Kestrel ballistic computers

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I've been following these for a few months, and I feel they are just now going to catch on. Im looking to get the AB (applied ballistics verion) when they come out hopefully next week.

Those that have used the Horus what do you think?

I have a G7 BR2, and i like it, but want the more powerful, low divergence beam of a vectronix. How fast can you get a "shoot to" when using the Kestrel, and how well does the wind compass tool work.

Please share ALL pros and cons:

 

[CoryT]

While it seems like a nice idea, and the Kestrel meter itself is my goto weather meter, the ballistic software system is suitable only for casual use. With very limited screen space, along with a very limited button interface, it's not what you would call user friendly. The 'wind compass', or crosswind reading, is all well and good, but of course is only getting a read at the meters location. I've got no use for the ballistic software model, nor the Bluetooth, but I've got two 4500NV's (one with BT) and I use them constantly, great product.

If all you want is an elevation setting for a given range and a wind solution for a given wind value, it's possible to get it tuned to work fairly well, at least at ranges of 1100m or under. I think the iPhone apps do as well, with a much better user interface.

To get a full featured system, you need to step up to a PDA based product like FFS or Coldbore. With FFS on a Nomad coupled to a Vector or PLRF, I get a solution in < 2 secs, put the laser on the target and press the button. The solution is displayed before you can move your eyes to the display, and it includes the target GPS coordinates. The question is of course what do you require a program to do, and what are you prepared to devote in money and time to get it done. There is no such thing as an unfunded requirement. If you can't afford the time or money, then you don't actually NEED it, you just WANT it. Big difference.

I find the majority of users to be just as well off with a set of DA cards as with 95% of the available applications. The iPhone apps have a higher CDI factor, they are cheap, and apparently half the planet already owns an iPhone anyway. As far as I can tell, they deliver pretty decent basic elevation and wind values, but beyond that, I don't see much utility. Of course, I'm both spoiled from using top-tier gear and I do this stuff for a living, rather than as a hobby.

 

[Nukes]

Those that have used the Horus what do you think?

CONS:
doesn't use G7 BC's
tiny low-resolution monochrome screen with poor contrast requires "just right" reading conditions
kludgey interface
it takes very few rifles using very few loads to overwhelm the user library
can't Bluetooth pair with Vectronix
not MacOSX compatible

PROS:
price is OK
useful weather info

 

[[email protected]]

They really should make it pair with vectronix. And make the Interface more like a PDA.

 

[Tomcat]

Cory, nice response. Thanks!

 

[Lafayette]

Im also looking for more feedback - does the kestrel with atrag allow you to 'correct' / 'true' dope in field?

 

[braso]

The Horus is pretty much spot on no matter where you go. Smaller than a phone and easier to use. Input the rifle and load with all the specifics like velocity and BC and it gives you the elevation and wind hold for just about any given distance. It is best when you use true dope from a know distance like a thousand yards and adjust your velocity to match your come up at that specific moment, after that one time real dope adjustment the Horus is right on. I've used mine from sea level to 10,000 feet elevation, from 100 degrees to below zero and it puts me on the mark as long as I can use the correct yardage and do my job shooting. Wouldn't want to be traveling and competing or hunting without it

 

[Lafayette]

The Horus is pretty much spot on no matter where you go. Smaller than a phone and easier to use. Input the rifle and load with all the specifics like velocity and BC and it gives you the elevation and wind hold for just about any given distance. It is best when you use true dope from a know distance like a thousand yards and adjust your velocity to match your come up at that specific moment, after that one time real dope adjustment the Horus is right on. I've used mine from sea level to 10,000 feet elevation, from 100 degrees to below zero and it puts me on the mark as long as I can use the correct yardage and do my job shooting. Wouldn't want to be traveling and competing or hunting without it

Can you explain the truing process (inputting actual dope on known distances). Can this be done directly on the handheld?

 

[CoryT]

You are pretty much limited to sticking in new velocities or BC's to try and get the computer to match real world results. The challenge in that case is getting the right combination of BC/velocity that works in other conditions. Normally, you'll need to shoot at something like 1000', 5000' and 8000' DA, or similar spreads, at 200, 600 and 1000 yards, or such that the down range velocity gets down to 1200fps, then twiddle with the inputs until you get a good match in all three DA's at all test ranges.

 

[CoryT]

You are pretty much limited to sticking in new velocities or BC's to try and get the computer to match real world results. The challenge in that case is getting the right combination of BC/velocity that works in other conditions. Normally, you'll need to shoot at something like 1000', 5000' and 8000' DA, or similar spreads, at 200, 600 and 1000 yards, or such that the down range velocity gets down to 1200fps, then twiddle with the inputs until you get a good match in all three DA's at all test ranges.

 

[Graham]

While it seems like a nice idea, and the Kestrel meter itself is my goto weather meter, the ballistic software system is suitable only for casual use. With very limited screen space, along with a very limited button interface, it's not what you would call user friendly. The 'wind compass', or crosswind reading, is all well and good, but of course is only getting a read at the meters location. I've got no use for the ballistic software model, nor the Bluetooth, but I've got two 4500NV's (one with BT) and I use them constantly, great product.

If all you want is an elevation setting for a given range and a wind solution for a given wind value, it's possible to get it tuned to work fairly well, at least at ranges of 1100m or under. I think the iPhone apps do as well, with a much better user interface.

To get a full featured system, you need to step up to a PDA based product like FFS or Coldbore. With FFS on a Nomad coupled to a Vector or PLRF, I get a solution in < 2 secs, put the laser on the target and press the button. The solution is displayed before you can move your eyes to the display, and it includes the target GPS coordinates. The question is of course what do you require a program to do, and what are you prepared to devote in money and time to get it done. There is no such thing as an unfunded requirement. If you can't afford the time or money, then you don't actually NEED it, you just WANT it. Big difference.

I find the majority of users to be just as well off with a set of DA cards as with 95% of the available applications. The iPhone apps have a higher CDI factor, they are cheap, and apparently half the planet already owns an iPhone anyway. As far as I can tell, they deliver pretty decent basic elevation and wind values, but beyond that, I don't see much utility. Of course, I'm both spoiled from using top-tier gear and I do this stuff for a living, rather than as a hobby.

I completely agree.

 

[braso]

Yes it is done on the kestrel unit. Since the fps is input from guestamation or using a chrono it will get you pretty close if not right on. If the dope output doesn't match up adjust the velocity on the kestrel to match the kestrel come ups. BC will come from the bullet manufacturer DA and and all other atmosphere conditions are automaticly input by the kestrel unit.