My gear/pack layout from base layers to binos

[uglymud]

@Formidilosus are you able to directly compare the Atlantic Rancher Ranger vs Filson Guide Henley?

I am about to pull the trigger on one, and see pros and cons to both.

Can't speak for the ranger, but the Filson Guide sweater is a heavy piece. Good for sitting in a duck blind, but I don't know that I'd want to be exerting myself in it too much.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

 

[HighUintas]

My lovely wife knitted me a hat from Mongolian yak yarn. She wins.

 

[Mc n NV]

After spending the better part of last 4 evenings reading the 40 pages of this thread and the links/references/referrals to other threads, I'm left wondering. Have I been doing this hunting thing all wrong? I didn't take hunter safety until I was 40, I'm 58 now. I felt like I'd progressed fairly well and had my gear dialed in. Then I stumbled into this thread. It's amazing how much good information is in here that I've never heard before. Thank you to @Formidilisus and the many other contributors who have made me look at my gear list in a whole new light.

 

[Dobermann]

Hi Form, thanks as ever for taking the time on this.

I'm not sure if you've covered it before, but I'm curious about your use of a full-size Kestrel, rather than just a windmeter (such as a smaller Kestrel, Brunton ADC-Pro, Calypso). Are you using the Kestrel for solutions/DOPE in the field, or something else? And why?

Cheers!

@Formidilosus - just bumping this question in case you have the time ... curious what you're drawing from a full-size Kestrel vs just a weathermeter. Cheers!

 

[Dobermann]

Just a heads up that the Varusteleka Woolshell pants and TST thermal pants are currently 20% off, to 15 Jan. Email said discount applied automatically at checkout.

 

[Timplant]

My lovely wife knitted me a hat from Mongolian yak yarn. She wins.

View attachment 993624

I'll take one!

 

[Formidilosus]

I'm not sure if you've covered it before, but I'm curious about your use of a full-size Kestrel, rather than just a windmeter (such as a smaller Kestrel, Brunton ADC-Pro, Calypso). Are you using the Kestrel for solutions/DOPE in the field, or something else? And why?

Cheers!

I require:

1). Wind speed
2). Density Altitude
3). Temp


I would like:

4). A clock/alarm
5). BP, etc.



I’ve had all that you list- the Brunton ADC Pro I liked the best, however the wind meter kept failing within a few months of use. Only the ballistic Kestrel’s do density altitude. The Kestrel user interface is positively awful.


There is no optimum field wind/weather meter on the market that I have seen.

 

[slowelk]

I require:

1). Wind speed
2). Density Altitude
3). Temp


I would like:

4). A clock/alarm
5). BP, etc.



I’ve had all that you list- the Brunton ADC Pro I liked the best, however the wind meter kept failing within a few months of use. Only the ballistic Kestrel’s do density altitude. The Kestrel user interface is positively awful.


There is no optimum field wind/weather meter on the market that I have seen.

The Kestrel 5000 does DA, and that’s what I use without issue.

Kestrel 5000 Environmental Meter

Wind speed, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and density altitude plus logging capabilities – the indispensable tool for portable environmental monitoring.

kestrelmeters.com

 

[Formidilosus]

The Kestrel 5000 does DA, and that’s what I use without issue.

Kestrel 5000 Environmental Meter

Wind speed, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and density altitude plus logging capabilities – the indispensable tool for portable environmental monitoring.

kestrelmeters.com

That is correct, but it doesn’t save any size, weight, or be any better than other Kestrels- battery life, cold weather performance, cost isn’t much different, etc.

 

[Dobermann]

I require:

1). Wind speed
2). Density Altitude
3). Temp


I would like:

4). A clock/alarm
5). BP, etc.



I’ve had all that you list- the Brunton ADC Pro I liked the best, however the wind meter kept failing within a few months of use. Only the ballistic Kestrel’s do density altitude. The Kestrel user interface is positively awful.


There is no optimum field wind/weather meter on the market that I have seen.

Gotcha.

DA is the big delineator.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I require:

1). Wind speed
2). Density Altitude
3). Temp


I would like:

4). A clock/alarm
5). BP, etc.



I’ve had all that you list- the Brunton ADC Pro I liked the best, however the wind meter kept failing within a few months of use. Only the ballistic Kestrel’s do density altitude. The Kestrel user interface is positively awful.


There is no optimum field wind/weather meter on the market that I have seen.

Is the meter mostly just for wind and DA etc for backup to RF bino? I was going to ask this exact question (optimum weather meter) a few weeks ago. Obviously the Revic is adjusting w/onboard sensors, so I’m just trying to understand the use case - I feel like I’ve read “600 yards and in” allows for simplifying your kit a decent bit for ballistics. It sounds like you’re carrying a meter all the time still though (you obviously shoot further than most).

I’m considering RF binos (likely BR10s, considering the Geovid R though) but have been pretty well off using quick drop/lock screen charts the past couple years, so just trying to add a bit more context to my selection. I feel like I’ve read a good bit of “wind doesn’t matter where you are” and lack of need to actually carry a meter for normal hunting.

 

[Formidilosus]

Is the meter mostly just for wind and DA etc for backup to RF bino?
I was going to ask this exact question (optimum weather meter) a few weeks ago. Obviously the Revic is adjusting w/onboard sensors, so I’m just trying to understand the use case - I feel like I’ve read “600 yards and in” allows for simplifying your kit a decent bit for ballistics. It sounds like you’re carrying a meter all the time still though (you obviously shoot further than most).

Yes, but in conjunction to, not as a back up. Onboard sensors take quite a while to acclimate to ambient. Take the binos out of the 70° F truck and it’s 15° F outside, they are giving you data for a significantly high DA then actual conditions. It takes 15’ish minutes for most RF binos to reach ambient.

My deal is quick drop #1, second is data screenshot on my phones Lock Screen, third is RF binos. Now, once I am outside for a bit and I check the binos data output at max range or past is correct for the day, the binos become #1.

I’m considering RF binos (likely BR10s, considering the Geovid R though) but have been pretty well off using quick drop/lock screen charts the past couple years, so just trying to add a bit more context to my selection. I feel like I’ve read a good bit of “wind doesn’t matter where you are” and lack of need to actually carry a meter for normal hunting.

I don’t know who write/said that but I’d be real careful listening to anything else from them. Wind at the shooter has the most effect on the bullet in most situations. However, it is not the only wind that matters or even close. The wind over the entire flight path matters. One needs to know what the wind is at the shooter to start the process of the wind call- but almost always in broken terrain there will be downrange winds that must be accounted for.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

My deal is quick drop #1, second is data screenshot on my phones Lock Screen, third is RF binos. Now, once I am outside for a bit and I check the binos data output at max range or past is correct for the day, the binos become #1.

Ah gotcha - thank you for the explanation with how you’re employing those tools. Temp sensor being exposed must really speed up the meters. I hadn’t considered a ballistic kestrel was basically same footprint/weight as the regular weather meter style, although not paying for that when I can use the Revic app still makes sense to me. I was just going to get a wind meter but rethinking that now due to your post, thank you.

I don’t know who write/said that but I’d be real careful listening to anything else from them. Wind at the shooter has the most effect on the bullet in most situations.

I’ll just say it was a recent podcast I heard…..I believe the intent was the emphasize wind at the target but it was likely just a bit too flippant.

However, it is not the only wind that matters or even close. The wind over the entire flight path matters. One needs to know what the wind is at the shooter to start the process of the wind call- but almost always in broken terrain there will be downrange winds that must be accounted for.

For sure. I’ve been carrying around a wind meter trying to calibrate myself a bit better, still only part of the story. Last week on the range in 10-20 winds really exposed me past 400 when I wasn’t on a bipod….and my rangefinder tanked, which got me thinking about the binos.

 

[RockAndSage]

Wind at the shooter has the most effect on the bullet in most situations. However, it is not the only wind that matters or even close. The wind over the entire flight path matters. One needs to know what the wind is at the shooter to start the process of the wind call- but almost always in broken terrain there will be downrange winds that must be accounted for.

In a way, this reminds me of investing - the earlier it happens, and the more it happens early on, the more dramatic the trajectory change and difference at the end. But, things impact that trajectory the whole way too, just less so, unless extreme.

 

[WCT3]

I don’t know who write/said that but I’d be real careful listening to anything else from them. Wind at the shooter has the most effect on the bullet in most situations. However, it is not the only wind that matters or even close. The wind over the entire flight path matters. One needs to know what the wind is at the shooter to start the process of the wind call- but almost always in broken terrain there will be downrange winds that must be accounted for.

I'm not even a good long range shooter and suck at calling wind but even I catch nonsense like this all the time online and in podcasts. Maybe it's just because I've taken a few physics classes but I don't understand the thought that wind at any specific spot doesn't matter.

In a way, this reminds me of investing - the earlier it happens, and the more it happens early on, the more dramatic the trajectory change and difference at the end. But, things impact that trajectory the whole way too, just less so, unless extreme.

I like that analogy

 

[HighUintas]

I haven't seen anyone really preaching that idea, but I have seen a few statements made where I think it is likely the intent was misunderstood by some and then the incorrect idea was then repeated.