Kestrel Horus Atrag Ballistics FAQ

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

When and where can I get it?

You can get your Kestrel Horus unit right now!  Call us toll free at 800-784-4221 or 610-447-1555 to place your order. You can also e-mail us at info@nkhome.com or place your order online here http://www.nkhome.com/kestrel/kestrel-horus/.

Interested Dealers, please contact Christine Lasser to place your order classer@nkhome.com or 610-447-1555 ext. 227.

Which Kestrel meters will be available with Horus Atrag Ballistics software?

The Kestrel 4500 NV series will be available with Horus Vision ballistics. The Kestrel 4500 is the only model to give wind direction, which is important for long-range shooting and a perfect complement to an integrated targeting solutions system. The Night Vision (NV) series is the preferred model for the military because of its dim red back light that does not obscure or bleach out your natural vision in low light situations. Nocturnal or early AM hunters like this one too for the same reason.

You will also have the option to choose a model with Bluetooth data transfer or without the wireless technology. With the Bluetooth technology, you will be able to wirelessly load your customized gun library right onto your Kestrel Horus unit easily and instantly. This would also give you the option to save your data for tracking and comparing shooting competition performance against range conditions or for training purposes.

The available colors will be in Olive Drab and Desert Tan.

How much do they cost?

The Kestrel with Horus Ballistics will cost less than the combined price of a ruggedized PDA and Kestrel meter together. This new Kestrel meter eliminates the need for a PDA- all the critical data you need is right in the unit! Plus, it’s a lot lighter than the Trimble and most other durable PDAs on the market…yet just as tough.

The Kestrel with Horus ATrag Ballistics retails for $619.

The Kestrel with Horus ATrag Ballistics + Bluetooth data transfer retails for $739.

I’ve never used ballistics software before. How can this help improve my shot?

The Kestrel with Horus ATrag Ballistics takes out the guesswork and eliminates the chance of error in long range shooting. As you know, minor changes in environmental conditions can have a huge impact on the accuracy of your shot at a longer distances. Relying on cue cards or guessing limits your accuracy potential. The Kestrel with Horus Ballistics automatically includes all the critical weather information required for the built-in ballistics algorithms trusted by the military. With the Kestrel weather info plus proprietary ballistics calculations, you get instant aiming solutions that tell you exactly how what your windage and elevation holds are for the most accurate shot.

Can I build my gun in the Kestrel Horus unit?

Yes. You have the option to choose from a list of standard long distance shooting guns or customize your own user gun. The Kestrel will hold and save up to nine guns in the unit itself. If you maintain an extensive gun library on your laptop, you have the ability to wirelessly transfer your gun information to the Kestrel with the optional Bluetooth® data transfer capabilities.

Do I need a station pressure or barometric pressure reference for shooting?

Many leading ballistics programs use “barometric pressure” as a general term for pressure in software and manuals. This can be a bit misleading because what you’re really looking for as a shooter is station pressure. While in the Horus mode of your Kestrel unit, you will see “SP” for station pressure.  This is the actual air pressure of your location. Barometric pressure is not the true air pressure at a given location.

Barometric pressure is the atmospheric pressure adjusted to sea level.

Station pressure is the atmospheric pressure measured at a given location, or “station,” without elevation correction. Sometimes referred to as actual pressure.

It’s possible for these readings to be the same sometimes. For instance, if you live at or near sea level, barometric pressure and station pressure readings will be the same. But at altitudes higher than sea level, the difference between barometric pressure and station pressure becomes significant. Think about it like this, will the flight of your bullet be affected by the pressure at sea level or will it be affected by the pressure exactly where you’re shooting?

To make sure you’re getting is station pressure, be sure to set your reference altitude to zero in the Kestrel unit while in the Horus mode.

Can I upgrade my current unit to include Horus Vision software?

No. The Kestrel with Horus ATrag Ballistics was specially designed and built to support the integrated ballistics solutions along with the Kestrel platform you’re used to- environmental data, storage and wireless data transfer capabilities. Sometimes we’re able to offer an upgrade option if it only involves a code change but in this case that is not possible because this advanced Kestrel uses a whole new board to hold all the additional capabilities.

However, we have some good news for you! We do have a Customer Care Discount program where you may trade in your current Kestrel for credit towards the new Kestrel with Horus Ballistics. Plus, we’ll donate the unit you trade in to the nonprofit organization, americansnipers.org, which provides equipment to our troops in need overseas. Get a credit, get the newest Kestrel, AND give to a charitable cause all at once.

Here is a link to more info on Customer Care Discount program.

For more info on the donation organization, please visit www.americansnipers.org.

Shooting Accessories Hot Tip: You may want to check out our all new Multi-Cam Kestrel Tactical carry case. It goes perfectly with your Kestrel Horus unit and offers added protection for a superior portable and durable combo.  Plus it looks cool.

Tech Corner: How to Get More from your Interval, StrokeCoach and SpeedCoach Batteries

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

If you’ve ever been to a regatta where an NK tent is present, you’ve probably seen one or more NK representatives busily changing batteries on customer’s StrokeCoaches, SpeedCoaches (Red and Gold), and Intervals.  I have learned from doing this and performing troubleshooting on these units at regattas that often times customers are replacing their batteries earlier than necessary.  In the SpeedCoach Gold, StrokeCoach Surge, and Interval 2000, 2 batteries are required to run the device.  Physically it appears that these 2 batteries are in series (sorry to get technical for those non-techie types!), they are not!

You’ll notice if you look in the battery cavity that there are two metal contacts off to the side (one short fat one, and one tall skinny one): the reason for this is that the backlight circuit runs parallel to the rest of the circuitry and is driven only by the top battery.  Conversely, the bottom battery drives only the display (and corresponding circuits).  If you’re doing most of your timing with your Interval during daylight and not using the backlight, the battery for the backlight is probably going to have plenty of juice left on it.  The same goes for SpeedCoach Gold and StrokeCoach Surge use – if you don’t use the backlight very much, it probably has some extra energy.

As a result, if you’re in a pinch, trying to get by for a little longer without having to stop at that local electronics store, or our booth at a regatta, switching the two batteries around should help to give you a little more battery life for your NK product!

Love is in the water…Share Your Row-mance Valentine Story!

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

Has your love of rowing lead you to the love of your life…or at least of the moment? If so, we want to hear your story of row-mance! Tell us all how you found love at first oar,  what you did to “sweep” a crew member off their feet (or erg) and why you make the perfect “pair” on and off the water.

We have our own love stories here at NK.  Our Director of Sales & Marketing began a row-mance with her now hubby on the Schyulkill river.  And our Rowing Sales Manager sculled his way right into the heart of a beautiful row-mance as well. All those early morning workouts, sweaty training sessions, intense sprints and (tight unis?) sometimes result in more than sore muscles. The teamwork, common goal setting, and discipline required  to make a crew successful are perhaps  the same ingredients that forge a solid relationship. Ah, Shakespeare said it best, “a pair of starboard lovers.” Ok, Romeo and Juliet were not rowers and the correct quote was “star-crossed” lovers, but you can’t deny the existence of a sweet row-mance.

Post YOUR story here and you’ll be entered to win an NK prize package that includes a logo hoodie, visor, water bottle and more for both you and your love this Valentine’s Day!

Your NK blogger,

Monica

mdevlin@nkhome.com

Follow us on Twitter!

SpeedCoach is Spin Cycle Tough

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

We love hearing from our customers. Whether it’s for tech support, tips, general questions or suggestions- listening to YOU is how we continue to improve and offer the highest quality  products and service. So thank you for telling us what we get right, wrong and in between! NK rowing products and our Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters line are both known for their rugged weather and waterproof durability (our release of  the Blue Ocean Megaphone will be the latest addition to the NK-tough legacy this summer). We build and test all of our products according to stringent recognized standards right here at the NK headquarters to ensure you get lasting electronics. We know what they go through in our facility to be able to withstand harsh environments. But hearing your personal stories of our products enduring wild, wacky, unusual and unintentional tests of toughness is way more fun!

Thanks NK customer & Masters Sculler, Eric Watne, for sharing a great story about his SpeedCoach Gold’s trip through the washing machine…twice.  Maybe we should add this method to our official product testing in the manufacturing facility? Rinse and repeat!

See Eric’s comments below:

“Just a quick note to let you know that despite the fact I have a graduate degree and generally at least my fair share of common sense, I’ve put my Speedcoach gold through the wash (with extra rinse cycle) not once, but twice.  You know – it’s around your neck on the lanyard, you undress and put your clothes in a pile, it gets lost in there somehow…..OK, not a viable excuse, but there you have it.

Anyway, except for the fact that it is now really really clean, I would never know it had suffered such an indignity.  Twice.  It still works fine.

Thanks for a fantastic product!”

Thank you Eric for sharing. You’ll have the cleanest SpeedCoach at the boathouse. Share YOUR stories here or post on Facebook!

NK Blogger,

Monica Devlin

The Packing Rat & CS Tactical cover Kestrel

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

The guys from thepackingrat.net and cstactical.com stopped by our booth and interviewed our very own Kestrel Chick (Monica Devlin) about the brand new Kestrel with Horus Atrag Ballistics, the Blue Ocean Megaphone, and MOLLE case for Kestrel. Check it out!