Back in 2023, Vortex acquired a company called GeoBallistics. GeoBallistics is a Texas-based company that offers ballistic mobile application software. At the time, Vortex said GeoBallistics products will be added to the Vortex portfolio “to continue to enhance and simplify hunting and shooting while providing critical information quickly and accurately.”
Since then, they’ve been developing devices that use GeoBallistics’ software to give shooters and hunters quick, simple, and accurate ballistic data. The highlight of this effort is the all-new Ace Ballistic Weather Meter that’s a part of the new Vortex Relay ecosystem.
Ace Specs
The Ace brings real-time weather readings and ballistic solutions to your fingertips. It’s focused on solving real world problems in the field or on the firing line. It was designed and built by field experience, missed calls, and lessons learned from testing limits and expecting more from your equipment.
Specs are as follows:
- Display: LCD
- Display Size: 2”
- Width: 2.4”
- Length: 5.4”
- Weight: 5.7 Ounces
- MSRP: $899.99 ($599.99 street price)
Features
At its core, Ace is designed to gather real-world environmental data and turn it into useful information—quickly. The removable wind reader lets you customize the setup to your needs or add accessories without cluttering your kit. Built-in sensors track wind speed, compass heading, and exposed temperature, pressure, and humidity, delivering accurate data directly from your environment to calculate the best ballistic solution possible.
Where Ace truly excels is in turning that data into action. The GeoBallistics solver provides reliable ballistic solutions while the wind screen displays an intuitive “wind clock” that helps you visualize direction and make quick corrections. Wind-truing tools allow you to fine-tune your solution as conditions change and everything updates in real time—no guesswork, no lag. With storage for up to ten customizable profiles, switching between rifles, loads, or mission sets is seamless.
Integration is another strong point. Ace seamlessly works with Vortex’s Relay ecosystem and connects to the GeoBallistics app on your phone, giving access to a large bullet library and an easy-to-use interface. Turning it on is simple—press the menu button to turn it on, and hold to turn it off. It comes ready to use with a lanyard, batteries, a manual, and a pouch, making Ace a compact, reliable tool for shooters who want their data clean, connected, and dependable.
Setup
Setup is straightforward. When you open the package, you’ll see a QR code that links to a video walkthrough of the setup process. To sum up: press the menu button, then choose Compass, and calibrate the compass. Next, you’ll perform a few tasks (which might make your neighbors or anyone watching laugh). First, rotate the Ace vertically for 15 seconds, then press enter. Then, rotate the Ace clockwise for 15 seconds, and press enter. Lastly, roll side-to-side for 15 seconds. When finished, a “calibration complete” banner will appear. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to try again.
Vortex recommends doing that in a clear area away from large structures and metal. They also advise calibrating after changing batteries or if you use the binoculars outside of a 30-mile radius from the original calibration.
What is Vortex Relay?
Vortex Relay is a closed network that recognizes and remembers every enabled device in your long-range toolkit. Once set up, Relay reliably connects each device every time, ensuring seamless, hassle-free integration. That means, for example, your rangefinder and weather meter communicate smoothly on the same network, providing you with a precise, instant ballistic solution.
Currently, the Ace, TALON HD 10K binoculars, Impact 4000 Ballistic Rail-Mounted Laser Rangefinder, and the GeoBallistic app feature Vortex Relay connectivity.
Zooming Out
The Ace is a valuable addition to the Vortex product lineup and offers a practical, real-world use. Surprisingly, this market has little competition. In fact, the only other handheld ballistic calculator and weather meter available is from Applied Ballistics. But that’s a tough act to follow. Kestrel is the king. How will Ace compete? Time and market acceptance will tell. The fact that Vortex is releasing a host of products that work within the Relay ecosystem shows they’re committed.
Regardless, once the weather warms in this part of the world I plan to use it extensively all summer to test various rifle builds and see what the Ace can really do.