Wind Meters and other aids?

[dwalker460]

I have literally no idea what to look for in a wind meter or angle indicators etc. Poking around online here and there I see some pretty cool stuff, but have no idea how much of it is real world applicable or is just extraneous BS. Would be awesome to get some good input from those folks who know more than me about all this cool stuff.

[Tim K]

Kestrel 4500. It's the least expensive Kestrel that outputs density altitude (DA), an extremely handy feature. I had a 3000 and upgraded to the 4500.

Personally, I've almost never shot at enough of an incline to worry about it. It's surprising how an incline can fool you. Down at Raton, the 875 yd target on stage one is steeply uphill. Most guys have to fully extend their bipods or even add a pack underneath. It uncomfortably uphill. I measured it before it got moved, and the inline was on the order of 5 degrees. Almost negligible. For those rare times I do shoot sharply up or down hill, I've found I can guess well enough. Some smart phones will also measure for you.

I'd have one if I had an unlimited budget, but alas, I don't.

A cant indicator (rifle level left to right), on the other hand, is a big deal. Every rifle I own wears one. USO makes two that are nice.

[islandermyk]

I have a Kestrel 4500. I haven't had it for very long, but I am seeing some of the benefits (that I understand so far). I like the DA, seeing wind speed (with head wind, etc..), and compass.
My first outing and only outing so far, I've taken some notes of the environment while shooting in the cold and wanna see the difference in notes/DOPE when the summer heat comes.
Will be updating this post when the time comes... I know the air will get thinner in the summer compared to the thicker air it is right now.. it will be a neat comparison.... if there is any.

The angle indicator.... I need one of those too. I remember shooting upward toward a hill that was lazed out to 300 yards, and when I shot i remember it not matching my DOPE on the rifle and I had to adjust... I can't remember by how much, but there was a pretty good difference. I've not shot on a downward angle yet, and I can only imagine how much more would that change from base zero/DOPE from leveled ground.
I have a Mildot Master, but haven't really got a chance to shoot at an extreme angles yet to use it. It is a pretty cool tool if you don't have one already. Check it out... they even have Youtube vids on them.

[Tim K]

The correction for up and down hill are the same. Cosine of the angle times the line of sight range gives you the actual range. Up or down is irrelevant.

[islandermyk]

The correction for up and down hill are the same. Cosine of the angle times the line of sight range gives you the actual range. Up or down is irrelevant.

Yep, Your right....

... it'd be fun though shooting up and down the hill trying to figure out the wind and bullet drop. Bet there'd be a big ass difference then, right? Geezus, this talk is making me itch to go out shooting

[Tim K]

Updraft vs downdraft can be a bitch, especially in a switchy wind or where there are thermals popping off.

[islandermyk]

Updraft vs downdraft can be a bitch, especially in a switchy wind or where there are thermals popping off.

The Kestrel should come along handy in such conditions I'm assuming... well, at least give a good reference on some things in this situation.

or another option is... growing a beard like that Tod guy from the Magpul Precision rifle vids

[ERNO]

May I suggest buying the more expensive Kestrel, than the cheaper Caldwell. About 8 years ago...the wind blew my Kestrel off the bench and onto the concrete --- thusly breaking the impeller --- then I bought the Caldwell. The mail order house ---- Grempler --- has an impeller for the Kestrel for about $19, in which I just ordered one. Grempler...also sells another make, besides the Kestrel. I was amazed that the impeller has no wires attached in it's housing unit.

[Hoser]

Geezus, this talk is making me itch to go out shooting

So what your saying is that you are coming down to Pueblo this Saturday for the next PD match...

[Tim K]

So what your saying is that you are coming down to Pueblo this Saturday for the next PD match...

Brilliant!