Kestrel 5700 Elite Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics: Your Ultimate Precision Shooting Companion
For anyone serious about long-range shooting, whether you're a competitive marksman, a dedicated hunter, or a tactical professional, achieving consistent first-round hits hinges on understanding and accurately accounting for environmental conditions. The challenge of complex ballistic calculations, dynamic wind shifts, and fluctuating atmospheric pressures can be daunting, often leading to missed opportunities and frustrating outcomes. How do you cut through the guesswork and elevate your shooting accuracy to an unprecedented level?
Enter the Kestrel 5700 Elite Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics, the comprehensive solution engineered to provide precise environmental data and an incredibly powerful ballistics calculator in one rugged, portable device. This isn't just a weather meter; it's a dedicated co-pilot for your rifle, designed to give you the definitive firing solution you need to make every shot count, especially at extended distances where precision is paramount.
Why the Kestrel 5700 Elite is an Essential Tool for Precision Shooters
Are you constantly asking yourself, "What's the best way to calculate my shot solution for varying conditions?" or "How can I accurately compensate for wind, temperature, and altitude in my long-range shooting?" The Kestrel 5700 Elite answers these questions with unparalleled accuracy and ease. It's built for those who demand data-driven precision, offering robust measurement and logging of critical environmental factors coupled with a world-renowned ballistics engine.
This device streamlines your pre-shot routine by providing real-time data on:
- Wind Speed and Direction: Critical for accurate wind calls, directly impacting your bullet's flight path.
- Temperature: Affects powder burn rates and barrel harmonics.
- Humidity: Influences air density, though less significantly than temperature and pressure.
- Heat Index: Important for user comfort and safety, and indirectly related to air density.
- Pressure (Barometric and Station Pressure): A primary driver of air density, directly influencing bullet drag.
- Altitude (Density Altitude): A calculated value representing the equivalent altitude at which the air density would match the current conditions, crucial for ballistic calculations.
But what truly sets the Kestrel 5700 Elite apart is its integrated Applied Ballistics calculator. This isn't a simplified approximation; it's a sophisticated system that leverages the Applied Ballistics bullet library, which features custom drag models (CDMs) for hundreds of popular bullets. These CDMs are exact measurements of a bullet's drag profile, providing far greater accuracy than generic G1 or G7 models, especially at transonic and subsonic velocities. This meticulous approach to ballistic data translates directly into more precise firing solutions and, ultimately, more hits on target.
Beyond the Basics: Advanced Ballistic Corrections for Unrivaled Accuracy
For the precision shooter, understanding and mitigating complex external ballistic phenomena is key. The Kestrel 5700 Elite doesn't just provide basic drop and windage; it incorporates advanced corrections that seasoned long-range shooters rely on:
- Aerodynamic Jump: The effect of a crosswind pushing the bullet slightly off the line of bore due to the angle of attack before the bullet stabilizes. The Kestrel accounts for this subtle but important factor.
- Spin Drift: The natural drift of a bullet caused by its spin and the resistance of the air. This effect becomes more pronounced at longer distances and is accurately calculated by the Kestrel.
- Coriolis Effect: The apparent deflection of moving objects (like bullets) due to the Earth's rotation. While often negligible at shorter ranges, it becomes significant at extreme distances (typically beyond 800-1000 yards) and for shots fired in north/south directions. The Kestrel 5700 Elite accurately applies this correction based on your location and direction of fire.
- Drop Scale Factoring (DSF): A powerful tool for "truing" your ballistic solution. DSF allows you to adjust the predicted drag of your bullet based on actual impacts observed at long range, fine-tuning the Applied Ballistics model to perfectly match your specific rifle, ammunition, and barrel combination. This capability ensures your solution is optimized for your unique setup, leading to highly personalized and precise data.
By integrating these critical factors, the Kestrel 5700 Elite empowers you to achieve accurate extended long-range shots with unprecedented confidence, minimizing the variables that can lead to a miss.
What Makes the Kestrel 5700 Elite a Significant Upgrade?
If you're familiar with previous generations like the Kestrel 4500 Applied Ballistics series, you'll appreciate the substantial improvements found in the 5700 Elite. These enhancements aren't just minor tweaks; they represent a leap forward in user experience, connectivity, and reliability, making it an even more indispensable tool for serious shooters.
Key advancements include:
- Bluetooth LINK Connectivity: The Kestrel 5700 Elite with Bluetooth LINK allows for seamless wireless communication with your smartphone or mobile device (Android/iOS). This feature is a game-changer, enabling you to load your gun and ammunition profiles from the Kestrel LiNK Ballistics app directly to the meter. The wireless range extends up to 100 feet with a clear line of sight, offering incredible convenience when setting up profiles or sharing data. Walls or obstacles will affect this range, so maintaining a clear path is recommended for optimal performance.
- Improved Power Source: The 5700 Elite operates on a single AA battery, a significant improvement over the two AAA batteries used by the 4000 series. This not only simplifies battery management but also extends operational life.
- Enhanced Battery Compartment Design: A common issue with older Kestrel models was potential damage from leaking batteries. The 5700 Elite addresses this with a relocated battery door on the back, sealed away from the motherboard. This design greatly reduces the risk of internal damage from battery leaks, enhancing the meter's longevity and reliability.
- Superior High-Resolution Screen: The new screen offers improved resolution and clarity, making it easy to read in any lighting condition, including bright sunlight. Its gentle illumination is also designed to be easy on your eyes during extended use.
- Intuitive User-Interface Navigation: Navigating the Kestrel 5700 Elite is more straightforward than ever, thanks to an intuitive menu system. This ensures quick access to the data you need, minimizing setup time in the field.
- Multi-Language Support: Catering to a global user base, the meter now supports multiple languages, including English, French, German, and Spanish, making it accessible to a wider range of international users.
- Durable, Scratch and Breakage-Resistant Window: Built to withstand the rigors of the field, the screen window is designed for enhanced durability, protecting your valuable data display.
- Integrated Red (NV - Night Vision) & White Backlights: All 5700 Elite meters include both red (night vision compatible) and white backlighting options. This dual-color backlight ensures optimal visibility in all light conditions, from bright daylight to total darkness, without compromising night adaptation when using night vision equipment.
- Compact Form Factor: While slightly larger than its predecessor, the difference is hardly noticeable. The Kestrel 5700 Elite retains a compact design that fits comfortably in the same cases and pouches designed for the 4000 series, ensuring easy integration with your existing gear setup.
Who Benefits Most from the Kestrel 5700 Elite?
This sophisticated weather meter and ballistic calculator is an indispensable tool for a diverse range of users who demand ultimate precision:
- Long-Range Precision Shooters: For those participating in PRS (Precision Rifle Series) or other long-range competitions, the 5700 Elite provides the competitive edge needed for rapid, accurate firing solutions under pressure.
- Hunters: Ethically taking game requires precise shot placement. The Kestrel 5700 Elite helps hunters make accurate decisions in varying terrains and weather, ensuring a clean, humane kill at extended distances.
- Military and Law Enforcement Snipers: In critical situations, every shot must be accurate. The Kestrel provides reliable, real-time data for mission success, adapting to complex environmental factors.
- Recreational Shooters & Enthusiasts: For anyone looking to push their limits and truly understand the science of external ballistics, the 5700 Elite offers an unparalleled learning and training tool.
Understanding and Using the Kestrel LiNK Ballistics App
The Kestrel LiNK Ballistics app is an integral part of the Kestrel 5700 Elite experience for models equipped with Bluetooth. This free application, available for both iOS and Android devices, allows you to:
- Create and Manage Gun/Ammo Profiles: Effortlessly input and save multiple rifle and ammunition profiles. This includes details like muzzle velocity, bullet type (selecting from the Applied Ballistics library's custom drag models), scope height, zero range, and more.
- "True" Your Bullet Data: Use the app to refine your ballistic solution by entering actual shot impacts at known distances. This "truing" process adjusts the Drop Scale Factor (DSF) for your specific rifle and ammunition, making your ballistic predictions even more precise.
- Real-Time Data Transfer: Push environmental data directly from your Kestrel 5700 Elite to the app, or vice versa, allowing for convenient viewing, logging, and analysis on a larger screen.
- View Firing Solutions: See the calculated firing solutions (come-ups in MILS or MOA, windage holds) clearly displayed on your phone, providing a quick reference without needing to scroll through the meter's menu.
- Data Logging and Export: Log environmental conditions over time and export the data for post-session analysis or training debriefs.
The Kestrel LiNK app enhances the Kestrel 5700 Elite's utility, turning your smartphone into an intuitive command center for all your ballistic data management. It's the perfect companion for anyone seeking maximum efficiency and precision in their shooting endeavors.
Built for the Toughest Conditions: Durability and Reliability
The Kestrel 5700 Elite isn't just smart; it's tough. Designed and manufactured in the USA, it embodies a commitment to quality and ruggedness. It's fully waterproof and floats, ensuring it can withstand accidental drops in water. The durable, drop-tested construction means it can handle the bumps and knocks of field use. When you invest in a Kestrel, you're investing in a piece of gear that's engineered to perform reliably in the most demanding outdoor environments, from scorching deserts to freezing mountain tops. This dedication to robust design ensures that your ballistic calculations remain accurate and accessible, no matter where your passion for shooting takes you.
In a world where precision is the ultimate goal, the Kestrel 5700 Elite Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics stands out as the definitive tool for optimizing every shot. It eliminates guesswork, provides scientific accuracy, and empowers shooters to push the boundaries of their long-range capabilities. Available through trusted retailers like DEGuns, this meter is more than just a device; it's an investment in superior performance and confidence in the field.
Kestrel 5700 Elite Product Specifications & Details
| Feature | Description | UPC |
|---|---|---|
| Model Name | Kestrel 5700 Elite Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics | 730650003747 |
| Core Functions | Weather measurement (wind, temp, humidity, pressure, altitude), Ballistics Calculator (Applied Ballistics engine) | |
| Ballistics Engine | Applied Ballistics with Custom Drag Models (CDM), Coriolis, Spin Drift, Aerodynamic Jump, Drop Scale Factoring | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth LINK (wireless communication with smartphones via Kestrel LiNK app, up to 100 ft range) | |
| Power Source | 1 x AA Battery (long-lasting, improved over previous models) | |
| Display | Improved high-resolution screen, readable in direct sunlight, dual Red (NV) & White backlights | |
| User Interface | Intuitive screen navigation, multi-language support (English, French, German, Spanish) | |
| Durability | Scratch/breakage-resistant window, waterproof & floats, drop-tested, sealed battery compartment (prevents motherboard leaks) | |
| Portability | Compact size, fits existing 4000 series cases/pouches | |
| SKU | 0857ALFDE |