This is what I have now to set up my shots:
What I'd like to have:
A range finder that'll work out to about 1400 yards on paper/steel targets, 800 or so for deer and non-reflective targets.
A temperature, pressure, humidity, wind speed, wind direction (relative to target or absolute) sensor package all in one.
Some kind of ballistics program that can read all of the above and type it all in for me and present a firing solution on my no-internet phone or a display somewhere.
The fewer the batteries, wires, stuff to break/lose etc... the better.
So I have done some research and came across an interesting video that shows one of the new Sig BDX range finders that can send the ranging data nad offload its ballistic calculations to a Kestral, then read the dope in the rangefinder display:
That's pretty cool. I could set the Kestral up on a windvane mount after giving it a general shooting direction.
(I don't care about the BDX scope, I have a better one with Horus tree.)
This would be about a $1400 setup, roughly $700 for each thing. Ouch. Do I really need it, or can I meet my needs with less?
I think both of the devices have the AB Elite Ballistic Engine, so maybe paying twice for the same thing. The Kestrel can't measure distance and the Sig RangeFinder can't measure wind/wind direction (or can it?) so it seems like I'd need them both?
Edit: The BDX does not have the AB Elite Ballistics Engine, some kind of lite version that is limited to 800 yards.
The Kilo 2400ABS has the Elite Engine, and the same sensors as the Kestrel but falls short on wind measuring because its propeller thing needs a cellphone to mount into. Plus I wonder if your hands temperature on the rangefinder would affect the readings.
- For temperature and humidity, I have a Honeywell sensor that came with a humidifier. The accuracy is questionable, but it's better than putting %50 in.
- For wind speed and temperature, I have a small handheld wind unit that I use for sailing. The direction is measured with a ribbon I tied to it and I have a small cheap boy scout compass to input relative or absolute shooting and wind direction.
- For air pressure, altitude, location on the earth etc..., I have an eTrex GPS unit I bought for mountaineering. It has a hall effect compass too, but it's slow to read. My phone can do some of these things too with an app called 'Barometer'
- For range finding, I have a MilDot Master, obviously prone to error due to guessing about object sizes. Most places I shoot have known target distances because I measured them with a tape or roller measurement wheel. (It's not that good for hunting or anything with random distances and no reference objects nearby.) New places to shoot its a lot of guesswork or legwork.
What I'd like to have:
A range finder that'll work out to about 1400 yards on paper/steel targets, 800 or so for deer and non-reflective targets.
A temperature, pressure, humidity, wind speed, wind direction (relative to target or absolute) sensor package all in one.
Some kind of ballistics program that can read all of the above and type it all in for me and present a firing solution on my no-internet phone or a display somewhere.
The fewer the batteries, wires, stuff to break/lose etc... the better.
So I have done some research and came across an interesting video that shows one of the new Sig BDX range finders that can send the ranging data nad offload its ballistic calculations to a Kestral, then read the dope in the rangefinder display:
That's pretty cool. I could set the Kestral up on a windvane mount after giving it a general shooting direction.
(I don't care about the BDX scope, I have a better one with Horus tree.)
This would be about a $1400 setup, roughly $700 for each thing. Ouch. Do I really need it, or can I meet my needs with less?
I think both of the devices have the AB Elite Ballistic Engine, so maybe paying twice for the same thing. The Kestrel can't measure distance and the Sig RangeFinder can't measure wind/wind direction (or can it?) so it seems like I'd need them both?
Edit: The BDX does not have the AB Elite Ballistics Engine, some kind of lite version that is limited to 800 yards.
The Kilo 2400ABS has the Elite Engine, and the same sensors as the Kestrel but falls short on wind measuring because its propeller thing needs a cellphone to mount into. Plus I wonder if your hands temperature on the rangefinder would affect the readings.
Last edited:
