Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

[TheGerman]

While I think the Trimble would be what I would want, the price has me looking elsewhere.

I'm pretty much wanting a sturdy, no frills PDA that will have the SD card slot and WM 5.0+ to run FFS or something similar. Obviously if there is a another ballistics program suggested that doesn't need the SD slot, I don't need it then.

What would be suggested as far as the PDA? I don't want to use my iPhone as its a company phone and the way I am with equipment, its guaranteed to be destroyed.

 

[ghorsley]

Re: Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

Check out Nightforces Software. It was around $60 a couple of years ago. I liked it because you could load the dope into an excel spreadsheet and print to a small card.

Gil Horsley

 

[Dollman]

Re: Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

I have the Nightforce SD card in an old HP IPAQ 211 PDA. Works great. Had to hunt for awhile on e-bay to get NOS (new old stock) HP IPAQ for not a good but OK price. Unit has Windows Mobil 6 operating system but is no longer supported by Microsoft. Still works great as stand alone for the NightForce ballistic software.

 

[TheGerman]

Re: Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fredrick</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have the Nightforce SD card in an old HP IPAQ 211 PDA. Works great. Had to hunt for awhile on e-bay to get NOS (new old stock) HP IPAQ for not a good but OK price. Unit has Windows Mobil 6 operating system but is no longer supported by Microsoft. Still works great as stand alone for the NightForce ballistic software. </div></div>

Am I thinking of something else, or is NF practically repackaged ExBal? Would be interested if it is, good program.

Does the NF ballistics and the HP IPAQ have whatever slot/input is required to plug a Kestrell into it and have the readings update? - Update; Nevermind, I see the HP IPAQ 211 has Bluetooth capability.

I'm not so up on my Bluetooth versions, but would Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g communicate with the Kestrell 4500 Bluetooth?

 

[nicko]

Re: Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

I also have nightforce sd card in a hp PDA. I got the nightforce sd used on eBay for 30 bucks and the PDA for 60 bucks. I've had it for to years and like it a lot. My old man has the kestrel with the Horus program built in if u got the funds I recommend this route tough and waterproof just expensive.

 

[desertHK]

Re: Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

I have an HP IPaq 211 running the FFS Delta IV card. It runs flawlessly. I put it in an aluminum case and its GTG.

 

[TheGerman]

Re: Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DesertHK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have an HP IPaq 211 running the FFS Delta IV card. It runs flawlessly. I put it in an aluminum case and its GTG. </div></div>

Do you know if the Bluetooth in the 211 will communicate with the Kestrell 4500?

 

[ballistic1]

Re: Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

<span style="font-style: italic">"and the way I am with equipment, its guaranteed to be destroyed."</span>

Maybe you should just go for the Trimble then...

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

No batteries required
http://www.impactdatabooks.com/Field_Density_Altitude_Compensator_Yards_p/t-fdac.htm

Your exact round and speed your sending it
http://www.impactdatabooks.com/Adaptive_Quick_Card_AQC_s/149.htm
Add or Subtract 1000 feet DA for every 25fps difference

 

[ajwcotton]

Re: Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

I have a Pharos Running FFS IV and it works well, It is a little slow compared to all the smart phones, but is dead on if you put all the correct variables

 

[Dollman]

Re: Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TheGerman</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DesertHK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have an HP IPaq 211 running the FFS Delta IV card. It runs flawlessly. I put it in an aluminum case and its GTG. </div></div>

Do you know if the Bluetooth in the 211 will communicate with the Kestrell 4500? </div></div>

I'm not sure. My Kestrel doesn't have Bluetooth. Heres a HP forum on their old IPAQ's.

http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/Handhelds-iPaq/bd-p/bsc-273

Apparently alot of IT guys still covet these things for their work.

 

[TheGerman]

Re: Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">No batteries required
http://www.impactdatabooks.com/Field_Density_Altitude_Compensator_Yards_p/t-fdac.htm

Your exact round and speed your sending it
http://www.impactdatabooks.com/Adaptive_Quick_Card_AQC_s/149.htm
Add or Subtract 1000 feet DA for every 25fps difference </div></div>

Totally agree with you. So much that I already have these.

My aim was to manually calculate everything off of my known data and then adjust as needed for changes in elevation, weather, angle, wind, temperature, etc and then check against what it was 'supposed' to be via a reliable ballistics program. At ranges of over 1500 yards out in Utah, taking unknown distance shots will be very common and something I look forward to getting good at again, so being versed in both the program as well as the super low tech manual calculations can never steer you wrong.

 

[Mendocino]

Re: Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

For ~$10 Shooter on iOS or Android is great! I've used ATRAG and have a Trimble data collector/pda and for the money Shooter is great value.

 

[titom110]

Re: Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

Shooter for $10 excellent used it up to 1030yds so far and has multiple options,this is one of the application that Magpul uses in their precision courses with great results.

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

DUDE... have you priced 2 year old ipods lately? and ipod shooter apps? Memory cards and "PDAs" are SO last generation....

 

[jasonk]

Re: Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

Find a used Ipod for a little over $100, buy Ballistic AE for about $20 on Itunes, rock on. Cheap, simple to use, great value.

And yes I have a Nomad with FFS, an Iphone w/ 3 major ballistic programs, Kestrel 4500NV with Horus Atrag, Android Table with Shooter, FDAC cards and a ouija board. The used Ipod w/ Ballistic AE is the best value in my opinion.

 

[TheGerman]

Re: Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Find a used Ipod for a little over $100, buy Ballistic AE for about $20 on Itunes, rock on. Cheap, simple to use, great value.

And yes I have a Nomad with FFS, an Iphone w/ 3 major ballistic programs, Kestrel 4500NV with Horus Atrag, Android Table with Shooter, FDAC cards and a ouija board. The used Ipod w/ Ballistic AE is the best value in my opinion. </div></div>

Never thought about this; good idea with the iPod guys.

What type/version iPod would be ideal for my use? I don't know much about them besides that they are different sizes. Any of them have Bluetooth capable of communicating with the Kestrell 4500?

 

[Grizzdude]

Re: Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

or go the route i went, got an old pda that runs windows mobile for $10 on ebay, downloaded balcalc for free (it's a free download) on the net. haven't used it yet though, anyone ever run balcalc before?

 

[jasonk]

Re: Lowtech PDA for Shooting Software

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TheGerman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Any of them have Bluetooth capable of communicating with the Kestrell 4500?</div></div>

No, something about Kestrel not wanting to pay for the rights or something, but no BT talking to iPods.

Here's a great deal, refurbed so there's a warranty, has camera in it too for logging targets and stuff.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipod/ipod_touch/8gb