X - Vectronix Shooting Solutions

[frost1235]

Look what showed up yesterday….

View attachment 8455984
Calypso Mini AB Applied Ballistics integrated ultrasonic wind meter.


I have been talking for a couple of years now about upcoming support for ultrasonic wind meters in the Applied Ballistics ecosystem. Some of you will no doubt remember the EDS podcast Frank and I did early last year about range finders that touched on future wind meter developments or the prototype of the AB Calypso from ShotShow two years ago. We must be close now as I was able to get a hold of a Calypso AB pre-production sample to utilize in conjunction with the Vector X bino review. These are not yet up for sale but judging from the packaging, we must not be far off. It should not be surprising that the timing between these two products is closely aligned, as Vectronix was one of the partners involved in pushing for this integration in the AB ecosystem. Anyhow, I’ll talk a look in the next couple of days to see how the meter integrates with the AB software, whose apps are currently ready for it, and the release details on when the mini AB will be available and if this special version is the only version you can integrate with AB.

View attachment 8455985
Calypso Mini AB mounted up on the tripod

If you still have the Vector X, do let us know if it works together!

I got mine on Monday and found it worked relatively well and Calypso added a very detailed manual to understand which options to select in their app. I found out that Applied Ballistics / Kestrel will have to do a firmware update for the Mini AB to work with the Kestrel and have not had any luck on connecting a Kilo 8K to it.

 

[GBMaryland]

End of August for your order or in general?

They told me they were shipping to corporate sellers at the end of August.

This concerns me as I was one of the earlier purchases from euro optic, and I am waiting longer than they told me.

They also gave me the impression that they were going to fulfill orders for retailers first, and then those of us who ordered through them potentially second.

 

[Sendero_Man]

tag....

 

[avidflyer]

Look what showed up yesterday….

View attachment 8455984
Calypso Mini AB Applied Ballistics integrated ultrasonic wind meter.


I have been talking for a couple of years now about upcoming support for ultrasonic wind meters in the Applied Ballistics ecosystem. Some of you will no doubt remember the EDS podcast Frank and I did early last year about range finders that touched on future wind meter developments or the prototype of the AB Calypso from ShotShow two years ago. We must be close now as I was able to get a hold of a Calypso AB pre-production sample to utilize in conjunction with the Vector X bino review. These are not yet up for sale but judging from the packaging, we must not be far off. It should not be surprising that the timing between these two products is closely aligned, as Vectronix was one of the partners involved in pushing for this integration in the AB ecosystem. Anyhow, I’ll talk a look in the next couple of days to see how the meter integrates with the AB software, whose apps are currently ready for it, and the release details on when the mini AB will be available and if this special version is the only version you can integrate with AB.

View attachment 8455985
Calypso Mini AB mounted up on the tripod

Been using these for a while now. Costly but works

https://windzero.store/

 

[NiteQwill]

Been using these for a while now. Costly but works

https://windzero.store/

The issue I found with Wind Zero is you need your phone to use it. The Calypso can capture data and just push it to your LRF or Kestrel. No phone needed.

 

[Sendero_Man]

The Calypso also connects straight to Hornady 4DOF now.

 

[GBMaryland]

The Calypso also connects straight to Hornady 4DOF now.

I have one of these, but now I need to test it. Been sitting at the house for about a year.

 

[avidflyer]

The issue I found with Wind Zero is you need your phone to use it. The Calypso can capture data and just push it to your LRF or Kestrel. No phone needed.

agree, at the square range for fclass not a big deal.

I have one of these, but now I need to test it. Been sitting at the house for about a year.

curious, how it works for you, wind zero works great. Just need the secondary device to display the information.

 

[jNCgUN]

Anyone know if the Vector X work with the regular Calypso mini wind sensor or has to be the AB version?

 

[BigJimFish]

If you still have the Vector X, do let us know if it works together!

I got mine on Monday and found it worked relatively well and Calypso added a very detailed manual to understand which options to select in their app. I found out that Applied Ballistics / Kestrel will have to do a firmware update for the Mini AB to work with the Kestrel and have not had any luck on connecting a Kilo 8K to it.

I do. I texted Nick from AB about it and for the two to work together I need to push a firmware update to both the binos and the calypso. I should be getting the beta software to accomplish this this week.

I was also not yet about to find a pairing ability with the Calypso on the 10k's and I did not try the Geovids yet. I expect updates will come in time.

Anyone know if the Vector X work with the regular Calypso mini wind sensor or has to be the AB version?

I have asked but don't yet have an answer for this.

 

[kingston]

Hoping Calypso paired with the Vector X will be a Kestrel killer. I'm so ready to be done with Kestrel compass calibration machinations.

 

[JGRJR]

Anybody know why the Calypso AB was up for sale then disappeared?

 

[jNCgUN]

Anybody know why the Calypso AB was up for sale then disappeared?

Their website says it’s sold out and the 2nd batch is coming

 

[NiteQwill]

Anybody know why the Calypso AB was up for sale then disappeared?

I ordered it and it was cancelled even when it was supposedly available

 

[Maurygold]

Is it just a wind speed a heading measurement device?

 

[NiteQwill]

Is it just a wind speed a heading measurement device?

It's everything a Kestrel does and maybe more

 

[Maurygold]

It's everything a Kestrel does and maybe more

Does it have the only thing I need. A ballistic computer?

 

[kingston]

Does it have the only thing I need. A ballistic computer?

The Calypso would be your source for live atmospherics delivered to the AB Elite ballistic computer in the Vector X.

 

[parshal]

The Calypso would be your source for live atmospherics delivered to the AB Elite ballistic computer in the Vector X.

Does the AB Calypso measure everything? The one (original) I'd played with a year or two back did only wind.

 

[javemtr]

Does the AB Calypso measure everything? The one (original) I'd played with a year or two back did only wind.

Maybe he means everything when pairing the AB Calypso with the WeatherDot which additionally supplies temperature, humidity and pressure.

 

[BigJimFish]

No update on the Calypso software yet but I have been playing with the Vector X some more both at the range and in the backyard and have a few observations.

First off, I took it to the range and used it as a spotter in conjunction with the screw on range extenders. In this configuration, the 10x set that I am using are 14x. The resolution, magnification, and etched reticle were quite sufficient to be used as a spotting scope. Acting as a spotting scope for zeroing will by no means be the strength of these binos. I expect most will be far more interested in spotting misses and trace at distance. I think it is still important to note that the binos did function in this role though and hunters using low power scopes can use these binos to zero their rifle at 100 without having to walk out to the target to check the impacts.

Also, take note that unlike some of the other previous through the lens photos, this one doesn't appear to have a blue tint. Go figure, it was a super bright sunny day just like the previous squirrel photo and both were south facing. Anyhow, it is looking like usually the user won't notice a tint but in some conditions it becomes more apparent and sometimes a camera makes it even more apparent.

Now some stuff about the software. As I have mentioned before, Nicks crew at AB writes the software for the AB powered devices such as these Vectronix Vector X binos but the GUI on that software can vary significantly from one maker to another. So far I have liked the Vectronix flavor both in terms of the intuitiveness of it's layout and some of it's unique features. Note that this software is beta so there may be some changes and a few of the features might be coming online leading up to the release (for instance, the built in GPS drop point feature that is in the app and hooks to google maps for sat data was not yet working last week but seems to work today) I’ll post a pic of this at some point when that data would not include a satellite image of my back yard Anyhow, here are a few of the highlights.

1) The ballistic profiles screen lets you load in screen shots for a profile. I know there is not a lot of function to this but I really enjoyed the feature and it looks real nice. BTW, you can E-mail yourself one of the range cards to print out and put in the clear pouch of your rangefinder case as a backup. Others also do this but it's still worth a mention.

2) A survey function exists for calculation dimensions of buildings and such by ranging different points. This was certainly fun to play with. It will be interesting to see how accurate it is as it utilizes the binos internal compass and inclinometer and neither of those instruments has to be tremendously accurate for ballistic purposes.

3) The target card feature in the Vectronix software struck me as a particularly good implementation with intuitive population of the ranges using the rangefinder. I will be interested to see if its windage values update in real time with the Calypso connected and if those updates take into account the different directions to the different targets and how the wind interacts with that.

 

[DRWilson]

No update on the Calypso software yet but I have been playing with the Vector X some more both at the range and in the backyard and have a few observations.

First off, I took it to the range and used it as a spotter in conjunction with the screw on range extenders. In this configuration, the 10x set that I am using are 14x. The resolution, magnification, and etched reticle were quite sufficient to be used as a spotting scope. Acting as a spotting scope for zeroing will by no means be the strength of these binos. I expect most will be far more interested in spotting misses and trace at distance. I think it is still important to note that the binos did function in this role though and hunters using low power scopes can use these binos to zero their rifle at 100 without having to walk out to the target to check the impacts.

Also, take note that unlike some of the other previous through the lens photos, this one doesn't appear to have a blue tint. Go figure, it was a super bright sunny day just like the previous squirrel photo and both were south facing. Anyhow, it is looking like usually the user won't notice a tint but in some conditions it becomes more apparent and sometimes a camera makes it even more apparent.

View attachment 8461414

Now some stuff about the software. As I have mentioned before, Nicks crew at AB writes the software for the AB powered devices such as these Vectronix Vector X binos but the GUI on that software can vary significantly from one maker to another. So far I have liked the Vectronix flavor both in terms of the intuitiveness of it's layout and some of it's unique features. Note that this software is beta so there may be some changes and a few of the features (for instance the built in GPS drop point feature that looks like it works within the app and hooks into google maps) aren't finished yet. Anyhow, here are a few of the highlights.

1) The ballistic profiles screen lets you load in screen shots for a profile. I know there is not a lot of function to this but I really enjoyed the feature and it looks real nice. BTW, you can E-mail yourself one of the range cards to print out and put in the clear pouch of your rangefinder case as a backup. Others also do this but it's still worth a mention.
View attachment 8461415

2) A survey function exists for calculation dimensions of buildings and such by ranging different points. This was certainly fun to play with. It will be interesting to see how accurate it is as it utilizes the binos internal compass and inclinometer and neither of those instruments has to be tremendously accurate for ballistic purposes.

View attachment 8461416

3) The target card feature in the Vectronix software struck me as a particularly good implementation with intuitive population of the ranges using the rangefinder. I will be interested to see if its windage values update in real time with the Calypso connected and if those updates take into account the different directions to the different targets and how the wind interacts with that.

View attachment 8461417

What is the app in the App Store? The only one I see is for the Terrapin X. Or is that the one?

 

[Shootnwrench]

What is the app in the App Store? The only one I see is for the Terrapin X. Or is that the one?

Not finalized and released yet.

 

[J_D]

Has anyone who’s tested these had the ability to leave the binos in the sun for a while, and confirm the environmental sensors are still good to go for Calculation?

 

[parshal]

They can't be any different than any other bino with onboard environmentals. If you leave them in the direct sun or hot vehicle for a while the temp is going to be abnormally high.

 

[J_D]

They can't be any different than any other bino with onboard environmentals. If you leave them in the direct sun or hot vehicle for a while the temp is going to be abnormally high.

My current binos pull AB from my kestrel which isn’t laying on a tripod. From what I understand these don’t do that.

 

[parshal]

These are like the 10K, Geovid, Fury, etc., and have onboard AB. So, the like the others, they can bluetooth to a Kestrel and use the Kestrel to provide a solution or use the onboard AB and environmentals to calculate a solution without the Kestrel. If the bino temp is abnormally high the calculation will be affected if using them standalone.

 

[J_D]

These are like the 10K, Geovid, Fury, etc., and have onboard AB. So, the like the others, they can bluetooth to a Kestrel and use the Kestrel to provide a solution or use the onboard AB and environmentals to calculate a solution without the Kestrel. If the bino temp is abnormally high the calculation will be affected if using them standalone.

That's what I expected, but in the other review by @Zigjib he said they don't connect to the Kestrel. It's confusing. @BigJimFish can you confirm it does connect?

 

[parshal]

Ah. Well, I assumed they connect just like others. II don't connect a bino with onboard AB to a Kestrel so I can't say I've paid close enough attention.

Either way, if using the onboard sensor suite the temp will be higher than normal if sitting in the sun for a long while.

 

[Conrad]

I would hope you can lock temp on them like you can with a kestrel.

 

[parshal]

I know you can on 10K and Geovid.

 

[Zigjib]

That's what I expected, but in the other review by @Zigjib he said they don't connect to the Kestrel. It's confusing. @BigJimFish can you confirm it does connect?

G'day mate;

I got it!

I went back and played around with the kestrel/bino's this morning. I managed to get them paired.
First up, i thought they broke. It changed all my brightness settings to Night Vision 2.... I couldn't see the display. So that's the hiccup.

It appears at this stage that information sharing is one way only, as in the bino's will send the lased range data to the kestrel, but the kestrel won't send data back to the binos. This is supported by the fact the bino's have no search/pair function. Just bluetooth on and off. All pairing is done by the device pairing to the bino's. So if the device you want to add doesn't have this function itself, then it's highly suggestive that device won't be compatible.

The HUD displays "KSTL" noting that the kestrel is connected, but in the Environmental Screen displays "sensor" in the bino's (however manual in the app). So information on environmentals isn't being shared to the Binos from the Kestrel.

Additionally, it's blowing an absolute gale here. The Kestrel is about to take off the fan is spinning so hard.... Bino's think it's paradise. It states 6kph because I manually input it and forget to zero it.

I think I said this already, but to me, cutting the AB function and selling the Binos with just the ranging function would have been ideal for me. This emphasises that point. If I need my Kestrel as the primary device, and they are independent of one another, the AB function is moot, as I'll be bringing the Kestrel with me regardless.

 

[J_D]

So you saying there’s no option to toggle the environmental on board sensors to the Kestrel?

 

[Zigjib]

So you saying there’s no option to toggle the environmental on board sensors to the Kestrel?

Correct;
In the device it says "sensor" but you can't flick those over to any other option.
On the app it says Manual or Internet for options when the Kestrel is connected and adds "LRF" for when the kestrel is disconnected.

 

[R_A_W]

So the Calypso AB will send environmentals to the Vector X and the Vector X will calculate & display a solution on the HUD ... but a Kestrel won't send environmentals to the Vector X & the solution will only display on the Kestrel?

Surely I've misread something?

 

[NiteQwill]

What I've learned over the years with AB communication between devices: it sucks, it's spotty at best, and there is absolutely ZERO standardization.

If AB was anything like Apple, their ecosystem would have been locked down and churning the necessary data points for devices YEARS ago.

 

[Zigjib]

So the Calypso AB will send environmentals to the Vector X and the Vector X will calculate & display a solution on the HUD ... but a Kestrel won't send environmentals to the Vector X & the solution will only display on the Kestrel?

Surely I've misread something?

It's now working.

I think what is happening is that the connection is just a bit clunky at the moment.

We struggled to get the tech to talk to each other.

When it did, it would only send information one way.

We've been playing with it since that last post trying different things. Did a few full restarts and reconnects, it's now taking on board the wind data from the kestrel, but it's not taking on board the temp etc from the kestrel.

I have no idea what changed, we just ranged something and all of a sudden it took kestrel data. So it 100% does work for wind, but currently it doesn't seem to work for environmentals. If you change the range in the kestrel manually, it won't send that information to the binos and won't update the HUD.

Range --> Kestrel
Kestrel wind --> Binos

Anything else is manual.

I'll keep playing with it. There's 3 of us sitting here on this shitty hill trying to figure this out. You're seeing us messing with this in real time..... so if you want to know anything specific, now's the time.

Also, ok, the BT is a bit fiddly.... but god damn these things are good.

 

[R_A_W]

So it 100% does work for wind, but currently it doesn't seem to work for environmentals.

Put the kestrel in a cooler & see if the environmentals in the binos update

e: forgot you're in the Upside Down, heating the kestrel might give you a bigger swing right now

Also, does the phone app give temp/pressure/etc readings anywhere?

 

[Zigjib]

Put the kestrel in a cooler & see if the environmentals in the binos update

e: forgot you're in the Upside Down, heating the kestrel might give you a bigger swing right now

Also, does the phone app give temp/pressure/etc readings anywhere?

Ok, we left the bino's on a tripod outside (it's just dropped to 3°C), and then sat in the car with the Kestrel with the heaters on.

The app says input in the bino's is "manual" and doesn't indicate the Kestrel is providing data to the Bino's.

In the Bino's menu, it says "sensor" and this can't be changed - so who's sensor is it using?

It's using the Kestrel.

The only way we can ascertain this is to look at our elevation data. The FGMM 185gr Ammo has a MV Temp shift of 2.8fps per °C. It's 3° in the wind and 32°C in the car. There would be a huge disparity in our drop if the 2 devices weren't talking to each other.

The Kestrel Hold = the Bino's Hold. The only way that would be is if the Kestrel was providing the environmental data to the Bino's. So with the Kestrel synced, the Bino's transmit Range, the Kestrel provides environmental data and wind.

One other thing we noticed. If you have input info manually on the bino's (Temp in this case) and then connect the Kestrel. It won't update temp. You have to disconnect the Kestrel, connect the app, set the environmentals to LRF (sensor), then reconnect the Kestrel.

 

[Zigjib]

Sorry the info is a little disjointed and going backwards and forwards. Our priority was using the Bino's as they come so we didn't dedicate much time to playing with other devices. Thanks for the check in and the questions @J_D

 

[Zigjib]

Ok, we spent all day using the binos. This is our observation on connecting a secondary device via Bluetooth;

With the app open on your mobile phone, the app takes precedence. Connecting the kestrel to the bino's wont occur. You must close the app to connect the Kestrel.

Once the Kestrel is connected, you can't change any settings in the App without disconnecting the Kestrel first.

Once the Kestrel is connected, it states KSTRL in the HUD, but nothing else, in the App or in the Bino's, is suggestive of the Kestrel providing information.

Prior to Kestrel connection, all fields in the App for environmentals MUST read LRF (sensor). Anything that doesn't will no be updated by the Kestrel.

The information labels don't change from "sensor" in the Bino's to indicate the Kestrel is providing the data. It was only through trial that we discovered it was.

The App, when the Kestrel is connected, reads "manual" for data input, again giving the impression the Kestrel isn't working.

There's some kinks here that don't intuitively provide information regards what is connected and how the data is being collected.

However;

With the App set to "sensor" for input types, turn on the Kestrel, and it's all working as it should. Range a target and you'll get distance and direction data to your Kestrel.

Environmental data collected by Kestrel is shared with the Bino's.

However (again);

Change the range manually in the Kestrel, and that information isn't sent to the Bino's. The Bino's will take on info from the Kestrel based on the environment, the Kestrel will take on range data.

So there you go. That's how connectivity works with the Kestrel and the Vector X - It's not very refined, but it does 100% work.

 

[mxpilot]

Question for @Lowlight. In your video I notice you used your left Eye in the right side. Can you explain. I am left eye Dominate and have had troubles in the past with certain range finding binds because the Data is in the right side and the dominance will tend to omit the data from the right side. Were you having the same problem with these?

 

[96C]

I ordered and received an AB calypso to Australia a few weeks ago. Their IOS app was having issues communicating with the AB version. This has since been rectified and is working now, it is still a work in progress with planned updates and features that are not yet available.

So far, have only used it to communicate with an iphone but it does provide real time data updated by the second which is impressive.

 

[GBMaryland]

I ordered and received an AB calypso to Australia a few weeks ago. Their IOS app was having issues communicating with the AB version. This has since been rectified and is working now, it is still a work in progress with planned updates and features that are not yet available.

So far, have only used it to communicate with an iphone but it does provide real time data updated by the second which is impressive.

I'm finding that the second app that is supposed to connect and update the device never successfully connects. Even though it shows the device and lists it to connect to... just sits there forever trying to connect.

 

[4O6shootist]

I'm finding that the second app that is supposed to connect and update the device never successfully connects. Even though it shows the device and lists it to connect to... just sits there forever trying to connect.

I've had no issues with either the interface app, or firmware app. I just received my calypso bout a week ago, first synced the firmware app, it told me everything is up to date. Connected the interface app, switched over to ballistics, pretty sweet ass wind display. Downloaded the calypso app on my garmin watch, can have wind on my wrist too. The watch has way shorter connection range than my phone tho, have to be within bout 10-12' with watch or I lose data.

 

[BigJimFish]

I have been spending some time the past few weeks doing optical evaluations of laser rangefinders. I mentioned in my earlier impressions that I thought the Vectronix Vector X was quite good optically. My further testing has certainly born this out. I actually found them to edge out the excellent Leica Geovid Pro’s in resolution. They also have a bit more field of view in comparable models. That is pretty impressive stuff. I frankly didn’t expect those results. I will get more detailed in the full review but suffice it to say that the Vector X’s are top tier in optical performance in laser rangefinding binos.


Furthermore, I have now done some systematic optical testing on the “Range Enhancers”. That name is so bad I can never remember it and it annoys me when I have to look it up every time. They don’t meaningfully increase the range of the binoculars and that isn’t their function anyway. I’m not even sure what enhanced range would mean as enhanced doesn’t generally mean more, but instead better and I’m totally unclear on what better would mean in that context. Vectronix should call them magnification boosters or something, anything, else. Anyhow, I didn’t note any detectable degradation in either resolution or edge-to-edge performance with them on. I was quite pleased with this as the idea of having the ability to morph the Vector X binos into a spotting scope replacement role is a huge added feature. I will mention here as well that the etched reticle in the Vector X binos tested accurate with less than 1% deviation on both 10x and with the mag boosters at 14x.

Testing the Vectronix Vector X milling grid accuracy and optical performance on my calibrated test target.

 

[Sendero_Man]

Optics - **** Vector X binoculars **** Get ya some !!

LOWLIGHT APPROVED POST ! I am taking pre-orders for the new release Vector X binoculars. I am a Vectronix listed dealer. PM for pricing. I will answer PM's as quickly as I can. These will be coming in very soon. Limited amounts of them at first and more in the coming weeks and steady flow...

www.snipershide.com

Lemme know if anyone has questions.

 

[Lowlight]

Oh. And I saw this last week but was out of pocket, so I have no clue if anyone posted this, only one side is Blue, and very light, the left side lenses are clear or clean, the right side is lightly blue and I believe it helps the HUD pop which is orange - so in case I missed it, that is my 2 cents

 

[DRWilson]

I used them for a day of spotting and shooting. They are F'ing amazing. glass is awesome. I noticed no blue tint and the laser can cut through smoke. Thick smoke with Forest fires and I was RF'ing out to 2200 but that was the farthest I could go... not because of smoke. I can't wait for mine.

 

[Garmin]

It's great that when connected to a Garmin it transmits distance, azimuth, and inclination. But @Garmin needs to fix the 901 lack of changing wind direction when shooting different DOF/azimuths.

If you have the current software (v2.11) on the Foretrex 901 you can go to the "Environment" menu, select "Wind Mode" and set to "True Wind Direction" and get the behavior you want.