and 701 I basically get the same solution. My biggest gripe, and as others have complained about, is all the different “tricks” across different devices/apps to get the same read out.
The 701 not only gives the option to turn off spin drift and coriolis, you can also turn off aerodynamic jump. The Kestrel Elite does not give this option, thus one has to set wind 1 to 0, and then elevation will be the same regardless of wind direction.
Ultimately, it comes down to what you observe with your rifle, and then tune your device to your actual dope. For all practical purposes they get you hits easily to 1000. Then continue to verify as you Increase range.
I like my kestrel elite since I don’t have to enter the atmospherics. I like the idea of the 701 because it has a better display and it’s conveniently located on your wrist. But now you have to manually enter the atmospherics which means the kestrels going to be with me regardless. I guess if I have both then technically I’ll have a backup ballistic program.
The 701 uses the AB Protocol, so it will only interface with devices running the AB Protocol. If you wish to see a specific company implement this, my best recommendation is to contact that company and request it.
The Elite engine is the same across all devices. What features a company decides to implement from that engine are up to that company. The Kestrel has the same ability to turn some of those off (and had that option in the past) in the code. It just needs to be activated. If you wish to see this function activated, my best advice would be contact NK and submit a feature request.
See my above response, that feature exists, just is not implemented in that device. Each company is able to pick and choose which features they would like activated.
The 701 has the capability of "automatic atmosphere" it is a setting you turn on and off.
Would that just be through their customer support email? I’m sure it’s been discussed and there’s a reason they don’t talk. But the lack of cross talk is why I never bought a 701.
Honestly, we shouldn’t be the ones asking for improved features. AB should be the liaison for this. It would take hundreds of emails from us for Garmin to even put it on their radar and good luck getting gun owners to join together because we don’t even join together at the voting polls let alone over a product.
A scope correction factor, for example, has been requested to be added to the Kestrel Elite for years now. I’ve been deployed overseas so unless an update was released that I don’t know about, we’re still waiting.
If I'm being honest I really think that this is such a major feature that it was left of by design after higher level conversations.
I just chuckle and smh at the finger pointing by the s/w and h/w vendors, as they point at each other for customers to request changes. I think they're killing their own market with this BS. People are already beginning to migrate back to dead tree data vice electronics; they're getting tired of dealing with this shit.
I'd like to get away from the kestrel but the 710 looks meh. The Fenix 6 is useable beyond just ballistics on your wrist.
If the 701 could talk to a kestrel then I'd already have one. But like @MarinePMI stated above, people are largely migrating back to writing down data in notebooks or 3x5s. Personally I prefer to not be glued to my kestrel or phone.
The 701 would have been nice as a kind of arm board but the lack of cross talk is a no go for me.
The 701 would have been nice as a kind of arm board but the lack of cross talk is a no go for me.
I still like mine (though honestly, I've been physically unable to shoot for the past 6 months or so), and think with some tweaking they could still have a very viable product; particularly to LE or PMC overwatch type assignments.
The Fenix 6X and Tactix Delta are excellent devices with open application platform. AB would be an good addition.
