I have used the Applied Ballistic phone app, the Kestrel 5700 Elite, and now the Garmin 701.
Of all, I prefer the Garmin 701.
Phone is the easiest to navigate, but I don't like having to use my phone at the range or on a hunt. It also doesn't have free custom drag models for bullets.
I like the Kestrel enough. Worked very well. I found navigation acceptable once I used a a few times. Having wind in the solution was nice. The upgrade with multiple targets was helpful. The screen was small. Entering data for each target used more buttons to navigate to a target and then each field to update.
The difference I really like is the larger screen of the Garmin 701 paired with the Tempe. The Garmin has a target page that you can update the fields, more quickly than with the Kestrel. Also, it has a multiple target feature with up to 10 targets, 5 per page. It also has a range card, so you can set it to start at any range, and then set the intervals. I scrolled through out to 3000 yards, and it gave me firing solutions with elevation and two wind, by 25 yard increments.
It has all of the environmentals automatically updating just like the Kestrel, except the wind. However, the Garmin is easy to update the wind. Also, with wind, its not like the Kestrel dopes wind perfectly. I've found that I needed a bracket for wind, like so many use. And, the Garmin has that. For now, I have it set to 5 mph and 10 mph. For wind calls, I did buy a simple Kestrel with wind, temp and baro in case my Garmin goes down and I use my phone.
I also like I can wear the Garmin like a watch. I left the Garmin on for three days straight, and played with it several times a day. I have one bar left of Duracell alkaline batteries.
@aconnolly84
Of all, I prefer the Garmin 701.
Phone is the easiest to navigate, but I don't like having to use my phone at the range or on a hunt. It also doesn't have free custom drag models for bullets.
I like the Kestrel enough. Worked very well. I found navigation acceptable once I used a a few times. Having wind in the solution was nice. The upgrade with multiple targets was helpful. The screen was small. Entering data for each target used more buttons to navigate to a target and then each field to update.
The difference I really like is the larger screen of the Garmin 701 paired with the Tempe. The Garmin has a target page that you can update the fields, more quickly than with the Kestrel. Also, it has a multiple target feature with up to 10 targets, 5 per page. It also has a range card, so you can set it to start at any range, and then set the intervals. I scrolled through out to 3000 yards, and it gave me firing solutions with elevation and two wind, by 25 yard increments.
It has all of the environmentals automatically updating just like the Kestrel, except the wind. However, the Garmin is easy to update the wind. Also, with wind, its not like the Kestrel dopes wind perfectly. I've found that I needed a bracket for wind, like so many use. And, the Garmin has that. For now, I have it set to 5 mph and 10 mph. For wind calls, I did buy a simple Kestrel with wind, temp and baro in case my Garmin goes down and I use my phone.
I also like I can wear the Garmin like a watch. I left the Garmin on for three days straight, and played with it several times a day. I have one bar left of Duracell alkaline batteries.
@aconnolly84
