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AR15.COM
9/25/2016 10:25:28 AM EDT
I have a Samsung S6 which is fairly current. There are apps out there that will give you temp, pressure, humidity, etc using the phone's sensors.

How accurate are these compared to a Kestrel?
9/25/2016 9:19:19 PM EDT
[#1]
The cell phone manufacturers don't quote specifications for the functions.



Kestrel does...they are impressive and utilize different types of sensors with advanced calibration methods.




The only way to truly know is to have one of each and test it yourself.




BR,
9/26/2016 9:31:06 AM EDT
[#2]
From what I have gathered, the cell phone apps will provide you with local weather measurements based on reporting from weather stations. It should get you in the ball park but will probably not be as accurate as a kestrel which will provide live measurements.
9/26/2016 9:38:34 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Quoted:
From what I have gathered, the cell phone apps will provide you with local weather measurements based on reporting from weather stations. It should get you in the ball park but will probably not be as accurate as a kestrel which will provide live measurements.
View Quote


And if that is the case they will tell you barometric pressure which is fine for weather prediction but nearly useless for external ballistics.

Denver and Death Valley can both have the same barometric pressure but their air density at a given temp will be very different and so will the flight of your bullet.
9/26/2016 12:42:50 PM EDT
[#4]
There are apps that read right off the sensors in your phone.
9/27/2016 11:52:22 AM EDT
[#5]
Phones have built in barometers?

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
9/27/2016 8:52:48 PM EDT
[#6]
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Quoted:
Phones have built in barometers?
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Yes.

http://lowdown.carphonewarehouse.com/news/samsung-galaxy-s6s-many-sensors/30129/

Or at least mine does. I upgraded to the S7 tonight and that has all the sensors the S6 has.

My question is are the sensors on the phone as accurate as the Kestrel?
9/28/2016 2:55:10 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Quoted:

Yes.

http://lowdown.carphonewarehouse.com/news/samsung-galaxy-s6s-many-sensors/30129/

Or at least mine does. I upgraded to the S7 tonight and that has all the sensors the S6 has.

My question is are the sensors on the phone as accurate as the Kestrel?
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Phones have built in barometers?

Yes.

http://lowdown.carphonewarehouse.com/news/samsung-galaxy-s6s-many-sensors/30129/

Or at least mine does. I upgraded to the S7 tonight and that has all the sensors the S6 has.

My question is are the sensors on the phone as accurate as the Kestrel?



Huh that is pretty cool. Have to find someone with a Kestrel to compare.
If it is even just pretty close that will be accurate enough. If actual is 29.95 and your phone tells you 29.25 that will only be 5-6-7" off at 1k. Of course if the pressure and temp are both off the same direction that will start causing problems.

I personally like everything that can be measured to be measured as accurately as possible but in reality you can fudge some numbers. Just don't expect perfection from your solver with fudged numbers.
9/28/2016 9:12:44 PM EDT
[#8]
I am looking to get accurate info and if my cell phone is just as accurate as the Kestrel that would great as I can put the money into ammo or other gear.
10/2/2016 1:10:37 PM EDT
[#9]
I was at the range yesterday and another shooter had a Kestrel. We compared readings.

Our ambient temps were about 2 degrees different. My phone had been in my pocket, his Kestrel was in his range bag.

Our humidity readings were a couple of degrees apart also.

Our pressure readings were about the same. They were less than a tenth apart.

His altitude was in the 940's. Mine was around 1160. Funny thing is he said they were both wrong that the actual altitude there was around 1080 feet.
10/2/2016 3:44:44 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote History
Quoted:
I was at the range yesterday and another shooter had a Kestrel. We compared readings.

Our ambient temps were about 2 degrees different. My phone had been in my pocket, his Kestrel was in his range bag.

Our pressure readings were about the same. They were less than a tenth apart.

His altitude was in the 940's. Mine was around 1160. Funny thing is he said they were both wrong that the actual altitude there was around 1080 feet.
View Quote


The actual altitude reading is of no real concern, it is based off the absolute pressure so it constantly changes with pressure changes, we don't care what the actual altitude is, just air density. So you would put temp, absolute pressure and humidity(less important) into your solver. If you were using real altitude your solver would need real altitude and barometric pressure.

Obviously you don't pull your instruments out of pockets and range bags and immediately check accuracy between the two, you take them out and let them acclimate for a few minutes then check them but it sounds like you phone will work ok, though you have no wind meter.