Is there any up to date range finder reviews? Looking at the Sig kilo3k

[Elite]

Hey everyone, I am looking to update my current range finder and can’t find much reviews on the new models.

I am mainly looking at the kilo 3k and 5k. Wondering what everyone recommends for the new rams finders.

Some of my main wants are

Able to drop a pin on a map when there is no cell service available

Ballistic app that I am able to use handload data


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[huntsd]

tag... me too

 

[TXtoWest05]

I recently was in between the sig 5k and vortex razor GB 4000 and Maven. Same requirements as you, mainly hunting focused not long range shooting. Played with both but never owned an sig product. Wanted the Ballistics so maven was out.

I ultimately picked up the razor just due to price to feature tradeoff and warranty. Cabela’s has 15% off vortex through month end and was able to stack a 10% off Monday coupon on top of that making it 25% off or $100 bucks cheaper than Sig. I hear SIG upgraded warranty from 5 years to lifetime so that’s no longer an issue.

Price the same, would probably buy the sig 5k due to kestrel connection and Applied Ballistics and On-X connection. 8K was overkill for me on price and features. Glass is better on razor for sure. GeoBalistics is fine and easy to use. In testing inside 1000 yards, results are similar on both drop charts. Both on board sensor groups are subject to body heat issues. Have not tested in cold so can’t advise on that. Environmental Data matches my kestrel.

I don’t carry my kestrel hunting so the connection was a non issue for me and wind is so easy to put in the vortex. As far as the map pin drop feature, both will get you to maybe 100 yards of the target. If I remember right, the 8K with compass was the only stand along pin drop, 5k still requires you to point phone. In reality, On-X has the compass rangefinder feature that I actually use anyways, point your phone, input your range from the rangefinder and you are within
Money saved is going to chronograph.


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[Bowfinn]

If you need/want a budget range finder with ballistics that will workout to practical hunting distances the sig 3k will do it. I moved on from mine after using it on hunts last year.

Laser- I could only expect ranges on first try out to about 600, and the practical max distance was about 1200-1500 (if stabilized and possibly range multiple times). A 10 year old leupold 1300 I have is a better laser than the 3k. Again, generally it works within practical hunting distances.

Battery life- expect to change battery’s multiple times a year or before each hunt. Don’t forget a backup battery.

Cold weather- I left it out side at about 10F over night with a 3 day old battery and it wouldn’t range past 400 yards until it got warm.

Blue tint- this could be a problem near the ends of shooting hours, or in reduced visibility conditions(sleet/snow).

Also, the 3k doesn’t have a compass so the pin drop feature won’t work.

 

[FoggyScope]

Same experience as @Bowfinn

To be clear it seems all companies rangefinders suck batteries and are over rated on range so take it with a grain of salt its not that its bad, its just the real capabilities. I use mine for archery only now, moved to sig 6k binos to get ranges out to 1000-1500 consistently for competitions (im talking trees and large objects. They will hit a deer out to 7 or 800) so probably similar to the 5k monocular.

Imo the pin on map thing is way overated from any company. Its not magic. You still have to open up the app and fiddle with it to get the pin in the right spot. So i cant tell you if it works without signal because i only used it once.

 

[Bowfinn]

Same experience as @Bowfinn

To be clear it seems all companies rangefinders suck batteries and are over rated on range so take it with a grain of salt its not that its bad, its just the real capabilities. I use mine for archery only now, moved to sig 6k binos to get ranges out to 1000-1500 consistently for competitions (im talking trees and large objects. They will hit a deer out to 7 or 800) so probably similar to the 5k monocular.

Imo the pin on map thing is way overated from any company. Its not magic. You still have to open up the app and fiddle with it to get the pin in the right spot. So i cant tell you if it works without signal because i only used it once.

I agree the pin thing is overrated and I can simply do it on OnX easily so I won’t even bother.
On a side note I replaced my sig with a vortex 4000gb and it’s been almost everything I could hope for. The battery looks like it’s gonna make it a year with the blue tooth on, brightest setting, and the longest screen time(180seconds). The laser gets me past 2k in all scenarios, and 3-4k is reasonably possible in the right scenario. I just wish they would show the holdover and the compensated range in the first data screen when in ballistic mode. I emailed their CS and they told me they are working on it, but who knows when or if it will happen.

 

[Elite]

I agree the pin thing is overrated and I can simply do it on OnX easily so I won’t even bother.
On a side note I replaced my sig with a vortex 4000gb and it’s been almost everything I could hope for. The battery looks like it’s gonna make it a year with the blue tooth on, brightest setting, and the longest screen time(180seconds). The laser gets me past 2k in all scenarios, and 3-4k is reasonably possible in the right scenario. I just wish they would show the holdover and the compensated range in the first data screen when in ballistic mode. I emailed their CS and they told me they are working on it, but who knows when or if it will happen.

Thanks for the feed back, I have been eyeing up the vortex but I see it’s only rated for -10c? I hunt in a lot colder.

Are you saying the sig doesn’t show it the first screen or vortex?


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[Bowfinn]

Thanks for the feed back, I have been eyeing up the vortex but I see it’s only rated for -10c? I hunt in a lot colder.

Are you saying the sig doesn’t show it the first screen or vortex?


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I put it in a deep freezer that was between -6f and -8f for 2 days, and I got very consistent readings out to 1000 yards. I think the max was 1800 yards before it could warm up. The screen was slightly dimmed, but still readable mid day on snow. The battery was about 2 months old when I tested it. So my unit has been good with cold for my uses.

If I’m remembering correctly they both show data the same. The first screen has yardage in LOS (Im not sure if sig is los or HCD) and the angle. After 2 seconds they show the ballistic corrections, but it feels like 5.

 

[Elite]

Wondering if anyone has any updates on the new range finders


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