Help me wrap my head around AB equipment

[sh4rk]

Hello all,

I've been a lurker for awhile and have learned so much about gearing up after a 15 year break from rifles. I'm getting back into using a rifle and have tons of questions about calculators, RF equipment, etc., but the AB videos just show linking devices, compatibility, etc. I'm planning for a couple of Elk hunts this year in WA, WY, ID and a white tail hunt in SC.

I have already decided on Sig Cross Sawtooth 300PRC (last bolty was 300winmag, so I'm fine getting the modernized version this time) + Tenmile 3-18x + Nomad LTi XC. It should come in between 11.5 to 12lbs total which is acceptable for me as an avid mountain backpacker. My goals are comfortable hunting shots to 500y or so before Fall and a 2026 meta goal of hitting a steel plate at 800y.

I have a birthday coming up which will net me a Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical. I'm looking at the Sig Kilo3k LRF and know they can talk to each other. I'm also considering a Kestrel 5700 for the same reason. I could also be talked into Sig Kilo6k or similar LRF Binos to replace both Kilo3k and my Viper HD 10x42s. My main questions are following:

• What combination will getting me on target quickly, conveniently and accurately, making my amount of practice the limiting factor?
• What device would be best as the "master" calculator?
• Does the Kilo3k auto-send range to either the Garmin or Kestrel?
• What's the deal with all the levels of AB devices and app tiers? What NEEDs to be upgraded for the above to work?

Thanks in advance!

 

[MagnumHntr]

What device would be best as the "master" calculator?

Honestly look for a used pair of Revic blr10b RF binos. They just work and the glass is not terrible. If you have the coin get the new Revic BR10 binos. Faster and better glass.

 

[sh4rk]

Wow, those look incredible... I guess I should've specified that I'm diving into this with nothing but the UL backpacking gear I've been collecting over the years. I'm trying to stay in the $1000-$1200 range for bino/LRF combo whether separate devices or an AIO unit. I'm sort of testing the whole PRS/ELD thing this year to see if it's something I want to pursue as a hobby or not, but want to give a fair shot before either getting too frustrated and discouraged with "Amazon" offerings or diving head first into alpha glass/equipment and realizing I have little interest.

 

[wind gypsy]

For hunting you don’t want some other device linked to your range finder for dope IMO. You want ballistics on board, turret tape, or a good dope card.

“Hitting a plate at 800” is fooking easy. Knowing when a 500 yd shot in field conditions where you’ve never shot has high odds of success vs not is a lot harder.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Could always work on getting closer. Not as fun as working with another knicknack. But I've heard good things...

 

[Cwsharer]

Good grief just go hunt

 

[Steve300xcw]

Good grief just go hunt

Nononononononono we need systems, apps, and more equipment to kill that oversized goat....

 

[Tobe_B]

How many devices do you need/want to check before making a shot? I do have a set of range finding binos, but I don’t rely on their dope input. I’ve got a ballistic calculator, great for the range, but I’m not digging my phone out to get on target quickly. Learn wind, shoot field position, and keep a dope card on your rifle. The rest is just cumbersome to carry.

 

[sh4rk]

For hunting you don’t want some other device linked to your range finder for dope IMO. You want ballistics on board or a good dope card.

“Hitting a plate at 800” is fooking easy. Knowing when a 500 yd shot in field conditions where you’ve never shot has high odds of success vs not is a lot harder.

For sure. Nothing will replace range time and learning the new rifle system. I plan on spending a lot of time (and money) on ammo as opposed to gadgets, but understanding the why and how is what I personally build confidence with. Making my own assessment and checking it with ballistics is what I plan to do for the extra vote of confidence. I will never take a shot on game that I'm not confident in.

 

[sh4rk]

How many devices do you need/want to check before making a shot? I do have a set of range finding binos, but I don’t rely on their dope input. I’ve got a ballistic calculator, great for the range, but I’m not digging my phone out to get on target quickly. Learn wind, shoot field position, and keep a dope card on your rifle. The rest is just cumbersome to carry.

Ideally, since I have the watch, I'd like to get a range reading and then have a solution waiting on my watch to check against my own estimates/dope card. I'm admittedly not very good at guessing range (I've only hunted Eastern tree stand with a 200yd lane) or wind currently, so while the bulk of this year is going to be range time and ammo budget, I'd like to learn the devices and build confidence through checking their solutions vs mine as I learn.

 

[sh4rk]

Good grief just go hunt

That, sir, is the plan. I would like to ensure the highest chance at a successful one this year. Since experience is crucial for Western hunting and I have none on this side of the Mississippi, I am looking to gain any advantage I can. I only get a few opportunities per year, so I want to maximize my confident range and minimize the animal's agony.

 

[Ridge Runner 76]

I'd also dig deep into the states regulations you're planning to hunt. Some have banned electric devices that link to each other. Just to be safe. Some pretty cool tech but its not always legal to use actively hunting.

 

[2531usmc]

Hello all,

I've been a lurker for awhile and have learned so much about gearing up after a 15 year break from rifles. I'm getting back into using a rifle and have tons of questions about calculators, RF equipment, etc., but the AB videos just show linking devices, compatibility, etc. I'm planning for a couple of Elk hunts this year in WA, WY, ID and a white tail hunt in SC.

I have already decided on Sig Cross Sawtooth 300PRC (last bolty was 300winmag, so I'm fine getting the modernized version this time) + Tenmile 3-18x + Nomad LTi XC. It should come in between 11.5 to 12lbs total which is acceptable for me as an avid mountain backpacker. My goals are comfortable hunting shots to 500y or so before Fall and a 2026 meta goal of hitting a steel plate at 800y.

I have a birthday coming up which will net me a Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical. I'm looking at the Sig Kilo3k LRF and know they can talk to each other. I'm also considering a Kestrel 5700 for the same reason. I could also be talked into Sig Kilo6k or similar LRF Binos to replace both Kilo3k and my Viper HD 10x42s. My main questions are following:

• What combination will getting me on target quickly, conveniently and accurately, making my amount of practice the limiting factor?
• What device would be best as the "master" calculator?
• Does the Kilo3k auto-send range to either the Garmin or Kestrel?
• What's the deal with all the levels of AB devices and app tiers? What NEEDs to be upgraded for the above to work?

Thanks in advance!

Lifelong big game hunter and I have no idea what any of this means….

 

[ddowning]

I don't mountain hunt, but do just fine with a turret tape and a pair of 10x geovid-r. Unless you are trying to compensate for a wide range of conditions in a short time, it is probably the fastest system in existence. The revic "shoot to" range is similar, very fast and effective. I have one of the older gunwerks rangefinders from a prize table that works great, I just prefer to have rangefinding binos and not 2 separate units. Having to consult a phone or kestral before shooting is going to time you out of a lot of opportunities. Always be paying attention to the wind, learn a wind rose and the bc method, range it, dial it, shoot it.

The more you shoot the more you can pick up a gun with a mil scope and get "close enough" from memory. All this tech and integration is great for the playground, but speed is very important when it comes time to kill things.