Kestrel unit vs ballistic apps vs G7 rangefinder vs.....

[xswanted]

You guys that are using the Kestrel wind and ballistic meters educate a bit on its value and assistance to making a first shot hit at long range.

I have a G7 rangefinder and when good data is put in (and verified and tweeked) it puts out good info. I use a very nice wind meter to assist with wind speed guesses.

What, if anything, would a guy gain using the Kestrel, specifically the 5700 series in either the sportsman or the elite over my current setup or even over a ballistic app one uses on a smart phone like iSnipe or Strelok Pro?

I know there are plenty of people who don't like the G7 rangefinder. Please don't turn this into a g7 is no good deal.

I'm open to about any brand of stuff and more than anything would be like to be educated on the Kestrel units.

Thanks!

 

[boltfluter]

You guys that are using the Kestrel wind and ballistic meters educate a bit on its value and assistance to making a first shot hit at long range.

I have a G7 rangefinder and when good data is put in (and verified and tweeked) it puts out good info. I use a very nice wind meter to assist with wind speed guesses.

What, if anything, would a guy gain using the Kestrel, specifically the 5700 series in either the sportsman or the elite over my current setup or even over a ballistic app one uses on a smart phone like iSnipe or Strelok Pro?

I know there are plenty of people who don't like the G7 rangefinder. Please don't turn this into a g7 is no good deal.

I'm open to about any brand of stuff and more than anything would be like to be educated on the Kestrel units.

Thanks!

Having used both my opinion is that they are both more than capable. All comes down to good info put into each. Garbage in garbage out. I personally think you have a great set up. Enjoy.

Regards, Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[ultraedge]

I have and use both a G7 and a Kestrel 4000. I use Shooter with the Kestrel and a Vectronics plrf 10. The advantages of the Kestrel -Shooter combo are: You can use many more profiles, the Kestrel gives wind speed at your location( this may or may not be helpful), and you can get solutions for distances over 1400 yds. The G7 is faster, gives good solutions, and you only need one piece of equipment instead of 3. If you are shooting or hunting long enough for the atmospherics to change, you only need to range with the G7 and you get the correct data. This is much quicker than slinging the Kestrel and inputting the new data into your program. I have noticed that in the evening where I hunt, the conditions may change enough in a one hour period to change solutions up to 1 and 1/2 moa. This makes the speed in which solutions can be obtained a big advantage for the G7. I have used the G7 since they first became available. I now use the 2nd generation model. The area that I normally hunt rarely allows shots over 1300 yds. I always take my G7 when hunting. When shooting targets or steel, where time is not an important factor either is ok. I also noticed that when using both systems, I might have to change the velocity input on the G7 to get the firing solutions to match. Don't take velocity readings for gospel, match firing solutions to actual drops. Gary

 

[xswanted]

Thank you both very good info.

 

[Boxcar77]

I was using a Kestral for atmospheric and wind and inputting that info into my iPhone via Shooter, Ballistics AE or Applied Ballistics. It worked great unless the ambient temp was below 40° or above 90°F. iPhones do not like the hot or cold. As recent as a match 2 weeks ago the temp was 23°F After being on site all of 5 minutes I had gotten my phone out to text my wife that I had arrived safely and the phone shut off.

Thankfully I had just gotten a 5700 Kestrel. The lithium battery did show a diminished charge from the cold but it still turned on stayed on and worked all day. As long as your gun data is correct in the kestrel you can get relevant data 30 seconds after turning on the kestrel.