Ballistic RF Binos vs Kestrel

Ryeguy · Nov 12, 2024

Can someone explain why one would be better than the other and the difference between the two. Intended for hunting mostly. Can ballistic binos do everything a kestrel can, besides wind? If you have a cheap wind meter and ballistic binos would you still need kestrel? Looking to get one or the other but have little knowledge about both of their capabilities. Looking between the Leica Pro AB, Revics, and Vextors new binos. Thoughts on those as well?
Thanks for any insight.

dfanonymous · Nov 12, 2024

You can use a different wind meter but a non BT one won't put it into a calculator for you. The biggest advantage for RF binos with ballistic solver would be the speed. If you're solving wind in a separate step it would be counter productive. Imo

Some devices, you might have to manually input the wind, but on a lot of binos like the vector x, and vortex AB, you can connect to a kestrel w/ Bluetooth. I'm not sure of what the compatibility is on these devices with non kestrel wind meters.

The vector x's app set up is exactly like the kestrel AB app. I think, and it might be because it's new, that there was less PDM profiles, but most guys don't have exact gun builds as a one of those profiles so I reckon it wouldn't matter to 99.9% of people.

So, basically the binos can be faster and just as accurate if you have the right equipment. However, just a kestrel elite is more simple, and less expensive.
A big thing we use binos for, like vector 21s in .mil/.gov can be for ranging and spotter rolls since there is a reticle in there with big spacing for like mover speed and vehicle interdictions. The vector x has one too, that's a little more usable, if you want to get a different magnification. It's starting to make its way into PRS already.

Willys · Nov 13, 2024

The drawback to binos is 1) not as good as Pures for glass and ergonomics, 2) when shooting prone you can easily re-range with handheld rf, not so easy one handcwith binos.

westexhunt · Nov 13, 2024

I never got efficient with the Kestrel. It's an antiquated device in my opinion. Then I left a battery in it, battery leaked and that was the end of it. Non repairable and no warranty. Picked up some used vortex fury ab binos and was efficient with them in about an hour. Lifetime warranty and I haven't touched another pair of binos or a rangefinder since. Not saying I won't own another wind meter, but unless something changes it won't be a Kestrel.

Tiny Tim · Nov 13, 2024

As stated above, rf binos will likely be faster, but not give a complete solution, i.e. wind. Glass suffers greatly for price point and rf technology is changing rapidly. When both are housed in the same unit, if the electronics fail, your left with expensive, sub-par glass, unless having an unconditional lifetime warranty that will be old technology in a few years.

What distances are you planning to use it for and how much time will you be spending behind the optic? Answers to those two questions will help your decision.

Barbourcreek · Nov 13, 2024

Take a look at the vortex 4000 gb mono
If you want binos the sig 10 k Gen 2
Both have external wind buttons.

Once you learn wind the correct way like mirage or rain angle then any wind-meter can be used. Wether flow, kestrel 2700 or even ultrasonic

brianacnp · Nov 13, 2024

Sig kilo and a simple $99 wind meter (or reading wind as Barbour creek stated with mirage/rain) will do it all fast and efficiently. Inputting wind manually takes seconds to do. Only negative to the combination is the glass and magnification is gonna be inferior to binos such has the swaro etc that most want to use for hunting.

Barbourcreek · Nov 13, 2024

brianacnp said:
Sig kilo and a simple $99 wind meter (or reading wind as Barbour creek stated with mirage/rain) will do it all fast and efficiently. Inputting wind manually takes seconds to do. Only negative to the combination is the glass and magnification is gonna be inferior to binos such has the swaro etc that most want to use for hunting.

Barbourcreek · Nov 13, 2024

If in no hurry some great bino combo is coming soon from Europe

with great glass and a great ballistic solver.

BrentM · Nov 13, 2024

Ryeguy said:
Can someone explain why one would be better than the other and the difference between the two. Intended for hunting mostly. Can ballistic binos do everything a kestrel can, besides wind? If you have a cheap wind meter and ballistic binos would you still need kestrel? Looking to get one or the other but have little knowledge about both of their capabilities. Looking between the Leica Pro AB, Revics, and Vextors new binos. Thoughts on those as well?
Thanks for any insight.

I have both and can link the two. However, I rarely use a wind meter and have my kestrel for backup in my pack. You can easily run a bino solo.

Muledeerhuntingfreak · Nov 13, 2024

westexhunt said:
I never got efficient with the Kestrel. It's an antiquated device in my opinion. Then I left a battery in it, battery leaked and that was the end of it. Non repairable and no warranty. Picked up some used vortex fury ab binos and was efficient with them in about an hour. Lifetime warranty and I haven't touched another pair of binos or a rangefinder since. Not saying I won't own another wind meter, but unless something changes it won't be a Kestrel.

It's not the product's fault that you forgot to take the battery out. crappy Batteries create problems.
Well, no matter what you're using

BillyGoatGruff · Nov 13, 2024

Barbourcreek said:
If in no hurry some great bino combo is coming soon from Europe with great glass and a great ballistic solver.

Can you elaborate on theses? Eta?

bdpayne2000 · Nov 13, 2024

So lots of views on this here so is mine and I own the Leica Pro with AB. On some ranging Bino's the glass is truly sub par on the Leica's it's pretty darn good. Ranging capabilities are more than adequate for hunting scenarios out 1000 yards or so. To handle wind I load in the Binos a 10 mph full value wind which once you learn to read the wind in most cases is all you need to make a very quick wind call and have your ballistic solution. If you have the time you can pull out any wind meter and get the reading at your shoooting position which may or may not be all that helpful. My point being learning to read the wind and a 10 mph full value ballistic solution straight out of your binos is more helpful in most hunting scenarios where you are crunched for time.

Netz · Nov 13, 2024

Ryeguy said:
Can someone explain why one would be better than the other and the difference between the two. Intended for hunting mostly. Can ballistic binos do everything a kestrel can, besides wind? If you have a cheap wind meter and ballistic binos would you still need kestrel? Looking to get one or the other but have little knowledge about both of their capabilities. Looking between the Leica Pro AB, Revics, and Vextors new binos. Thoughts on those as well?
Thanks for any insight.

I made the same bino analysis and chose the Revic. In my hunting experience, wind speed at the target hasn't been the same as my shooting position. Although I use a Kestral wind meter, I've found that the Revic's wind adjustment features to be extremely accurate and simple to use.

Ballistic RF Binos vs Kestrel

Ryeguy

Well-Known Member

dfanonymous

Well-Known Member

Willys

Well-Known Member

westexhunt

Well-Known Member

Tiny Tim

Well-Known Member

Barbourcreek

Official LRH Sponsor

brianacnp

Well-Known Member

Barbourcreek

Official LRH Sponsor

Barbourcreek

Official LRH Sponsor

BrentM

Well-Known Member

Muledeerhuntingfreak

Well-Known Member

BillyGoatGruff

Well-Known Member

bdpayne2000

Well-Known Member

Netz

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Recent Posts