Sig Sauer - KILO3000 BDX LASER RANGEFINDING BINOCULARS
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Just saw this review on OP - looks like there is confusion amongst some retailers on the models...
“Just to let people know optics planet does not have class R3 that they say on the website. They sent me the class M1 that range only out to 1500 to 2000 yards.I called them and they told me I can return them. Theirs a big difference between the R3 and the M1. If you wanted the R3 like me them go to a different place to get them. I really like the kilo 3000 looking through them but i can't pick up any objects over 2000 yards.”
“Just to let people know optics planet does not have class R3 that they say on the website. They sent me the class M1 that range only out to 1500 to 2000 yards.I called them and they told me I can return them. Theirs a big difference between the R3 and the M1. If you wanted the R3 like me them go to a different place to get them. I really like the kilo 3000 looking through them but i can't pick up any objects over 2000 yards.”
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The one I have for review is a class 1m laser as well. However, today I ranged out to 3693 in full sun, and over 3700 an hour before sunset. Hit lots of targets out to well over 2k in full sun. It out ranged my Leicas (2700 and 2800.com), as well as my 2400 BDX. Should be having a call with Sig next week, I'll ask about this, assuming we can connect.
Mine are 1M but as you can see the difference is not that great. I haven’t tried anything over 1800 yards yet though. Maybe tomorrow.
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I just checked the demo ones I have, on mine, if you unscrew the front cover, it is threaded for a stud.
@DocUSMCRetired or anyone who's handled them outside. How is the glass? Can you compare it to an existing product?
I was not impressed with the Vortex FuryII glass. As a rangefinder fine, as primary bino's... I'm just not willing to accept the optics downgrade to eliminate a device, I'll grab a 2400BDX and pair with the Kestrel. If we're talking Razor glass I'll order today.
I was not impressed with the Vortex FuryII glass. As a rangefinder fine, as primary bino's... I'm just not willing to accept the optics downgrade to eliminate a device, I'll grab a 2400BDX and pair with the Kestrel. If we're talking Razor glass I'll order today.
I have only had mine a few days, but I'll tell you what I see so far, which matches what Sig told me to expect....that is, they are nice glass, but they are not top shelf. While it's hard to categorize, as everyone's eyes are different, but the glass in the 3k is like their Zulu 5 glass, which they compared to more or less Viper level glass.
In my very limited testing so far, I think they are more or less on the money. When comparing vs a set of Vipers in store, they were pretty much on par. Vs my Zeiss FL's, under many conditions, they are not at that level.
I don't have a set of Razors to test against, so I can't say for sure, but I would not expect them to be in that class.
At their price point, you get a great RF, and nice glass. But you are not getting a great RF and Alpha glass.
HTH.
I would agree with the guy above. They are pretty good but clearly not top shelf.
I think this is what we all expected. My biggest question is going to be if these can double for spotting duty on steel hits or if I'll be stuck carrying two pair of binos...
I think they will be fine to 1k, but I hope to get access to the range I use for testing next week, but not sure that will happen. If it does, I'll be able to check out to at least 1125, maybe 1400.
Problem is, I'm in Texas and it's getting hot already. Yesterday, when testing, mirage was pretty massive already. Hopefully I can be out at the range late enough or early enough to preclude that.
Here is the furthest I’ve gotten (meaning I haven’t had a clear line of sight to anything further out except trees). This was just now so pretty sunny. Photo was via iPhone, but I think it conveys the glass quality decently.
Edit: I did verify the distance with google maps and it appears to be dead on.
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Doesn't look bad at all considering how much is packed into the device for the price.
We had no idea there was more than one version. Thanks for posting this. We bought and shipped the 31001.
Thanks,
Scott
I agree. I really bought this primarily as a rangefinder and haven’t used high end binoculars for comparison, although I do have some good camera lenses. I think so far they seem like a great value.
I picked up my pair yesterday and stopped along a (still) frozen Minnesota lake to test it out. Conditions were afternoon sun and white snow covering the lake. Without any issue was able to range the tree line across the lake at 2100y. Was also able to easily range a variety of ice houses sitting on the lake at distances from ~650y to over 1400y. I know my Sig 2200MR has been struggling ranging things much past 1100y with the white snow in sunlight.
I have sent an email to Sig Sauer to know about the 2 types of lasers (1m and 3r) their response was as follows:
We originally planned to make both a Class3R and Class1M version. We are now only producing the Class1M version.
Thanks,
Jake
We originally planned to make both a Class3R and Class1M version. We are now only producing the Class1M version.
Thanks,
Jake
wait what? so that means the first few who got the SOK31001 (3R) are going to be the only ones who get one? Whoa...
Played with mine on the range yesterday. Ranged 1800 yards no problem (furthest target I could find yesterday). Far as the glass, they're decent. I could not see trace because of mirage. Are they anywhere close to my Swaro 15x56HD's? NO, but I didn't expect them to be.
Personally, I like them better than the 2400BDX rangefinder. If weight and size is a concern stick with the 2400BDX, if not spring for a little extra cash and get the 3000BDX bino's. They will be more versatile in the long run.
Now if only Swarovski would get theirs to Bluetooth with the Kestrel...….
Personally, I like them better than the 2400BDX rangefinder. If weight and size is a concern stick with the 2400BDX, if not spring for a little extra cash and get the 3000BDX bino's. They will be more versatile in the long run.
Now if only Swarovski would get theirs to Bluetooth with the Kestrel...….
Do you know why that is that there will be no 3R available? I spoke with Sport Optics and they said that the models they have on order are the "SOK31001" number. That may just be arbitrary and all models delivered to them will be 1M from the sound of it?
Since these seem closely related to the new Vortex LRF binoculars, it seems like (as usual), a third party is manufacturing these binoculars for Sig and Vortex.
Sig might have made the decision to drop the other model for a few reasons. Perhaps the marketing determined that the countries that would require that model would not generate enough business to support two models. Perhaps the company making them decided to drop that range finder engine (it would be interesting to see if Vortex has a 3R version available). It could be something entirely different.
Sig might have made the decision to drop the other model for a few reasons. Perhaps the marketing determined that the countries that would require that model would not generate enough business to support two models. Perhaps the company making them decided to drop that range finder engine (it would be interesting to see if Vortex has a 3R version available). It could be something entirely different.
I just got off the phone with my contact at Sig. He explained that there are a couple issues involved here. First, it is important to note that 3r versions are not legal at this time in Europe. What that means is if they are to use the 3r laser, they have to manufacture and ship two different versions, as they do for the 2400.
Yet that is exactly what they do for the 2400, so why not for the 3k? He told me that in the smaller devices with smaller receptors etc., the 3r provides a performance improvement, so they continue to do that in that line. However, since they started testing the 3k's, they found that with the different (larger) hardware in the bino, the 3r did not provide that improvement, so they dropped the 3r version, as it lets them just make one bino for the global market, rather than having to make two.
Yet that is exactly what they do for the 2400, so why not for the 3k? He told me that in the smaller devices with smaller receptors etc., the 3r provides a performance improvement, so they continue to do that in that line. However, since they started testing the 3k's, they found that with the different (larger) hardware in the bino, the 3r did not provide that improvement, so they dropped the 3r version, as it lets them just make one bino for the global market, rather than having to make two.
Ive had nothing but problems with Sig. I don't feel comfortable buying from them anymore.
And I still prefer the Kestrel.
And I still prefer the Kestrel.
1M....3R....if this was never brought up I don't think anyone would care, as long as they worked as advertised. But it wasn't smart of Sig to publish 2 versions with the same name in any way, shape or form. Call the 3R the Kilo3500BDX or something... 
1M....3R....if this was never brought up I don't think anyone would care, as long as they worked as advertised. But it wasn't smart of Sig to publish 2 versions with the same name in any way, shape or form. Call the 3R the Kilo3500BDX or something...
They do work as advertised.
SIG'S quality assurance is lacking. I've owned two of their higher end range finders. Both providing inconsistent ranging data, one of them wouldn't range beyond 160 yards. I think these are Chinese. I'd be wary of investing money in their products. The consistency and the quality just isn't there.
I've gone beyond 3700, over 3690 in full sun, high mirage. Hit a flying plane at over 3200. Impressed so far, hope to get out to do more testing this weekend, and then use them with the scope at a course next week, assuming all goes to plan.
I'd be careful about the planes...aiming any kind of laser at an aircraft is technically a pretty big federal crime. Unlikely you'd be caught but who knows what surveillance is in place now.
That being said, awesome results!
I figured since it's invisible and eye safe, it was not forbidden, but you're right...you never know these days!
Wanted to share this discovery; the 5.11 6.6 Padded Pouch is a perfect fit, padded, and only $25. I used this over the weekend and it provided a nice pouch for tossing these in a support pack.
Ready to get mine in. 2400bdx just went out on me, though i've suspected it had issues because it wouldn't range as well as our Kilo 2000 especially past 600yds. I'm sure SIG will take care of it though. AB lite has been pretty great for us this hunting season. Especially for dad, now he can just point, range, dial, and shoot. Takes away any complexity from it for him. We successfully took my buck at 636yds, his doe at 595yds, his buck at 312yds, then i used it for two doe with my brothers' 308 at 400yds and 508yds. Can't wait to get the binocs.
So @5RWill, you’re saying a Sig RF product just went tits up on you, so you’re responding by buying a second Sig RF product?
Help me out here. One failure = buy more?
I’m getting this feeling that Sig is striking the same cords that Vortex did about 5-7 years ago. New guys on the block, good marketing, lots of product lines, the sexy pick. Then people started to look a little harder, saw Chinese made optics and the reason for a lifetime warranty, and began taking their money to the boys who’ve been doing it right for a long time.
I could very well be wrong and this is Sigs niche and they will dominate it. Suppose time will tell.
I had a Kilo 2000 I never had a problem with sold it when I got the 2400ABS and the 2400ABS has performed flawlessly since day one. Hoping I have the same luck with the 3000BDXs.
Well, it's 5-7 years later and the Kilo3000 is essentially the same LRF binoculars as the Vortex Fury 5000 (or whatever they call it) but with the BDX electronics added.
That means that product line is going to have the benefit of the experience that Vortex had with it.
These days with the way that most Asian optics are private lable versions of white box products, a newcomer can jump in pretty close to the top, just like Athlon was nothing a few years ago and now the Chronus is considered top tier right beside Vortex Razor.
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