Kestrel K2500NV wind meter

I have to confess I am a bit of a technical shooter! I approach my hunting by ensuring I have all the data and the right items I need to make the shot count every time. Ammunition is usually hand loaded with bullets selected for their accuracy and unique qualities as to the species I am after. All this is shot on the range to determine what is best, then chronographed for average speed.

This data is then run through a ballistics package (Sierra Infinity 6) which tells me what energy the load is making and the trajectory curve out to my desired maximum range. It also allows me to select the zero distance, range increments and will calculate the wind speed as to how it affects the bullet. All this is then printed out and glued in my rear lens cap so it’s right under my eye when I need it. Over the years this has allowed me to make some pretty good shots at longer ranges. However, the one area I perhaps lack in is judging the wind.

Fresh What?

I factor in (through Infinity) a 10 mph (fresh) wind speed blowing at 90º to my position and have the required aim off points noted. I know what this looks like on the ground in terms of grass and branches moving, as well as stronger gusts; well I thought I did! So a chance to try out a wind meter was a bit of a revelation and now I know what I have been missing.

The acknowledged name in this area is Kestrel who make a wide range of small, hand held barometric devices that can be as basic as wind speed only right up to air pressure, temperature, altitude and even wind direction. In truth they are more a mini weather station than something that simply measures wind speed! For me I need a reasonably sophisticated but also quick fix solution and when discussing this with the importers they suggested I might look at the K2500NV (night vision).
When Kestrel say night vision they do not mean seeing without light; the NV facility offers a back-lit display so it can be used at night. This incorporates an optical filter to reduce overall brightness and minimize blue and green spectrum light to preserve night vision. This appears soft greyish pink; not red! I have to say when using it for foxing it’s a real boon.
Compact & practical
The 2500NV measures 4.8x 1.8 x 1.02” with its hard cover and weighs 3.6oz and comes with a lanyard in a choice of olive drab or gold colours. Power is from a CR2032 lithium battery, which gives around 300 hours of operation and automatically switches off if no keys are pressed. The display is an LCD showing 9mm high figures.

Spec and Functions As Follows:
• Current wind speed
• Average wind speed
• Maximum wind speed
• Temperature
• Wind Chill
• Barometric pressure
• Altitude
• Pressure trends
• Real time clock
• 5-year warranty

Accuracy:
• Speed ±3% of reading or ±0.1 m/s
• Temperature ±1ºC
• Barometric pressure ±1.5hPa
• Altitude ±15m

It’s also waterproof and can float. Operation is simple as there are just three buttons at the front that allow you to spool through the menus and select. The meter works off an impeller, which is replaceable should it get worn or damaged. All you do is hold it up into the direction of the wind and let it run, then spool, through the options and pick what you need.
Revelation
For me the real revelation was to know the actual wind speed, followed by the ability to get hi, low and average readings quickly and apply them to a firing solution. The biggest surprise was how far out my eyeball methods of judging the speed where. Often as not what I had assumed was for example 10mph turned out to be nearer 3-5 mph in reality.
With winter coming and the accompanying worsening weather the K2500NV is proving a real boon for those long shots across the wind-blown Suffolk field’s day or night. Other functions like temperature, altitude and pressure currently have little use for me. However, bullets are affected by all these so if I was for example going hunting overseas where the climate, terrain and elevation were very different I could again compensate and adjust my range/wind settings with the help of the Kestrel.
Now I shall be noting the temperatures when out and putting them into Infinity 6 to see how much difference that conditions makes to trajectory/speed. Every little helps when it comes to making that perfect shot…
With 11 models to choose that go from the K1000 with just current, maximum and average speed measurement right up to the K4500 that does it all and includes direction, head and tail winds and a compass plus a lot more the choice is all encompassing.

So be you rimfire or fullbore hunter, any type of target/precision shooter (airgun or firearm) a Kestrel weather meter is going to allow you to put a bit more data into your game and get a bit more out of it. It’s not about the distance of the target, but being able to understand and compensate for the factors that affect the projectile on its way there.

For: Efficient designs with a good choice of models/functions
Against: Nothing
Verdict: If you take your shooting seriously this is an essential item

PRICE: £170.20