Kestrel, valuable tool or waste of money?

[NevadaZielmeister]

The 4.88 update will fix your compass problem.

You are correct. The 4.80 software update will fix the problem per Joe at Nielsen Kellerman. What is really crazy is that you can buy the Kestrel 4500NV with Applied Ballistics, but it has the old software version of 4.76. Then, you can upgrade it only if you have either the Bluetooth model or the PC interface kit, each costing $100 each.

So as far as I can tell, you can get the 4500NV with Applied Ballistics without Bluetooth for $589.00 and just do not count on using the compass feature or getting access to the Applied Ballistics Custom Curve Library. Sigh…

Does anyone know of any alternatives to Applied Ballistics? Someone who has extensive knowledge of real world performance out to 1500 yards? I am finding errors in my FDAC past 800 meters.

 

[MilDot1960]

Well, it would appear that my Kestrel is broken, right out of the box. The electronic compass is reading as if the it is spinning. I have calibrated it several times, some with the impeller in it, some without. I have the shield set between the batteries.

What happens is that if the unit powers off or "sleeps", it will lose the calibration. Once I calibrate it, the electronic compass works great. My friend, who has the same 4500NV but with Applied Ballistics, did not have that problem at all.

The bummer of it all, Amazon not replace it and will only accept a return because I received such a good deal on it. I guess if I want to it to work properly, I have to pay an extra $100.00.

At this point, I wonder if they are really necessary. I would only use it to calculate Density Altitude. And I can do that already with a graph. Sigh...

Well I'm sorry to hear that, just when you were on a roll too,,, But dont worry because the People at Kestrel are very quick to help out and we even have some of Kestrels People on here that do move mountains for us Members,

so good luck, it will be sorted because they wont leave you in the lurch,

john

 

[NevadaZielmeister]

Well I'm sorry to hear that, just when you were on a roll too,,, But dont worry because the People at Kestrel are very quick to help out and we even have some of Kestrels People on here that do move mountains for us Members,

so good luck, it will be sorted because they wont leave you in the lurch,

john

Thank's John for reminding me about this thread. Allow me to cap the story here.

Yes, the folks at Kestrel (Nielsen Kellerman) were easy to work with. The only issue was that I had to send it in. This experience, and my ever loving research, finally led me to the Kestrel 4500NV with Applied Ballistics AND Bluetooth. I figured that with the newness of the Kestrel coupled with ballistics computer technology will garner further updates. I have read the other thread regarding fixes from Bryan Litz and friends directly and feel comfort in knowing I would get proper follow up assistance.

I also read from some other sources how spot on the Kestrel with AB was and how easy it was to use. I had been struggling with true accuracy out past 600 meters before and with this tool, hopefully, I will be able to get those first round hits so needed in the upcoming Sniper's Hide Cup. Yes, $700 was quite a jagged huge pill to swallow, but since I spent so much on my rifle and scope, this was actually a small percentage.

Cheers.

 

[MilDot1960]

Thank's John for reminding me about this thread. Allow me to cap the story here.

Yes, the folks at Kestrel (Nielsen Kellerman) were easy to work with. The only issue was that I had to send it in. This experience, and my ever loving research, finally led me to the Kestrel 4500NV with Applied Ballistics AND Bluetooth. I figured that with the newness of the Kestrel coupled with ballistics computer technology will garner further updates. I have read the other thread regarding fixes from Bryan Litz and friends directly and feel comfort in knowing I would get proper follow up assistance.

I also read from some other sources how spot on the Kestrel with AB was and how easy it was to use. I had been struggling with true accuracy out past 600 meters before and with this tool, hopefully, I will be able to get those first round hits so needed in the upcoming Sniper's Hide Cup. Yes, $700 was quite a jagged huge pill to swallow, but since I spent so much on my rifle and scope, this was actually a small percentage.

Cheers.

There ya Go, Now ya Cookin, and if you get it all set up right and ease the Trigger nothings gonna hold you back now,

Good Luck Mate and have Fun,,,,john

 

[goodgorilla]

I'm going to sound like a troll saying I have a Kestrel 4500V with AP BT sitting on my shelf at home and do not know how to use it yet. I don't even know how to make dopes yet, but I do have a chronograph that I will be using for the first time soon. On the other spectrum, I do not have a smartphone.

 

[Capt Academy]

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