Kestrel vs. Hornady app with 5700 4DOF?

[Mr.Mildots]

So I just picked up a Kestrel 5700 4DOF, and I've noticed that there's both the Kestrel Link Ballistics app and the Hornady 4DOF app. I used the Kestrel Link app to load my rifle data, and I see that both apps will talk with the Kestrel unit itself and give me live updates as conditions change. I've noticed that the unit itself will always match the Kestrel's app output, but the Hornady app will give slightly different outputs from what the hand unit is saying. My question is, for those using an app to connect to the Kestrel (for example, while it's on a tripod with the weather vane mount, etc), which app are you using? The Kestrel Link Ballistics app seems to update more quickly as the wind shifts, and the Hornady 4DOF app is really slick despite having a little lag between updates from the unit... is one more accurate than the other? It seems a little odd that the 4DOF app and the 4DOF unit would give slightly different adjustments at the same time. Which do you prefer and why?

 

[Mr.Mildots]

Anyone? C’mon, I know somebody’s got to be using one or the other....

 

[Todc]

What you're describing isn't significant. Don't worry about it.

I make drop cards for a wrist coach in 4dof based on DA. In the field use kestrel to get DA and wind velocity, pick closest card based on DA, that's all. Kestrel ballistics used for a shot outside what I've captured in arm band. It's simple and dopes are spot on.

I think you're over thinking the whole deal.

 

[BoltActionBrotherhood]

Anyone? C’mon, I know somebody’s got to be using one or the other....

Im with you man I am wondering the same thing. Im doing the same set up I just got my 4dof kestrel, and have been using the 4dof app on my phone for ever. Are you setting the Direction of fire on your kestrel before putting it on the weather vane, I have to imagine that is important, also making sure you have the Shooting azmeith on the hornady app correct is important as well form my understanding.
I like the 4dof apps ability to put the phone on the rifle once you are on target and set the shooting direct and angle. Its just such a nice program, I wish there was better integrations with one another.
I dont think you are overthinking it, Im using this to shoot out to two miles so I need everything as accurate as possible as well.

 

[kindabitey]

One thing I've noticed, is that there's roughly .5 mils of elevation difference between the app and Kestrel, and the device is calling for twice as much wind
as the app. With a 7 mph wind from 8:00 at 1200 yds, the app called for 1.1 mils and the device called for 2.6 mils of wind.
It's like having two watches, and constantly questioning which one is correct.

 

[db2000]

It’s frustrating sometimes. Practicing with both may help you decide which to go with. The Hornady 4DOF was off enough at the range past 500 yards compared to AB that I just use AB. It’s usually very close to what I’m actually getting on the steel.

 

[kindabitey]

From what I've seen, if the bullets you are using are in Hornady's library, it's pretty spot on. If not, it's a little sketchy. My solution was order a 5700 elite w/AB
and call it done.

 

[BoltActionBrotherhood]

One thing I've noticed, is that there's roughly .5 mils of elevation difference between the app and Kestrel, and the device is calling for twice as much wind
as the app. With a 7 mph wind from 8:00 at 1200 yds, the app called for 1.1 mils and the device called for 2.6 mils of wind.
It's like having two watches, and constantly questioning which one is correct.

Did you set DOF up correct and all that on the kestrel and on the 4dof phone app?

 

[kindabitey]

Did you set DOF up correct and all that on the kestrel and on the 4dof phone app?

Yes

 

[Mr.Mildots]

If nothing else, I'm glad to hear it's not just me. I'm sure to set both my direction of fire on the 5700 and azimuth in the app... everything is the same as far as I can tell, and yet there's always a difference between the 4DOF app and what the Kestrel says. Guess I'll just keep playing with both and eventually I'll come to a conclusion as to which is giving me the correct dope.

 

[oniak]

Reviving this thread. I am having the same exact situation between the 4dof app and the Hornady Kestrel. Have not been able to find a good answer as to why this is the case. Has anyone contacted Kestrel or Hornady directly to inquire?

 

[drwood96]

I have several loads in both the Hornady Kestrel and Hornady Kestrel app. They all match. I would go through the input value again and make sure they match. Also make sure our Kestrel and app are up to date.

 

[oniak]

I have several loads in both the Hornady Kestrel and Hornady Kestrel app. They all match. I would go through the input value again and make sure they match. Also make sure our Kestrel and app are up to date.

Thanks for the reply. I‘m actually relieved to find out that the discrepancy between the app and the Kestrel is not normal. I’ll try a factory reset on the Kestrel and start all over. Thanks for your help.

 

[drwood96]

Thanks for the reply. I‘m actually relieved to find out that the discrepancy between the app and the Kestrel is not normal. I’ll try a factory reset on the Kestrel and start all over. Thanks for your help.

I doubt there is a need for factory reset but feel free if you want too. I suggest going through the inputs: MV, G1/G7 value if not using 4DOF value, Zero range/Zero Angle, bore height, twist, Axial FF, Temp Sen Factor, Baseline ME temp, Baseline MV, wind speed, and wind direction. I bet one of these values is different.

How much of a difference are you seeing?

 

[oniak]

Everything as far as I can tell is correctly entered. So I zero my rifle at 100yards with zero wind. POA and POI match up perfectly. So after calculating zero angle on the 4dof app, my correction at 100 yds is 0 elevation, and 0 windage. Makes sense.

However, when I calculate zero angle on the Kestrel, same enviros as on the iPhone app, same zero angle value, my correction at 100yds is different. The Kestrel shows my correction at 100y as .01 up and .03 left. Not a big deal at 100 yards. But, going to 1000 yards the difference between the app and the Kestrel becomes almost 2 tenths off for elevation and/or windage. I don't understand why the Kestrel keeps giving me a small correction at 100 yards, when I am basically telling it there is no correction needed at 100 yards. When calculating zero angle, the Kestrel asks for impact height. I'm telling the Kestrel that impact height compared to POA is zero. So shouldn't my correction at 100 yards with the same enviros as when I zeroed be "0"? Not .01 up and .03 left. Makes no sense.

I even spoke with a tech adviser at Kestrel. He had the iPhone app and the Hornady Kestrel to play with while we were on the phone. Same results. He had no idea why. He referred my to Jayden at Hornady. I'm awaiting a call back from Jayden.

 

[Hotshot001]

Everything as far as I can tell is correctly entered. So I zero my rifle at 100yards with zero wind. POA and POI match up perfectly. So after calculating zero angle on the 4dof app, my correction at 100 yds is 0 elevation, and 0 windage. Makes sense.

However, when I calculate zero angle on the Kestrel, same enviros as on the iPhone app, same zero angle value, my correction at 100yds is different. The Kestrel shows my correction at 100y as .01 up and .03 left. Not a big deal at 100 yards. But, going to 1000 yards the difference between the app and the Kestrel becomes almost 2 tenths off for elevation and/or windage. I don't understand why the Kestrel keeps giving me a small correction at 100 yards, when I am basically telling it there is no correction needed at 100 yards. When calculating zero angle, the Kestrel asks for impact height. I'm telling the Kestrel that impact height compared to POA is zero. So shouldn't my correction at 100 yards with the same enviros as when I zeroed be "0"? Not .01 up and .03 left. Makes no sense.

I even spoke with a tech adviser at Kestrel. He had the iPhone app and the Hornady Kestrel to play with while we were on the phone. Same results. He had no idea why. He referred my to Jayden at Hornady. I'm awaiting a call back from Jayden.

@oniak did you get to the bottom of this, very interested as Im looking at using the target card in the 4dof app and the 4dof kestrel together