Is a Recon good enough?

[psmith]

Right now I am using Exbal on my palm. I am looking to get either a TDS Nomad or Recon to use in the field. I cannot use FFS on the Recon since its not supported anymore.

Are the extra bells and whistles of FFS IV really worth it? Seems like most of the time I'll use exbal in the morning with current conditions and do a drop chart and that's it. Most of the shoots that I have gone to you haven't had time to recalculate between each shot, measure wind, etc. While I would love to be able to integrate my Kestrel, rangefinder, etc and have a real time firing solution I don't know how often I would actually use it. Thoughts?

 

[CoryT]

Re: Is a Recon good enough?

The Nomad is a better buy in terms of features, speed, memory, built in WiFi and BT, etc.

As to FFS and the feature set. If all you do is make a drop chart and you are happy with that, then you don't need FFS. Are there features which you might find quite useful? I think so, because I use most of the features very often.

For example, matches are usually known distance, UKD's when present generally prohibit the use of a rangefinder anyway, so is the LRF interface something you'll use?

On the other hand, given ranges to a group of targets and a limited time to engage, you can enter an zero range, tap the elevation button and get exact holds to every other target instantly in the V Mil column.

Maybe you know the target size. Use the point blank zero page to get the optimum zero point for that target and just hold center for everything inside the max range, then take your holds beyond that off the elevation page.

You won't use the computer for each shot, but you can get some good work done for each STAGE with a little prior planning. Those are just a couple of examples. You need to understand the full feature set, then think of how you can exploit it to solve problems.

 

[fastford]

Re: Is a Recon good enough?

i just got it, and all i can say is if you set it up and he takes ALOT of time to do for each gun, it is bad ass!

hopeing CoryT will let me in on the webinar for FFS!

 

[CoryT]

Re: Is a Recon good enough?

Invitations go out in an hour or so, you are on the list.

 

[fastford]

Re: Is a Recon good enough?

awesome!!!!!!

 

[psmith]

Re: Is a Recon good enough?

Well I don't doubt that FFS is worth it. I was reading over the manual the other day and it really does have a ton of features. Problem is I can probably get a Recon for $200 or so with BT but a Nomad will run around 600-700 (eBay pricing). FFS III used to run on the Recon but newer versions don't. I'm still building up my rifles so it will be a little while till a PLRF 10 will be under the roof. Is there an intermediate program better than exbal that I can interface with bluetooth and a rangefinder? I'm thinking not.

 

[ShaneC]

Re: Is a Recon good enough?

psmith, for three years I've had a Recon with Horus Vision ATrag-MX on CF chip as my primary ballistic calculator, and the older version of FFS (downloaded) for other functions eg ajusting chronograph readings to MV. But I'm now about to upgrade to the Nomad for several reasons, primarily because I'll be able to run FFS for its advanced target ranging features (I'm also attending the webinar).

My recommendation is to get the Nomad and avoid any intermediate step. That said I really like the ease of use and stability of the ATragMX and I'm also upgrading that too. I could stay on the Recon and just use ATragMX with its SORD feature to connect a PLRF10C (the Horus website mentions PLRF15C, but I have had an email confirming 10C will also integrate). I think the additional features in FFS justify the step up to a Nomad. If the ATragMX v4.0 had actually been available by now it could have been a different story though. It could be worse - the price difference for a Nomad could be in New Zealand dollars like it is for me!

davide did a review of FFS on Nomad on here somewhere, and that should help convince you the extra step will probably be worth it. Even if you can't afford a PLRF now. But also think of the add-ons that could be added to a Recon eg a GPS card (very handy for ranging) that can come standard in a Nomad and the price difference reduces.