Range Report The best ballistic program and field computer?

[m1a convert]

I am going to take the plunge and get a field portable ballistics system. I am willing to spend money to do this right.

What is the toughest handheld device I can get? I would like one that uses or could be converted to use AA batteries.

What is the best software? I see a group buy on FFS, how does it compare to Patagonia?

 

[one shot ST]

Re: The best ballistic program and field computer?

the best device is NOMAD L800 the battery life is amazing, you can also buy a spare AA adapter..... just in case, you can mount it in a few second.
The best software is FFS .....works great in the NOMAD.
you can connect to the NOMAD a kestrel via blutooth, a PLRF 10 C via cable... with the internal GPS you can have coriolis informations and target coordinate... and more..more things..
there are a lot of informations here on FFS....try to use search key..

cheers

 

[Lindy]

Re: The best ballistic program and field computer?

Most ballistic programs have good calculation of elevation and windage.

Where they differ is in the feature set.

If all you need is a ballistic solution for one shot, most any program will do.

Field Firing Solutions is a program which is designed primarily for military sniper teams.

See the manual for a list of the features, which are far too extensive to mention here.

http://precisionworkbench.com/pdf/FFS%20Manual%204.6%20-%20IV.pdf

 

[Lowlight]

Re: The best ballistic program and field computer?

FFS is an outstanding program but LB3 is a more in-depth and feature rich program.

What puts LB3 over the top besides the extensive library is the fact it is updated for free at least once a month.

I do like the new versions of FFS and the fact it is on a chip, mainly because I use MACs so I am not connecting my PDAs as often, but with one of my machines being dual boot capable that issue is a thing of the past.

You really can't got wrong with either, but I will say I have found LB3 to be the most accurate of the bunch, with FFS within a 1/10th of a mil in most cases. The difference there comes from moving to a bullet you never used before, with FFS you have seek it out and build it, with LB3 it is in the library already. Also when you look at things like the longer range stability and drift features LB3 is actually using a calculation, not a flat rate projection.

I know LB3 is adding all of the Bluetooth and GPS functions as well as complete map datums. So he is always improving the program and automatically updates you when the improvements are available.

 

[ptd]

Re: The best ballistic program and field computer?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowlight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
...
I know LB3 is adding all of the Bluetooth and GPS functions as well as complete map datums. So he is always improving the program and automatically updates you when the improvements are available. </div></div>

Now if he would let it install to an SD card and key off of it as well - it would be damn near perfect...

-pd

 

[Phil1]

Re: The best ballistic program and field computer?

Hide group buy:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1835649#Post1835649

Patagonia Site:
http://www.patagoniaballistics.com/aboutus.html

 

[m1a convert]

Re: The best ballistic program and field computer?

Will the Patagonia program run on the Nomad?

 

[BobinNC]

Re: The best ballistic program and field computer?

How about Brian Litz's "MOBALL" and how does it compare to FFS and LB3?

Thanks,

Bob

 

[Eaglet]

Re: The best ballistic program and field computer?

Comparing is good, takes a lot of time to be fair. There are many programs that will do; I have uninstalled many of them from my PC and also from my PDA including FFS at least a couple of times. I have never uninstalled LB2.0 nor LB3.0 in the last... I checked and it's getting close to 3 years.

 

[Emouse]

Re: The best ballistic program and field computer?

oh crap,...now I have to spend yet more money lol. The trimble unit is a heap of bucks, at least I have the PLRF15C already!

Anyone used other ( lesser?) units than the NOMAD??

Source of data cable for the PLRF ( Vectronic original is mighty costly)??

 

[CoryT]

Re: The best ballistic program and field computer?

You can always use an HP Ipaq PDA, you need a 27xx or other version that has a serial cable adapter available if you want the RF interface. You can put it in an Otterbox for field use.

I made my own cable for the Vector IV, the same cable works on the PLRF. The cable connector diagram is in the manual, you'll need to get the correct Lemo or Fisher connector, I just did a Google search and orderd mine over the Web.

 

[Emouse]

Re: The best ballistic program and field computer?

Thanks Cory,...I will look up the schematic and attempt to knock up a cable. HP IPAQ are dirt cheap compared to the NOMAD so thats a workable solution.