You are lying prone behind a rifle, the clock is running, and you need the wind, the range and your drop. So you lift your head, look at the Kestrel in your hand, read the numbers, lose your sight picture and start again. I have done that more times than I care to count, on the range, in matches and in the field. The Kestrel HUD is Kestrel’s answer to that problem: a display that sits on your rifle and shows the solution from your Kestrel Wind & Weather meter, so you don’t have to look away from the scope. When I first wrote about it in 2019, I wasn’t sure whether it was a clever tool or just another gadget. I ended up buying one, and after using it across several rifles, here is what I think.
I have used Kestrels for years. They are very well built; they survive being dropped, rained on and left in a truck, and I can't remember one ever causing me trouble (unless I was the trouble). Just look at the design, from some of my images - it’s not a joke.
Some of them I use almost daily (the timer). The 5700 series is the one that does the heavy lifting for me, but only on the long-range days, and the HUD is the accessory that takes what the Kestrel calculates and puts it in front of your eye while you are behind the rifle. It’s pretty cool.
The HUD is a small, rugged display that mounts on the rail next to your scope and mirrors the ballistic solution from your Kestrel over Bluetooth. It does nothing on its own; without the Kestrel weather meter, it’s pretty dead.
Think of it as a second monitor for the Kestrel in your pocket or on a tripod, and with larger digits, even old folks can see without glasses. It works with the 5700 Elite, 5700X and WEZ variants, and the range is about 20-30 meters.
That matters, because it means the Kestrel can sit out in the wind, away from your body and rifle, where it measures something closer to the truth.
The screen is a 2.5-inch non-touch monochrome LCD. That sounds like a downgrade until you've tried to read a small color screen in bright sun. It stays readable, and there are white and red backlights for low light.
It runs on one AA battery, and a lithium cell gives you tens of hours, so a spare in your pack is enough. An auto shutoff can be set, which you should do the first time you use it unless you like changing batteries.
In terms of size & weight, here are the numbers:
- HUD alone: 3.5'' L x 2.25'' W x 1.25'' H and 108.55 g or 3.28 oz
- HUD Mount is 76.45 g or 2.69 oz
- HUD Remote is 28.75'' long and 61.40 g or 2.16 oz
It comes with an aluminum folding side mount that sits on the Picatinny rail, and a wired remote is available. Here is the first thing worth planning: the mount needs a couple of free rail slots ahead of your scope mount.
Some of my Kestrel workhorses under the light.
If your rail is already full of lasers, lights, or a spotter mount, you need to sort that out first. If you like gadgets and not used to getting rid of “essential” things, this might be the biggest challenge.
Most long-range shooters have been through the same evolution. First the dope card taped to the stock, then the laminated card in a pocket, then the Kestrel in the other hand, with your head leaving the scope to read it. Each step costs time and breaks your position. In a match with a clock running, or in the field with an animal that won't stand still, you know the cost.
The HUD removes the head movement, at least most of it. You can see the firing solution without leaving the optic, and the solution is live.
If the wind picks up, the numbers change on the display. It can show a single target in large type, a list of up to ten targets for a stage, or a full dope card. There is a stage timer too, which is handy if you shoot matches.
If you have a spotter, they can update range and angle on the Kestrel and the new solution shows up on your rifle straight away. That is what the HUD does best. Just send it.
My suggestion is to read the manual. I mean properly, not skim it in the car park - even I had to do it. The Kestrel is a capable instrument, and the HUD adds another layer. To get value from it you need:
- A good gun profile with a measured muzzle velocity, not the number on the box
- Honest zero data and sight height
- Your stage or target list entered in advance, if you want the multi-target screens
- A pairing that you have confirmed before match day
- The screen and remote configured the way you like them
Some of this takes planning and a bit of programming at home. Skip Netflix for one night and set up, it's quick and clean. If it isn't, you are staring at a very expensive screen showing numbers you don't trust. Garbage in, garbage out, and the HUD makes the output (and your setup) prettier but not more accurate. Shooters need dopamine, which we get from hitting our targets, not having the coolest setup on the range.
I'd also be careful about believing the solution without checking it. The Kestrel gives you a prediction, and your rifle gives you the truth. Confirm it on paper or steel, then trust it.
The HUD gives you several screens, and it helps to know what each one does before you decide what you need. The Single Target screen shows the firing solution for one target along with up-to-date target and environmental details, which is the one you will probably use most. The Target Card screen lets you view up to ten targets without coming out of the scope, and it receives live updates when paired with a 5700 Elite.
If you prefer the old way, the DOPE Card screen downloads a full range card specific to your rifle and bullet, so you can leave the pen and paper at home (this one also requires a 5700 Elite). A Large Font option makes the critical numbers easier to read in direct sunlight and low light, and reduces eye strain, which I appreciate more every year.
For match shooters, there is a Stage Timer, so you know where you are in a stage and can make better decisions. The Remote Switch lets you flip between targets and send target data to your Kestrel without changing your shooting position, and the Live Updates mean the screens follow the readings from your Kestrel, so the solution changes as the conditions do. The catch is that several of these features only work with the 5700 Elite, so check what your own Kestrel supports before you buy. And as with everything Kestrel, the features are only as good as the data and the setup behind them, so take the time to enter your targets and profiles at home and not on the line.
What I can say generally is that you need a little practice to read the display while keeping the target in the scope. The mount angle can't be adjusted vertically, so how readable the screen is depends on your scope height, your eye relief and your position. Prone with a bipod is usually fine. Awkward positions on a barricade can make it harder, so test your own setup before you rely on it - or take a last look at the screen before entering the position.
The honest question: DOPE card or HUD?
Sometimes a normal dope card is easier. If I'm shooting a known course at known distances in stable conditions, a printed card is faster, lighter, and never runs out of battery. The HUD earns its place when conditions change, when distances aren't known in advance, when you shoot a lot of different targets, or when you want to keep your head still.
My real limitation is practical. I can't afford one per rifle, and I don't have much access to really long distances where this would shine. So I did move it between some of my rifles, which takes a little time and means re-checking the profile each time. Also, the cable to the remote is a bit of a pain to move, as is all cabling on a rifle.
I didn't expect this to be useful on a .22 LR, but it is. A rimfire bullet drops a lot and gets pushed around by wind, even at modest distances. It’s not your .338 Lapua Magnum that no wind will bully. The HUD with a good and examined rimfire profile gives me quick holds for different targets without fumbling for a card. This has probably been my biggest use, because it’s what I train with mostly.
It is also great training, without needing the distance. You learn how much wind and temperature actually matter, at a fraction of the ammunition cost of a centerfire rifle.
Pros
- Puts the live ballistic solution in your sight picture, with no head movement
- Updates with changing conditions and works for and with a spotter
- Multi-target and dope card screens, plus a stage timer for matches
- Sunlight-readable screen, red and white backlight
- Rugged, waterproof, and the Kestrel can stay about 20-30 meters away to read the wind
- Single AA battery
- Very useful for rimfire training
Cons
- Cost, and useless without a compatible Kestrel, so it's a big total investment also of your time
- Needs real setup and discipline, and results depend on the quality of your data
- Needs free rail space ahead of the scope
- Fixed mount angle, so the screen may not suit every position
- Adds weight and bulk to the rifle
- A dope card is still simpler for many situations
Verdict
If you shoot long range or compete, already own a compatible Kestrel, and are willing to do the homework, the HUD is a very good tool. It will not make you a better wind reader, but it will remove one of the biggest distractions from your shooting. If you don't already have the Kestrel, or you shoot mostly at known distances, spend the money on ammunition and training. Learn the Kestrel first, learn your rifle, and add the HUD when you know exactly what problem it will solve for you.
The price with the remote (+$50) is $519. Given its “special interest,” I’d say it’s a fair price. If you want one, or to check your local pricing, find more at: https://kestrelmeters.com/products/hud-heads-up-display
Kestrel HUD Heads Up Display
We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.
If this post has you ready to hit the range, head over to gunranges.com - a free directory to help you find shooting ranges near you, wherever you are in the United States.
