INSTRUCTION MANUAL AVAILABLE WITH Wireless Data Transfer NKhome.com 800.784.
! CAUTION Your Kestrel Ballistics Weather Meter is designed to provide accurate measurement of current conditions only. Depending on your location and environment, conditions may change rapidly. Rapid temperature and humidity changes (i.e., moving your meter from indoors to outdoors) may cause inaccurate readings of temperature and humidity as well as all readings that rely on either of these values.
OVERVIEW Features & Options............................................... 4 Getting to Know Your Kestrel............................. 5 Battery Installation............................................... 6 Compass Calibration and Setup........................ 7 Barometric Pressure & Altitude Setup.............. 9 AB MODE WEATHER MODE Setup and Options............................................... 22 Screen Navigation................................................ 25 Impeller Replacement................
Features & Options Measurement/ Units of Measure Backlit Display Data Storage Points 2900 BLUETOOTH® .
Getting to know your kestrel BACK FRONT REPLACEABLE IMPELLER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SENSOR HUMIDITY SENSOR SERIAL NUMBER MANUAL MEMORY BUTTON BACKLIGHT BUTTON NAVIGATION BUTTONS DATA UPLOAD OPTICAL COUPLER WIDE RANGE PRESSURE SENSOR AAA BATTERIES (2) (Lithium recommended) POWER / SETUP BUTTON STABILIZING BATTERY ORIENTATION SHIM SELECT / EXIT BUTTON Even when the Kestrel display is off, the unit will still automatically collect and store data at the defined rate (see “Memory Options” ).
BATTERY INSTALLATION • I nsert batteries into bottom of Kestrel unit as shown on battery door. • Snap door closed. Turning ON and OFF • Press to turn on the meter. • Hold for 3 seconds to turn off the meter. You can also select “Off” on the Main Setup Menu options. Date & Time • Press to enter the Main Setup Menu. • Use or to highlight Date & Time. • Press to enter the Date & Time Screen. • Press or to change each value.
COMPASS CALIBRATION AND SETUP In addition to Wind Speed and Wind Chill, the Kestrel with Applied Ballistics Software also measures Direction, Headwind/Tailwind and Crosswind. Digital Compass Calibration T he Kestrel meter's digital compass must be calibrated to correct for the AAA batteries’ magnetic field. It must be re-calibrated every time the battery door is opened, and it will not display or log any direction values until calibration is complete.
COMPASS CALIBRATION AND SETUP (CONT.) Measuring Direction T he Kestrel 4500’s digital compass must be vertical to achieve accurate readings. Keep the unit positioned as close to vertical as possible when using any compassrelated feature. After opening the battery door, you must re-run the calibration routine or readings will not register. For maximum accuracy, the impeller should be spinning while measuring to eliminate its magnetic pull. True North vs.
BAROMETRIC PRESSURE & ALTITUDE SETUP Setting Barometric Pressure & Altitude The Kestrel meter measures “station pressure”, which changes in response to both changes in altitude and changes in atmosphere. Barometric pressure is a measurement of the air pressure adjusted to sea level. Station pressure is displayed if the reference altitude is set to zero. This is needed for ballistics solutions as well.
BASIC NAVIGATION & GETTING STARTED THE KESTREL HAS SEVEN NAVIGATION KEYS: Capture Up-Arrow Right-Arrow Left-Arrow Power On/ Escape Key Backlight Down-Arrow Center Key Quick Tips: Your Shooter's Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics (AB) can operate in Weather mode or AB mode. For instructions related to Weather Mode, see page 23. Compass must be calibrated in order for directional features to work in AB mode. Compass calibration can be done from the main menu screen. See page 7.
GUN SELECTION 3. Environment To Choose a Preconfigured Gun: EnVIROnMEnT No Lat Temp 42˚ 75˚F SP 29.48inHg RH 50% These three main data groups determine an accurate firing solution. The first step in getting a firing solution is selecting your gun. Gun Selection The Gun Selection screen allows you to choose a preconfigured gun or Onetgt build your own. You may create and store up to 16 guns.
GUN LIBRARY & information SCREEN • Once you’re on the desired letter, use to move the cursor to the next space in the gun name. Continue until the gun name is complete. • When gun name is complete, press button to save. (Gun will also automatically save upon exiting screen.) • Press to exit from the current screen. Gun Library There is room in the Kestrel for up to 16 guns.
GUN LIBRARY & information SCREEN MV-Temp Table This allows you to enter and maintain a table of muzzle velocities based on temperature. If an entry is input into the table, the muzzle velocity is applied at all temperatures (this means that the value is then locked and cannot be altered by using and on the gun information screen). If two or more entries are input into the table, the Kestrel uses the linear interpolation and the temperature sensor to determine the appropriate muzzle velocity.
GUN INFORMATION SCREEN (Cont.) screen. The Kestrel will ask if you want to accept the MV Calibration. Selecting "Yes" will use the Cal MV to update the MV listed in the Gun Information screen. For more information on Ballistics Calibration, please see page 18. Drop Scale Factor (DSF) This allows you to enter and maintain a table of drop scale factors (DSF) that utilize observed drop at range to calibrate the elevation computation.
TARGET SCREEN Here you are able to adjust the parameter values as well as the unit of measure. (For example, yards to meters.) Multiple Targets The first row of the DSF table will be Mach DSF • You may create up to five targets (A-E) by prepopulated with the mach value at which 1 0.000 1.000 highlighting “Target” and pressing or to move muzzle velocity was calibrated and a drop 2 0.000 1.000 on to the next target. After changing targets, the scale factor of 1.00. If ballistics calibration 3 0.000 1.
TARGET SCREEN (CON'T) Target Range • Use or to highlight “TR.” • Use and to adjust the value. Target Range Estimator This function estimates the range Range of a target based on size, image TR 998m and calculated range. meters • When “TR” is highlighted, press Estimate button to enter Range screen. • Use to highlight “Estimate” and press to enter Range Estimate screen. Use or to highlight a parameter. Use and to adjust values for each parameter. When all parameters are set, press to escape.
TARGET SCREEN (CON'T) Inclination Angle Inclination angle is the angle between the target and the horizontal as seen by the shooter. This variable is expressed in the Target screen as “Ideg” or “Icos,” where Ideg is in degrees, and Icos is the cosine angle. These can be manually adjusted by highlighting one and using the and to change the value. Changing one will automatically change the other appropriately. Target Speed • Use or to highlight “TS.” • Use and to adjust the value.
RANGE CARD SCREEN Range Card Screen The Range Card screen shows detailed information about the ballistic solution at various ranges that apply to the currently selected target and gun. The screen displays three columns comprised of the Range and Elevation (in the left two columns) and one other variable.
BALLISTICS SCREEN Ballistics Screen The Ballistics screen displays complete information about the ballistic solution that pertains to the currently selected target and gun. The only parameter whose value can be altered in this screen is the “Range” (this can be done by using and to adjust the value). • Use or to scroll to a particular parameter. • Use to enter into a parameter screen for further information about it or change unit of measure. • Use to return to the Ballistics screen.
Calibration & Custom Drag Curves The AB Kestrel includes two automated ballistic calibration tools that dramatically increase accuracy at long range. First, muzzle velocity is calibrated by firing at a range where the round is supersonic. The user enters the actual drop at that range, and the AB solver computes the calibrated muzzle velocity automatically.
Bluetooth setup(CON'T) T his is a general guideline for pairing your Kestrel with your computer. Individual Bluetooth software programs and navigation may vary, and some computers do not come equipped with Bluetooth capability and will need additional products to communicate via Bluetooth. * A “Bluetooth Error” screen will appear on the Kestrel if pairing is unsuccessful. Please see connecting my Kestrel using Bluetooth on www.nkhome.com for further information.
Weather mode SETUP & OPTIONS Main Setup Menu • When unit is on, press to access the Main Setup Menu which is used to customize preferences. • Press and to scroll through the options. • Press to select the highlighted option. Date and Time Setup • A fter battery installation, the meter will automatically enter the Date and Time Setting mode. • Press and to scroll to each option. • Press and to adjust each option. • Press the button to exit to the Main Setup Menu.
SETUP & OPTIONS (CONT.) Memory Options or to scroll to one of these options: • Press Clear Log Reset MMA Auto Store Store Rate* Overwrite Man Store Go Press or to clear stored data (will also clear Min/Max/Avg log). Go Press or to clear Min/ Max/Avg data (Chart data will remain intact). On Press or to turn “On” (data will automatically store at Store Rate) or “Off” (data will only store when manually captured with the button).
SETUP & OPTIONS (Cont.) • Use or to scroll to the desired Measurement screen. • Press or to turn screen “On” and “Off”. T he Kestrel Meter will continue to log data for hidden measurements. To view logged data of the hidden measurement, go to Measurement setup, select the Measurement screen you want to view, and turn it back “On.” When the Kestrel is in Chart mode, the upper and lower limits of the graph scale may need to be adjusted to fully view all data points.
Screen Navigation Measurement Screens • P ress or to scroll through the Measurement screens. Measurement Modes • F rom your chosen Measurement screen, use or to scroll through the Mode options: Current: Displays instantaneous reading. Min/Max/Avg: Displays the Minimum, Maximum, and Average readings from stored data (Displays --.- if no data has been stored). Chart: Displays graph of stored data points for each measurement. Current TEMP 76.4 Min/Max/Avg F TEMP Chart F Min 32.4 Avg 67.9 Max 84.
IMPELLER REPLACEMENT Replacing the Kestrel Impeller ress only the sides of the impeller when removing and P inserting to avoid damaging the precision hub bearing. [ Figure 1] . • P ress FIRMLY on the impeller module to remove it. • Insert the new impeller so the side that has the small triangle (close to the perimeter) faces the front of the Kestrel when installed. • Orient one “arm” of the module straight up . [ Figure 2]. The impeller can be pushed in from either side.
Using the Bootloader When new software updates become available, users can update their Kestrel using the NK Bootloader software. To do so, please follow these instructions; Note: You will need to have either a Bluetooth capable Kestrel or the PC Interface cradle and cable in order to upgrade your Kestrel software. 1. Set up your PC to talk to the Kestrel using either Bluetooth or the PC Interface Cradle. 2. Download the NK Bootloader software from Applied Ballistics page on the NK website: http://www.
glossary of terms manually adjust both values. Active gun: When a gun is made active, ballistic solutions for that gun pertaining to all active targets are readily displayed. Ballistic solutions for guns that are inactive are not displayed. Aiming/Ballistic solution: This consists of sight corrections for windage, elevation, and in the case of a moving target, lead for a selected active gun and target, along with other calculated values such as bullet velocity and energy.
ballistic & environmental quick reference RTd – rifling twist direction (right = clockwise from the shooter’s perspective) Click – assigns an angular value to sight clicks DSF - drop scale factor Eunit elevation unit – The units used for elevation adjustments (Eclick). Can be mils, clicks, tmoa (True Minute of Angle), smoa (Shooter’s Minute of Angle). Eclick – elevation adjustment necessary for the firing solution in the units specified above.
ballistic & environmental quick reference(CON'T) Rt 75% – distance at which a bullet is 75% through the transonic range Rsubs – range at which bullet velocity becomes subsonic Range Estimation Screen Target – the size of the target on which estimation is based Image – the apparent size of the target as it appears in a telescopic sight Range – the calculated range, based on the target and image sizes Speed Estimation Screen Range – the range at which the speed estimation will be done Mvmt – the apparent move
FULL RANGE CARD DATA SAMPLE Sample of full Range Card data relative to data seen on display. Rng Elv Wnd1 Wnd2 Lead RemV RemE ToF SpnD 50 2.42 0.06R 0.10R 1.06R 2727 2891 0.059 0.02R 100 0.62 0.09R 0.17R 1.07R 2633 2695 0.120 0.02R 150 .079 0.12R 0.26R 1.09R 2541 2509 0.183 0.02R 200 3.52 0.16R 0.34R 1.11R 2450 2332 0.249 0.02R 250 6.93 0.20R 0.44R 1.13R 2361 2164 0.317 0.02R 300 10.79 0.24R 0.53R 1.16R 2272 2006 0.388 0.02R 350 14.98 0.
FULL RANGE CARD DATA SAMPLE (CON'T) 32 Rng Elv Wnd1 Wnd2 Lead RemV RemE ToF SpnD 650 47.24 0.57R 1.31R 1.33R 1705 1130 0.970 0.35R 700 53.92 0.63R 1.44R 1.36R 1631 1034 1.068 0.35R 750 60.99 0.68R 1.57R 1.40R 1560 946 1.170 0.35R 800 68.55 0.74R 1.71R 1.43R 1491 863 1.278 0.35R 850 76.62 0.80R 1.86R 1.46R 1423 787 1.390 0.35R 900 84.40 0.87R 2.01R 1.50R 1358 716 1.508 0.35R 950 93.51 0.93R 2.17R 1.54R ·1295 652 1.631 0.35R 1000 103.
SPECIFICATIONS Target Gun Feature Abbreviation Units Minimum Maximum Active Targets Target Range N/A TR Wind Direction WD A through E yards meters o’clock 1 25 23 1 5 4000 3658 12 Wind Speed WS1 or WS2 Direction of Fire DoF Inclination Angle Inclination Cosine Ideg Icos degrees mph m/s km/h fps knots degrees o’clock degrees no units 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 -60 1.000 360 50 22 80 73 43 360 12 60 0.
SPECIFICATIONS Gun Environment 34 Feature Abbreviation Units Minimum Maximum Bullet Diameter BD Bullet Length BL Zero Range ZR Bore Height BH inches mm inches mm yards meters inches 0.10 2.54 0.10 2.54 25 23 0.10 1.00 25.40 3 76.2 1000 914 5.00 Rifling Twist RT Muzzle Velocity Twist Direction Rifling MV RTd Click 0.25 1.00 2.54 300 12.70 36.00 91.44 4500 Station Pressure SP Relative Humidity RH Station Pressure SP 1 1 1 12.00 406.4 406.4 5.89 1 -3271 12.00 406.4 406.
Choosing & Using Batteries for Your Kestrel Your Kestrel meter is powered by two AAA size batteries. Here is a guide to selecting the right chemistry/type of battery for your meter: BATTERY TYPE EXAMPLE BRAND NAMES SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS Lithium AAA Recommended by Kestrel for most applications! Energizer® Ultimate Lithium *Energizer owns a patent on Lithium chemistry batteries in the USA. • Improved cold-weather operational range. • Best capacity when streaming data via Bluetooth®.
Choosing & Using Batteries for Your Kestrel (CONT.) We strongly recommend you use lithium or LSD NiMH batteries at all times to avoid battery corrosion damage. All alkaline batteries are prone to leaking, particularly as they near full discharge. The potassium hydroxide that leaks from an alkaline battery causes oxidation damage to the circuit and components which is often irreversible and is NOT covered under the Kestrel warranty.
5-Year Limited Product Warranty WARRANTY CERTIFICATE Your Kestrel Pocket Weather Meter is warrantied to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of FIVE YEARS from the date of its first consumer purchase. NK will repair or replace any defective meter or part when notified within the warranty period, and will return the meter via domestic ground shipping or NK’s choice of method of international shipping at no charge.
By Kestrel® Weather and Environmental Meters are designed and manufactured in the USA NIELSEN-KELLERMAN 21 Creek Circle, Boothwyn, PA 19061 Phone: (610) 447-1555 Fax: (610) 447-1577 Web: NKhome.com Email: info@NKhome.com Please register your Kestrel Meter at NKhome.com NK#319915_REV1_13.10.
