MOBALL Deployable Ballistics Computer from Bryan Litz
There are a variety of ballistics programs that can be used with handheld PDAs, and even Apple iPhones. But Bryan Litz, author of the new Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting book, has come up with something bigger and better. Employing the powerful Texas Instruments (TI) Voyage 200 graphing calculator, Bryan has created a Mobile Ballistics Solution (MOBALL) that is more sophisticated (and accurate) than typical PDA-based programs.
MOBALL includes TI graphing calculator and ballistics software. Kestrel windmeter NOT included.
Bryan tells us: “The Mobile Ballistics Computer (MOBALL) was created for one purpose: to provide shooters with the most accurate and complete ballistic firing solution possible for application in the field.” MOBALL runs on a TI graphing calculator — a sturdy, stand-alone, non-network device. That means you don’t need long-term cell phone contracts, expensive data plans, or weekly OS “updates” and patches. The TI also delivers long run-time on ordinary AAA batteries. That’s a big advantage over most laptop computers, which run out of “juice” after only 4-5 hours in the field.
According to Bryan, what sets MOBALL apart from other “deployable” ballistics calculators is that: “MOBALL provides a complete ballistic solution, with the ability to account for every major and minor variable affecting a bullets trajectory. In addition to the standard variables like atmospherics, uphill/downhill angles and wind, MOBALL also has the ability to account for more subtle ballistic effects like spin drift, Coriolis effect, and multiple winds in up to 3 zones.”
Importantly, Bryan’s MOBALL device can employ Ballistic Coefficients (BCs) referenced to the G7 standard. Compared to the older G1 BC model, the G7 BC standard better matches the characterics of the long, boat-tail bullets actually used by long-range shooters. Trajectories calculated using the G7 BC are more accurate for long-range bullets because the G7 BC doesn’t vary with velocity like the conventional G1 BC.
The difference between G1 and G7 BCs is explained online in the Berger Blog article A Better Ballistic Coefficient. The subject is also discussed in detail in Chapter 2 of Bryan’s Applied Ballistics book.
At $290.00, MOBALL isn’t the least expensive option for a mobile ballistics device, but that price includes the TI Voyage 200 graphing calculator, worth $180.00 by itself. Bryan adds: “As already mentioned, the feature set is extensive, and the software is much more sophisticated than most ballistics programs designed for PDAs. The solution is VERY accurate (CLICK to download MOBALL Accuracy Report). Also, the TI Voyage 200 is an impressive device itself, capable of solving advanced engineering and math problems. If you’re a high school/college student, engineer, etc, the TI Voyage 200 can be used for many school and work tasks unrelated to ballistics.”
Save $20 on MOBALL and Ballistics Book Combo
As a special Holiday Offer valid through December 31, 2009, you can save money when purchasing MOBALL and Bryan’s Applied Ballistics book together. The book and MOBALL unit are being offered as a Holiday Combo Set for $309.95. That’s a $20 savings over the $329.95 cost of purchasing both book and MOBALL unit separately.
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Tags: ballistics, Calculator, Computer, Litz, Texas Instruments, Trajectory
Hello,
I would like to get one of the MOBALL units ASAP
Please call or email the best way to purchase
Charles Tate Moots
gunnermoots@msn.com
505 463-1035
HI.
Is a TI Nspire CAS version in your plans? If it is let us know.
Charles, click on the MOBALL link (light blue text) at the top of the article. That will take you directly to the fastest way for you to get your order in.
Martin,
MOBALL will not run on the TI Nspire because of screen size limitations; it can’t run the dialogue boxes.
TI-89, TI-92, and TI-Voyage 200 are the only Texas Instruments models capable of running MOBALL.
-Bryan
Bryan,
Your book is probably the best I have read on this matter.
I have both shot and compared earlier data results using your program, and it is very very acurate.
But why don’t you add the option of Metric inputs/ outputs as a starting value ?
I could spend hours trying to explaining how infinitely more difficult inches/ Moa and feet is than metrics right through..
If the program was metric I’d get ten units straightaway, not one, as I am considering now, but delaying because I know this will have little or no use in the field for my metric brain. It could be used for reference only.
Really like the longevity for field use a calculator offers over a PDA. I have as Sal confirmed your book/software with real world results and it fits very very well.
You have the ballistics nailed, but you have a fair bit to go on human/machine interface in stress environments (I work with that professionally).
It’s a metric/MIL world for a tactical competitor, and a solution that complicates or increases the workload in an already critical phase will not do.
To collect MIL/metric data, convert to MOA/imperial input externally and have MIL/MOA outputs again doesn’t exactly improve your error budget.
As a minimum offer to make inputs directly compatible with the wanted output (metric/metric/mil). If you want a serious stand-alone product you need to do some work on the menu/input/presentation system as well.
If you’ll implement, I’ll do the stress interface design for free.
I would like to order MOBALL and book together but can’t find site to order both for holiday price.
Ray:
http://www.appliedballisticsllc.com/index_files/Combo.htm
The device looks nice, but no metric input?
I think it wouldn’t be too hard to add metric input right. If you put out this Mobile Ballistics Computer with the option of switching to metric, i will buy it and many other shooters probably think the same way.
I’d like to point out that ‘Ray’ and ‘Charles’ are the two guys who ‘couldn’t find’ the right links. No disrespect intended toward anyone (including the blind musician), but I thought this was funny.
I can see there will have to be a metric capability in MOBALL’s future. Thank you Sal, Tom and Jonas for your comments on this. My thinking was that one could set their rangefinders and Kestrels to output in imperial units. MOBALL can give drop in MILS, so technically it’s covered, but I also understand the preference of users to deal with units with which they’re familiar and comfortable.
I’ll get to work on a metric capability and announce when it’s available. Anyone interested in being notified directly when this capability is available can email me at:
Bryan.Litz@appliedballisticsLLC.com
It will also be possible to send updates to those who’ve already purchased the original MOBALL, so they won’t be left out.
Thanks again for the useful comments,
-Bryan
To anyone who may still be watching this old pose, I’m writing to let you know that I’ve added the option to use meters/MILS in MOBALL.
http://www.appliedballisticsllc.com/index_files/MOBALL.htm
On discussing it with several shooters who requested metric, it turns out that most of them didn’t want complete metric (caliber in mm, bullet weight in grams, temp in Celsius, etc) but only the range and drop in meters and MILS.
MOBALL has been upgraded to accept range in meters (as well as yards) and output drop in cm and MILS (as well as inches and MOA).
-Bryan
Got the book for Christmas, it’s fantastic. I have the computer on order now. Looking forward to it!
is the moball systom still available,very interested..thanks
Jack: I believe Bryan Litz is no longer producing the MoBall. Bryan does sell the Shooter ballistics app for Android OS. See http://www.appliedballisticsllc.com/products.htm
I have a ti-89 and I wanted to download the program onto it. Everytime I click your link it says nothing found.