Ipod Touch & Hunting

26 May 2010, 02:13

Pete E

I've finally dipped my toe into the brave new world of consummer high tech and bought an Ipod Touch.

I was wondering if anybody can recommend any Apps relatedto hunting, shooting or the outdoors?

At the moment I am planning on getting a balistic calulator App, but was also looking for one with game calls on it to turn the Ipod into a fax caller?

Any others that people can recommend?

Regards,

Peter

26 May 2010, 04:12

Fallow Buck

Pete,

Congrats on taking the plunge!!

Does that mean that the old walkman is now redundant?

Don't bother with any of the shooting game type Apps as all the ones I've seen are rubbish. I think that some of the ballistic calculators look quite good but I have not downloaded one myself yet as I'm almost certain I'll get the wrong one!!

I think it would ba handy tool given you can have it with you in the field or at the range.

As for the fox caller bit I'm sure you can download MP3 files from the net and just play them through the speakers, but the inbuilt ones are probably too quiet to be particularly effective.

In that vein though I used to have my ringtone on the I-Phone set to a duck quacking. The theory was that if it rang while out stalking it didn't alarm the deer. It worked too, but when out game shooting my phone would ring and everyone I was with would all be looking up to the sky!! (often me included...) Until I realised what it was which was usually too late.

Let us know which ballistics programme you decide on.

Rgds,
K

26 May 2010, 07:58

Akshooter

I've been told that some U.S. snipers have Itouch with ballistic software mounted to their rifles.

26 May 2010, 12:17

Trapper Dave

I think the Patagonian Ballistics mobile app only runs on a Windows CE platform.

26 May 2010, 13:13

griff

Pete,
Myself and JB were out long range plinking last weekend he has the iphone with a ballistics programme. its a bit long winded but when you have all the info inputted it works a treat.
We set the gong (6") at 600yds put all the data in wind/temp/alt/barometric pressure, first shot was out by 1"-2"(low left), must have got the angle of the wind wrong,over compensated on the second, third shot on the button!
Jon had all the info for his loads(300WSM) on favourite, and didn't take as long, again first shot slightly low by only 1"-2", next few rounds hit the mark.
The application works well, providing you do your bit and give it all the correct info.

Ballisic FTE is the program.

regards
griff

26 May 2010, 18:42

Fallow Buck

Griff,

I like the fact that you considered the 1"-2" error to be that of the ballistics programme at 600yds!!

It could be handy in May though.

K

26 May 2010, 22:18

Pete E

quote:
Originally posted by griff:
Pete,
Myself and JB were out long range plinking last weekend he has the iphone with a ballistics programme. its a bit long winded but when you have all the info inputted it works a treat.
We set the gong (6") at 600yds put all the data in wind/temp/alt/barometric pressure, first shot was out by 1"-2"(low left), must have got the angle of the wind wrong,over compensated on the second, third shot on the button!
Jon had all the info for his loads(300WSM) on favourite, and didn't take as long, again first shot slightly low by only 1"-2", next few rounds hit the mark.
The application works well, providing you do your bit and give it all the correct info.

Ballisic FTE is the program.

regards
griff

Griff,

Balistic FTE seems to be very well regarded..Which version are you and Jon using?

There is a standard version for about $10 and the Mil spec version for $20, but I am not sure what the difference is?

What ever i get, (and I suspect it will be FTE) I want a good "basic" software thats straight forward and accurate, to use in the field; too many bells and whistles just overly complicate things IMHO...

Regards,

Peter

27 May 2010, 12:49

londonhunter

I have been using a copy of licenced "Ballsitix" on iphone for at least 10 months now and it's great for hunting.

I have written at least on 03 occasions to the author requesting an update if used outside the US so one can upload GPS and atmospheric data via a local weather app. Didn't even have the decency to reply.

I suppose the number of users outside the US is small as compared to the US.

Otherwise it is quick, simple and accurate enough to get you on game size target from zero to any thing within line of sight.

I have since found out that if one goes in under "Range log" there is a facility for the user to enter current atmospheric data by hand or by using the "copy and paste" function from another app. Thats only for user of 3Gs

I also have the opportunity to use the same program in Canada and the immediate advantage of background seamless update is apparent.

Then again, how often does one bring more than one caliber to the field............

All and All great aid and well worth the money

BTW

May I suggest a great use of IPAD on highseats?

(I was lucky to buy one on launch date in the US)

READING DOWNLOADED COPIES OF PORN MAGS .........

27 May 2010, 14:51

10,3x60r

I have in my Iphone the game 3d Hunting....for my kid....!!!!

And the application from "Mammut" wit altimeter and more info for Mountain Trekking people.

27 May 2010, 14:54

Jon2

Pete

On my iPhone it just says Ballistic FTE and I just went onto the Aps icon on the phone and downloaded it. Think it was about 12 quid but is essential in my opinion for when using in the field.

It has a HUD (heads up display) icon on screen and when selected it then offers to you 3 "bandit" type discs which rotate as they do on a one armed bandit (can feel a one liner coming in here at some point).

One for range, one for wind in 1 mph increments and one for angle of wind.

You can then also select the cosine "on" button for angle of shot.

Anyway the HUD display is superb and no more having to compromise by going off a printed table which maybe in 10 yard increments or even more and also perhaps 5mph wind variables.

I use the Kestrel to gain an average wind speed, feed it in and off you go. A brilliant piece of tackle and actually works as it should.

It is also what Nightwalker uses on this site and we shot a Canada the other day at 420 yards with a full value 7mph (ave) wind. Put it all in and first round hit exactly in the middle of the body where I was aiming.

Again as I have been told it is all about good information in and good info out - crap in and crap out.

By the way I am not into gadgets and never have been but this isn't a gadget.

If you buy the software just get the latest version and then any updates are sent onto you automatically free of charge. Think I have had about 3 updates over the 3 months I have had it.

27 May 2010, 16:59

glogin

I am not long range target shooter myself but see the opportunity here for a new product.

Would you buy a small ballistic calculator (2x3" ?) with a display and touch screen you could attach to your scope with a distance, wind etc and that would give you required adjustments? e.g. 2"U 1"L How about other functions? Does it make sense or iPOD/iPHONE is good enough as you can always be

quote:
READING DOWNLOADED COPIES OF PORN MAGS .........

" How much would you be ready to pay for such a thing?

Cheers,
Greg

27 May 2010, 23:13

Pete E

quote:
Originally posted by Jon2:
Pete

On my iPhone it just says Ballistic FTE and I just went onto the Aps icon on the phone and downloaded it. Think it was about 12 quid but is essential in my opinion for when using in the field.

It has a HUD (heads up display) icon on screen and when selected it then offers to you 3 "bandit" type discs which rotate as they do on a one armed bandit (can feel a one liner coming in here at some point).

One for range, one for wind in 1 mph increments and one for angle of wind.

You can then also select the cosine "on" button for angle of shot.

Anyway the HUD display is superb and no more having to compromise by going off a printed table which maybe in 10 yard increments or even more and also perhaps 5mph wind variables.

I use the Kestrel to gain an average wind speed, feed it in and off you go. A brilliant piece of tackle and actually works as it should.

It is also what Nightwalker uses on this site and we shot a Canada the other day at 420 yards with a full value 7mph (ave) wind. Put it all in and first round hit exactly in the middle of the body where I was aiming.

Again as I have been told it is all about good information in and good info out - crap in and crap out.

By the way I am not into gadgets and never have been but this isn't a gadget.

If you buy the software just get the latest version and then any updates are sent onto you automatically free of charge. Think I have had about 3 updates over the 3 months I have had it.

Jon,

Cheers for that; I think thats the full version as i down loaded it last night to get the benifit of the HUD. As I'm using it on the Ipod Touch, I need to figure out how alter some of the configuration, as the Touch lacks the biult in GPS and obviously the phone function for gathering data..

Regards,

Peter

27 May 2010, 23:25

Pete E

quote:
Originally posted by glogin:
I am not long range target shooter myself but see the opportunity here for a new product. Would you buy a small ballistic calculator (2x3" ?) with a display and touch screen you could attach to your scope with a distance, wind etc and that would give you required adjustments? e.g. 2"U 1"L How about other functions? Does it make sense or iPOD/iPHONE is good enough as you can always be
quote:
READING DOWNLOADED COPIES OF PORN MAGS .........
" How much would you be ready to pay for such a thing?

Cheers,
Greg

Greg,

There are already similar devices out there based on either PDA's or the Ipod plateform and some of these can mount directly on the rifle or scope if so required.

If you came up with a suitable "gadget" that was preloaded with software (even if it was quite basic) and sold for say under £50, I think it would sell.

Even a cheap scientific calculator probably has the computing power needed, the trick would be finding the right Chinese electronics company to tailor one into a "ballistic calculator"

The reason I give that price point is that Ebay is awash with older PDAs which are plenty powerfull enough for the job and are cheap as chips so you would be competing with those...

I did contact the people who make the PDA based Active 10 GPS to see if there was anyway additional (ballistic) software could be loaded onto it and while they expressed an interest, nothing has been forth coming...

Regards,

Peter

28 May 2010, 00:28

rcamuglia

The program I use on the iphone is called Bulletflight by Knight's Armament.

Many precision match shooters use it that I personally know. It is awesome for 30$!

Available at the Apps Store...

28 May 2010, 15:33

glogin

quote:
Originally posted by Pete E:
quote:
Originally posted by glogin:
I am not long range target shooter myself but see the opportunity here for a new product. Would you buy a small ballistic calculator (2x3" ?) with a display and touch screen you could attach to your scope with a distance, wind etc and that would give you required adjustments? e.g. 2"U 1"L How about other functions? Does it make sense or iPOD/iPHONE is good enough as you can always be
quote:
READING DOWNLOADED COPIES OF PORN MAGS .........
" How much would you be ready to pay for such a thing?

Cheers,
Greg

Greg,

There are already similar devices out there based on either PDA's or the Ipod plateform and some of these can mount directly on the rifle or scope if so required.

If you came up with a suitable "gadget" that was preloaded with software (even if it was quite basic) and sold for say under £50, I think it would sell.

Even a cheap scientific calculator probably has the computing power needed, the trick would be finding the right Chinese electronics company to tailor one into a "ballistic calculator"

The reason I give that price point is that Ebay is awash with older PDAs which are plenty powerfull enough for the job and are cheap as chips so you would be competing with those...

I did contact the people who make the PDA based Active 10 GPS to see if there was anyway additional (ballistic) software could be loaded onto it and while they expressed an interest, nothing has been forth coming...

Regards,

Peter

Thanks for the reply Peter. It does not look that promising now..

£50 mark would be quite difficult to meet. At least not for the spec I had in mind (lcd screen + touchpad).

Cheers,
Greg