Kestrel Meters

[sblanch]

I've been looking into a Kestrel and have a few questions.

Most of my shooting is informal. Steel plates at 100 to 850 yards. I am also planning to drive down to PASA Park and shoot F Class at least a few times this summer and possibly make the trip to one of the Big Piney Sportsman's Club matches.

I'm wondering if I'll get much use out of a Kestrel or if it's one of those things that ends up gathering dust.

If it will get used, I'm thinking of the 4000nv or the 4500nv. Then again I wondered if the red backlight would ever be needed. Do any of you that have it ever find yourselves needing it?

Unless I missed something the the only thing the 4500 has on the 4000 is the digital compass which enables it to give cross and tailwinds. Do you guys with 4500s use this feature much?

Any other advice, besides getting the ATRAG model which is out of my price range, would be appreciated.

 

[bm11]

Re: Kestrel Meters

I just got a 4500nv, so I don't have a ton of experience, but I think that the crosswinds feature is one of the coolest things about the meter! You point it at the target, and it tells you your wind value, so you don't have to estimate angle and corrections.

 

[AKAce]

Re: Kestrel Meters

Kestrel is damn near Useless for Wind .... As long as you get a 4000 or higher with DA it will do all you need.

 

[Chiller]

Re: Kestrel Meters

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bm11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just got a 4500nv, so I don't have a ton of experience, but I think that the crosswinds feature is one of the coolest things about the meter! You point it at the target, and it tells you your wind value, so you don't have to estimate angle and corrections. </div></div>

Wind at shooter.

other than that this is were the "art" of the game comes in. Ask any of us that were shooting at AZ this weekend.

 

[vman]

Re: Kestrel Meters

Get one that has density altitude.

The Kestrel is by no means i final solution to the wind problem, but it certainly helps.

Also if you get a kestrel that doesnt have cross wind it doesnt matter. simply hold the kestrel out with your arm and point it towards the target. The value it reads can be considered cross wind, from either 3 or 9 oclock.

 

[bm11]

Re: Kestrel Meters

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get one that has density altitude.

The Kestrel is by no means i final solution to the wind problem, but it certainly helps.

Also if you get a kestrel that doesnt have cross wind it doesnt matter. simply hold the kestrel out with your arm and point it towards the target. The value it reads can be considered cross wind, from either 3 or 9 oclock. </div></div>Hmmn, mine doesn't do that, but to be fair, it is a 4500. Mine gives crosswind and full value wind when pointed, but perhaps you are right, I wouldn't really know!

 

[sblanch]

Re: Kestrel Meters

I understand what you're saying about wind at the firing point meaning little at the target. I planned on using the wind measurement to get better at recognizing what a 7 mph wind feels like and what it does to leaves, grass and other indicators. Is it useful in that respect or is there a better way?