Kestrel Meters Ballistics Official Thread

[Cowpokey]

I would not think so, check your gear, magnet on the binocular clasp, barrel cooler, compass laying next to the Kestrel.. anything with some magnetic property can cause the compass to think it is the new North.

I didn't go back and read through the thread, so forgive me if this has already been answered...but: When you update the longitude, does the Kestrel calculate magnetic north to true north? Does it even matter, if you calibrate the electronic compass to where you're taking readings?

 

[6.5SH]

I didn't go back and read through the thread, so forgive me if this has already been answered...but: When you update the longitude, does the Kestrel calculate magnetic north to true north? Does it even matter, if you calibrate the electronic compass to where you're taking readings?

Need lat and long for that to be somewhat automated.

NCEI Geomagnetic Calculators

www.ngdc.noaa.gov

The adjustment is manual on a Kestrel:

Magnetic vs. True North: Adjusting for Declination

Hand-held wind and weather trackers from Kestrel Meters. Shop online from the entire line of Kestrel weather instruments. Free, Same-Day Shipping.

kestrelmeters.com

As far as it mattering I'd say it would depend on what else you were referencing (laser, GPS, map, sketch, analog or digital compass, etc). As long as everything is using the same method it really doesn't matter which is chosen as long as they match.

 

[6.5SH]

The above being said, this could be an added future function the LiNK apps could perform using the phone's GPS.

The new LiNK app already has the ability to read GPS position and add it to Snapshot or Session logging.

 

[Cowpokey]

Well, the Kestrel 5700 Elite that I have, with Link, can update the location from my iPhone, but then I have to switch the Kestrel to "device" to link with my Kilo2400BDX. I'm guessing it doesn't matter "that much"...but I haven't taken all of the tools to the range yet, since I had to send my Kilo back to Sig; it wouldn't update to the latest firmware...just got the Kilo back from Sig today. So, hopefully I'll get everything to the range this weekend and see how everything works out.

 

[Cowpokey]

The reason I say, "does it matter", is because DOF and Applied Ballistics calculations might be tied to the most recent electronic compass calibration, along with the wind/direction, and the data exchanged between the linked range finder (kilo2400bdx in my case). There's a lot of sorcery involved with all these tools...LOL

 

[Near miss]

Feedback from using my 5700 Elite:
-After downloading profiles from the Kestrel to the phone, Kestrel is in buggy mode, until profile is changed, even only back and forth. For example, mine just sticks to E - --- and W - --- before changing it. This was problematic as I tried using the K2400BDX while this bug was on. The profile that is chosen after the upload can even be a profile that has been turned off.

-Accuracy 1st options quite often do not do anything when "Calculate" is pressed. Just tested and now the Speed Drop is not working. Just says ---. Other calculations worked.
**Just happened:
I changed the Speed Drop error margin from 0.1 to 0.2 and after few times the values quickly flashed in the screen. It might be that for some reason the unit calculates them but the output is not updated succesfully onto the screen. After I noticed the flashing I changed again from 0.2 to 0.1 and hit Calculate, it now shows the values. I had tried other gun profiles also, no help..***

-Just noticed that my Latitude had reset to 0. It was maybe few weeks ago I updated it with my phone (to 60.4)

-I had problems with the compass in the start and even changed from 5700 unit to another unit, while also switching to Elite. I have much less problems with this unit but still recalibrating was required often. I just noticed I have not had to recalibrate it for some time and it still worked today. Very good news. Excellent news.

In MV table, at least using metrics the temps bug when the profile temperature table has been made on the phone. It will show 1 degree off.

-The Enviromentals works very well

-The double press to enter weather mode is greatly appreciated. Maybe more key shortcuts? Double power key to enter favorite gun profile?

-Just got K2400BDX and it rocks with the Kestrel!

 

[Kestrel Ballistics]

Some of your items are covered in the user manual

Kestrel Ballistics Support Page

Kestrel Ballistics Support

kestrelballistics.com

Others are in the Sig set up manual included with the LRF.

and the Accuracy 1st guide, have you taken the accuracy 1st class? If not, you may want to read up on what it does to your Kestel as it has a specific purpose related to their class and reset to Latitude 0 is one of them.

StackPath

 

[Near miss]

If not, you may want to read up on what it does to your Kestel as it has a specific purpose related to their class and reset to Latitude 0 is one of them.

It seems pressing Quik Set has set it to 0.
Can you add this to the Accuracy 1st help document?
Because the Accuracy 1st document that I have studied quite deeply, only asks for the enviromentals to be locked, nothing about Latitude set to 0.

I do not know if you have to, since it works with the Latitude set to 60, or at least the problems I have with it do not correlate whether it has a value or not.

While I always have Spin drift set Off, after changing that on, rebooting and trying A1st features, they all still worked.

I also noticed that Speed Drop margin set to 0.2, it shows 0.1 in the menu, and vice versa? Why this happens?

 

[6.5SH]

For Drop owners new firmware

StackPath

1.56 5/24/2021 Fixes DROP settings not being maintained after removing battery

 

[mr.quick]

@Kestrel Ballistics , how do i make my 5700 elite to show yds and not meters

 

[NiteQwill]

@Kestrel Ballistics , how do i make my 5700 elite to show yds and not meters

Go to your settings and change the units. Use the buttons to scroll between meters and yards.

 

[Kestrel Ballistics]

@Kestrel Ballistics , how do i make my 5700 elite to show yds and not meters

page 10 of the user manual https://kestrelballistics.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/17/

 

[mr.quick]

page 10 of the user manual https://kestrelballistics.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/17/

thanks got it

 

[RossinFL]

Hey Kestrel, I've got a head scratcher. I have loaded two gun profiles using my phone. Each gun/ammo combo is set to a 100 yard zero (two different guns and ammo). I am also set to use yards. The thing that puzzles me is while each gun is set to a 100 yard zero, when I select Tgt 100 yards in the main kestrel screen, it shows an elevation of 0.03U. Shouldn't it show an elevation of 0? This is on a 5700 elite.

 

[Kestrel Ballistics]

Your zero had no environmental factors taken into consideration, your solution for 100 yds did. The hold of 0.1" is not significant but was a calculation based on environment input impacting the bullet travel. Also, there may be some rounding error with such a small number.

 

[alex2x2]

Hi! Can you explain how to use sight offset ?

 

[Near miss]

Hi! Can you explain how to use sight offset ?

If you have to dial UP (Hits are under reticle center when turret is zeroed) to get the POI to reflect reticle center, use negative value.

If you need to dial DOWN, use positive.

Windage:
If hits are right, use positive number and vice versa.

Pro tip:
You can change the zero offset unit between mil, tmoa, smoa, centimeters and inches.

Use whatever suits you.

I just rezero the ammo using scope turrets and then put the dialed turret values to in mils.

On my scope, to get on the bullseye I dialed 1.8mil up (more elevation) and 3.1mil Left:
I input into my kestrel:
-1.8mil Zero Height (shows 1.8U on my Kestrel)
3.1mil Zero Offset (shows 3.1R on my Kestrel)

Another way to do this is to measure distance from group center to the aiming point and enter the values in inches or centimeters.

EDITED: Windage zero offset

Check out page 23, Alex2x2 has the right idea but up and left are positive numbers and down and right are negative numbers

StackPath

I checked this twice and still got it wrong..

PS. I like the 1.5mil zero a lot, gives me Speed Drop out to 400+ meters:

150m = 1.7mil, 250m=2.5mil, 300m=3.1mil, 400m=4.2mil

 

[alex2x2]

If you have to dial UP (Hits are under reticle center when turret is zeroed) to get the POI to reflect reticle center, use negative value.

If you need to dial DOWN, use positive.

Windage:
If hits are right, use positive number and vice versa.

Pro tip:
You can change the zero offset unit between mil, tmoa, smoa, centimeters and inches.

Use whatever suits you.

I just rezero the ammo using scope turrets and then put the dialed turret values to in mils.

Eg. To get on the bullseye I dialed 0.1mil up and 0.2mil left:
I input into my kestrel:
-0.1mil Zero Height
-0.2mil Zero Offset

Another way to do this is to measure distance from group center to the aiming point and enter the values in inches or centimeters.

Thank you.

 

[Kestrel Ballistics]

Check out page 23, Alex2x2 has the right idea but up and left are positive numbers and down and right are negative numbers

StackPath

 

[pmclaine]

First my apologies.....I am not the tech savvy guy that gets full potential out of his Kestrel but the information I do access is a great help.

My battery is due to be changed.

I have gone to Link and downloaded the info from my CONX Sportsman upgraded to 5700 with Link.

The data memory has cleared and it appears the weather data is now downloaded to my desktop and I can open and read that if I should so choose....I would never choose.

I want to ensure my entered guns are saved when I remove and replace the batteries.

Once upon a time I did down load my guns somewhere via the USB data transfer cable and I would like to ensure that reference has my most up to date rifle info as I have tweaked things in using and gaining data.

Can you refresh my memory with how I can back up my current Kestrel settings so I do not lose them when changing batteries?......Is this even a concern when changing batteries? Does the current stored info remain for the short period the batteries are removed from the Kestrel?

I assume I should re-calibrate compass after changing Batts.

Thank you for suffering my basic annoying answers and laziness for not searching this thread to find that you have answered it 5700 other times.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

First my apologies.....I am not the tech savvy guy that gets full potential out of his Kestrel but the information I do access is a great help.

My battery is due to be changed.

I have gone to Link and downloaded the info from my CONX Sportsman upgraded to 5700 with Link.

The data memory has cleared and it appears the weather data is now downloaded to my desktop and I can open and read that if I should so choose....I would never choose.

I want to ensure my entered guns are saved when I remove and replace the batteries.

Once upon a time I did down load my guns somewhere via the USB data transfer cable and I would like to ensure that reference has my most up to date rifle info as I have tweaked things in using and gaining data.

Can you refresh my memory with how I can back up my current Kestrel settings so I do not lose them when changing batteries?......Is this even a concern when changing batteries? Does the current stored info remain for the short period the batteries are removed from the Kestrel?

I assume I should re-calibrate compass after changing Batts.

Thank you for suffering my basic annoying answers and laziness for not searching this thread to find that you have answered it 5700 other times.

Data profiles are saved in memory, so changing the battery isn't going to cause your profiles to disappear.

A firmware update definitely can, however.

 

[pmclaine]

Data profiles are saved in memory, so changing the battery isn't going to cause your profiles to disappear.

A firmware update definitely can, however.

Gonna do it because Hollywood said so and I always do what Hollywood tells me to do......Here goes....


Fashizzle!

Its all still there and I am back to 100% battery life. An upload was what caused me to lose my precious rifle data and give me a sad.

Still need to figure out where to go that I was once able to manage guns on a nice big spreadsheet on my laptop screen.

I guess I can figure that out next year when I change my battery again.

Hollywood I Thank you!

 

[Paul1262]

First my apologies.....I am not the tech savvy guy that gets full potential out of his Kestrel but the information I do access is a great help.

My battery is due to be changed.

I have gone to Link and downloaded the info from my CONX Sportsman upgraded to 5700 with Link.

The data memory has cleared and it appears the weather data is now downloaded to my desktop and I can open and read that if I should so choose....I would never choose.

I want to ensure my entered guns are saved when I remove and replace the batteries.

Once upon a time I did down load my guns somewhere via the USB data transfer cable and I would like to ensure that reference has my most up to date rifle info as I have tweaked things in using and gaining data.

Can you refresh my memory with how I can back up my current Kestrel settings so I do not lose them when changing batteries?......Is this even a concern when changing batteries? Does the current stored info remain for the short period the batteries are removed from the Kestrel?

I assume I should re-calibrate compass after changing Batts.

Thank you for suffering my basic annoying answers and laziness for not searching this thread to find that you have answered it 5700 other times.

You should re-calibrate the compass after changing batteries.

 

[flightmedic7199]

I recently purchased the 5700 Elite and when setting it up I selected TMOA since my scope uses MOA. When I did a target capture the holdover and windage results say MILS. How can I fix this issue? Thanks

 

[Kestrel Ballistics]

Check the settings in the App, bottom right icon, it may be set to MILS.

 

[flightmedic7199]

I don’t see anything in the app settings to change it

 

[RossinFL]

I have a 5700 Elite. Is there a good video that goes over how to use it? I am pretty sure I understand how but seeing a good video would be helpful.

 

[flightmedic7199]

This video is pretty good.

 

[Near miss]

I recently purchased the 5700 Elite and when setting it up I selected TMOA since my scope uses MOA. When I did a target capture the holdover and windage results say MILS. How can I fix this issue? Thanks

Could it be you have Accuracy 1st set on? It requires mils to be used.

 

[flightmedic7199]

Could it be you have Accuracy 1st set on? It requires mils to be used.

Thanks, but no it is off.

 

[Kestrel Ballistics]

Thanks, but no it is off.

Could be an update switched your scope setting from TMOA to mil, change the scope settings in the Kestrel and app back to TMOA and see if it happens again?

 

[flightmedic7199]

It sure did. Thanks for the help.

 

[parshal]

Could be an update switched your scope setting from TMOA to mil, change the scope settings in the Kestrel and app back to TMOA and see if it happens again?

Setting like this get changed nearly every time I update.

 

[Kestrel Ballistics]

We are looking into it.

 

[hattori.hanzo]

Hi all, I am a beginner in long range shooting. I was wondering where to find the zero altitude, pressure and temperature when I have sighted in my weapon. Is it true, that this is not included in Kestrel 5700 Elite with Applied Ballistics?
(Exact these parameters I can find in applied ballistics mobile app but not in my Kestrel.)

Best
Uwe

 

[6.5SH]

Hi all, I am a beginner in long range shooting. I was wondering where to find the zero altitude, pressure and temperature when I have sighted in my weapon. Is it true, that this is not included in Kestrel 5700 Elite with Applied Ballistics?
(Exact these parameters I can find in applied ballistics mobile app but not in my Kestrel.)

Best
Uwe

Does Kestrel 5700 Elite w/ AB record zero'ed environmental conditions? Deciding between that and Kestrel Hornady 4dof

Deciding between Kestrel's 5700 Elite w/ Applied Ballistics and Hornady 4dof right now. A friend of mine with the 5700 Hornady told me that 5700 Elite w/ AB does NOT have the option to record or enter the environmental conditions when I zero'ed the rifle, ie temperature, absolute pressure...

www.snipershide.com

 

[JMGlasgow]

I've calibrated my compass with the wind impeller out, as well as in and the compass is not reading North. When I'm pointed north it reads 2:00. Do I just keep trying to calibrate it?

 

[6.5SH]

I've calibrated my compass with the wind impeller out, as well as in and the compass is not reading North. When I'm pointed north it reads 2:00. Do I just keep trying to calibrate it?

Is your firmware up to date and are you calibrating it indoors or outdoors?

 

[JMGlasgow]

It says it's up to date, and I do it outside on a tripod. Maybe I'm rotating it too fast?

 

[6.5SH]

It says it's up to date, and I do it outside on a tripod. Maybe I'm rotating it too fast?

Take it off the tripod, hold it out at arm's length and slowly turn yourself in a circle. Looks silly, but has worked better for me than trying to turn the unit itself.

 

[JMGlasgow]

I'll try that. Thank you

 

[WilburW]

Remember, magnetic north is not the same as true north. Depending upon your location, the variation can be double digits.
The Kestrel likely uses magnetic north, which may not align with what you use as “north.”

 

[Powder_Burns]

Were you trying to calibrate yesterday? There were some CME’s at the end of August, for those of you that may not be familiar with space weather. It disrupts the atmosphere and causes all kinds of wacky interference with the magnetic field of the planet and messes with electronics, satellites, etc.

 

[JMGlasgow]

Yes. Yesterday evening

 

[Powder_Burns]

Peak of the emi was from wed-thurs, should be subsiding by now. Try again tomorrow see if it makes any difference. Like WilburW said, may just be magnetic north for where you are. Magnetic declination varies by lat/lon around the world, but I suspect calibrating during a solar storm could throw things off a fair amount.

 

[hattori.hanzo]

Does Kestrel 5700 Elite w/ AB record zero'ed environmental conditions? Deciding between that and Kestrel Hornady 4dof

Deciding between Kestrel's 5700 Elite w/ Applied Ballistics and Hornady 4dof right now. A friend of mine with the 5700 Hornady told me that 5700 Elite w/ AB does NOT have the option to record or enter the environmental conditions when I zero'ed the rifle, ie temperature, absolute pressure...

www.snipershide.com

Wow I didn’t expect this but many thanks! It was really interesting to read through this thread.

What are sour experiences? Is it really the case, that it doesn’t matter, if you zero your rifle at 100yd at sea level and shoot next day at higher altitudes, hitting exactly at the same point where it have been zeroed beforehand?

Best
Uwe

 

[NiteQwill]

Wow I didn’t expect this but many thanks! It was really interesting to read through this thread.

What are sour experiences? Is it really the case, that it doesn’t matter, if you zero your rifle at 100yd at sea level and shoot next day at higher altitudes, hitting exactly at the same point where it have been zeroed beforehand?

Best
Uwe

If you zero at 100 yards, your zero has ZERO effect when shooting at sea level or higher altitudes. I literally travel for my matches, have shot sea level to the Rockies... Let your Kestrel get the environmentals, input data, send it.

 

[Holliday]

To me that is what it is called a “zero”. Zero at 100 yards and it stays zeroed despite any environmental changes.

When hunting I often set my zero at 300 for a quick shot by turning my turret to 300 based on that day’s environmentals. Everything works off, and depends on, my 100 yard zero.

 

[SmileMaker]

Interesting Observation: Kestrel 5700 Elite Ver 1.42
Gun: 300NM, MV 3004fps, DM Custom, BC 1.000, BW 230gr (Berger OTM Hybrid), BD .308, ZR 100yds, BH 2.20in, ZH 0.00, ZO 0.00, RT 1:10.00in, Eunit mil, Wunit mil
Target: TR 1768 yds, DOF 91 deg, Ideg 0, Icos 1.000, TS 0.00,
Environment: UPDATE LIVE, Lat 40deg, Temp 77F, SP 29.02, RH 53%, Dalt 2410 ft, Spin drift ON, Wcap ALL TARGETS ... * Shooting location about 950 asl, 40deg 10 min N

I was working up a wind rose for an upcoming event and the kestrel povided the following for 1768yds DOF 91 deg
Wind change set to DOF
Wind direction set (manually) to 1 deg the following corrections are given
Wind 1deg 0mph W 0.43L, Wind 4mph W 0.42L, Wind 8mph W 0.40L, Wind 12mph W 0.38L, Wind 16mph W 0.36, Wind 20mph W 0.34L

That should be a full value wind coming from the left of the target line (assuming I have set the parameters correctly). Why the minor windage change from 0 to 20mph wind?

 

[waveslayer]

Interesting Observation: Kestrel 5700 Elite Ver 1.42
Gun: 300NM, MV 3004fps, DM Custom, BC 1.000, BW 230gr (Berger OTM Hybrid), BD .308, ZR 100yds, BH 2.20in, ZH 0.00, ZO 0.00, RT 1:10.00in, Eunit mil, Wunit mil
Target: TR 1768 yds, DOF 91 deg, Ideg 0, Icos 1.000, TS 0.00,
Environment: UPDATE LIVE, Lat 40deg, Temp 77F, SP 29.02, RH 53%, Dalt 2410 ft, Spin drift ON, Wcap ALL TARGETS ... * Shooting location about 950 asl, 40deg 10 min N

I was working up a wind rose for an upcoming event and the kestrel povided the following for 1768yds DOF 91 deg
Wind change set to DOF
Wind direction set (manually) to 1 deg the following corrections are given
Wind 1deg 0mph W 0.43L, Wind 4mph W 0.42L, Wind 8mph W 0.40L, Wind 12mph W 0.38L, Wind 16mph W 0.36, Wind 20mph W 0.34L

That should be a full value wind coming from the left of the target line (assuming I have set the parameters correctly). Why the minor windage change from 0 to 20mph wind?

Dumb question, spin drift turned on and Coriolis on? Trying to help diagnose, interesting