Applied Ballistics has released an app, in conjunction with Nielsen-Kellerman, that allows for the remote use of your Applied Ballistics Kestrel meter.  If you happen to have a Kestrel Meter with the Applied Ballistics computer and bluetooth you can download an app that will allow you to remotely connect to your Kestrel, input range data from your Android device and get your ballistic solutions.  This would come in handy for those that use a tripod and vane mount down range, so that without a remote connection you would be unable to use your ballistic computer.

I ended up getting my Kestrel right before the Applied Ballistics version was released, so I just have a Kestel 4500 with bluetooth.  But I do use my meter down range on a vane mount and run the Applied Ballistics android app on my tablet.  The app gives me a solutions, based on the down range weather information it received from the Kestrel Meter.  For me it works well, because I can use the ballistic computer without the Kestrel, and I am not reliant on using my Kestrel all the times.  If you are into long range shooting at all, I would highly suggest a Kestrel meter to get weather data from real time, in the field.  It is an invaluable asset for competitions or just casual long range shooting.

For more information, check out their press release below.  If you are interested in the app, you can get here for Android here: Kestrel Companion|Google Play Store

Cedar Springs, MI – July 3, 2014 – Applied Ballistics, LLC is excited to announce that through their existing partnership with Nielsen-Kellerman (NK), creators and manufacturers of Kestrel® Weather & Environmental Meters, the release of the Kestrel Companion; an Android mobile application to complement your Kestrel Shooter’s Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics for remote viewing of shooting solutions.

Developed by Applied Ballistics’ partner company, nVisti, the Kestrel Companion app. allows shooters to mount their Kestrel Shooter’s Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics onto a rotating vane mount, update the range to target, and view the solution right on their mobile device – all without touching the Kestrel device itself.

With the updated Kestrel Shooter’s Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics firmware version 4.83, the company’s developers added remote-control capability over the Bluetooth link; allowing for the range-to-target to be entered into the Kestrel Companion app and sent directly to the Kestrel device. The Kestrel Shooter’s Weather Meter instantly computes the shooting solution and sends it back to the Kestrel Companion app – displaying it for easy viewing.

“This new mobile app. was developed to provide our customers with a more user-friendly solution to their ballistics computing,” stated President of Applied Ballistics, Bryan Litz. “In today’s world of marketing hype and movie magic, we continue to explore long range shooting using the scientific method; and our long-standing relationship with Nielsen-Kellerman allows us to put that method into the hands of our customers in an easy-to-use device.”

The Kestrel Companion app. maximizes the capability of your Shooter’s Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics by allowing it to directly measure the wind speed and direction, all while allowing for easy viewing of your shooting solution. The large display on your mobile device or tablet allows for a quick view of the elevation and windage holds, in addition to the current weather conditions and gun parameters. By placing the Kestrel Shooter’s Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics in wind-capture mode, your shooting solution will automatically update on the display with the measured wind values and wind direction.

“In our upcoming book, Modern Advancements in Long Range Shooting, readers are able to learn about several of the experiments that we have been performing with our Wind Sensor Array,” stated President of nVisti, Nick Vitalbo. “One of the key observations is that even at extreme long range, nearly a 30% probability of hitting your target can be achieved by measuring the wind at your shooting location – as compared to less than 3% otherwise – a 10x improvement. By placing the Kestrel with Applied Ballistics in a vane mount where it can freely rotate into the wind and calculate the windage hold, you can achieve a very accurate, real-time shooting solution based upon your local conditions. We created the Kestrel Companion app to allow the shooter to update the range to target and view the current elevation and windage holds based upon the actual wind speeds at the shooting location.”

Available now on the Google Play App Store, the app will cost 5.99 and run on Android phone and tablet devices with the updated Applied Ballistics Kestrel firmware version 4.83. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ab.kestrelcompanion