Mine from Liberty optics came in but I am away for work and won’t be able to play with them for a few months.
Sig Sauer - KILO3000 BDX LASER RANGEFINDING BINOCULARS
- Thread starter stevenc23
- Start date
In this case, they are not Asian private label LRF systems. If the lasers are not performing you should definitely have them checked out.
Each one is individually tested here in the US before it ships.
Thank you for the side by side view, I haven't seen one before.
The other pictures I saw were front angles and looked more similar although it's hard to tell what is under the plastic.
So you say it's not a private lable white box product?
Please tell us what you mean.
With similar specs, performance and price I was assuming they come from the same factory and that the actual binocular and LRF bones are identical.
I think it's safe to spill the beans since they are both out in the wild now.
The other pictures I saw were front angles and looked more similar although it's hard to tell what is under the plastic.
So you say it's not a private lable white box product?
Please tell us what you mean.
With similar specs, performance and price I was assuming they come from the same factory and that the actual binocular and LRF bones are identical.
I think it's safe to spill the beans since they are both out in the wild now.
Thats not for me to disclose, but the LRF tech is not Asian select your spec gear. It is licensed by Sig and Vortex. From right here at home.
For low light ranging, would you go with the Leica 2800 .com with its superior glass or the Kilo 3000 with a much bigger objective and light gathering ? I don’t need the range much far, maybe 800yr top but glass quality is important.
In order to avoid conflict of interest I do not recommend one product over another. I can tell you the performance expectations or specifications and capabilities. However I stay away from recommending one thing vs another.
may be best to find one in stock somewhere to decide for yourself. Other's opinions may not match yours.
Wondering how the Kilo 3000 would compare ranging wise to a Vectronix PLRF-15. I have an opportunity to get the PLRF for around $1500. Anyone have experience with both?
Only binos I have to compare to the Sig is my Swarovski’s. The Sig’s are nice, but don’t have the definition that the swaro’s have. For the ranging, I shot our mile target instantly. Just my opinion and set of eyes.
I have the 3kbdx, I am reviewing it now, but quick response on the glass quality. Sig will you its more or less Zulu 5 glass, so you can check out the reviews on those to get an idea. Robby Denning did a good video on. I have compared them to my Zeiss FL's, all I for comparison, really.
Obviously, the 3k's are not alpha glass and no one should expect that at this price point. But the glass is really quite good. Low light, the FL's are several minutes better, handle mirage better, and when the distances get long, the image holds up better. That said I checked verses so Vipers very briefly, and they seem in that same vein.
Oveall, glass wise, it's really decent glass, absolutely up to the task that most folks will want to use them for. But don't expect Leica glass, here...if you got that, the price point would be dramatically different. I look at them as a very solid set of binos, with nice glass, but not spectacular, glass...and a really great RF.
Definitely better glass and coatings than their CRF's....better color, clarity , flare control etc.
Obviously, the 3k's are not alpha glass and no one should expect that at this price point. But the glass is really quite good. Low light, the FL's are several minutes better, handle mirage better, and when the distances get long, the image holds up better. That said I checked verses so Vipers very briefly, and they seem in that same vein.
Oveall, glass wise, it's really decent glass, absolutely up to the task that most folks will want to use them for. But don't expect Leica glass, here...if you got that, the price point would be dramatically different. I look at them as a very solid set of binos, with nice glass, but not spectacular, glass...and a really great RF.
Definitely better glass and coatings than their CRF's....better color, clarity , flare control etc.
I don’t know, I’m very happy with mine and most of the comments in this thread from people who have them suggest the same. I think it’s a great rangefinder with very good binoculars at a reasonable price.
I think they are just now starting to make it out to people so it may take a little bit before the masses can chime in with their take on them.
I have read of some people ranging to over 4,000 yards with theirs.
That's great compared to all but the most expensive monocular LRFs and it's a binocular which is a major optical upgrade even if it's not Alpha grade glass.
Unless people had unrealistic expectations, it hasn't fallen short except that a year ago they were saying fall 2018 delivery.
That's great compared to all but the most expensive monocular LRFs and it's a binocular which is a major optical upgrade even if it's not Alpha grade glass.
Unless people had unrealistic expectations, it hasn't fallen short except that a year ago they were saying fall 2018 delivery.
Just thought this post would explode once released.
Using the Kestrel link is it staying connected during the time to document unknown targets? If you set the Kestrel to stay on, let's say 30 min. will it populate data if you range at any time within the Kestrel "On time" with the Kestrel in you pack?
Eye relief for us who wear glasses, is it enough?
Using the Kestrel link is it staying connected during the time to document unknown targets? If you set the Kestrel to stay on, let's say 30 min. will it populate data if you range at any time within the Kestrel "On time" with the Kestrel in you pack?
Eye relief for us who wear glasses, is it enough?
Blowby,
I've had a set of these for a few weeks, working on a review of them, but have to finish one on the scope first. But wanted to pass on a few observations so far.....I wear glasses and have pretty deepset eyes, so most spotters, for example, won't work for me. I have no problems with the eye relief on these.
I have ranged over 3600 yards with these in full sun, granted, on the side of a house. But it's a strong RF. You will need to figure out where your sensor is inside the reticle.
I leave my Kestrel running all the time when using these...no sleep. Hit the range button and mine will reconnect with the Kestrel in about 2 seconds.
However, the devices need to be close to eachother for best performance, within a couple yards is best.
Overall, its a very strong ranger, pretty decent glass. As another poster put it...great RF with good glass at an excellent price point.
Perfect, no, but I am impressed so far.
Last edited:
I gave in and order a pair from Scott @LibertyOptics. The glass in the Vortex Fury 5000 looked solid at SHOT, so if they are on par with that the Sigs should work better with the Bluetooth interface. Fingers crossed on the Sig q/c though.
Yeah, I like mine, in fact, right now, the only thing I can point to so far that I don't care for is what I mentioned before about their imprecise sensor placement in relation to the reticle. Two outta three of my Leicas were not perfectly centered either, but they were pretty close, well, one was really close, the other, off quite a bit vertically. But my Sigs all need seem to be off more than my Leicas, sometimes the sensor will extend outside of the reticle. Once i know where it is, I am good, and it really does not come into play until you are ranging really small targets at long, long distance...but that's one area I want to see them improve. Obviously, other manu's have the same issue, but somebody has to set the bar a little higher here.
So when you get yours, hit up the telephone pools and power lines so you know where to aim. The reticle is 3 mrads round IIRC, the divergence on these is 1.5 horizontal by .3 vertical, so a lot of that reticle is empty space. Mine is aligned well windage wise, but elevation wise, it is low.
So when you get yours, hit up the telephone pools and power lines so you know where to aim. The reticle is 3 mrads round IIRC, the divergence on these is 1.5 horizontal by .3 vertical, so a lot of that reticle is empty space. Mine is aligned well windage wise, but elevation wise, it is low.
How do you figure out where the reticle is in relation to the laser's collimation? Is there a guide somewhere?
You laser something very fine like top of a power pole or power line and see where you get hits and note exactly where the reticle is in relation to the fine object.
My 3000 BDX binos arrived yesterday. I took them out briefly after work and was impressed with the glass, definitely good enough for what I need. I did all of my ranging offhand and was very impressed. I was up on a hill and pointed them down toward an intersection off in the distance that has stop lights, signs etc. I was able to repeatedly hit them at 4459 yards while in scan mode. When I went back home I confirmed that distance on Google earth. 2000 yard hits on structures were fast and easy. Moving cars were also easy and fast to range repeatedly as they moved away. When I have some more time I will range them on smaller targets at the range as well as farm animals off in the distance. So far I am very pleased. My previous LRF is Leica 1600B.
Only gripe I have about them is the eye focus knobs/rings. They get moved around way too easy with just normal handling.
Mark your eye settings with a silver sharpie dot. If you go to sell them you can take alcohol and wipe it off.
Looked through mine which arrived at the office. Ranged a road heading up a hill to NCAR at 4453 yards. Need to work on smaller targets when I get home. One thing that was a little weird was the reticle and display seemed hard to focus on while scanning the hillside. The LED is in the right tube and focused using the right side ring which also focuses your right / left eye difference. I might have to compromise one way or the other.
Yeah, somewhere where I was talking about these, that's one thing I mentioned I think they needed...locking diopters. The one on the 2400 were super stiff, at least on my unit. Was hoping they would be that stiff, but they are not. We are probably going to put a strip of black electrical tape around each diopter to hold them in place, but this would be a good upgrade. Lock them, or at least make them very stiff.
Don't know for sure what you are seeing, so it may be something different, but it was different for me compared to my regular binos. What I did, IIRC, is focused about 200 yards out, covered the left and focused the right for the reticle, then covered the right and focused the left for the image. Then I refocused and fine tuned. I did get it where it all focused together nicely, just took a little getting used to the process.
i had the same issue with a pair of vortex fury 5k after messing with it for about 2 mins i got the reticle and display to show up clear then used the main focus to adjust later.
I don't want to speak for Liberty, but I don't believe so. I also have a pair that has been on order through Liberty since December I asked Scott last week for an update and said he was expecting a shipment this week. So far nothing, but hopefully soon.
I called sig and ordered a pair of the 3000’s on Monday. I ordered through sig due to the fact that I had a certificate I got off of a prize table to use. They said they were expecting the next shipment shortly and that they’d have to go through QC and then they’d be out. No guarantees on time frame but they said soon.
I took my new Kilo3000's with me to the range today. I only have steel out to 700 yards right now. The results were as follows:
I was able to range IPSIC easily offhand at 700. The smaller targets were also picked up when I rested the binos on my shooting bag.
4" gong @ 400 yards
8" gong @ 600 yards
10" gong at 700 yards
Picked up horses offhand @ 995 yards
On the bag I picked up a farmer walking @ 1071 yards
Hit tops of telephone poles @ 1225
Hit a house of in the distance multiple times @ 4974 yards. The pic isn't that clear as I was not focused on the house when I ranged it as I was scanning my way out. I quickly held my cell phone up to the ocular lens to catch a pic of the distance.
I was able to range IPSIC easily offhand at 700. The smaller targets were also picked up when I rested the binos on my shooting bag.
4" gong @ 400 yards
8" gong @ 600 yards
10" gong at 700 yards
Picked up horses offhand @ 995 yards
On the bag I picked up a farmer walking @ 1071 yards
Hit tops of telephone poles @ 1225
Hit a house of in the distance multiple times @ 4974 yards. The pic isn't that clear as I was not focused on the house when I ranged it as I was scanning my way out. I quickly held my cell phone up to the ocular lens to catch a pic of the distance.
I'm in the same boat. If these can range a 30x30 piece of steel at a mile to 2000 yards I am more than happy.
They only released one model, it two like what was planned. Doc explained this last week. I have a master list of all of sigs current production for 2019 and there is only one model for the binos which is the SOK31001 class 1m laser
They are the SOK31001 class 1m laser as malteez mentioned. They seem to work very well.
Looks like my laser is dead center left to right and just sitting on top of theNow I have an exact location to use.
Mine is centered left to right as well and sits in the top 1/3 of the reticle.
Went out early on the trail I pack every morning and started to range rocks, deer, house’s and hikers. One thing that became apparent was the range and mode buttons were hard to find sliding you fingers around while observing. Bluetooth was finicky, if I put the Kestrel in my pocket I was losing the quick response to the display in the binoculars. Sometimes it would cycle (range>wind>drop) 3 or 4 times displaying 000 before a result. Sometimes no result but if I held the Kestrel in my hand while holding the bino’s it was instant. The distance between the devices seems to be a little concerning with my 3000 since I would probably keep my Kestrel in my pack or my pocket.
Interesting - I keep my 5700 in my hunting coat pocket and as long as it is turned on (5700) my Leica 2800.com connects easily and quickly. When the Leica is not in use for it turns off and stops searching for the 5700. That is one of the difficulties I had with the Terrapin X - if the 5700 turned off, the X would not stop searching and wore the battery down rapidly.
Out again this morning this time to Sanita’s trail head to put the gear through it’s paces again. Kestrel set to always on, Bluetooth connection confirmed, slipped in front pocket.
Hikers on ridge across valley in bright sunlight. Range and all drop, wind data displayed. Distance was 404 yards. Boulder south of me, ranged 797 yards and all data displayed. Put bino’s in carrier and hiked to an open area for longer distances. 10 minutes into the sleep phase I pulled the Kilo 3000 out and ranged a close object to verify and it displayed 000 so I hit the range button again and data is populated on display.
Maybe I found a quick solution to just hit the range a second time if no data on the first cycle. It’s much faster than waiting for the Kilo to cycle through the drop, wind and range a few times and maybe you get data.
So the rest of the hike I followed this process. If no data is displayed I hit the range again. It seemed to work every time and maybe I lost 2-3 seconds if unable to connect the first go around. Most range hits were successful with maybe a failure rate of 15% or less. You learn a technique with all your equipment so this seems to be an acceptable, quick solution until a release of either softwares update can resolve this. A solid connection on the first press of the range button is desirable.
Hikers on ridge across valley in bright sunlight. Range and all drop, wind data displayed. Distance was 404 yards. Boulder south of me, ranged 797 yards and all data displayed. Put bino’s in carrier and hiked to an open area for longer distances. 10 minutes into the sleep phase I pulled the Kilo 3000 out and ranged a close object to verify and it displayed 000 so I hit the range button again and data is populated on display.
Maybe I found a quick solution to just hit the range a second time if no data on the first cycle. It’s much faster than waiting for the Kilo to cycle through the drop, wind and range a few times and maybe you get data.
So the rest of the hike I followed this process. If no data is displayed I hit the range again. It seemed to work every time and maybe I lost 2-3 seconds if unable to connect the first go around. Most range hits were successful with maybe a failure rate of 15% or less. You learn a technique with all your equipment so this seems to be an acceptable, quick solution until a release of either softwares update can resolve this. A solid connection on the first press of the range button is desirable.
Last edited:
Blowby,
If I understand what you are experiencing, this is how all the BDX models, and indeed the Leica, work. That is, if the Kestrel is awake, but the RF has gone to sleep, the first button press serves to wake the RF up and re-establish connection with the Kestrel. On the Sigs, takes about 2-3 seconds for that to happen, and then you can range and get your solution.
Leica is not as fast, but works the same way...it has to go through a process and then it gives you the connection and then you are good to range.
If I understand what you are experiencing, this is how all the BDX models, and indeed the Leica, work. That is, if the Kestrel is awake, but the RF has gone to sleep, the first button press serves to wake the RF up and re-establish connection with the Kestrel. On the Sigs, takes about 2-3 seconds for that to happen, and then you can range and get your solution.
Leica is not as fast, but works the same way...it has to go through a process and then it gives you the connection and then you are good to range.
Similar threads
