Features:

  • Employs the Applied Ballistics bullet library of custom drag models, an exact measurement of your bullet’s drag profile plus corrections for Aerodynamic Jump, Spin Drift, Coriolis, and Drop Scale Factoring to achieve accurate long-range shots
  • Measure up to 15 environmental parameters at your fingertips
  • Improved high resolution screen for any lighting (even sunlight) and easy on your eyes; Intuitive user-interface screen navigation
  • Scratch and breakage-resistant window
  • Includes LiNK connectivity powered by Bluetooth low energy provides wireless communication to mobile devices and computers
Amazing one item shooting solution .

I've used Kestrel units for field work etc. before, but never for shooting and you can expect the same level of performance as scientists have come to rely on with Kestrel units. I spent a lot of time trying to decide which unit to get if I should get a unit that didn't have the ballistic information built in and just use it with my phone ballistics software or to spend the extra money to get the all-in-one solution. I'm happy to say that I'm glad I spent the extra money for this unit for a couple reasons. First, it's one less thing to rely on, and one less device to switch between, setup, and worry about while shooting. Also the kestrel will function in temperature and weather extremes that phones simply will not. I've seen shooters at competitions in cold weather, super hot weather, rainy weather etc. have their phones fail when the kestrel unit itself will still run fine. That's not to say having the phone interface is not nice at times, there's a larger screen, GPS capability etc. so there are times it's nice to still use the unit with the phone, but it's nice to be able to just use the kestrel by itself as well. Second is the extra features, you gain more gun profiles, the ability to save a larger series of targets, and some extra functionality/options the lower units will not provide. It's fairly simple to setup, and there's a lot of great online references for how to get everything dialed in and once you do have everything setup it's very simple to put target settings in and get a shooting solution.

Connected....Yes they are!!

Are you kidding me! I can link my Sig Range finder to this bad boy. That is awesome!! While I was waiting for the arrival of the 5700 Elite with link I went to their website and they have everything you need. Manuals, software, links and how to's. Very well done website. That makes life much easier. Having my .308 for so long I had no need for all these goodies. Since they weren't around to the extent and technical advancement per cost when I was setting up old school. Since I am retiring the .308 Rifle and have purchased a 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle I think this will help me dial in my skills with this system nicely and with less pain and suck. This is a well done masterpiece! Can't wait to put it through the paces.

This thing is awesome! I shoot a lot of long range and ...

This thing is awesome! I shoot a lot of long range and using Ballistic apps and Internet programs works okay, but the kestrel /applied ballistics calculator is better. It even factors in the aerodynamic jump differences in a crosswind. The nicest thing is that you don't have to enter all the environmentals manually, it factors in everything you need without a lot of effort from the shooter. There are far more variables that get considered when comparing it to other ballistic solvers. This results in hits downrange. My vertical spread has decreased dramatically. I had a hard time deciding whether or not to go with Bluetooth version. I decided on the non-Bluetooth version (kestrel calls it LinK). I don't regret it at all. If you would prefer to enter bullet / gun profiles via smartphone, get the link. It can be done pretty quickly without the phone app though. Also the Bluetooth makes it easier to update firmware and load custom drag curves from Bryan Litz. For me this didn't matter because I point my bullet meplats anyway and his numbers are irrelevant. I also find that lot to lot variation of bullets results in lot to lot variations in BC. The Bluetooth would be nice if you plan to stay prone for a while with the weathervane mount hooked up to the kestrel. If you are constantly moving in PRS style matches it would be silly to hold the kestrel In one hand and the iPhone in the other. You can get everything you need right on the kestrel display.

It's pretty simple to use and the ballistic calculations are very ...

I was hesitant in spending the money on this unit but after having used it twice, once for a class and a PRS match I can understand why it's a must for long distance shooting. It's pretty simple to use and the ballistic calculations are very good. Much better than some the free ballistic apps and even some of the paid apps as well.

Takes all the guessing out of long-range shooting

I had my first shooting session with my Kestrel Elite today and could not believe how well it worked. A friend brought a new rifle and scope and we zeroed them at 100 yards, and from there kept pushing out further and further up to the maximum range of 600 yards that the range had steel targets set up at. He was doing the shooting and I acted as the spotter and called the turret adjustments. Considering that the rifle and scope were new and the ammunition information from a load library and not past experience, it was quite remarkable to repeatably shift to the next further target and effortlessly ring steel. At 600 yards he was able to hit a 24” target consistently and a 12” target more than half the time. I had brought a printed ballistic table for the load just in case, and wound up disregarding it completely. It disagreed with the Kestrel solutions somewhat and wouldn’t have helped with the wind anyway. Going forward, I won’t bother with printed tables. One annoying limitation is that you cannot have both a phone and laser rangefinder connected at the same time, since they require the Kestrel Bluetooth radio to be indifferent operating modes. I also have a Bushnell Elite 1 Mile CONX rangefinder which can send distance and inclination angle information to the Kestrel, but then the Kestrel Link app on my iPhone can’t talk to the Kestrel. I find it preferable to lase the target and enter the distance and inclination information manually. Regarding the Bluetooth connectivity issues that people have reported, I have only experienced one instance. I had the iOS Kestrel Link app crash on me once when I tried sending a gun library to the Kestrel, and after that the app would not connect even after restarting it. I then toggled Bluetooth off and back on on the Kestrel, and that fixed the issue. I suspect restarting the Kestrel would have achieved the same result. Overall I am extremely pleased with the system. Watching the YouTube videos from Kestrel and Panhandle Precision has been very helpful in getting started. There are many features I haven’t even tried yet, but the unit is already a essential piece of equipment in my bag going forward. Update: I should add that I had tried shooting the 600 yard targets before by estimating holds and using paper ballistic tables. I don't recall every hitting them.

What’s important to you?

As described a wonderful ballistic meter.....I gave it a five star rating mostly for the meter itself but I will admit that out of the box it takes a few sessions on the range to get it right....I had the luxury of two other shooters who helped me understand how to use the Kestrel better....my learning curve was decreased....it’s works well in the actual field conditions (prairie dogs in South Dakota, need I say more) got me on or close, the gun did the rest....what more could you ask of a meter!

Can't think of a better thing to have bought for all that it does

I usually do an internet search and look at YouTube to see if a device has everything I'm looking for or is very close. This one has it all! Incl the ballistics stuff! Can't think of a better thing to have bought for all that it does. It's not cheap, but really excellent equipment isn't --unless you find a "going out of business sale" and even the you may get blemished/damaged merchandise. So, better to pay the higher price and get something new and exactly what you want. And this is it!

Great But Not Perfect

Works great for 22LR at 200yds. Works great for my 6.5CM too. My only complaint is that pre-shoot data collection for ballistics inputs is a bit tedious. Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but I don't see why I have to manually tell it to take every measurement. And if it rotates on a wind vain, why to I have to tell it what direction the wind is from? Again, maybe I'm doing it wrong. Ballistics wise, it is pretty spot on.

but after i pulled the trigger I couldn't be happier. If you are on the fence about this ...

I wasn't sure I should spend the money, but after i pulled the trigger I couldn't be happier. If you are on the fence about this one it is truly worth its weight in gold and it will help you save money in the long run by not having as many misses.

Best ballistic tool for long-range shooters who are in the field.

This device answers your questions, and does so quickly. And when seconds make the difference, you are already sending a round downrange. Ballistic calculation is beautiful. You will need to take a lot of time setting it up with all your data, but once you have done so, it will crunch the numbers for you quickly. This minimizes your need to have your A-gunner/spotter do the calculations.

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