• Same powerful computation engine used in desktop program
• Use atmosphere, bullet and turret profiles generated on desktop
• Preset data (pressure, temperature, humidity and bullet parameters) needed for calculations may be input manually or from data files
• Field inputs are wind speed and direction; target range, speed, heading and shot angle
• Outputs are Elevation in Mil or MOA, Windage in Mil or MOA, Lead in Mil or MOA, turret setting, and windage corrected for turret click error
• Select English or metric input/output
• Range calculation files directly from rangefinder, or map files using Latitude/ Longitude, UTM or MGRS coordinates
• Abbreviated trajectory at user selectable range increments listing, for each range, turret setting, time of flight, bullet velocity, elevation (both from zero and hold-off elevation from current target), windage and lead in Mils and MOA
• Target list for multiple target engagement
•  Multiple wind vector capability for switching winds over the course of fire
• Offset profiles for accounting for change of POI due to changes in ammunition, position or shooter
• Tools to compute DK, scope calibration, field zero confirmation, muzzle velocity from chronograph data and calculator
• Summary page to see current program state; reference section for commonly used equations and conversion factors
  

Field Firing Solutions© runs on a small, hand-held PDA and is used to obtain a real-time firing solution in the field based upon current atmospheric and target data.† The trajectory computation engine is the same as used in the desktop programs, but has output limited to the specific information needed for a complete firing solution: elevation, windage, lead, and hold-off. Elevation is given in terms of an MOA adjustment and actual turret solution; windage is output in terms MOA for scope adjustment and Mils for a wind correction hold-off with a mil-dot scope; lead is the hold-off correction needed for a moving target given in terms of MOA or Mils for use with a mil-dot scope; and hold-off which is the combined value of windage and lead correction in terms of MOA or Mils.

Compliments the desktop program - The desktop program is used create the profiles that can be used on the PDA. While it is certainly possible to input all of the data needed to compute a firing solution, it is very convenient to simply load "profiles" that will populate the various data requirements automatically. To load atmospheric data, simply click on the atmosphere profile that contains pressure, temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction; click a bullet profile and load the bullet caliber, weight, muzzle velocity, ballistic coefficient, deceleration constant; click a turret profile and select the specific turret to use and get turret specific elevation solutions. All of these files are created on the desktop and copied to the PDA for use in the field.

Metric or English - The program may be used in either English or metric mode.

Trajectory table - The PDA program also outputs a trajectory table that will start at the range and in increments selected by the user to the target distance. The output columns are Range, Turret, Elevation, Windage, Lead and Holdoff - only those data used in arriving at a firing solution.

Session continuity - Like the desktop programs, upon exit the PDA version saves all current setup data and reloads this setup when the program is restarted. In the field, this means that after the program environment, bullet and target presents are input, turning off the unit does not mean a loss of this data. Powering up the unit brings the program to the same state it was at last usage - no loss of time re-inputting data.

Mil-Dot ranging - Integrated in the program is a mil-dot ranging dialog box that permits target size input in inches, feet, yards or meters and the mil size of the target. The resulting range that is calculated is automatically input into the target range window for immediate firing solution calculation.

Coordinate ranging - The program also allows the user to calculate target range by inputting the shooter's Latitude/Longitude coordinates in a variety of formats or UTM coordinates, and the target's coordinates. The program will then calculate the range of the target, its bearing and the shot angle. The latitude and bearing will also be used by the program to calculate Coriolis effects. Input may be accomplished via coordinates directly from a map or by GPS signal. Please see the FFS manual for a full explanation.


The angled shot - Shooting either up or down from level effects the elevation solution for the shot. The PDA program, as well as the desktop programs, will correctly calculate the proper elevation solution and therefore permit angle input.

Multiple target table - Given the ability to store FFP and target locations, it only makes sense to create a table of possible targets for instant selection. Looking back at the opening display above, you will note a button labeled "Target." Pressing this button will produce the following:

The FFP drop-down list shows all of the FFP which the user has saved in terms of map coordinates. Below that list is a window that lists all of the target cites. The next screen shows that FFP Alpha has been selected. Note that the program has calculated the range, bearing and shot angle for each potential target from FFP Alpha. In order to reduce the size of the list, the user can use the Target Filter box as shown below:

Here, we've selected only those targets with a target ID starting with "A." To select any target, simply double tap the target ID. The Target Range Card will close, the data will be input into the opening window and the firing solution calculated. This way, multiple targets may be engaged by tapping "Target", double tapping the target and reading the solution. The number of FFP and/or target locations that can be shown is limited only by the available memory.

Wind Zones - Have you ever seen the wind flags flying in different directions at different parts of the range at the same time? It is a vexing problem to try to figure out an average wind vector to compute how much wind drift to compensate for. To deal with this issue, the program has the ability to configure up to three separate, contiguous wind zones and then calculate where the bullet is at any point along the trajectory. For instance, here is a problem taken from an actual competition: at the 1000 yard firing line, the wind was 5 mph from 9 o'clock; at about the 600 yard line the wind had switched to a 2 mph wind from 3 o'clock. The data window for this problem would look like the screen to the right.


After the data is input, click OK and return to the solution page. Note the solution of 1.5L; in the absence of the 2 mph wind from the other direction for the last 600 yards, the windage necessary would be 4.0L - a substantial correction.

† - Important note: This software is designed to run on Windows CE derived operating systems and can operate on Windows Mobile 2003, Window Mobile 2003 SE, Windows Mobile 5.0 and Windows Mobile 6.0.  This program is not designed to run on Palm products or PDAs that use the Palm operating system unless the product includes a Windows layer for the purpose of running Windows programs.

This program is not designed to run on Palm products or PDAs that use the Palm operating system.