The common instruments used to measure weather conditions are anemometers, wind vanes, pressure sensors, thermometers, hygrometers, and rain gauges. Kestrel offers single handheld solutions that are able to provide all this meteorological data without requiring a heavy investment and a truckload of space. Handheld wind and weather meters are your portal into the perpetually changing world of weather phenomena. These weather conditions can be measured with the Kestrel 5700 Elite Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics (also known as the Kestrel 5700 Elite). This is an updated version from the Discontinued Kestrel 4500 Applied Ballistics Meter.
The Kestrel 5700 Elite Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics allows users to adjust for angle and “train” the software to match their specific rifle based on observed impacts at long range. By employing the Applied Ballistics bullet library of custom drag models, users can get an exact measurement of their bullet’s drag profile plus corrections for Aerodynamic Jump, Spin Drift, Coriolis, and Drop Scale Factoring to achieve accurate extended long-range shots. It comes with expanded features that include a customizable Range Card, an expanded Ballistics Data Table, and a storage for up to 16 gun and bullet profiles and 5 saved targets.
The Kestrel 5700 E.W.M. with Applied Ballistics comes with numerous pre-loaded drag models, but not entire gun/ammo profiles. In other words, you have to build your gun profile, but you can choose from the list of bullets when modeling your ammo. The Kestrel 5700 Elite can also calculate accurate fire control solutions for long range rifle shooting, while also allowing users to select either G1 or G7 ballistic coefficient when calculating a trajectory. Users can get ballistic coefficient data for more than 225 long range bullets.
As for weather reading features, users can measure up to 15 environmental parameters at their fingertips. These include: Wind speed/air velocity; Wind direction; Crosswind; Headwind/Tailwind; Wind chill; Temperature; Barometric pressure; Relative humidity; Heat Stress Index; Dewpoint temp; Wet bulb temp; Altitude; Density altitude; and Pressure trend.
Regarding its connectivity, the Kestrel 5700 Elite Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics also comes with integrated Bluetooth technology, offering the ultimate in portable and accurate environmental data. With it, both real-time and logged data can be transferred wirelessly and automatically to a PC, MAC, or to a Smartphone (Android and IOS). It also connects via LiNK to the Bushnell CONX Range Finder, where you can view results from the Applied Ballistics Kestrel right on your Range Finder. There will also be more rangefinders and scopes down the line that will connect directly with the Kestrel meters.
One of the big differences between the Kestrel 5700 E.W.M. with Applied Ballistics and the Discontinued Kestrel 4500 Meter with Applied Ballistics is that the battery door is now located in the back of the device, sealed away from the motherboard in case your battery leaks, like it was common with all previous 4000 series. All 5000 models’ battery doors are the same and interchangeable. It only takes 1 AA battery instead of 2 AAA. If users use the recommended lithium battery, problems are unlikely to occur. There’s also a specific setting to configure the device according to the type of battery it’s currently using, whether that be Lithium, Nickel-Metal (NiMH) or Alkaline. Lastly, when users get their new Kestrel 5700 Elite, they are required to do some calibrations on the compass, as well as set their time and date (removing the battery resets these settings, so users will need to repeat the process).
Both the Kestrel 5700 Elite Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics standard model (without LiNK (Bluetooth) and the Kestrel 5700 E.W.M. with Applied Ballistics with LiNK (featuring LiNK (Bluetooth) are available in 5 colors: Black, Tan, Olive, Flat Dark Earth, and Blaze Orange. The Kestrel 5700 Elite is currently priced between $599-$699, depending on whether you get it with or without LiNK (Bluetooth). There is also the possibility to get a Vane Mount for either of the solutions. You can find the Kestrel 5700 Elite Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics on Kestrel Meter’s official website, Click here.
