Kestrel 4500 Shooters Weather Meter w/ Applied Ballistics

mildot

mildot

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I'm looking for some real "end user" comments on this? Read some other reviews and they were negative? However some folks say different?
How's the "ease of use"? setting it up (sync) with your PC? manufactures warranty? Is the "Bluetooth" option worth the extra $160? Thanks
 
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I'm curious too.

I think I read a post from Swissin who said it was his most important piece of kit after his rifle. It seems like a lot of coin for some technology but if it works and comes highly recommended I could be tempted. At the moment however, I don't shoot at distances where I would need something so high tech.
 
I'm tired right now but I did a thread on this about a year ago. It is an absolutely invaluable piece of kit. But only if you want first round hits at 1200m...in any conditions lol.
 
Thanks, I guess my post "flushed you out" LOL, I did a search but couldn't find anything? Can you repost? not right now "rack out" and come back when you're fresh. Thanks
BTW any quick comments on the "bluetooth" function?

Just did a search, and for some reason the home computer found it? huh, go figure. Cheers
 
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I have been using the AB version for just over a year and had the Horus version for about a year and a half before. I don't know this software inside and out like some do but having said that, it is not difficult to set up or use. Set up is much like creating a ballistic chart on any typical ballistic app or software. There are some parameters that you will have to set up in the weather section in order to get the right drop data, for this there are a few threads over on Snipershide that walk you through it. The most important thing to using this unit is to input your data correctly and accurately, accurate in accurate out, garbage in garbage out. I quickly entered the data for a buddies 50 BMG and he was hitting steel at 1600m instantly.

I have never synced it to my computer(I think its only for software updates) or linked it to a phone so I can't comment on that. The Bluetooth version I purchased only to be able to sync it to a Trimble Nomad to use Field Firing Solutions(which I haven't purchased yet). Having said that I spoke to a fella out here in the fall that has much more experience than I do with both the Kestrel AB and FFS and he was rather convincing when he explained to me that if your Kestrel is set up properly, you do not need FFS.

While I have never needed the warranty from Kestrel be advised that Kestrel will not warranty a unit that crapped out because the batteries leaked so when you get yours make sure it has Lithium Ion batteries, if it doesn't, toss the alkalines and get Li. Also remove the batteries when not in use.

Hope this helped.
 
I don't find them that hard to set up but it is worth fine tuning your data with actual drops (true the results) at mid and long range to confirm everything. I have found that I needed to adjust BC and FPS values just slightly to make everything work from 100 yards to just before transonic range. I have used both and found no difference in accuracy between the Horus version which only uses the G1 bc and the applied ballistics version which also has the G7 bc option. Just familiarize yourself with how everything works and then its just the wind and the velocity spreads in your load left to deal with.

I don't have any use for the Bluetooth version so I can not comment on that feature.

They work great.
 
Thanks for the replies, all good answers, one other thing, how is this if your using factory ammo, so can I just "plug in the values" on the box? along with my rifle stats?
 
I'm curious, the Kestrel measures wind at the firing line but how does it reliably get 1st shot hits at long distance with no way of knowing what the wind is doing mid-range to the target or at the target? Or is this all assuming no wind corrections.
 
I watched Ryan's Range Report on YouTube last night, there is alot going on with this device. I'm guessing that it uses bullet spin drift?
 
Tikka223 said:
I'm curious, the Kestrel measures wind at the firing line but how does it reliably get 1st shot hits at long distance with no way of knowing what the wind is doing mid-range to the target or at the target? Or is this all assuming no wind corrections.
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Wind at shooter most important. "It" doesn't reliably get 1st shot hits at long distance... Thats up to you. Mid range and target wind are additional variables you'll have to take into account.
 
mildot said:
Thanks for the replies, all good answers, one other thing, how is this if your using factory ammo, so can I just "plug in the values" on the box? along with my rifle stats?
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Not likely, most bullet makers except for Berger and sierra inflate their BC values and you would have to chrono the ammo in the temps you will be shooting in. You are also gonna want a rifle that holds about 1/2 moa with small extreme spreads to make use of the kestrel for what it's capable of.

First round hits really only pertains to the elevation correction. It will give you a solution for wind holds but it assumes the same wind from you to the target so the wind reading part is up to you.

If you don't have a range finder that reads out past 1000yards the G7 BR2 also gives very accurate holdover corrections to 1400 yards so that may be of interest to you as well
 
.284 said:
Not likely, most bullet makers except for Berger and sierra inflate their BC values and you would have to chrono the ammo in the temps you will be shooting in. You are also gonna want a rifle that holds about 1/2 moa with small extreme spreads to make use of the kestrel for what it's capable of.

First round hits really only pertains to the elevation correction. It will give you a solution for wind holds but it assumes the same wind from you to the target so the wind reading part is up to you.

If you don't have a range finder that reads out past 1000yards the G7 BR2 also gives very accurate holdover corrections to 1400 yards so that may be of interest to you as well
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I thought modern powders like Varget were suppose to be more or less impervious to temperature?
 
Some like the one you mentioned seem to be but the question was about using factory ammo and how do you know what powder they used. Plus the variations in say Hodgon extreme powders are smaller than say Alliant reloader powders but they are still there and if you're going to shoot extreme ranges you will need to have an idea of how temp affects your load
 
I don't reload, so I'm wondering if I would get my "bang for the buck" out of this device? I do like the idea of setting up for different rifles.
 
Let me start by saying I would love to buy this piece of kit because I like having tools that are capable of doing the job quickly.
I have actually considered buying one but it is not at the top of my list for things I need.
I am an HVAC mechanic so I already have an anemometer to measure wind speed and temperature.
The only component missing on my anemometer is for elevation/barometric pressure.

With that being said if you are using a good ballistic app on a smartphone which has a truing feature you can be well served with a far less expensive anemometer such as the Kestrel 2500 for 1/4 of the price.
The 2500 will give you altitude temperature and barometric pressure along with your wind readings.

Again if seconds count, an all in one solution is critical, and money is not an issue then the 4500 AB is a great tool.
If I didn't reload then I would buy the 2500 and use it with my smartphone and use the difference to get a single stage setup to reload since that will provide more accurate results.
 
A different way to go. I recently bought a spinner from vaavud, a company in Denmark. It is a non electronic way to go, it spins a magnet that your smart phone can sense. 4% accuracy an it cost me $37 delivered in Ottawa. The games I play it is not allowed on the mound but for reading behind it looks like an awesome deal to me.
 
Ian Robertson said:
A different way to go. I recently bought a spinner from vaavud, a company in Denmark. It is a non electronic way to go, it spins a magnet that your smart phone can sense. 4% accuracy an it cost me $37 delivered in Ottawa. The games I play it is not allowed on the mound but for reading behind it looks like an awesome deal to me.
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Weatherflow makes another one that is similar but with a protected impeller similar to the Kestrel for $40.00
 
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