Range Report Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

[seankndy]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bodywerks</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is meant by 'bullet length' when adding ammo info? If I am using a 175smk, for example, isn't the length a given? Do I lose valuable info by leaving that field blank?
Also, what GPS app are you all using to account for Coriolis or for ranging? I currently have the 'GPS status' app but it takes forever to find me on this planet and when it does it sometimes has error tolerances of over a thousand feet! </div></div>

Bullet length in the ammo profile in addition to twist-rate within the firearm profile will give you spin-drift calculation capability. Without those 2 things entered, spin-drift calculation won't show as an option and are only relevant to that option.

GPS isn't done with some other app, it's done using the Android SDK. Shooter will tell you what the accuracy of the fix was in a small pop-up near the bottom of the screen.

 

[seankndy]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: basalt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Two things that would be awesome, and maybe it does this already I don't know. my Incredible arrives next week:

1) Pinchable table to change the reported increments. IE: List at every 5 yards, pinch it and it goes to every 10, 25, 50, 100 yards etc yards. Expand does the opposite. Of course it would either have to calculate on the fly, or pre-calculate and store it in memory.

2) Use the GPS and some weather service/app to automatically download/import relevant atmospheric/positional data.

Pipe dreams maybe. But can't hurt to ask! </div></div>

#2 is already done but #1 isn't. You _can_ specify what distance increments you'd like within the Preferences, but no "zooming".

See http://sean.kndy.net/shooter for details on the app's current capabilities.

 

[bodywerks]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: seankndy</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bodywerks</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is meant by 'bullet length' when adding ammo info? If I am using a 175smk, for example, isn't the length a given? Do I lose valuable info by leaving that field blank?
Also, what GPS app are you all using to account for Coriolis or for ranging? I currently have the 'GPS status' app but it takes forever to find me on this planet and when it does it sometimes has error tolerances of over a thousand feet! </div></div>

Bullet length in the ammo profile in addition to twist-rate within the firearm profile will give you spin-drift calculation capability. Without those 2 things entered, spin-drift calculation won't show as an option and are only relevant to that option.

GPS isn't done with some other app, it's done using the Android SDK. Shooter will tell you what the accuracy of the fix was in a small pop-up near the bottom of the screen. </div></div>
So is it the overall length of the bullet? Or just that part that contacts the rifling - i.e. discounting the boattail part and the cone?
Ha! I just got what the 'get' button does, but I'd still like to get a general consensus on what people are using as a GPS app on their Droid to range targets. The GPS status app sucks - that or the satellites just didn't want to cooperate last time I was at the range.

 

[Rafael]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

The length of the bullet. A 175MK is about 1.54".

This is not the length of the loaded cartridge.
Terms are important here.

I have not used a GPS app for ranging, but some can do that.
Use your reticle or get a laser-rangefinder.

 

[basalt]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: seankndy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

See http://sean.kndy.net/shooter for details on the app's current capabilities. </div></div>

Awesome! Not sure how I missed that the first time.

Now I REALLY want my Droid!!!

 

[maladat]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Received my Nexus One this afternoon - it, Android, and Shooter are all awesome!

Thanks for the hard work on the great app.

 

[shootist~]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

I'm up for a free (free + $50 for a Smartphone)upgrade on my Verizon account. Which "Droid" do I want? My only real interest is Shooter, but since I've never owned a smartphone that could change.

Are the basic Google functions like GPS part of the standard monthly fee or does that come at additional cost?

 

[maladat]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

For a lot of the smartphone stuff you need a "data plan" which basically covers all the internet stuff that is not phone calls or texting. Verizon's unlimited data plan is a $30/month add-on.

You can use GPS without a data plan but all the cell phone mapping software I am aware of downloads the maps on the fly over the data connection so it's not very useful.

For that matter, you need an internet connection to download applications and whatnot, but the Android phones all (I think all?) have WiFi so you could connect to a WiFi network to do that.

 

[mattmcg]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Sean,

I have a minor suggestion for you. In the trajectory table, it would be nice to leave the top header row in view (e.g. Range, Path, Drift, Velocity, Energy, etc) and have only the range values scroll up and down as needed.

As it works now, the top header row can get lost if you have data that trails off the first screen forcing the user to scroll back up to the top to verify which column means what.

After playing around with the latest Shooter on my new HTC EVO, the long screen really takes advantage of more range data and longer pages.

 

[mattmcg]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Also, in the title on the same trajectory page, why not get rid of the text "Shooter:" to allow even longer rifle and bullet names?

 

[shootist~]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: maladat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For a lot of the smartphone stuff you need a "data plan" which basically covers all the internet stuff that is not phone calls or texting. Verizon's unlimited data plan is a $30/month add-on.

You can use GPS without a data plan but all the cell phone mapping software I am aware of downloads the maps on the fly over the data connection so it's not very useful.

For that matter, you need an internet connection to download applications and whatnot, but the Android phones all (I think all?) have WiFi so you could connect to a WiFi network to do that. </div></div>

Thanks - very hepful.

 

[Hunt]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

How do you delete a firearm that is on the device? Also, how do you delete a "custom" load? If that functionality is not there, can you add that?

 

[seankndy]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

You touch and hold the profile and the option to edit/delete will come up.

 

[Hunt]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Thank You!

 

[mattmcg]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Sean,

Is there a way to have the Lead Angle in (clock) instead of degrees? I see you have this for wind direction but can't seem to find it for target lead.

Also, your target lead terminology seems a bit inconsistent across the screens on the latest paid version of Shooter. For the target input screen, you use "Move Angle" and "Speed" and on the solution screen "Target Speed" and "Target Angle" (with Lead in the toggle option). Why not use "Lead Speed" and Lead Angle" for all of the above? Or just stay consistent with "Target Speed" and "Target Angle" for them all (may be preferable). "Move Angle" actually confused me at first glance......

 

[fockell]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Sean, love the program, Data was right on out to 850 yards with my 308. I set up my new EVO on its hands free kickstand and was a great tool on the range. Once you are bored with this project I would like for you to work on a shot timer. There is a few out there on the market, but they do not work well. Thanks Brandon

 

[GUNNER75]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Sean is one heck of a guy. Had phone issue transferring info, I emailed, he replied, fixed. Less than 5 minutes.

Outstanding!

 

[targaflorio]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Sean: I downloaded my app today and played with it on the shooter ready demo.Very slick! Is factory ammo not built in there anywhere?
Thank you!

 

[mattmcg]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Targaflorio, I don't think factory ammo being in the Shooter application would help much. Each rifle shoots factory ammo differently so it wouldn't do you much good.

You need to know velocity and bullet type and everything else falls into place. Alternatively, if you know bullet and field dope drop, you can adjust velocities until your drop table matches your field dope to derive a fairly accurate velocity estimate.

 

[seankndy]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Thank you. Including "factory ammo" basically means including the muzzle velocity. Muzzle velocity is an extremely important input in ballistics calculators to get right and the velocity the factory gives you is very likely too generous and very likely different from what you actually get out of your rifle.

In order to get accurate results from any ballistics calculator, you need to take it out shooting and tweak the inputs until they match real-world results (see http://www.arcanamavens.com/LBSFiles/Shooting/Downloads/Programs/). Once you do that, you'll also be much more confident in the solutions it gives you and it actually becomes a very useful companion when taking shots at distances/conditions you haven't before.

Ballistic and iSnipe for iPhone include factory ammo and all that does is encourage a poor solution and ultimately a poor app review from incompetent users. I want users to input the values that are specific to them and their rifles so they're much more likely to get a good solution or are to blame for a poor one.

 

[targaflorio]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Aha! So to do it right, you got to chrono the gun. How close to the muzzle do you need to set up the stand? 10 feet is close enough to count as muzzle velocity?

I will check out the link. Thank you!

 

[seankndy]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Actual muzzle velocity will be slightly faster than what the chrono reads. What you're really after though is a good place to start. If you end up shooting a little high after dialing the solution Shooter gave, knock it down 5-10 fps and try again.

Also keep in mind that MV changes based on the temperature of your powder. So if you chrono in 80deg weather then go hunting in 5deg weather, you'll be shooting slower. Shooter will account for this if you input the variance of FPS per degree of temperature change (which is just something you have to figure out yourself -- either by chronoing in diff temps or by using a program like QuickLoad which can estimate variance).

 

[targaflorio]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Sean: I just played the Shooter Ready demo game using your app on my Droid. I hit 10 for 10, like they were made for each other! What a confidence builder at zero ammo cost.

 

[dmpowder]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Is there a demo for this or just the full ver.?

 

[seankndy]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

There is no demo version, however you can cancel/refund the app within 24hrs of purchasing it from within the Market (same goes for all paid apps).

 

[Rafael]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

To the users who have downloaded this program:

If you have not already.....post a comment on the Android Market.

The program is inexpensive and I know Sean has put alot of work into it.

It's a good way to show our appreciation and give him some feedback at the same time. It also helps future buyers who are not sure they want to invest their "life savings" in a program that does so much.

 

[martinez_ian]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Your app just keeps getting better. I find myself grabbing my phone more often than my pda with ATRAG. Thanks dude.

 

[seankndy]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mattmcg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sean,

Is there a way to have the Lead Angle in (clock) instead of degrees? I see you have this for wind direction but can't seem to find it for target lead.

Also, your target lead terminology seems a bit inconsistent across the screens on the latest paid version of Shooter. For the target input screen, you use "Move Angle" and "Speed" and on the solution screen "Target Speed" and "Target Angle" (with Lead in the toggle option). Why not use "Lead Speed" and Lead Angle" for all of the above? Or just stay consistent with "Target Speed" and "Target Angle" for them all (may be preferable). "Move Angle" actually confused me at first glance...... </div></div>

I've fixed this terminology inconstancy (not released, waiting for more feature additions) and will likely have support for clock angles in the next release. Thanks!

 

[seankndy]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: zenitram nai</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Your app just keeps getting better. I find myself grabbing my phone more often than my pda with ATRAG. Thanks dude.
</div></div>
Thanks, man. Good to hear.

 

[sudnrush]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

I dunno if this has been mentioned but where you select or create the load could you add a part to put in the details of a load so say we could save and reference how many grs of and what kinda powder, primers, brass ect. was used to make the load? I just thought it could be handy to have on there

 

[mattmcg]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sudnrush</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I dunno if this has been mentioned but where you select or create the load could you add a part to put in the details of a load so say we could save and reference how many grs of and what kinda powder, primers, brass ect. was used to make the load? I just thought it could be handy to have on there </div></div>

I would second this request. Just offering a notes field to include the details of the specific load would be very helpful.

 

[seankndy]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sudnrush</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I dunno if this has been mentioned but where you select or create the load could you add a part to put in the details of a load so say we could save and reference how many grs of and what kinda powder, primers, brass ect. was used to make the load? I just thought it could be handy to have on there </div></div>

Because this data isn't used to aid in the calculations, it doesn't fit very nicely into it's current design. mattmcg's idea of simply having an arbitrary notes field would make more sense.

Some of you may be wondering when you're going to get some new features -- good news, probably around this Friday I'll be releasing a new version which will include some bug fixes, small modifications, and the ability to generate trajectory/windage graphs for up to 6 loads at once.

 

[sudnrush]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

yeah the notes field would work great for that!

 

[mattmcg]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: seankndy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Because this data isn't used to aid in the calculations, it doesn't fit very nicely into it's current design. mattmcg's idea of simply having an arbitrary notes field would make more sense.

Some of you may be wondering when you're going to get some new features -- good news, probably around this Friday I'll be releasing a new version which will include some bug fixes, small modifications, and the ability to generate trajectory/windage graphs for up to 6 loads at once. </div></div>

Sean, any chance we'll see the notes field included in this build or are you planning that for a future release? Also, would this item be backed up on the cloud like the other load data?

 

[seankndy]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

The notes field will be added to the upcoming release. It will sync to web.

 

[seankndy]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

The new release was just uploaded to the Market.

See http://sean.kndy.net/shooter/changelog.txt for changes.

 

[Hunt]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

I just upgraded to the latest version and it is crashing when attempting to choose a firearm. Installed on HTC Hero with latest version on Android on Sprint.

 

[mattmcg]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Sean,

A really nice update. At first it crashed on me (a forced close) but I rebooted my machine, web synced my profiles from the server, and everything seems to be working perfectly now. Don't know what it was but a reboot and resync took care of it.

Things I've liked/noticed:
-The icon improvement is very nice.
-The notes field is indispensable. I'm inputting my load data now.
-The program seems a bit faster in its calculations. Don't know if its me or your code improvements but there seems to be a speed improvement on my EVO.
-Target/Lead terminology is clarified which is great!

Questions/Issues:
-Did you say that you are able to configure "Lead" to use clock instead of degrees? I can't seem to find that.
-I like that you've added "Graph" to the program. My suggestion would be to now allow 3 buttons instead of two on the screen previous to it (have "Solution", "Table", then "Graph") so that you don't take away a large amount of space on the table and/or graph screen. When I'm using this during competition, I tend to pull up the table and leave it there so screen real estate is of primary importance. Either that or display the table and have a "menu" toggle between the table and graph.

Nice work Sean.

 

[seankndy]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

inode,

can you download and install aLogCat from the market. Make Shooter crash, then go into aLogCat and hit Menu, then go to Send and send that output to [email protected] ?

Also, can you Edit the firearm profile? What values do you have in each field?

 

[mattmcg]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Sean,

The graph compare function rocks! Huge plus. I'm now comparing 3 different loads against each other.

 

[Hunt]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Just sent the logs. I cannot edit the firearm profile.

 

[Hunt]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Looks to be fixed now. Thanks

 

[seankndy]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mattmcg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">-Did you say that you are able to configure "Lead" to use clock instead of degrees? I can't seem to find that.</div></div>
Not in this release, sorry!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mattmcg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I like that you've added "Graph" to the program. My suggestion would be to now allow 3 buttons instead of two on the screen previous to it (have "Solution", "Table", then "Graph") so that you don't take away a large amount of space on the table and/or graph screen. When I'm using this during competition, I tend to pull up the table and leave it there so screen real estate is of primary importance. Either that or display the table and have a "menu" toggle between the table and graph.</div></div>
I'm always looking to streamline the design/organization of the app. I'll take this into consideration.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mattmcg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice work Sean.</div></div>
Thanks Matt.

 

[bohem]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Sean- Maybe I missed this in my quick flip through a few pages, but as updates come out do I need to pay for updates or does it work as a once and done and as updates come out I can download them at my leisure?

 

[Rafael]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

It's a one time fee, all updates like this one are free.
Nice updates too. He has added some nice features.

 

[seankndy]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rafael</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice updates too. He has added some nice features. </div></div>
Thanks Raf.

Soon some of you may get hounded to update Shooter again -- this update is a very small one to just fix some issues that Rafael found. I also added a few user-requested .338 Lapua bullets to the library in this release.

 

[Rafael]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

Thank you.
I appreciate all the improvements you have made over the course of further development.

This is a great program.

 

[seankndy]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

It has really come quite a ways now.

Shooter, humble beginnings -- 6 months ago:

Shooter, now:

 

[Rafael]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

It seems like it was years ago. Lol
It sure has come a long way, and I really like where you have taken it.
I never imagined my Droid would be so useful.

 

[bohem]

Re: Introducing "Shooter", ballistics for Android!

sean, raf: Thanks to both. My DROID is on the FEDEX truck right now, this is the first app that I'll be loading to it. I already use Ballistic on my iPod touch and I'm pretty happy with it, but dragging 2 pieces of electronics around instead of just 1 seems dumb (since I unfortunately need to be in cell contact about 90% of the time because of work).