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Posts Tagged ‘Kestrel’

Nielsen-Kellerman to Showcase Kestrel Elite Ballistics Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics Software and LiNK at 2017 SHOT Show

Thursday, January 5th, 2017

Built-in targeting calculator makes handheld weather meter a compact ballistics tool and complete shooting solution

Boothwyn, PA – Nielsen-Kellerman (NK), creators and manufacturers of Kestrel® Ballistics Weather Meters, has announced they will be featuring their Kestrel 5700 Elite Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics and LiNK, among many other innovative and sought-after products, integrations and strategic partnerships at the Kestrel booth (#1946) at the 2017 SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

The Kestrel Elite takes the guesswork out of long-range shooting, even out to the transonic and subsonic flight range of your bullet. This next-generation integrated weather meter and ballistics calculator provides shooters with up-to-the-minute accurate wind speed and air density measurements combined with the full functionality of the highly regarded Applied Ballistics® solver engine and manufacturer-specific bullet flight model database. All this power is packed into a small four-ounce, rugged instrument that is easy to carry and use and proven through years of tough strategic use.

The Kestrel Elite is available with optional LiNK connectivity powered by Bluetooth low energy, which provides you with the power of the free Kestrel LiNK Ballistics app. The app allows shooters to build and manage gun/bullet profiles and download them to the Kestrel 5700 Elite; in addition to providing the extensive Litz library of custom bullet drag models for the most precise transonic and subsonic range solutions available anywhere.

LiNK enabled units can also be paired with LiNK compatible laser range finders, like the Safran Vectronix PLRF25C which offers snipers/spotters, marksmen and forward observers the smallest and most powerful MIL-SPEC Laser Range Finder on the market today. The ergonomic design of the Vectronix PLRF25C allows for one-handed use, with the one-button operation being intuitive and easy-to-learn. Ranging measurements up to 6,000m, as well as accurate angle measurements, are no problem for the compact (measuring only 131x88x55mm), and lightweight (430g) rangefinder. The PLRF25C features 6x magnification capability and is tactically proven in the most demanding environments.

The Kestrel Elite is also offered as a package with the Bushnell Elite 1 Mile CONX Laser Rangefinder. The two products work seamlessly together; with each target range data being transmitted to the paired Kestrel for instant calculation of an elevation hold. The data is then sent to the Kestrel and handed back to the rangefinder for display in the viewfinder. The Bushnell Elite 1 Mile CONX is accurate against reflective targets up to 1,760 yards and sends both inclination angle and range data to the Kestrel Elite for accurate high angle shots.

Like all Kestrel meters, the Kestrel Elite is drop-proof, dust-proof, waterproof and able to withstand harsh environments without damage – so it can accompany you to the range or hunt for years to come. A range of carry pouch options makes it even easier to take your unit with you.

“At Nielsen-Kellerman, we take great pride in being able to provide the same trusted accuracy, reliability, and usability in every generation of the Kestrel Ballistic and Weather Meters,” stated Nielsen-Kellerman CEO, Alix James. “Each Kestrel model is designed with its users in mind, and this upgraded version of the Kestrel Elite proves our commitment to innovation and making the best products available to all shooters.”
In addition to the Elite with LiNK, NK will also have several of their other favorite products for order during the course of the show, including:

• Kestrel Sportsman
• Kestrel DROP D3
• Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter

The full line of products is available at KestrelBallistics.com, the company’s new site, which provides users with all the information, products and resources they need for success in long-range shooting. Visitors to the site will be able to purchase products beyond the Kestrel units – as it is designed as a one-stop shop for shooting accessories. Products available include: Nightforce and Bushnell scopes, Bushnell rangefinders, MagnetoSpeed chronographs, and Full Spectrum Solutions shooting mats.

Attendees will be able to receive special SHOT Show pricing on any Kestrel Ballistics products. Kestrel will also host industry partners and ballistics experts, Bryan Litz, Nick Vitalbo and Todd Hodnett every afternoon at 2:00 at their booth for a Q&A session. Subjects range from ballistic calculating, to windage and predicting environmentals for a long range shot.

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Prater Precision Sniper Data Board

Tuesday, August 9th, 2016

I first saw the Sniper Data Board from Prater Precision at this year’s USASOC Sniper Competition. It’s one of those pieces of gear that you see and immediately understand how it’s used.

Designed by a Special Operations Sniper, the Sniper Data Board was created out of necessity and its creator related this story to me.

In 2014, I had a moment of “creative necessity”. My Team Sgt was pinned down and I moved into a better position to provide sniper support. After running through half of my ammo, I found another target but I couldn’t remember my hold, I broke my position down and checked my “DOPE” on my sleeve and in that three second window, the Taliban fighter had vanished. I knew right then I needed something that could hold my data card or Kestrel on my gun so I would never lose that three seconds again.

Since that firefight, he’s spent the last two years refining the design of the product to the point where he felt comfortable presenting it to his fellow snipers. He’s also filed for a patent on the design.

In the photo above, you can see that the Data Board is designed to attach to a Mil-Std 1913 top rail and is adjustable by the sniper to ensure it is in the field of view. This design also mitigates some of the shock associated with recoil. The Data Board will also accept a Kestrel.

The metal components are manufactured from 6061 Aluminum and Mil-Spec Type III anodized. Offered with Coyote or MultiCam pouch from praterprecision.com/the-sniper-data-board.

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Wiebad – Kestrel Pouch

Tuesday, July 26th, 2016

Wiebad has introduced a Kestrel pouch. It’s a simple design, with a webbing loop at the rear for belt mounting and a Velcro closure on the flap as well as a 550 loop at the side to tie it down. Wiebad says they’ll introduce a PALS version if there’s enough interest.  Offered in a wide variety of colors/patterns. 


wiebad.mybigcommerce.com/kestrel-pouch

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Posted in Load Carrying | 10 Comments »

Kestrel Weather & Environmental Meters Named Top Pick in Sniper Tech by FOX News

Tuesday, April 19th, 2016

Manufacturer chosen from among industry’s most innovative leaders

Boothwyn, PA – Nielsen-Kellerman (NK), creators and manufacturers of Kestrel Weather & Environmental Meters, have been named as a top pick in sniper tech by FOX News at the recent USASOC International Sniper Competition, held at Fort Bragg, NC, March 20-25th.

During the week, the world’s elite special operations forces converge at Ft. Bragg for specialized competitions hosted by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. The competitions are designed to challenge the real-world skills of some of the best military and law enforcement snipers and assault teams from the United States and our allied partners.

Because cutting-edge technologies are an integral part of what helps the most elite snipers accomplish their job, the competition also allowed select companies to showcase their top product and technology offerings directly to the end-users. Companies showcasing everything from rifles to scopes, range finders and ballistics calculators were on hand to aid the shooters in their competition.

The Kestrel 5700 Elite Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics was among those products used and featured throughout the weeklong competition. This compact handheld device precisely measures wind and air density while employing the cutting edge Applied Ballistics® solver to provide shooters with targeting solutions for each situation. Shooters have the option to choose G1, G7 or custom drag models to best suit their needs.

The Kestrel Elite with LiNK offers wireless connectivity to Android and iOS smartphones using Bluetooth® low energy technology, allowing for app connectivity and easy configuration and backup. Additionally, the Kestrel Elite and Sportsman models both work seamlessly with the Bushnell CONX Range Finder, receiving range data at the push of a button and transmitting the holdover value.

Competitors could be seen using Kestrel Elite with Applied Ballistics units throughout the week. Attendees and competitors could also sample the units during the night demo, held the evening following the Vendor Day.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be named a top pick among some of the industry’s most pioneering companies,” stated Nielsen-Kellerman CEO, Alix James. “Each of these companies provides innovative solutions to the world’s elite warriors. At Nielsen-Kellerman we take great pride in supporting those who protect our freedoms, and also enjoy collaborating with other quality-focused manufacturers to create solutions that neither company could build alone.”

www.kestrelballistics.com

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Posted in Press Release, Sensors | 3 Comments »

Bushnell Elite 1 Mile CONX Laser Rangefinder

Monday, October 19th, 2015

Back in June, Applied Ballistics announced that their G7 curve ballistic software would be featured in a new package along with the Kestrel Sportsman and the Bushnell Elite 1 Mile CONX Laser Rangefinder. The system experienced its public debut over the weekend, during the Gap Grind precision shooting competition.

It detects ranges from 5 to 1,760 yards, with +/- one-yard accuracy, but distance output can be swapped to meters on the fly. The 7x magnification LRF’s lenses feature RainGuard® HD, a permanent anti-fog and water-repellent coating. Additionally, the Elite 1 Mile CONX is built to IPX7 waterproof standard which means immersion to 1m for 30 minutes.

The 1 Mile CONX connects to the Kestrel Sportsman via Bluetooth 4.0 (low energy). That may give the folks in the Information Assurance business some heartburn, so Bushnell has spent the past several months integrating 128 bit AES encryption. There is also PSK required for authentication. It’s dual layer encryption with each unit unique.

  

The LRF uses a CR123 Battery. Use of the CONX capability results in just an additional 5% of battery life. The system is FCC/CE Certified and incorporates a 904nm laser.

There’s also an app under development for both iOS and Android. Although only one device at a time can be connected via Bluetooth, it will allow shooters to make ballistic calculations on their mobile device with imported data from either the Kestrel or LRF. Additionally, the app allows user to create up to three custom drop tables. Finally, the shooter can mount it on his weapon and use it as a real time display.

I was able to try it out during the Gap Grind. The data swap is seamless. You laze a target and not only does the distance, as well as selected (up to three custom profiles) ballistic solution show up at the bottom of the LRF screen, but also on the Kestrel. The output is a fusion of distance to target and environmental data applied to the G7 curve. It’s certainly worth checking out. Some of you might even get a chance this week at Fort Benning, Georgia where the Bushnell Elite 1 Mile CONX Laser Rangefinder will be on display during the 2015 International Sniper Competition.

Incidentally, Bushnell Laser Rangefinders are no stranger to the US Army. They’ve fielded over 20,000 of the non-bluetooth version over the past 18 months for use in support of mortars and Mk19 40mm grenade launchers.

The Bushnell Elite 1 Mile CONX Laser Rangefinder will be available for commercial before Christmas, as a stand alone or packaged along with the Kestrel Sportsman.

bushnell.com/all-products/laser-rangefinders/elite-1-mile-conx

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Marines Choose Kestrel as Scout Sniper Ballistic Computer

Tuesday, July 28th, 2015

MARCORSYSCOM Selects Kestrel to Support United States Marine Corps

Kestrel Weather & Environmental Meters has been selected by Marine Corps System Command to provide the material solution for the Scout Sniper Ballistic Computers (SSBC) program.

“Kestrel has proudly supported Marine Corps Scout Snipers with rugged environmental meters for more than 15 years, starting with the original Kestrel 4000 Weather Tracker, through to the Kestrel 4500 with Applied Ballistics selected on this contract,” said Nielsen-Kellerman (NK) CEO Alix James. “We are constantly working to develop solutions that make our warfighters more effective without weighing them down with unnecessary gear. We are honored that this selection confirms that we’re building what our soldiers need.” NK is the manufacturer of the Kestrel Weather & Environmental Meters.

U.S. Representative Patrick Meehan (PA, 7th District) said, “The Marine Corps’ decision is great news for our warfighters. And ?having visited the Nielsen-Kellerman facilities in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania, and met the hard-working men and women who create this innovative product, the Marine Corps announcement is good for jobs and growth in Pennsylvania as well.”

The Kestrel 4500 with Applied Ballistics is a 4-ounce, hand-held meter that combines accurate wind, direction, temperature, pressure and humidity readings with a built-in advanced ballistics calculator and bullet performance database. The Kestrel outputs elevation and wind holds calculated for the precise weapon, round and target characteristics, allowing snipers to put first shots on target at 1000 yards and beyond.

  
The 887 Kestrel meters purchased will be supplied in a complete field support kit containing the following:

• Desert Tan Kestrel Applied Ballistic ITAR Tactical Unit
• Screen Protection Kit
• Pelican 1015 Black Case
• Mystery Ranch Molle Soft Case

All Kestrel Weather Meters are designed and built in Pennsylvania, and the Kestrel Kit selected for this contract award is fully Berry Amendment and BUY American Act compliant. Broader adoption of the Kestrel with Applied Ballistics is anticipated as other services are presently evaluating its performance and capabilities.

This contract award will be supplied by long-time authorized Kestrel resale partner, ADS, Inc., a primary vendor under the Defense Supply Center Special Operations Tailored Logistics Support (TLS) Program.

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Posted in ADS, Contracts, MARCORSYSCOM, weapons | 3 Comments »

Applied Ballistics Announces New Kit With Bushnell And Kestrel

Friday, June 19th, 2015

  

Late this summer, Bushnell will release a kit through their entire distribution channel which will include a NEW version of the Kestrel 4500 Sportsman Ballistics Weather Meter with their new Bushnell Elite 1 Mile CONX Laser Rangefinder. These two products will work together seamlessly — each target range data set will be transmitted to the paired Kestrel for calculation of an updated firing solution using the full capabilities of the Kestrel Sportsman. The firing solution will be displayed on the Kestrel screen as well as inside the rangefinder. For maximum smart device compatibility, range, battery life and reliability of connection, both the Kestrel Sportsman and the Bushnell Elite 1 Mile CONX will employ Bluetooth® Smart hardware (also known as Bluetooth Low Energy) for connectivity. As a result, current Bluetooth versions of the Kestrel Sportsman, Kestrel with Applied Ballistics and Kestrel with Horus Ballistics models will NOT be compatible with the new Bushnell CONX Rangefinder because they employ Bluetooth Classic.

As Kestrel continues to expand the connection capabilities of their ballistics weather meters, they plan to release future ballistics weather meters that employ the Bluetooth Smart standard and are compatible with CONX and other Bluetooth Smart devices. No firm release date for these products has been set. Note that the Bluetooth Smart models will otherwise offer the same ballistics capabilities and solver engines as the Bluetooth Classic models.

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