Wind correction wheel and Kestrel

[SGK]

So I want to do more shooting at longer ranges and learn more about reading the wind. I've worked out and plotted a wheel with my corrections (1 o'clock, 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock etc) for various wind speeds. I'm now staring at my barely used Kestrel 5500 which can provide a measurement of wind and direction (at the point of placement) using magnetic north as a reference (0 degrees). Is there an easy way to get the wind direction relative to the 'downrange' heading so I don't have remember what downrange is versus magnetic north and do the mental math? (Or do I need to place my correction wheel inside another so I can freely spin the outer compass heading to align with downrange?)

(I recognise there is an awful amount I need to learn about reading mirage, foliage movement, flags if available etc but I was thinking a basic starting point would be to begin correlating what the Kestrel tells me versus what I see.)

 

[CharlieNC]

Use your wind meter to determine speed of the wind. Using an app such as Strelok, point the phone at the target and with your finger move the dial to face the direction of the wind and it will determine the exact vector and use that for the calculated scope adjustment.

 

[SGK]

I have Ballistics AE. Although it can get wind data from the Kestrel and I can add in a wind configuration, I still have to enter the wind direction (angle) versus 'downrange' manually. From your description 'with your finger move the dial to face the direction of the wind' I would have to do the same with Strelok. You'd think it could do this automatically based on the input from the Kestrel and orientation of the phone. Maybe I am missing something.

(I can point the Kestrel downrange and get the heading associated with that direction and hence do the math each time or have a 'downrange dial' on the wind dial which can spin to register the downrange heading and then apply the Kestrel data to it but that seems cumbersome.)

 

[Richard Coody]

a kestrel with applied ballistic will do all that for you

 

[SGK]

Then I am missing how to implement the automatic update of "Wind Origin" either in Trajectory or the HUD based on the Kestrel-fed wind velocity and origin and the downrange direction of fire as determined by pointing the phone to target (or otherwise). Wind data is collected in HUD but the Wind Origin still needs to be entered manually. In Trajectory, both need to be entered manually.

Oops. I am using Ballistic AE and purchased the 5500 Kestrel which apparently doesn't work with Applied Ballistics.

 

[Depart123]

Get a cheap magnetic compass. Point it at the target and take note of reading. Turn into the wind, and note the reading.

If the diference is 90 degrees or less, that is your angle. If it is more than 90 degrees, then subtract from 180.

The type of "north" is irrelevent. You are measuring angle offset not navigating.

 

[SGK]

Kestrel (and phone) already have compasses. I know how to do it manually. I’m surprised the Kestrel can’t give wind direction in degrees-from-heading form or that Ballistics AE can’t translate relative-to-magnetic-north wind origin data into the same and use it in HUD. Perhaps I am missing how to use one or the other for this purpose.

 

[SGK]

As an example, the Kestrel can give each of the headwind or crosswind components of a wind versus a set vector. However, the angle is still given in absolute (north) terms rather than an angle versus the vector.

I was hoping I could observe the wind, judging the angle relative to downrange while looking at either Ballistics AE or the Kestrel itself and get a proper reading against which to compare my judgement.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Throw that stuff away! The only value I can see is it MIGHT save you from a dq. In this part of the country, the wind may be doing 12 different things within 100 yards, much less 1000.

 

[Milo 2.0]

As an example, the Kestrel can give each of the headwind or crosswind components of a wind versus a set vector. However, the angle is still given in absolute (north) terms rather than an angle versus the vector.

I was hoping I could observe the wind, judging the angle relative to downrange while looking at either Ballistics AE or the Kestrel itself and get a proper reading against which to compare my judgement.

I use a Kestrel 5700 with AB, you pay for it, but it simplifies the crap out of things. Calibrate it, point in target direction, hit capture, point into wind, hit capture, reads wins speed and direction, gives you a firing solution. The only thing that is really on you is a solid zero, and a solid MV.
I think mine w/o update stores 16 rifles.

 

[SGK]

Yeah it would be so simple for Ballistics AE to do the same within its HUD page. It already collects wind data from a connected Kestrel. It just needs to record the line of fire, which could be done with a simple point and click of the phone, and compute the HUD's clock system 'wind origin' from those two. I sent them an email and we'll see what they say.

Of course (to gunsandgunsmithing's point) we are talking about very simple, singular and constant wind scenarios. Ballistics AE allows much more complex wind scenarios to be entered which multiple conditions at varying ranges etc.

I'm still at the point of judging if a breeze is at 1 o'clock vs 2 o'clock and at 5mph vs 10 mph...

(I prefer being able to place the Kestrel wherever is best and look at the data/solutions on my phone rather than looking at the Kestrel screen. And, of course, Ballistics AE allows an unlimited number of rifle/bullet ballistic profiles.)