Best place to buy Kestrel????

[Jumpalot]

I'm starting to assemble the accessories to go with the 338 Edge build I'm waiting on. Just wondering where the best (least expensive) place to buy a Kestrel is? Looking at the 2500 and 3500. Which one do you really need? Is humidity important?

Thanks in advance.

 

[petenz]

Humidity doesn't matter at all, I have a 2500 and it works fine, I got it off Ebay since none of the US websites selling them would ship internationally.

 

[royinidaho]

What would be wrong w/the Brunton (Cabelas) and only 80 bucks?

The fertilizer spreaders use Kestrels for wind speed. But seem bulky and over priced.

I spent this last weekend "calbrating" the Brunton. Once one learns the technique that the pilots use to set the elevation it jibes will close with the local National Weather service and NOAA station.

I'm pleased with it

 

[jmden]

Got mine on the cheap on ebay new as well. Just got a basic one with temp and windspeed as my watch has baro and gps has altitude. Good luck.

I'm starting to assemble the accessories to go with the 338 Edge build I'm waiting on. Just wondering where the best (least expensive) place to buy a Kestrel is? Looking at the 2500 and 3500. Which one do you really need? Is humidity important?

Thanks in advance.

 

[PEI Rob]

The temp variation is very minimal up to 500 yards or so. At 1000 yards the temp difference will be greater, but the bullet's initial BC is important. Further out its proportionally different between the initial BC of the bullets. The differences below equate to a 10 degree change in temp. I hope to think we are able to guess within a 10 degree change in temp. NOTE the BC change is twice that for the hi BC bullet.

3000fps .400 BC drop = 321.37" drop, 102.432" drift at 1000 for 200 yard zero
3000fps .405 BC drop = 318.01" drop, 100.848" drift at 1000 for 200 yard zero
3.3" drop and 1.4" drift at a 1000 yards

3000fps .800 BC drop = 213.38" drop, 43.648" drift at 1000 for 200 yard zero
3000fps .810 BC drop = 212.35" drop, 42.944" drift at 1000 for 200 yard zero
1" drop and .7 drift at 1000 yards

As mentioned, humidity seems to make ZERO difference at any rifle distance.

Barometric pressure changes are exactly like temp changes. A half a BAR change is pretty much exactly like the example above. Going from 29.53 to 29 changes the BC's to .407 and .815. Personally, unless my knees ache, I have no idea what the pressure is but the forecast is normally accurate enough for this.

Think of it this way, are you a gadget guy and will you be shooting game at 1000 yards or more? Fairly sure you will be using a hi BC bullet though.

Cheers

 

[kcebcj]

I think there is still a group buy in progress at Snipers Hide. You have to be a forum member but you can save about 40 bucks on a Kestrel 3500. Here is a link to the supplier.

NK Kestrel Group Buy - Discount Tactical & Military Products

 

[splattermatic]

how good is a 1000 ? looks like just the basics.

 

[ss7mm]

Everybody has their opinions and choices. Below is a comparison chart of Kestrels. On the left the features I personally want are circled in red. You can for all intents and purposes ignore the humidity. Going by that you can see that the 2500 will get you all you really need. I personally use a 3500.

If you can get some of the criteria items on the left for another source you already have you could then scale down your Kestrel as needed.

If you think something is overpriced or too expensive what would your thoughts be on that subject if it prevented you from accurately making a loooong range shot/hit??? Kinda like a top of the line scope, custom gun etc. etc. Pay the price one time and then enjoy it for a looong time.

 

[Eaglet]

The temp variation is very minimal up to 500 yards or so. At 1000 yards the temp difference will be greater, but the bullet's initial BC is important. Further out its proportionally different between the initial BC of the bullets. The differences below equate to a 10 degree change in temp. I hope to think we are able to guess within a 10 degree change in temp. NOTE the BC change is twice that for the hi BC bullet.

3000fps .400 BC drop = 321.37" drop, 102.432" drift at 1000 for 200 yard zero
3000fps .405 BC drop = 318.01" drop, 100.848" drift at 1000 for 200 yard zero
3.3" drop and 1.4" drift at a 1000 yards

3000fps .800 BC drop = 213.38" drop, 43.648" drift at 1000 for 200 yard zero
3000fps .810 BC drop = 212.35" drop, 42.944" drift at 1000 for 200 yard zero
1" drop and .7 drift at 1000 yards

As mentioned, humidity seems to make ZERO difference at any rifle distance.

Barometric pressure changes are exactly like temp changes. A half a BAR change is pretty much exactly like the example above. Going from 29.53 to 29 changes the BC's to .407 and .815. Personally, unless my knees ache, I have no idea what the pressure is but the forecast is normally accurate enough for this.

Think of it this way, are you a gadget guy and will you be shooting game at 1000 yards or more? Fairly sure you will be using a hi BC bullet though.

Cheers

You're right in that humidity is the one least important; meaning the one that will make the least changes and many folks just forget about it. But those who really shoot longer ranges will never ignore it. To begin with at 2000 yards, depending on your setup, humidity alone could make changes up to 8 to 10". These folks trying to hit a pdog at that range do want to concider that. At really extendes ranges things start adding up pretty fast. Humidity, rifle cant, coriolis effect, shot angle, etc. put them together and ignore them pretty soon you don't know if you're coming or going. Having a ballistic program that will take those things in considereation will help the extra-long range shooters to get first shot hits more frequently.
I really like LB2.0 from Patagonia Ballistics, it will give you all those figures included into you're adjustment values if you want it so. Not only that, will compensate also for wind changes in the shot for up to 3 sections. In other words it will do multiple wind zones in the shot.
Almost sound like a sales man...

 

[Jumpalot]

Thanks everyone! I found a good deal on a 2500. Just received it today and starting to figure it out.

 

[davewilson]

i've been looking at the 2500 also. 145 with nothing for shipping is the best i've found, what/where did you get yours if i can ask?

 

[Jumpalot]

Found it on Ebay. 125 shipped. I just looked and didn't see anymore for that price.

 

[Steve7mm08]

I got the Kestrel 2500 from this guy on EBAY, he shipped it to me in New Zealand very quickly. I was most impressed with his service.

eBay Seller: 911nc: Gadgets Other Electronics, Exercise Fitness items on eBay.com

Good price too

 

[Coues Sniper]

I got the Kestrel 2500 from this guy on EBAY, he shipped it to me in New Zealand very quickly. I was most impressed with his service.

eBay Seller: 911nc: Gadgets Other Electronics, Exercise Fitness items on eBay.com

Good price too

Steve - thanks for recommending this guy. I bought one from him off Ebay (a 3500) for a great price (I even had a 10% off coupon from Ebay ), and he had it to me in 3 days!