Kestrel 5700 review: Elite or the 5700 Ballistics?
Our verdict: 4.5/5 for the Elite. The Kestrel 5700 is a handheld weather meter with a ballistic solver built in: it reads the wind and the air, you tell it the range, and it gives you an elevation and wind hold for a rifle profile you saved. The 5700 Elite is the one to buy for matches and long range: Kestrel lists 30 gun profiles, 30 stages with 10 targets in each, a 5,500-yard maximum range and Applied Ballistics Custom Curves. The 5700 Ballistics with LiNK costs considerably less and suits a hunter with up to three rifles shooting one target at a time: Kestrel lists 3 gun profiles, 1 target and 4,000 yards, and says it can be upgraded to the Elite later through Kestrel's app. The trade-offs owners raise are price, a learning curve, and that the answer is only as good as the data you enter. Our best long range rangefinder guide covers units that pair with a Kestrel.
OpticsPlanet shoppers rate the 5700 Elite 4.9/5 from 39 reviews and the 5700 Ballistics with LiNK 5.0/5 from 13 reviews. We card the Blaze Orange Elite (MPN 0857ALBLZ) at around $770 and the Tan 5700 Ballistics (MPN 0857BLTAN) at around $470. Check price and availability on OpticsPlanet.
How we reviewed it: a research-based review built from Kestrel's own product pages for the 5700 Elite and the 5700 Ballistics with LiNK, Kestrel's upgrade, warranty and support pages, Kestrel's 5 Series specification sheet, the two OpticsPlanet listings and all 52 reviews on them (39 on the Elite, 13 on the 5700 Ballistics), read lowest rating first. We have not used this meter ourselves; the score is our editorial opinion and owner ratings are shown attributed to their source. Claims we could not confirm on Kestrel's site are left out. See how we evaluate.
What the Kestrel 5700 is
Kestrel's product pages for both models list the same measurements: wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, heat index, pressure and altitude. The impeller on top reads the wind; the meter combines those readings with a gun and bullet profile you build and returns a firing solution. Both models connect over LiNK to Kestrel's free LiNK Ballistics app for iOS and Android, and both run on one AA battery, per Kestrel.
Kestrel lists the same measurements for both versions here; the differences Kestrel lists are in the ballistic software. OpticsPlanet also lists Kestrel 5700X models; those are a different model, and nothing on this page describes them.
Elite vs 5700 Ballistics: what the upcharge buys
- Profiles and targets. Kestrel lists 30 gun profiles and 30 stages with 10 targets in each for the Elite, against 3 gun profiles and 1 target for the 5700 Ballistics.
- Drag models. Both list G1/G7 drag models. In the comparison table on Kestrel's 5700 page, Applied Ballistics Custom Curves and Subsonic Range Truing (Drop Scale Factor) are ticked only for the 5700 Elite and 5700X Elite columns (30 gun profiles, 5,500 yards), not for the 3-gun, 4,000-yard 5700. Kestrel's app description adds that Elite meters can use Applied Ballistics Custom Drag Models, "providing exact drag profiles for supersonic, transonic, and subsonic bullet flight".
- Target card. Kestrel's app description says the Advanced Target Card view, which shows the solution for up to 10 targets at once, is available for Kestrel Elite only.
- Maximum range. 5,500 yards for the Elite, 4,000 yards for the 5700 Ballistics, per Kestrel.
If you shoot one rifle at game inside normal hunting distances, none of those lines may matter to you. If you shoot PRS-style stages with several steel targets, the target cards are the reason to buy the Elite. One verified Elite owner describes exactly that use:
“Being able to build target cards for all the stages before I get to the match saves a ton of stress and allows me to focus on other things.”
Quiggley (CO), verified owner, 5700 Elite, via OpticsPlanet
Why owners rate the Elite so highly
Of the 39 Elite reviews on OpticsPlanet, 37 give five stars, one gives four and one gives three. Two of the five-star records are the same text from the same reviewer, shown twice by the listing, so they are one voice. The most helpful positive review describes the wind side this way:
“You point it at the wind, it gets wind speed and direction.”
Ten Twenty Two Fan, most helpful positive review of the 5700 Elite, via OpticsPlanet
The rangefinder link comes up too. One verified owner pairs the Elite with a Leica 3500, and describes the result once the devices are connected:
“the Kestrel provides the shooting solution on the Leica display”
ejg (OK), verified owner, 5700 Elite, via OpticsPlanet
Kestrel's Elite page links rangefinder connection documents for models from Bushnell, Leica, Sig Sauer, Steiner, Terrapin, Vectronix, Vortex and Wilcox; most name the 5700 Ballistics or Elite, so the rangefinder link is not an Elite-only feature (the list is in the FAQ below). One verified owner also reports the meter holding up in the wet:
“Well built water proof works as intended.”
Shark (MO), verified owner, 5700 Elite, via OpticsPlanet
The 5700 Ballistics with LiNK: the cheaper way in
The 5700 Ballistics keeps the same measurements and LiNK, and trims the solver to 3 gun profiles, 1 target and 4,000 yards, per Kestrel. All 13 of its OpticsPlanet reviews give five stars. Two different reviewers name the upgrade path (one of them in two separate reviews), and Kestrel confirms it: the FAQ on Kestrel's own 5700 page says "you can now upgrade your Kestrel 5700 to the Elite version using the Kestrel LiNK Ballistics application". One verified owner wrote:
“there is an option to upgrade the Kestrel 5700 to the Kestrel 5700 Elite with a firmware upgrade”
Casey Osborn (NE), verified owner, 5700 Ballistics with LiNK, via OpticsPlanet
Kestrel's upgrades page describes the process as connecting the meter to the app over Bluetooth, opening the Upgrades section and completing the purchase of the Elite upgrade, which installs directly to the device. The profile limit is the one regret in the most helpful 5700 review:
“My only regret is, I probably should have gone ahead and gotten the Elite series, only becasue of being able to load more than three profiles.”
Gary ONeal, most helpful positive review of the 5700 Ballistics with LiNK, via OpticsPlanet
The honest catches
Price. Six of the 39 Elite reviews name cost as a downside, from "price" to "expensive for what it is", and one 5700 Ballistics reviewer lists cost as the con. The Elite costs considerably more than the 5700 Ballistics.
A learning curve. Five Elite reviews say there is a learning curve, that they are still learning, or that it is not especially user friendly. Others call setup easy, and on the 5700 Ballistics one verified owner calls it daunting at first:
“It's a little daunting to use at first, but the quick start manual walks you through everything and will have you on target.”
AN (TN), verified owner, 5700 Ballistics with LiNK, via OpticsPlanet
Garbage in, garbage out. Two Elite owners make the same point: the solution depends on the numbers you give it.
“You will need to accurately put in your velocity or there will be some error”
Darrin (AR), verified owner, 5700 Elite, via OpticsPlanet
Scope tracking. The most helpful negative review (three stars, still recommended) faults "the inability of the AB software in the Elite to allow the user to enter a scope scale factor". The listing shows no date for that review. Kestrel's support site carries a tutorial on entering a Sight Scale Factor, which it describes as a scope correction factor, into the Kestrel; the tutorial's description does not say which models or firmware versions it applies to, so confirm it on your own unit before relying on it.
Small items, one owner each. One verified Elite owner lists "No manual with it" as the con, and another Elite reviewer says it should come with a MOLLE sheath. On the 5700 Ballistics, one verified owner finds the instructions a bit vague. Kestrel's 5 Series specification sheet also notes that impact may damage the replaceable impeller, as its shock rating covers the unit only.
Trade-offs, plainly
- The Elite costs considerably more; six of 39 Elite reviews name the price as a downside.
- It takes setup work: five Elite reviews mention a learning curve or ease-of-use issue.
- The output is only as good as your muzzle velocity and rifle data, as two Elite owners warn.
- The 5700 Ballistics stops at 3 gun profiles and 1 target (Kestrel); one owner regrets not buying the Elite for that reason.
- Kestrel's shock rating covers the unit only; it notes impact may damage the replaceable impeller.
Key specifications: 5700 Elite vs 5700 Ballistics
| Spec | 5700 Elite | 5700 Ballistics with LiNK |
|---|---|---|
| Kestrel model name | Kestrel 5700 Elite Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics and LiNK | Kestrel 5700 Ballistics Weather Meter with LiNK |
| Drag models | G1/G7 plus Applied Ballistics Custom Curves | G1/G7 |
| Gun profiles | 30 | 3 |
| Targets | 30 stages with 10 targets in each | 1 target |
| Maximum range | 5,500 yards | 4,000 yards |
| Measures | Wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, heat index, pressure, altitude | Wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, heat index, pressure, altitude |
| Connectivity | LiNK (iOS and Android app) | LiNK (iOS and Android app) |
| Upgrade to Elite | Not applicable (this is the Elite) | Yes, through the Kestrel LiNK Ballistics app (Kestrel) |
| Power | 1 x AA | 1 x AA |
| Size and weight (Kestrel 5 Series sheet) | 5.0 x 1.9 x 1.1 in, 4.3 oz with lithium battery | 5.0 x 1.9 x 1.1 in, 4.3 oz with lithium battery |
| Sealing and shock (Kestrel 5 Series sheet) | IP67 and NEMA-6; MIL-STD-810H transit shock, unit only | IP67 and NEMA-6; MIL-STD-810H transit shock, unit only |
| Warranty (Kestrel) | Five years | Five years |
| OpticsPlanet row we card | Blaze Orange, MPN 0857ALBLZ | Tan, MPN 0857BLTAN |
| Price (OpticsPlanet) | around $770 | around $470 |
Ballistic, range, profile and measurement specs are Kestrel's, from its product pages for each model. Size, weight, sealing and shock come from Kestrel's specification sheet for its 5 Series meters, which covers the series and does not name either model; the same sheet says the meters are designed and built in the USA from US and imported components. The OpticsPlanet Elite listing sells the Elite in Blaze Orange, Flat Dark Earth, Black, Desert Tan and Olive Drab; the 5700 Ballistics listing has one Tan row. No editorial award is claimed.
Should you buy it?
- Buy the 5700 Elite if you shoot matches with multiple targets per stage, run more than three rifles, or work past 4,000 yards.
- Buy the 5700 Ballistics with LiNK if you hunt with up to three rifles and want the same weather sensors for less, knowing Kestrel offers an upgrade to the Elite later through its app.
- Pick the rangefinder first if you want the hold on the rangefinder's display: our best long range rangefinder guide covers units that pair with a Kestrel, and the best hunting rangefinder guide covers the wider field.
FAQ
Should I buy the Kestrel 5700 Elite or the 5700 Ballistics?
Buy the Elite if you shoot matches with several targets per stage, run more than three rifles, or shoot past 4,000 yards. Kestrel lists the Elite with 30 gun profiles, 30 stages with 10 targets in each, a 5,500 yard maximum range and Applied Ballistics Custom Curves. Buy the 5700 Ballistics if you hunt or shoot one target at a time with up to three rifles: Kestrel lists 3 gun profiles, 1 target and a 4,000 yard maximum range, with G1/G7 drag models. Both measure the same weather inputs and both have LiNK.
Can you upgrade a Kestrel 5700 to the Elite?
Yes, according to Kestrel. The FAQ on Kestrel's 5700 Ballistics page answers: 'Yes. And you can now upgrade your Kestrel 5700 to the Elite version using the Kestrel LiNK Ballistics application.' Kestrel's upgrades page describes connecting the meter to the app over Bluetooth, opening the Upgrades section and completing the purchase of the Elite upgrade, which installs directly to the device. Two 5700 Ballistics reviewers on OpticsPlanet mention that path.
What does a Kestrel 5700 measure?
Kestrel's product pages for both the Elite and the 5700 Ballistics list wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, heat index, pressure and altitude. The meter combines those readings with your saved rifle and bullet profile to give an elevation and wind hold.
Which rangefinders work with the Kestrel 5700 and 5700 Elite?
Kestrel's Elite page answers that question for the 5700 and 5700 Elite with connection documents for the Bushnell 1800 Nitro, Bushnell R5, Bushnell CONX, Leica CRF Rangemaster 3500, Leica Rangemaster 2800, Sig Sauer 2400BDX or 3000BDX, Sig 5K or 10K, Steiner M830r, Terrapin X, Vectronix PLRF25C, Vortex Fury 5000 AB and Wilcox RAPTAR-S. Most of those guides name the 5700 Ballistics or Elite; the Bushnell R5 guide names a 5700 Elite or higher unit, and the Vortex Fury 5000 AB entry names no model, so check your model against Kestrel's guide. On OpticsPlanet, one Elite owner pairs it with a Leica 3500 and one 5700 Ballistics owner with a Bushnell Conx.
What battery does the Kestrel 5700 use, and what is the warranty?
Both models run on one AA battery, per Kestrel. Kestrel's specification sheet for its 5 Series meters says an AA lithium is included and gives up to 400 hours of use, reduced by backlight, alert light and buzzer, or Bluetooth use; that sheet covers the whole series, not either model by name. Kestrel's warranty page gives five years for Kestrel Ballistics and tactical weather meters.