Applied Ballistics FAQ
Applied Ballistics software tiers and upgrades
How do Applied Ballistics Ultralight™, Elite® and Professional® differ?
| Licence Level |
UltralightTM |
Elite® |
Professional® |
||
| Rangefinder |
Geovid Pro SE |
Geovid Pro CRF Pro |
Geovid Pro AB+ |
Geovid Max CRF Max |
|
| Availability |
included as standard |
included as standard |
optional Update |
included as standard |
included as standard |
| Ballistic output values |
875 yds / 800 m |
Up to the maximum measurement range of the respective device¹ |
Up to the maximum measurement range of the device¹ |
||
| Profiles in the Leica Ballistics App |
5 |
5 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
|
Key features |
|||||
| Applied Ballistics bullet database |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
| Leica calibre database |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
| G1/G7 drag models |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
| Wind correction |
|
x |
x |
x |
|
| Upgrade to Elite® |
|
x |
- |
- |
|
| Applied Ballistics custom drag models |
|
x |
x |
||
| Aerodynamic jump correction |
|
x |
x |
||
| Coriolis effect correction |
|
x |
x |
||
| Sight scale factor correction |
|
x |
x |
||
| Spin drift correction |
|
x |
x |
||
|
Help functions |
|||||
| Shooting conditions |
x |
x |
x |
||
| Muzzle velocity calibration |
x |
x |
x |
||
| Shooting table |
x |
x |
x |
||
| Target table |
x |
x |
x |
||
| Shot probability analysis |
|
- |
x |
||
| Rate of twist |
|
x |
x |
x |
|
| Zero elevation |
|
x |
x |
||
| Zero offset |
|
x |
x |
||
| Drop scale factor calibration |
|
x |
x |
||
¹ With Elite® and Professional®, the calculation range is limited to a maximum projectile flight time of 15 seconds. The distance that can actually be used also depends on the measurement range of the respective device and the ballistic profile used.
Where can I find my licence level and device ID?
Connect your rangefinder to the Leica Ballistics App. Open the rangefinder’s settings in the HUD. The current licence level and device ID are displayed at the bottom of the page.
I have purchased the upgrade to Applied Ballistics Elite® for my compatible Pro rangefinder. How can I tell if it has been successfully activated?
There is no separate confirmation on the rangefinder’s display. After purchase, connect the device to the Leica Ballistics App. If the upgrade has been successfully activated, the upgrade button will no longer be displayed in the app. You can find your current licence level in the rangefinder’s settings at the bottom of the page.
You can also check whether the device provides ballistic correction values for measurements over 800 metres or 875 yards. In the profile management section, Applied Ballistics Elite® also offers advanced functions such as twist rate and zero elevation.
Is the upgrade to Applied Ballistics Elite® tied to the device or to the app?
The upgrade is purchased for the device and is linked to it. To ensure that the Elite® functions remain available in the Leica Ballistics app, the rangefinder should be connected to the app regularly. If the app has not been connected to a device on which Applied Ballistics Elite® is activated for 30 days, only the functionality of Applied Ballistics Ultralight™ will be temporarily available in the app. The Elite® licence on the rangefinder remains valid.
Why are the Applied Ballistics Elite® features no longer available in the app after 30 days? What happens to my profiles?
Your profiles remain in the app. Until you reconnect, only the advanced Elite® features in profile management are restricted. Reconnect the app to a rangefinder on which Applied Ballistics Elite® is activated. The Elite® features will then be automatically reactivated. You do not need to purchase the upgrade again.
Is the Coriolis effect automatically calculated and factored into the solution with Applied Ballistics Elite® or Professional®?
Yes. Applied Ballistics Professional® and Elite® automatically take the Coriolis effect into account in the rangefinder’s integrated ballistic calculation. A distinction is made between a horizontal and a vertical component.
The horizontal component is essentially determined by latitude. It is zero at the equator and increases towards the poles. In the Northern Hemisphere, it causes a lateral deviation to the right; in the Southern Hemisphere, to the left. For the calculation, the rangefinder uses the most recent GPS position data transmitted via the connected smartphone. As the influence of latitude changes only gradually, a constant connection to the app is not required. After a significant change of location, the rangefinder should be reconnected to the app so that the position data can be updated.
The vertical component depends on both the latitude and the direction of fire. For shots fired eastwards, the Coriolis correction acts upwards; for shots fired westwards, it acts downwards. When firing north or south, there is no vertical Coriolis deviation. The direction of fire is determined by the rangefinder’s built-in compass. Therefore, no connection to the app is required for this calculation whilst the measurement is being taken. For accurate results, the compass should be correctly calibrated.
The Coriolis correction is included in Applied Ballistics Professional®, Elite® and the previous licence level, AB+. Applied Ballistics Ultralight™ does not support this feature.
Can I upgrade my Leica Geovid Pro SE to Applied Ballistics Elite®?
No. An upgrade to Applied Ballistics Elite® is not available for Leica Geovid Pro SE models. The Elite® upgrade is offered exclusively for compatible Geovid Pro models and for the Rangemaster CRF Pro.
Can I upgrade a Pro device to the AB+ licence level?
No. The AB+ licence level is pre-installed on the Leica Geovid Pro 10x42 AB+ only and is not offered as an upgrade for other Geovid Pro models.
Can I upgrade my Pro device to the Applied Ballistics Professional® licence level?
No. Applied Ballistics Ultralight™ is pre-installed on Pro models. Compatible models can optionally be upgraded to Applied Ballistics Elite®. Applied Ballistics Professional®, including Shot Probability Analysis, is already integrated as standard on the Leica Geovid Max and the Rangemaster CRF Max and is not offered as an upgrade for the Pro models.
Why is there no upgrade available for .COM devices?
The .COM devices use the Leica ABC ballistics calculator within the device and do not feature an integrated Applied Ballistics® solver. Applied Ballistics calculations on these models are therefore limited to the app; Applied Ballistics Elite® cannot be activated on the device. However, Geovid.COM and Rangemaster.COM devices can still be connected to the Leica Ballistics App and configured via it.
Compatibility and App Features
What functions are available to me once I have connected my Leica rangefinder to the Leica Ballistics App?
All models listed in the overview can be connected to the Leica Ballistics App. The range of available functions depends on the specific device and the software version installed.
Comparison of device and app functions
| Function |
Geovid Max / Rangemaster CRF Max |
Geovid Pro 10x42 AB+ |
Geovid Pro / Rangemaster CRF Pro |
Geovid Pro SE |
Geovid.COM / Rangemaster.COM |
| Connection to the Leica Ballistics App |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
| Upgrade to Applied Ballistics Elite® |
-1 |
-1 |
|
|
|
| Ballistic calculations within the device |
Applied Ballistics Professional® |
Applied Ballistics Elite® |
Applied Ballistics Ultralight™ oder (after Upgrade) Elite® |
Applied Ballistics Ultralight™ |
Leica ABC-System |
| Shot Probability Analysis |
x |
x |
- |
- |
- |
| Create and edit ballistic profiles in the Leica Ballistics App |
x |
x |
x |
x1 |
x2 |
| Zeroing (distance) |
individual |
individual |
individual |
individual |
Limited to 100 or 200 m / 100, 200 or 300 yd, depending on the device setting³ |
| Leica ProTrack (LPT™) |
x |
x |
x |
x |
- |
| Range card |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
| Target card |
x |
x |
x |
x |
- |
| HUD (Head-up Display) in the Leica Ballistics App |
x |
x |
x |
x |
- |
| Customise display widgets via the app |
x |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 An upgrade to Elite® is neither necessary nor intended for the Max models, as Applied Ballistics Professional® is already integrated as standard.
2 On .COM devices, Applied Ballistics profiles can be created and edited within the app. Ballistic calculations on the device are still performed using the Leica ABC system.
3 The available zeroing distances depend on the respective device settings.
What functions can I use with a connected .COM device?
Geovid.COM and Rangemaster.COM devices can still be connected to the Leica Ballistics App. Within the app, you can create and edit Applied Ballistics profiles and use firing tables. However, the integrated ballistic calculation in the rangefinder is still based on the Leica ABC system. For these models, Applied Ballistics calculations are performed exclusively within the app.
The target board, HUD and Leica ProTrack are not available on .COM devices. The selectable zeroing distance is limited to 100 or 200 metres, or 100, 200 or 300 yards, depending on the device setting.
Ballistics profiles and HUD (Head-up Display)
I have created a ballistics profile and transferred it to my Leica rangefinder, but I am not receiving any ballistic correction. What can I do?
Please connect your rangefinder to the Leica Ballistics App and select the desired profile. Wait until synchronisation is complete and the profile has been transferred to the device. Also ensure that the desired profile is active and that the ballistic display has been enabled on the rangefinder. On devices with the relevant menu option, the BALL mode must be selected for this.
For Geovid.COM and Rangemaster.COM devices, Applied Ballistics calculations are performed exclusively within the app. The integrated ballistic calculation in the rangefinder continues to be based on the Leica ABC system.
The correction values on my rangefinder, or in the Range Card or Target Card, differ from the results of another app. What can I do?
Discrepancies do not necessarily indicate an error. They are often caused by different profile data, ballistic models, environmental values or units of measurement. First, ensure that the same input data and settings are used in both applications. In particular, check:
- The BC format to the right of ‘Ballistic Coefficient’ in the weapon profile. If you are using a G7 BC, ‘G7’ must be selected there, not ‘G1’ or ‘CC’. ‘CC’ stands for ‘Custom Curve’ and is only available if the active software tier supports Applied Ballistics Custom Drag Models – this applies to Elite®, Professional® and the AB+ licence level;
- The selected output unit (correction value). If you require a correction in MOA, select ‘MOA’ rather than ‘¼ MOA Click’. With ‘¼ MOA Click’, the number of clicks required is displayed rather than the correction value in MOA;
- Muzzle velocity, zeroing distance, bullet data, sight height and the environmental values used;
- Additional corrections such as spin drift or the Coriolis effect. These must be taken into account consistently in both applications.
Then synchronise the verified profile with the rangefinder again. Minor deviations may occur even with identical input values if the applications use different ballistic models or bullet data.
What can I do if my calibre or bullet is not listed in the databases?
Please submit a bullet enquiry via the Leica Ballistics App. To do this, open the Leica Calibre Database and select ‘Request Calibre’.
Where can I find explanations of the Profile Editor’s functions?
The Applied Ballistics Glossary explains the functions and technical terms of the Profile Editor in detail.
How many ballistic profiles can I synchronise with my rangefinder at the same time?
You can transfer one active personal ballistics profile to the rangefinder at a time. This limit is independent of how many profiles you can create and manage in the Leica Ballistics app.
To change the active profile, select the desired profile in the app and wait until synchronisation with the rangefinder is complete.
Can I back up my profiles to the cloud and synchronise them across multiple devices?
Yes. Open the profile manager and tap the cloud icon. Once you’ve signed in via Apple or Google, your profiles will be backed up via Applied Ballistics and synchronised across your compatible Android and iOS devices.
How do I switch between manual input, device sensors and a weather station for environmental data?
Select the desired data source in the HUD, on the Target Card or on the Range Card:
- The ‘Station’ icon uses data from an available weather station;
- The ‘Device’ icon uses the sensor readings from the connected rangefinder;
- The ‘Manual’ icon uses the values you have entered.
Please note: The rangefinder does not measure wind speed or wind direction. Wind values must be entered manually or – if using a compatible combination of devices – transmitted from a connected external device.
Can I customise the information shown on the display of my Leica rangefinder?
Yes. With the Leica Geovid Max and Rangemaster CRF Max, you can use the Leica Ballistics App to select which available widgets and information are displayed on the active-matrix MicroLED display. This allows you to customise the display to show only the relevant measurement values and functions and, if necessary, to reduce the amount of information shown.
On compatible Pro models, you can customise the order in which the measurement and correction values are displayed. To do this, connect the rangefinder to the Leica Ballistics App, open the rangefinder’s settings in the HUD and select ‘Display Order’.
Can I customise the units of measurement in the Leica Ballistics App and on the rangefinder?
Yes. Open the settings in the Leica Ballistics App and select ‘App Units’. Under ‘Main Settings -> Custom’, you can specify the available units of measurement individually. The selected settings are used in the app and on the connected, compatible rangefinder.
Leica ProTrack (LPT™)
Why does my Leica rangefinder request a compass calibration when using Leica ProTrack?
Some device functions, including Leica ProTrack, require precise directional data. Compatible Leica distance metres are therefore equipped with a digital compass that works like a conventional magnetic compass and calibrates itself during use.
To ensure a high level of accuracy, however, a manual initial calibration may still be necessary – particularly after a significant change of location, a battery change, significant temperature fluctuations, or if direction or position data appears implausible.
Magnetic fields, electronic devices and magnetised objects can interfere with the compass function. You should therefore ensure that you keep the rangefinder as far away as possible from such sources of interference during calibration. These include, for example, smartphones, vehicles or magnetic fastenings on carrying systems.
How do I calibrate the compass on my Leica rangefinder?
Connect your rangefinder to the Leica Ballistics app. Open the rangefinder’s settings in the HUD and select ‘Compass Calibration’. Then follow the instructions in the app.
Where possible, carry out the calibration in an open environment and at a sufficient distance from magnetic or electronic sources of interference. In particular, keep your smartphone and rangefinder as far apart as the app allows.
Step-by-step instructions can be found in the Leica Tutorials:
Why is the target point marked with Leica ProTrack not displayed at the expected position?
An inaccurate target marking may occur if the rangefinder’s compass needs recalibrating or is being disrupted by a magnetic field. Recalibrate the compass and then repeat the measurement.
During calibration and when setting the target point, keep the rangefinder as far away as possible from electronic devices and magnetised objects. Smartphones or magnetic fastenings on a binocular carrying system can also affect the direction data.
Third-Party Devices and Applications (e.g. Kestrel, Garmin, BaseMap)
Which third-party devices and applications can I connect my Leica rangefinder to?
Compatible Leica rangefinders can be connected to selected Kestrel® and Garmin® devices that support Applied Ballistics®. The exact data exchange depends on the Leica model and the connected device. Depending on the combination of devices, for example, the measured distance, angle of inclination and line of sight are transmitted to the external device. This device incorporates the data into the ballistic calculation and sends the corresponding correction values back to the rangefinder.
With the Max models, compatible Kestrel® devices and Garmin® watches can also provide real-time data on wind speed and wind direction.
BaseMap® is not integrated in the same way as a ballistic measuring device; instead, when used in conjunction with Leica ProTrack (LPT™), it is used for map viewing and navigation to relevant terrain points. The available range of functions depends on the Leica model, the connected third-party device, and the respective firmware and app versions.
How can I use BaseMap® with my Leica rangefinder?
With a BaseMap® Pro subscription, the Max models can automatically synchronise target points and associated markers recorded via rangefinding. The position can then be displayed in BaseMap® and used for navigation in the field.
The Leica Geovid Pro, Rangemaster CRF Pro, Geovid Pro 10x42 AB+ and Geovid Pro SE models also support BaseMap® in conjunction with Leica ProTrack. The relevant terrain point can thus be displayed on a map and used for navigation.
Geovid.COM and Rangemaster.COM devices do not support Leica ProTrack or the associated BaseMap® navigation.
My Leica rangefinder disconnects too quickly from the Leica Ballistics app or a connected Kestrel® device. What can I do?
Connect the rangefinder to the Leica Ballistics app and open ‘Active Profile’. Then select ‘Device Settings’ and set the value to ‘5 min’ under ‘Auto Off -> Shutdown Time’. You can choose between 1, 3 and 5 minutes.
This value does not refer to the maximum total duration of the connection, but to the period of time without data exchange. With the setting ‘5’, the connection is only automatically disconnected after five minutes without communication. This is the longest available timeout setting.
Why is a target point set in BaseMap® or another supported mapping application not displayed at the expected position?
The most common causes are a required compass calibration or interference with the digital compass caused by magnetic fields, electronic devices or magnetised metal objects. Recalibrate the rangefinder’s compass and then repeat the measurement.
During calibration and when setting a target point, keep the rangefinder as far away as possible from potential sources of interference. These include, in particular, smartphones, vehicles and magnetic fastenings on binocular carrying systems. Non-magnetic metals and alloys do not affect the compass function.
Detailed instructions on compass calibration can be found in the ‘Leica ProTrack (LPT™)’ section.
Can I connect my Leica rangefinder to both the Leica Ballistics App and a third-party device at the same time?
Yes. The Applied Ballistics Elite® and Applied Ballistics Professional® software tiers offer Multiple Device Connect. Compatible Leica rangefinders can thus be connected simultaneously to the Leica Ballistics App and selected third-party devices. These include, for example, Kestrel® devices and Garmin® products.
This applies to the Leica Geovid Max and Rangemaster CRF Max with Applied Ballistics Professional®, as well as to the Leica Geovid Pro and Rangemaster CRF Pro with an activated Elite® licence. Earlier models with the relevant software version can also use this function to the extent supported.
General App and Device Settings
Where can I find the firmware version installed on my Leica rangefinder?
Connect your rangefinder to the Leica Ballistics app and open the rangefinder’s settings in the HUD. The device’s installed firmware version and Bluetooth® version are displayed there.
How do I update the firmware on my Leica rangefinder?
Available firmware updates are transferred to the connected rangefinder via the Leica Ballistics App. Connect the device to the app and follow the instructions displayed there. Do not switch off the rangefinder or interrupt the connection whilst the update is in progress.
Where can I find the app version installed on my smartphone or tablet?
Open the settings in the Leica Ballistics app. The installed app version is displayed there next to the Leica logo.
Does my Leica rangefinder need to remain connected to the Leica Ballistics app whilst in use?
No. Once the active ballistics profile has been synchronised, the Max and Pro models can perform ballistic calculations directly within the device. A permanent connection to the app is therefore not required for regular rangefinding or for displaying the correction values calculated by the device.
An active connection is required if you wish to use real-time app functions. These include, for example, remote control of the rangefinder via the HUD, immediate adjustment and synchronisation of settings, and Leica ProTrack. If these functions are not required, Bluetooth® can be deactivated on the rangefinder to reduce power consumption.
There is a special feature applicable to Geovid.COM and Rangemaster.COM devices: the integrated ballistic calculation in the rangefinder is performed via the Leica ABC system and can be used independently of the app. Applied Ballistics calculations, on the other hand, are available exclusively via the app on these models and require a connection whilst in use.