Leupold vs Sig rangefinder

[blakees307]

I am looking at getting one of these rangefinders. Does anyone have any experience with either or both of them and have pros/cons about it? They are both the 1600 model and around the 300 dollar range. I don't really want to spend more than that. Any other options out there in that range I am not looking at also?

 

[68Plexi]

No experience with the Leupold rangefinder, but I do love my Sig Kilo 1600. Red OLED, ranges quickly and is accurate. Angle compensation is handy too.


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[idahohikker]

How are you at gambling? Sigs work about half the time. Much broader sample than just me.

 

[caesAR15]

No experience with the Leupold rangefinder, but I do love my Sig Kilo 1600. Red OLED, ranges quickly and is accurate. Angle compensation is handy too.


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Same here, happy camper. I've got the Sig 1600BDX which allows you to input your ballistic data and use the rangefinder to calculate your holdover/dial solution. It's a very slick system.

One word of caution, one of the Western states - ID, maybe?? - prohibits using a rangefinder/ballistic calc combo like the Sig BDX series. I'm going off memory, so if you're considering a rangefinder with that functionality I recommend digging around a bit to confirm.

 

[smith406]

One word of caution, one of the Western states - ID, maybe?? - prohibits using a rangefinder/ballistic calc combo like the Sig BDX series. I'm going off memory, so if you're considering a rangefinder with that functionality I recommend digging around a bit to confirm.
[/QUOTE]

https://idfg.idaho.gov/question/are-laser-range-rifle-scopes-legal-idaho-big-game-hunting

And this is from a Wyoming Game and Fish white paper.
Idaho
Idaho does regulate long range shooting/hunting. The topic comes up occasionally, but there are no plans to address it further. See regulation below:

language. Colorado, thus far, has tried to use education to address this ethical issue.
Idaho Administrative Code
IDAPA 13.01.08 Rules Governing the Taking of Big Game Animals in the State of Idaho
410. UNLAWFUL METHODS OF TAKE
No person shall take big game animals as outlined in this section. (7-1-93)
01. Firearms. (7-1-93)
a. With any firearm that, in combination with a scope, sling, and/or any other attachments,
weighs more than sixteen (16) pounds. (7-1-93)
b. With any shotgun using any shot smaller than double-aught (#00) buck. (7-1-93)
c. With any rimfire rifle, rimfire handgun or any muzzleloading handgun, EXCEPT for mountain
lion and trapped gray wolf. (4-4-13)
d. With a fully automatic firearm. (10-26-94)
e. With any electronic device attached to, or incorporated in, the firearm (including handguns and shotguns) or scope; except scopes containing battery powered or tritium lighted reticles are
allowed. (4-2-08)

I only just skimmed over it but you can read the whole thing here.

https://www.wyoleg.gov/InterimCommittee/2018/06-20180510208-NewTechnologiesReport.pdf

 

[blakees307]

No experience with the Leupold rangefinder, but I do love my Sig Kilo 1600. Red OLED, ranges quickly and is accurate. Angle compensation is handy too.


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How far have you been able to range deer/elk?

 

[Frost]

Sigs are awfully hard to beat for the price. Leicas are great rangefinders also but no personal experience with them. Myself and 4 buddies have Sigs now. One of the 5 became finicky so it was sent in and replaced with a newer model no questions asked. Other 4 have been trouble free. 5 years now on my original Kilo 2000 and it will range to 1200ish consistently no matter the conditions. 2000+ in ideal conditions. They’re also faster than the other RFs I have been around in that price range.

 

[Brendan]

One word of caution, one of the Western states - ID, maybe?? - prohibits using a rangefinder/ballistic calc combo like the Sig BDX series. I'm going off memory, so if you're considering a rangefinder with that functionality I recommend digging around a bit to confirm.

https://idfg.idaho.gov/question/are-laser-range-rifle-scopes-legal-idaho-big-game-hunting

Sounds like a "Maybe" the BDX series isn't allowed, but it's not the rangefinder / ballistic calc combo, it's whether it's incorporated into the scope (i.e. the BDX line). For example - the 2400ABS has a ballistic calculator integrated, but doesn't interact with the scope and should be fine. Here's the tricky wording from ID F&G:

"Fish and Game rules prohibit the use a firearm "with any electronic device attached to, or incorporated on, the firearm or scope; except scopes containing battery powered or tritium lighted reticles are allowed." Therefore, laser rangefinding rifle scopes attached to a rifle would be illegal to use for big game hunting. A hand-held laser rangefinder is legal to use during big game hunting."

I've had issues with two SIG 2200MR's, but have had both replaced no questions asked. I want to try a Leupold, but right now there's no good competition for the 2400ABS.

 

[Hunters Luck]

I’ve used both. I’ve seen both fail but I place a lot more trust in the Sig than I do the Leopold. That’s in conditions from early season archery elk hunting to late October/ November sheep and whitetail hunts

 

[Scottyboy]

I’ve used both. I’ve seen both fail but I place a lot more trust in the Sig than I do the Leopold. That’s in conditions from early season archery elk hunting to late October/ November sheep and whitetail hunts

same. I’ll trust a tree branch long before a leupold.

 

[swampthing]

I have never heard anything good about leupold rangefinders. Sig already has a reputation for making fine r-finders.

 

[Avezorak]

I have a Sig 2200 and man when it works, it is top notch. Its gone back twice for a battery drain issue. They always take care of me but its frustrating. Ive had Leupold and Zeiss in the past and didnt care for them. Leupold was inconsistent and Zeiss didnt range even halfway to advertised range. I like the Sig enough to buy a second as backup.

 

[Varminterror]

I have 3 Sigs, all are awesome. One 2000 and two 2200’s. I have had two Leupolds, and I would never go back. The Sig’s, Leica’s, or the Terrapin are the only LRF’s which would get my money.

 

[divingpa]

I have used both and own a Kilo 2200BDX. Both companies make good rangefinders, and both companies stand behind their products. I feel the Sig is much quicker to acquire a target than the Leupold. I used a Leica for years up until last year, but found it was too slow to acquire a target, so I started shopping around. When I started comparing, Leupold dropped out immediately as it has a black LED that I find very hard to see in dawn/dusk conditions. When I compared the rest that had red LEDs I found that none of the others could match the speed/accuracy/price point/compensation/and visibility of the Sig. So far I'm very happy with my choice and haven't had any issues with it.

One word of caution. If you purchase a Sig from somewhere like Cabela's, open it up in the store and try it out to ensure it has all the advertised features you want. I purchased a Kilo 1200 online from Cabela's that was supposed to have all the features that a Kilo 1200 comes with. Came to find out during an Aoudad hunt that the auto brightness for the LED wasn't built into the Cabela's model, which Sig makes specifically for them, and is why it is cheaper there than anywhere else. It even said on the package that it had this feature, but after speaking with Sig I came to find out it wasn't built in. Cabela's was great and I was able to return it, as auto brightness is a must for me hunting in many different lighting conditions.

 

[Blockcaver]

The Leupold line of rangefinders with TBR and DNA have red displays, at least the 2012 and 2018 models do. For bowhunting they are ideal as you get Angle corrected yardage instantly and in scan mode. Leica didn’t provide those features. My RX1600 and previous RX1200 TBR are my preference over my Leica R1000 that is slow to spit out the angle correction and only gives line of sight in scan mode.

 

[Grundy53]

I have 2 Leopolds and a Sig. I'm disappointed in all three.

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[Fatcamp]

I have the Leupold. It does what I need which isn't much.

 

[Dirtscoots]

One caution on Leupold I found out the hard way they only warranty range finders 3 years. They did offer me a decent percent off on another, however I don’t need any more boat anchors. All other Leupold optics ive had great customer service and experience with by no way is that a bash on the company.

 

[Whiskey_Fish]

My Sig Kilo 1800 ranges pronghorn at 6-800 yds with regularity. I’ve been keeping it in the center console and ranging them out the window as often as possible. Rarely can I not acquire a range.


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[pwdrski]

No experience with the Leupold rangefinder, but I do love my Sig Kilo 1600. Red OLED, ranges quickly and is accurate. Angle compensation is handy too.


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Same here. I've had 3 various Sig Sauer rangefinders, my current is Kilo 4K works great. If you have an issue Sig Sauer warranty is lifetime and they'll replace it.