Kestrel launches a new wind meter

[diver160651]

For those wanting to get into Long Range shooting wind and station pressure are key. Ketrels with Applied Ballistics historically sell used for near new prices.

Anyway, Kestrel announced a model so if your in the hunt for a top of the line integrated Ballistics Solver and wind meter… used, now is a great time. There are a lot of them just popping up used today in the for sale section on Sniper's Hide and they are lower prices on the 4500NV's I've ever seen! While I also posted one, there must be at least 6!

For those with big bucks over $800 by the time you kit up (you really need bluetooth for the custom drop curves etc)

Here is a link to the new model info http://www.scout.com/military/sniper...ied-ballistics

[joefrank64k]

Thanks for the heads up...I hesitated on buying a 4500NV because I figured that incompatibility with iOS devices on the old Kestrels couldn't last, and that they'd have to update the line.

I'm glad I waited...now I have to wait for them to ship, haha!!

[Meety Peety]

Lmfao, no shame at all. You going to make a TV commercial for your for sale ad?

[G-Man WC]

I thought Kes was going to be selling hammers
-g

[diver160651]

Lmfao, no shame at all. You going to make a TV commercial for your for sale ad?

Hey, Meety Peety - mine was actual sold when I texted a friend before creating the original post. Also my link is to the info on the NEW Kestrel info NOT a sale add.

So again, there were about 6 other 4500NV ABs for sale.. Not much of a commercial for me.. I just wanted to be transparent and said I had listed one for sale too. $700-800 was just to high an entry point for some people. This was the first time I truly saw top the end Kestrels with Bluetooth and the Applied Ballistic solvers (or Horus for that matter) available any near the prices listed (well under $500)

A lot of people wanted the Bluetooth to work for their IOS devices and Kestrels position has always publicly been "No MAC support, Were not going to upgrade the Hardware to be compatible with the type of Bluetooth Mac specified". Unfortunately, Mac AB on IOS still has bugs and the desktop version is not out as of now.

Brian Litz did pushed for the upgrade and his Applied Ballistics model is the first released with the hardware. So I can only imaging AB is interested in getting the IOS fixed and Desktop platforms working better thru emulation if nothing else.

Wind reading aside, I see people all the time with no accurate way to measure station pressure or temp when shooting long or ELR.. Thats silly when each shot is over a $…. Or when your hunting trip is in the thousands of $$ and your cell does not have service.

If a person who shots the same place all the time, or doesn't mind walking shots in then they would NOT see value in a ballistics solver with integrated atmospherics and my post of course may seem self-serving..

For those that are interested in accurate field shooting I hope they found value in knowing either the new upgraded Bluetooth for IOS connectivity is available or smoking deals on basically the same units were on fire sale prices yesterday.

[DaleAGribble]

I think most people I shoot with use ballistic AE on iOS devices. I just can't seem to drop that amount of money for blue tooth just so I don't have to enter the Density altitude by hand. I already have an older kestrel 4500nv without blue tooth.

[diver160651]

Kestrel launches a new wind meter

DaleAGribble Apologize if this is not clear. These have ability to be standalone ballistics computers.

The Bluetooth is primarily for communicating with computers to get Custom Drag Curves.

Apply Ballistics is the ballistic engine embedded in the AB models

But I am with you on hand entering into an iOS device


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[URSA Facilitator]

[QUOTE=diver160651;17193478]http://kestrelmeters.com/products/ke...rface-usb-port

So, if you are going to go with this app and hardware set, the difference in cost is basically insignificant. That said, BT is not that friendly - finding and linking devices. I have not tried the Kestrel interface accessory, so can't speak to how easy it is to use. You might find the Kestrel/AB docs interesting, see http://www.nkhome.com/support/kestre...-and-downloads

[For the record I have AB with Kestrel and BT, though Driver is certainly the guy to ask about that setup - I have almost zero time with it so far.]

[JMP]

I use a 4500NV. I don't care about bluetooth applications. While I don't rely exclusively on what the Kestrel says, for just $600-$800, it is a pretty good value for what you get, especially if you are shooting at variable distances, variable conditions, etc. If you only shoot at one shooting range, then it isn't really needed.

[brando]

I upgraded to a 4500NV this year, but primarily for the directional data and bluetooth integration with Field Firing Solutions.

[Discogodfather]

I guess I just don't understand why the AB built into the meter is a good thing. Yes, I can understand some of the ideas about how it performs in adverse conditions over a phone. But for much less a 4500 with bluetooth and an Android ($30 for Bryan's program) you got everything plus a lot more, and you don't have to stare into a tiny little LED display and fool with tiny rubber buttons. The $300 difference in price can almost buy you a Bartlien or a set of custom dies, etc.

The Kestryl does not inspire confidence as a "rugged piece of equipment" with the cheapo plastic housing. If it was in fact an aluminum housing then maybe I would buy the rugged argument.

[ar15barrels]

I guess I just don't understand why the AB built into the meter is a good thing. Yes, I can understand some of the ideas about how it performs in adverse conditions over a phone. But for much less a 4500 with bluetooth and an Android ($30 for Bryan's program) you got everything plus a lot more, and you don't have to stare into a tiny little LED display and fool with tiny rubber buttons. The $300 difference in price can almost buy you a Bartlien or a set of custom dies, etc.

I agree.
You don't even need a 4500.
A 2500 or a 4000 and a smart phone will do everything you need.

[Hairball]

That's all I use, a 4000 and my IPhone. No need to upgrade as this does everything I need

[diver160651]

Kestrel launches a new wind meter

I guess I just don't understand why the AB built into the meter is a good thing. Yes, I can understand some of the ideas about how it performs in adverse conditions over a phone. But for much less a 4500 with bluetooth and an Android ($30 for Bryan's program) you got everything plus a lot more, and you don't have to stare into a tiny little LED display and fool with tiny rubber buttons. The $300 difference in price can almost buy you a Bartlien or a set of custom dies, etc.

The Kestryl does not inspire confidence as a "rugged piece of equipment" with the cheapo plastic housing. If it was in fact an aluminum housing then maybe I would buy the rugged argument.

Look... I don't want to try to "make" anyone "understand", but I'll take one more swing if it helps. As far as fragile goes, these have been in field use for sometime. Hell, tomorrow is Veteran's Day so I guess it is appropriate to mention Kestrel is offering a trade in for these "fragile" 4500's that will be refurbished and donated to AmericanSnipers.org, an organization dedicated to supporting snipers in the Global War On Terrorism.

If you enjoy the apps, the AB model can serve dual purpose. For the record, I use FFS feed by a Kestrel and while rich with features from LOS matrix to multiple target range cards with super fast interface, when I am hiking long and were ounces counts, I carry only a AB equipped Kestrel, my watch and range card as a backup. I can sit, range a few objects and wait, with the ballistic engine built in, I can shoot MUCH longer than traditionaly accepted with very high level of confidence.

Now, onto the iOS and Andriod phones etc... If you've ever sat in the desert with these fragile computers for any length of time exposed you'd know they often go into thermal overload..

If the ruggedness, proven field use and flexibility of having individuals tuned ballistic engine in your pocket makes no sense for your shooting style then good for you.. But that does not make integrated ballistics solvers of little value.

+1 AR15barrels, -
If you someone is going the App route and not with the AB or Horus.... (Without the embed ballistics solver) I'd rather use my watch's baro/temp/azimuth as it provides as much value as the basic Kestrels. My wind reads always come from other bits of information and not the Kestrel anyway.


Edited to add: as displayed over and over my writing skills are not great and I mean no disrespect or hostility... Hope that's clear and apologies if it is not.



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[brando]

I agree.
You don't even need a 4500.
A 2500 or a 4000 and a smart phone will do everything you need.

Until it gets over 100 degrees out on BLM land and your phone gives that "too hot to function" screen. Obviously that's not a common issue but when you've driven two and a half hours and hauled all your gear and steel out there, it sucks.