Dedicated Ballistic Calculator...?

[RemingtonAI]

Just wondering of any of you use a dedicated ballistic solver. I know most of us use an app on our phones these days, and I suppose the rest use a computer based program. Other than the Kestrel with Applied Ballistics, anyone use anything else they like?
Just recently bought an Android phone (unactivated) that is Milspec waterproof, dustproof, and damn near indestructible with the intention of using it as a dedicated ballistic calculator. Seems like the best option possible. It will have the Shooter app, regular scientific calculator, camera, flashlight, and some other features that I though would be nice for a dedicated shooting aid. Extremely long battery life as well.
I am surprised that there aren't anymore products out there that offer a field usable ballistic solver other than the paper ones. Am I on my own here?

 

[ZenArchery]

Ballistic AE and Hornady (online) is really good.

 

[Mozella]

I don't get it. Why turn a multi-tasker into a uni-tasker? For example, my cleaning rod is something I use only for cleaning a rifle bore, for obvious reasons. But the staple gun I take to the range for putting up targets is also the same staple gun I use when I need to do some stapling around the house. The hearing protection I use at the range is also what I use when I attend an NHRA drag race.

I always have a sophisticated ballistic calculator with me at the range because it's on my Android Smart Phone. But this same phone also functions as the "brains" of my chronograph, gives me weather data at the range, and lets me tell my wife if I'll be home for lunch or not. But is also functions as my regular phone, and does all the other stuff modern phones do when I'm not at the range. It's not like I'm wearing it out or anything.

I can't imagine why I would want a phone dedicated only to solving ballistics equations. Is there an advantage I don't quite get?

 

[boltfluter]

I have an I pod that is used in the field.

Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[Milo 2.0]

I see nothing wrong with it, I had to upgrade my phone in Jan just to get apps for the newest kestrel, in retrospect, wish I woulda went ipod or pad, got all apps squared away and bought a flip phone to take calls.

 

[RemingtonAI]

I can't imagine why I would want a phone dedicated only to solving ballistics equations. Is there an advantage I don't quite get?[/QUOTE
You are definitely correct in that it is great to have everything built in to the phone. Currently I use a ballistic solver on my phone as well and it works great for the most part. The reason why I am separating the two, not that I wont still have it on my phone, is because of two things...durability and battery. My phone has an Otter Box so it is very durable but it is still my life line to well...everything! And when it comes to field conditions there is rocks, dirt, dust, mud, concrete, you know enemies of the smartphone. Battery life on my phone is good for a phone but still must be conserved for the use of everything else. That's where the applied ballistics Kestrel really shines. You can throw it in your dope case or whatever and don't have to charge it everyday. You can also get it wet and beat it up a bit.
Last weekend I was shooting in a thunderstorm at 300 & 600yrds and I got soaked along with all of my gear. Conditions changed. I didn't even have a regular calculator to do the simple wind deflection calculation because it was on my phone. Just a recent example. There are really a lot of advantages I can think of when the solver is separate from the phone, weather proof, and battery doesn't have to support 20 other functions. But like you said it is ultra convenient and works just fine for most shooing to have it in the phone. Just depends on your requirements. Jesse

 

[taliv]

i used a nomad and ffs for a while. i guess technically it was multi-use as it also was a gps and would run windows mobile software. but i only used it for shooting

now i pretty much just use the iphone. i move it to a heavy duty case for matches. the only exception is cold weather when the screen goes blank and the batteries die in minutes. i just switch to my dope cards then