YUP!
https://www.hawkeoptics.com/chairgun-and-x-act-end-of-life.html
If you read between the lines:
"...the software platforms have become ever more complex and difficult to support...."
means that the developer/coder just did not want to move forward with Google's, Apple's and Windows' ever changing requirements.
We are having a little bit of trouble with PP-Calc because even though it does not have a PC based version, just the Android based version is a moving target as far as maintenance and compliance with all the rules and laws.
Hawke opted to purchase the Chairgun software to use it as a selling tool, but it vastly over-reached that goal, and in the end, they helped everyone not only their sales. Now they feel they need to concentrate on the core business of making optics and that is a smart decision on their part because VERY few companies that stray out of core competencies ever make a successful transition.
Now, from a shooter's POV, you have three courses of action:
1.- You can download the "legacy" version for your desktop (IOs or Windows), and just keep running that. 99% of the shooters will be able to live with that for 10 or more years, even with the changing software platforms because you can always run "emulators", or run-time environments.
2.- For those that want a mobile application, Hawke is recommending Strelok (there are three versions and, as usual, you get what you pay for). I would concur with the recommendation as long as you decide on Strelok Pro. As pellet ballistics advance, we may have soon a set of Ga drag functions, where you can get a better fitting scale model of what the pellet does. Because of the wide differences between heads/shoulders/skirts/CoG's and materials, it will always be difficult to get ONE Ga that fits ALL pellets, but a set will do and Strelok Pro offers the possibility of creating your own drag curves. You just need to understand how Lapua presents their radar data and mimic that.
3.- Your third option and the one I would take (obviously, LOL!) is PP-Calc, it offers the best of both worlds: Simplicity in its operation and accessibility to everyone and anyone that wants to dedicate at least 10 mins to understanding what they are doing. You may not have radar data, but YOU know better than anyone how YOUR pellets shoot from YOUR guns. Just a few times of dedicated data collection and you are better off than most that use "table" data.
We will try to keep up with Android's and Google's increasing demands for details and compliances; as it is, the app is not really a business, but with almost 300 downloads and over 120 ACTIVE users (people that use it at least 1 time per month) all over the world, we will do our best to support them.
Times change, adapt.
Keep well and shoot straight!
HM
+1 for PP-Calc. Easy to use, easy to setup. Be thorough, take your time and it will pay you back with good ballestic data.
Chairgun, for me, is/was a diagnostic tool, useful for doing "what if?" and setup comparisons. It'll be missed.
Ive used Strelok (all flavors) and likely still be using it if not for PP-calc.
Got my answer from Hector. Great guy. NO not for my use anyway but it may be for you. sounds good.
Thanks for your kind words, Vettnut!
Just as there is no one single rifle that's "IT" for everyone, we know that PP-Calc is not for everyone.
We all have different perspectives, wants and needs.
As I said in the post above, and for those that have the question, but didn't write to me:
Download the "legacy" (this means that it will become free-for distribution once the support stops in January) version and be happy.
Update the pellet data base as time and needs dictate (you can use HAM's BC tables as long as the conditions of HAM's test for each pellet correspond closely to YOUR conditions), and use the software maths, with HAM's data, to get reasonably good info.
ALWAYS remember that the BC is a SCALE factor, it is NOT a "quality" index, nor an indication of suitability for purpose. It is just a SCALE factor that tells you how YOUR firing conditions relate to a "master" set of firing conditions.
And also remember that pellets are flange stabilized projectiles that derive more stabilizing force from their shape than from their spin, as such ANY change in their shape inside the barrel will also change substantially the BC.
In the same way that "He who lives by the Chrono will die by the Chrono", some shooters agonize too much over the BC. They "Live by the BC" , and they will die by the BC.
Shoot a lot, and take notes. THIS is the real D.O.P.E. (Data On Previous Engagements).
Software is an interesting aspect and a shortcut of sorts, but like all shortcuts, you need to know what you are doing.
IF / WHEN maths advance to the point where we can PREDICT what the drag function will be for a given pellet shape, finish, material and mass distribution, under a given set of atmospheric conditions, THEN we will have a true quantum leap in the science of pellet ballistics.
UNTIL then, we are just progressing at snail's pace with incremental improvements.
How far are we from that?
Curiously enough, we are getting closer, but on the side of graphical analysis.
SOME modern CAD/CAM software has some of the functions and characteristics that would allow assembling a predictive system. I have not seen any interest from the industry in that, so that may keep the progress at bay for some time.
As my GrandPa used to say: "He who shall live, shall see"
Keep well and shoot straight!
HM
