I was thinking of buying a wind meter and Kestrel is the name that seems to pop up. Which model would be good for air rifle? I use Strelok Pro on my Android phone.
Kestrel
- Thread starter Corvid_hunter
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The 5700 with ballistics really works well with StrelokPro. I’ve had it out to 75yards. However this was using an ipad
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I bought the basic Kestrel to learn wind calls when I was first starting to take rifles seriously for precision. I ended up giving it to a close friend at the other end of my state to help him learn. A little latter I thought I would go all in and get the 5700.
Now this is just my opinion, but I spent way too much money. Yes it is doing a complete weather station as well as a wind call. However I do not believe it gives me anything that different then I had learning the wind with the basic unit and using Strelok. With the basic unit I went outside with it in wind and rotated slowly in a circle feeling the wind on my body till I knew what it felt like intuit speed of the wind.
I think I could have saved $400 and called it a day just using the basic unit. Don't get me wrong it is cool, but $400 more cool I don't know? Mine just sits there now with a vane mount and all. I have thought just recently thought I should just sell it.
YMMV,
Eamon
Now this is just my opinion, but I spent way too much money. Yes it is doing a complete weather station as well as a wind call. However I do not believe it gives me anything that different then I had learning the wind with the basic unit and using Strelok. With the basic unit I went outside with it in wind and rotated slowly in a circle feeling the wind on my body till I knew what it felt like intuit speed of the wind.
I think I could have saved $400 and called it a day just using the basic unit. Don't get me wrong it is cool, but $400 more cool I don't know? Mine just sits there now with a vane mount and all. I have thought just recently thought I should just sell it.
YMMV,
Eamon
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I have a little wind meter that plugs into the headset port on my IPhone. It was only like $50. I have never used it. If you don’t use the Kestrel, I think you should sell it so someone can.
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I'm looking at a wind meter as well. Researched this a lot.
The Kestrels are certainly much better quality with great customer service.
I have a windmeter of another brand, that connects to Strelok Pro via bluetooth. Nice, but....
It rarely works the way it is supposed to, it turns off after a short while by itself, and the air pressure readings were waaaay off.
For comparison look at the customer service of Kestrel: On the SnipersHide forum (not on a Kestrel forum) I asked specific questions that are relevant for airgunners wanting to use a Kestrel with the Applied Ballistics package.
Within the day I had a detailed response from a Kestrel representative — and honest, as it was not favorable to what I wanted....
So, I still want a Kestrel.
Without the PB ballistics program — they're not really made for airgunners — 25y minimum range, and other incompatibilities. Strelok Pro is just amazing in comparison.
Now I need to decide:
(1) Do I want my Kestrel to connect via bluetooth to my phone/ipad, even when a short distance away (10-30y), and continuously update my wind in my Strelok Pro reticle display?
(2) Or: Is is sufficient for me to read the wind velocity when holding the Kestrel into the wind, and then enter the wind manually into Strelok Pro?
Option (1) ends up very expensive:
▪Kestrel 4500 with bluetooth (cannot be added on later) = $180—250 used (discontinued; effective bluetooth range 10y)
▪OR Kestrel 5700 with bluetooth ("Link") = easily $400 used (effective bluetooth range 30y)
▪AND Weather vane = $50 new (rarely ever sold used)
▪AND Tripod to mount the weather vane = $30 cheap-o
➔ TOTAL = $260 to $480 (used; for new add another $100 to the 480).
Option (2)
$100 gets you a used Kestrel that does all you need if you're fine with doing the handheld and manual entry thing.
I'm still struggling to decide.
I love the bluetooth thing, but is it worth an additional $160 (and a patient Ebay search & wait of 6 months or more for a used unit at that price)...?
Matthias
PS: Used Kestrels are often sold making ambiguous statements about their bluetooth functionality. Do not be fooled!
If the 4500 does not have the bluetooth symbol on the top left of the screen — or —
If the 5700 does not have the word LINK written on the button located at the bottom right of the screen —
➔ then that unit does not do bluetooth. And never will.
The Kestrels are certainly much better quality with great customer service.I have a windmeter of another brand, that connects to Strelok Pro via bluetooth. Nice, but....
It rarely works the way it is supposed to, it turns off after a short while by itself, and the air pressure readings were waaaay off.
For comparison look at the customer service of Kestrel: On the SnipersHide forum (not on a Kestrel forum) I asked specific questions that are relevant for airgunners wanting to use a Kestrel with the Applied Ballistics package.
Within the day I had a detailed response from a Kestrel representative — and honest, as it was not favorable to what I wanted....
So, I still want a Kestrel. Without the PB ballistics program — they're not really made for airgunners — 25y minimum range, and other incompatibilities. Strelok Pro is just amazing in comparison.
Now I need to decide:(1) Do I want my Kestrel to connect via bluetooth to my phone/ipad, even when a short distance away (10-30y), and continuously update my wind in my Strelok Pro reticle display?
(2) Or: Is is sufficient for me to read the wind velocity when holding the Kestrel into the wind, and then enter the wind manually into Strelok Pro?
Option (1) ends up very expensive: ▪Kestrel 4500 with bluetooth (cannot be added on later) = $180—250 used (discontinued; effective bluetooth range 10y)
▪OR Kestrel 5700 with bluetooth ("Link") = easily $400 used (effective bluetooth range 30y)
▪AND Weather vane = $50 new (rarely ever sold used)
▪AND Tripod to mount the weather vane = $30 cheap-o
➔ TOTAL = $260 to $480 (used; for new add another $100 to the 480).
Option (2)$100 gets you a used Kestrel that does all you need if you're fine with doing the handheld and manual entry thing.
I'm still struggling to decide.
I love the bluetooth thing, but is it worth an additional $160 (and a patient Ebay search & wait of 6 months or more for a used unit at that price)...?
Matthias
PS: Used Kestrels are often sold making ambiguous statements about their bluetooth functionality. Do not be fooled!
If the 4500 does not have the bluetooth symbol on the top left of the screen — or —
If the 5700 does not have the word LINK written on the button located at the bottom right of the screen —
➔ then that unit does not do bluetooth. And never will.
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