Hello all,
I bought a Sig rangefinder - the Kilo 2000 if I remember correctly. This rangefinder seemed well built, and during the summer months, I was happy with the performance out to 800yds or so. Huge step up from the old Nikon I have had for years.
When fall came, I quickly found that this rangefinder did not like the cold. I always like to keep them on my bino harness, but with any cold weather, it would not function at all unless I kept it in my pocket. It got bad enough on my elk hunt this year, that the morning I shot my bull, it was in the low 40's, and it would not function. I guessed the range at 300-350 and was spot on and killed the bull. Frustrating non the less to spend money on a product that I felt was not performing. I thought I would change the battery, thinking that may be the issue, but it did no good. I tested it side by side with my Nikon in Colorado this year, both with new batteries, the Nikon worked flawlessly (though it is limited to picking up range to about 300 yards) the Sig would not function, often times with it in my pocket. If I cupped it in my hands and blew on it for several minutes, it would usually start working. This issue was enough that I decided to call them after season was over, assuming they would make the issue right.
The bigger issue came when the single digit number stopped working, it will show about a third of the number. No issue with rifle hunting, but definitely an issue bow hunting. The difference of 31yds and 39yds is not something I want to be guessing when I am shooting a bow, or guiding hunters. (I guide a good chunk of the fall).
I called Sig, assuming in todays age of warranties, that they would cover me. I was informed that it was not covered under warranty and they do not offer repairs, the best they were willing to offer was 20% off an item directly from them. They also blamed the battery, saying that batteries don't work below 32 degrees. I told them about my test with fresh batteries in both rangefinders, but they blew that off. I informed them I would be going elsewhere. I find it surprising that a company that has worked so hard at promoting their products the last few years would refuse to stand behind their products in any form. This if the first time I can think of I have had issues with an outdoor company backing up a product, I have had fantastic luck with Vortex, Swarovski, Leupold, Kuiu, Sitka, Mystery Ranch, Seekoutside, and others I am sure I am forgetting.
To those of you that have Sig products, and have good luck with them, I hope you continue to; just be aware if something goes wrong, you will be left out to dry. As someone who hunts and guides almost all fall, I get asked at least weekly about my advice on different pieces of gear, I can promise I will never recommend another Sig product again.
I bought a Sig rangefinder - the Kilo 2000 if I remember correctly. This rangefinder seemed well built, and during the summer months, I was happy with the performance out to 800yds or so. Huge step up from the old Nikon I have had for years.
When fall came, I quickly found that this rangefinder did not like the cold. I always like to keep them on my bino harness, but with any cold weather, it would not function at all unless I kept it in my pocket. It got bad enough on my elk hunt this year, that the morning I shot my bull, it was in the low 40's, and it would not function. I guessed the range at 300-350 and was spot on and killed the bull. Frustrating non the less to spend money on a product that I felt was not performing. I thought I would change the battery, thinking that may be the issue, but it did no good. I tested it side by side with my Nikon in Colorado this year, both with new batteries, the Nikon worked flawlessly (though it is limited to picking up range to about 300 yards) the Sig would not function, often times with it in my pocket. If I cupped it in my hands and blew on it for several minutes, it would usually start working. This issue was enough that I decided to call them after season was over, assuming they would make the issue right.
The bigger issue came when the single digit number stopped working, it will show about a third of the number. No issue with rifle hunting, but definitely an issue bow hunting. The difference of 31yds and 39yds is not something I want to be guessing when I am shooting a bow, or guiding hunters. (I guide a good chunk of the fall).
I called Sig, assuming in todays age of warranties, that they would cover me. I was informed that it was not covered under warranty and they do not offer repairs, the best they were willing to offer was 20% off an item directly from them. They also blamed the battery, saying that batteries don't work below 32 degrees. I told them about my test with fresh batteries in both rangefinders, but they blew that off. I informed them I would be going elsewhere. I find it surprising that a company that has worked so hard at promoting their products the last few years would refuse to stand behind their products in any form. This if the first time I can think of I have had issues with an outdoor company backing up a product, I have had fantastic luck with Vortex, Swarovski, Leupold, Kuiu, Sitka, Mystery Ranch, Seekoutside, and others I am sure I am forgetting.
To those of you that have Sig products, and have good luck with them, I hope you continue to; just be aware if something goes wrong, you will be left out to dry. As someone who hunts and guides almost all fall, I get asked at least weekly about my advice on different pieces of gear, I can promise I will never recommend another Sig product again.
