Kestrel 2700 versus 5700 - Some Q's for current users

[Cottis]

As winter comes round each year, I always find myself looking at these and thinking to myself "that has to be better to use in cold conditions with gloves etc rather than faffing with a phone". I then promptly go and do something more interesting like eating and forget all about it for another year. This year will (might) be different.

For years I have used App based ballistic calculators which work well and are fine in warmer months with warm hands and no gloves but I do much less shooting in summer and much much more from late Autumn through to early spring while the cattle are in the sheds and when most of the pest/deer control is done.

Firstly, I am no long range shooter. Small pest control is done out to 400-500yds max and I also muck around targets around the farm out to a max of 650yds but absolutely no further and if I ever was to shoot further in some random other situation, I could happily use the phone if need be.

So if the 2700 model will satisfy my needs, how easy is it to live with? I understand the 2700 only supports 1 chambering at a time. I feel I don't need the superior ballistics capability of the 5700 and whilst the cost is not entirely prohibitive, it is certainly a good amount more and there seems little point in paying extra if all I am ultimately getting, for my needs, is the ability to have more than one chambering preset in to the device.

So I guess this is a long winded way of asking how easy and quick is it to change the single chambering preset on the 2700 prior to going out shooting. If it is quick (how quick?) then I can live with that. If it involves plugging it in to stuff and updating and it taking time, I might be getting a significantly bigger bill to realise what I want.

Any other advice based on the above info would also be good if you feel it would be useful.

Cheers all.

 

[Backwoods_compatable]

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but it should be as simple as setting up all the gun profiles in the kestrel app on your phone and then connecting the kestrel and uploading the one you want to use.
If that works with the 2700 it'd take about 2 minutes each time.

 

[Cottis]

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but it should be as simple as setting up all the gun profiles in the kestrel app on your phone and then connecting the kestrel and uploading the one you want to use.
If that works with the 2700 it'd take about 2 minutes each time.

Many thanks for the post. Do you have the 5700? It seems that has Bluetooth but the 2700 does not as far as I can tell.

Does anyone here use a 2700 and can comment on how you definitively go about loading a rifle profile on to it. 2 minutes I could definitely live with, as it is likely I would mostly be using two rifles with the odd requirement to use the third here and there.

Surprised nobody else has commented but guessing like me, most just use a free or cheapy phone app for ballistic solutions.

Thanks again.

 

[imnotrucknut]

Just bought a 2700 but had no setup instructions so went on kestrel Web and downloaded user manual.
Just need to set up now but looks easy enough.
Gary

 

[Backwoods_compatable]

On the kestrel website it says "Upload a gun profile for your specific rifle and bullet in the 2700 using the free Kestrel LiNK Ballistics app, then leave your phone behind – the 2700 is a fully functional, stand-alone field tool"

So should be all good.

Having said that the AB custom curves you get with the 5700 are nice to have, and make it possible to really fine tune drop data.

 

[Eddie P]

I've got a 2700, I wish I had a 5400 for long range comp shooting, but for stalking ranges and conditions it's great.
You can have multiple profiles on your phone and just upload one to your kestrel, if you change guns, then just send that one over. I think it will save 5 on your phone (may be wrong) It takes less than 2 mins to upload once you've set it up. It uses bluetooth for the upload. One thing it won't do is to upload real time data to a 3rd party app (strelok), but it will give real time data to the kestrel app and with a vane will give you real time corrections. The range of the 270 is limited to 850 yards (or there about)

The 2700 is deliberately restricted to stop it taking the market from the expensive ones used by long range shooters.

 

[User00044]

I've a 5700 , got lucky and paid half the rrp. The guy selling it bought it and didn't use it, it was like new . I can't comment on the 2700 but the 5700 I have will store 3 entries and is incredibly easy to load using the Kestrel App. It also has the added benefit of Link so if you have a compatible rangefinder or binos you'll get a solution in the display . On still days I turn on the Kestrel, pop it in my top pocket and just use my binos.
The 5700 has 2 failings , limited Bluetooth range and it eats batteries so always carry spares .

 

[User00040]

 

[Herb64]

@Cottis I had the 2700 for about a day and sent it back to get the 5700. I much prefer the latter and it was only my being tight I brought the 2700. The features on the 5700 make it a much better buy. I’d go as far as to say you will regret buying the 2700….. bite the bullet and buy once cry once.

 

[User00040]

IMO you don't need a Kestrel for the ballistics, get one if you really need wind speed at the shooters position but with apps like Strelok or 4DOF around, there is less and less reason to get one due to data entry and viewing screen being limited/restricted.

If you just want the atmospherics, get a Kestrel DROP for about £100 which will bluetooth that data to your phone.

Desity Altitute is a factor to consider.

 

[One on top of two]

Custom curves and subsonic truing along with range card 5700 elite for me but as said depends on what you need .

 

[Cottis]

IMO you don't need a Kestrel for the ballistics, get one if you really need wind speed at the shooters position but with apps like Strelok or 4DOF around, there is less and less reason to get one due to data entry and viewing screen being limited/restricted.

If you just want the atmospherics, get a Kestrel DROP for about £100 which will bluetooth that data to your phone.

Desity Altitute is a factor to consider.

I think I am coming to this conclusion to be honest. I have used Stelock for years and like it. I don't shoot far enough to really be too concerned about atmos, temps, blah blah blah. Windage and Elevation is really all I need and for my most used rifle, I use one of those little Leica RF things with in built ballistics which is really really good but that is only good for one chambering and I am not buying another 2 or 3 of those

Windage is not exact anyway, so I am not really even that fussed about that. It can vary from the shot point etc as you know, so I tend to hold for wind in 5mph increments based on visible signs and experience.

The real sell for me with Kestrel is that I can use them with gloves on. That is the only real plus I can see but I guess I will just keep taking my gloves off and getting cold paws in the winter.

 

[One on top of two]

If your shooting close range with a CF ( out to 300m ) you shouldn’t need a ballistic calculator really . Learn your drops and your golden or get yourself a scope with matched turrets turrets and ret ( mil and mil ) or MOA if your a bit gay ( that’s the bit you need a sense of humour for ) that way you can range using your reticle …. Easy peeasey.

 

[Bowland blades]

You can only measure the wind where you are not all the way to the target and how it flows over contours etc ! Many times a contour will catch us out badly, especially channelling winds ! Frankly speaking wind meters are a learning tool more than a using tool in practical quarry shooting Is there a computer you can carry into the field that can be quickly tell you how to dope a shot half way between you and your quarry over contours when it feels pretty calm where your set up ?
3 or 9 o'clock steady wind across a flat level contour less shooting range with close cut grass I bet they are very handy things to have .
Consider carefully