6 useful Apps you should know
6 useful Apps you should know
Author. Rafa Serret Editor: Al Louangketh
Technological advancement in the hunting and shooting industry have persuaded millions to become more open in using these technologies to improve their skills to adapt to the constant changing landscape of the modern day marksman.
One of the many reason most of us are unable to go anywhere without our mobile phone as hunters and shooters is that we have been relying on these technologies for quite some time. Over the last decades alone, the technology in the hunting and shooting industry have improved so much that most of us are still trying to catch up to the newest gadgets and inventions that’s showcasing every year at various international tradeshows around the world.
This is especially true; Apps that are very useful for hunting or shooting are constantly being change with the newest updates to keep current with all these new changes. A lot of us will even turn around to drive back home to get your mobile phone if we forget it on your way to the shooting range because those Apps that we rely on, is on our smartphone.
So without further ado, I have selected 6 different Apps that I think might be useful for most of us, and I’m pretty sure that the majority of you reading this article have some of these Apps already installed or at least heard about them.
Although there are some that could be in more than one category. I’ve also tried to recommend other similar Apps in other price range so you can research and decide on your own:
MEASUREMENT APP: RANGE BUDDY (Google play)
This is an application to help measure your shot group and keep record of your loads and grouping. Using the camera of your mobile phone, this App captures and saves all your groupings for future reference. It allows you to input data related to the load, rifle and scope.
The interface is quite basic and old looking. There is a free and a pay version of this App, so before paying for this specific App, I recommend you try out the free version first and see if it is worth the investment for you.
This application is only available in Google Play. For those of you using Apple, you have an application with the same functions called SUBMOA Pro, but only in the paid version at 4.99 €.
Other applications with the same features are Target Scan (17.99 €) or X-Mark (free) or RangeLog (4.49 €).
CALCULATION AND DOPE APPS: STRELOK Ballistic Calculator (Google play / App Store)
Another useful App, STRELOK is a Ballistic Trajectory Calculators with a Russian stamp. This App allows you to calculate the correction of your rifle scope according to the shooting parameters. This App provides you with an easy way to make your calculations and understand how your loads might behave. The App is a guideline to what your dope could be, this is base off the information you’ve input into the system and the data it provides in return. In my opinion, the interface is quite simple and clear enough to know how to use it without any issues.
This application is available both in Google Play and in the App Store, and has a 5.99 € version and a Pro version at 12.99 € prices in your country may vary. There are other apps with the same function such as Accuscope that might be worth checking it out.
BALLISTICS APPS: BALISTICS ARC (Google play / App Store)
This App offers a wider range of functions. The BallisticsARC (Ballistics, Atmospherics, and Range Card) combines the functionality of a ballistic calculator, atmospheric device and a GPS range finder all in one App.
There is a free version where you can only input one rifle, and another version for 14,99 €. So as mentioned earlier, try out the free version and see if it’s worth the investment. The interface is very simple and it’s a great App that I think a lot of shooters will benefit from if they’re not using it already.
There are other similar Apps like Applied Ballistics (29,99 €), Bullet Drop + (1,99 €), Ballistics Standard Edition (free), or ISNIPE (14,99 €) among others. For those that are familiar with these Apps already, it’s a personal preference on what App is better for them and their use.
MAP AND DISTANCES APPS: GOOGLE MAPS (Google Play / App Store)
Google maps App are quite common and included in most, if not all smartphones that are out on the market today.
Google maps can be very useful for long range shooters and hunters to help them do a quick search of an area or location. I think it’s an app that a lot shooters and hunters overlook in assisting them out on the range.
Now the reason why I’m mentioning Google maps is that most of these Apps that are listed in this article are developed and made for a wide variety of user. Unfortunately most Apps I have mentioned might be too tricky for the older generations that want to take advantage of the technology available to them, but not too familiar with the Apps or the language barriers on some of these Apps might shun them away from using it. I think this is where Google maps can really help those don’t want to install any new Apps on their device or not too familiar with them and just need something simple and available on their phone already in the language they understand.
The benefit of Google maps is that it allows the user to calculate the distance from their position to the target in satellite or topographic view. It will give them the distance in a straight line, necessary to make the shooting adjustments as needed, plus helps identify any potential hazard.
Take advantage of this free App that you’re using already and check out what Google maps allows you to do and the available options available it has.
TRAINING APPS: GUN SHOT TIMER (App Store)
Another interesting App is the extremely accurate timer to improve your shooting skills for time. This simple “Gun Shot Timer” App with its clear interface, easy functions make this App a simple but useful tool.
There are other options out on the market like “Make Ready” Without a doubt, I highly recommend you check this App out. If it’s not for you, it’s not for you, but definitely worth checking it out as it is a free App.
GAME APPS: DR PERFORMANCE DECK ( App Store)
Finally, a shooting oriented game… Just slightly different. There are plenty of mobile or iPad games available in virtual reality simulation, but the difference between this apps and many other VR shooting games is that this one you actually get to implement at your actual shooting range, with your own rifle as it was designed to be compatible for live-fire scenario.
DR Performance Practice Deck is an application from the Hsoi studio that contains 52 basic exercises for you to practice on the shooting range. Using the format of a deck of cards, each card will show you the next exercise to be performed.
The Pro version allows you to create your own cards/exercises and allows you to share them. The standard version is free of charge and the pro version costs around 4.99 €.
Apps such as HuntStand and OnxHunt are notable mentions that I didn’t talk about. These two Apps are very useful for any hunters, and I think it is worth checking them out if available for your country. I believe as of this writing, Onxhunt is still listed for use only in the U.S. The Huntstand Lite version can be use in most parts of Europe, but as far as I know, it’s only available in English. If that doesn’t bother you, take advantage of the free version.
Registration for the free Lite version is recommended if you want to use more of the tools available in the App.
Now keep in mind, by the time some of you read this article it may be that some of these Apps may have changed or had an update that might have added a few things, but these Apps in my opinion can be useful for most of us if you’re not familiar with them already.
If you know any other interesting Apps write it down in the comments section and let’s get a discussion going. There are plenty of Apps out there that might be new and valuable to most of us that we may not even be aware of.