Sig Kilo 10k Gen 2 Review

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Introduction

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A few years back, Sig got into the nascent bino-rangefinder market with their first release, the Sig 3k. The goal of that project was to put out a bino with mid-tier glass (sort of Viper HD level glass), coupled with a killer rangefinder for a price more people could afford. At that time, if I remember correctly, I am not sure there were any other options, other than Leica, Swarovski, and maybe some other high end choices, most of which were firmly out of most people’s financial grasp. The 3k was solid. The optics were as expected and the ranging performance was the best I had personally used. A couple years later and Sig had the followup coming to market, the Kilo 10k. Boasting the new super amoled display that was also utilized in the 8k, it promised another level of ranging performance. In this, it did not disappoint. The ranging was fantastic, and the information access and configurability that the new display provided were excellent. You can read more in-depth information about that display in my 8k review posted HERE. However, an additional aspect it shared with the 8k was the color cast that came with the optics. In the 8k, while not optimal, it was not a performance issue, as the 8k is not a search and observation device, but strictly a ranging device and the cast did not get in the way. But in a binocular, something which did double duty as the primary tool for finding game in low light, it was a problem. Unfortunately, it was not a simple fix, but it was one Sig realized they had to undertake to solve. Which really was a shame, considering the 10k gen 1’s are otherwise really a fantastic bino RF system. Fast forward to this last year, and Sig was finally able to roll out the successor to the gen 1 10k’s, the 10k gen 2. The gen 2’s are not an entirely new product, that is, the changes are relatively few, but they are all significant. Top of the list is the aforementioned optics issue, but they also added additional buttons for direct wind speed/direction input, as well as making changes to the overall body design. I have had the gen 1’s for a couple years and a set of the gen 2’s for a few months, most significantly through hunting season, and what follows is my impressions on the changes and the package overall after knocking them around in Texas and Colorado this year.


Whats in the box

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The 10k comes in a pretty nice bag with connections on the back to allow it to be attached to molle equipped packs. Other than that, it has a carry strap, some batteries, a lens pen and a some basic startup instructions. Not a lot of stuff, but nothing you don’t need. The notable exclusion, however, are lens caps for either the front or the back. Personally, I would probably give up everything else, including the bag, for a solid set of lens caps.


Ranging


Having had the original 10k, I had a pretty good idea of what to expect from ranging on the gen 2 version, and I was not disappointed. In some regard, there is really not much to say here. Simply put, the 10k is easily the most powerful rangefinder I have personally tested, by a large margin. Of course, there are many I have not tried, but regardless, the results are impressive.


When testing, as usual, I ranged hillsides, animals (when available), trees and other landscape features. In other words, no street signs or other highly reflective targets ranged at night. I tested only during legal shooting hours, so 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. As usual, conditions had a significant effect on ranging capabilities, as did the nature of the targets. At the time of testing, I had a Sig 8k with me, as well as a Leica pro 8x42 in order to get some perspective on the 10k’s performance under the exact same conditions. In short, neither of them could keep up with the 10k. Under very bright conditions on trees, I could easily get beyond 3000 yards handheld. In many cases, braced, 4000 yards plus was possible. As the light went down, those numbers went up drastically, and the separation between the 10k and the other RF’s I had on hand got wider. Suffice it to say, when it comes to ranging, there are no questions about performance here. There is power, and power to spare.


Which does raise the question of what’s the point of all that power, does it really serve a purpose? The answer, at least for me, is yes, but not all of the utility is about shooting. Some certainly is. For example, as I mentioned, as the conditions or targets became less ideal (particularly when the light was extremely bright and hazy, or at angles which make things difficult for rangefinders), the 10k’s ceiling lowered, just as it did for my other rangefinders. Likewise, in snow and rain, the distance decreased markedly. However, when you have a ceiling as high as the 10k has, you are still able to range farther than some RF’s can in the best of conditions. So in poor conditions, you have a rangefinder that can still perform at an incredible level. Case in point, in testing in an absolute downpour, I was still able to range out to nearly a mile on trees. Basically, looking through the bino, if you could make out any texture at all on the tree through the rain, it would range it, and do so without false returns. The 10k has a very powerful laser and highly developed algorithms such that it delivered an amazing level of performance, even in very difficult weather conditions.


But other benefits to the power can be realized as well. In one case, I was able to locate a herd of elk in a distant field using my spotter. I could tell they were several miles off, but as I was in a new area, I was not able to tell where they actually were relative to our hunting area. I also couldn’t accurately tell how far they were, I just knew they were far. But because I was able to range an incredible distance with the 10k’s and because I had the compass heading turned on in the display settings, I was able to figure out exactly where they were….which ended up being well into the next unit deeply into private land. Had I fired up OnX, I could have dropped a pin using the RF/mapping integration, but I didn’t need to once I looked at the heading in the display and the distance. I knew where that was enough to know not to bother. Neither my 8k nor the Pro I had with me could range that far, not even close. Of course I could not range the elk at that distance, but the available landscape features were enough for the 10k to bounce of off for me to see that they were several miles away. My other two RF’s were not even close under those conditions.


So as I discussed in a previous review, that extra power not only helps in ensuring you get your range in bad conditions but, along with the mapping integration that many new RF’s have, it starts to leverage your RF as a navigation tool. It becomes a tool to help you to find downed game, figure out where points of interest are for future exploration, find your way back to a distant place where you may have seen potential game, or to evaluate just exactly how far that buck is and whether it is doable before the end of shooting light.


Lastly, one performance area that should also be considered is speed. That is, how fast does it range, how fast does it return a value and how fast can you re-range in case you miss, hit the wrong target, or want to verify. On all counts, as they always have been for me, the Sig is noticeably faster than anything else I have tested. Ranging is immediate, your solution is right now, and you can hit that button again and re-range immediately. It may sound trivial, but when you are trying to hit a target under pressure and it’s very small and you have missed, and you need to try again and then verify, it’s significant. And here, as with all the Sigs I have tried, the gen 2 excelled.

The 10k gen 2 has an updated body style that is a bit better ergonomically, but the form factor is the same compact size that started with the 3k. It retains the standard stud mounting point for tripod attachment, but updates the battery compartment with a built in thumb-tab to make in field battery changes easier​

In summary, in terms of ranging, both of the 10k’s I have had have been absolutely amazing. I have nothing but praise for them in this area of performance, and I can’t imagine anyone being disappointed in them in this regard.

 

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Sig Kilo 10k Gen 2 Review Part II

Optics


Unlike a CRF that functions strictly as a range-finding device, we are talking about a binocular here, so, unlike the CRF, the bino RF has to excel in two areas, a one trick pony will not do. That is, you are not carrying just a ranging device, it is also your primary observation device, so optical performance is an important consideration.


While the 10k gen 2 is a class leading ranging device, the glass does not lead the pack, especially if you are looking at binos that absolutely prioritize glass quality like the the three alphas. That is not to say the optics are poor, but the optical performance is not in the same class as the ranging performance. That is, in fact, the major difference between the 10 gen 1 and the gen 2. While the ranging performance on the gen 1 is on par with the gen 2, the gen 1’s optical performance was well below it’s ranging class, in my opinion, falling below even what one would experience with the older 3k’s. This is due not to changes in sharpness or chromatic aberration, but due to issues with the coatings utilized in the first 10k’s. Whereas the 3k’s optics were very similar to what one would get out of, say, a Vortex Viper HD, the gen 1 10k’s had a very strong blue cast that decreased perceived contrast and brightness. In full sun, it wasn’t as noticeable unless you were comparing them to another set of binos side by side. But in lower and low light, it was very noticeable. I actually took the first set of 10k’s on a bighorn hunt and used them on several deer and elk hunts to see if it was something I’d get used to or whether it was a problem for me. For me, I never got used to it and, while I was able to find game, I felt it was an issue that really degraded the overall performance package.


It’s interesting to note that the 8k has the same cast, but as it is a CRF, whose only job is to range game that has already been located, it did not get in the way. But on the 10k, where it’s primary role is to find game in difficult lighting conditions, it was a problem. Sig recognized this as well, especially considering the feedback they got from the field, and went to work to solve the issue, which resulted in changes rolled out in the gen 2 version of the 10k. In my opinion, this is THE upgrade for the gen 2. So now, with the gen 2, the optics performance has returned to about what it was with the 3k, though I actually feel like the center is a little sharper on the 10k’s, but that could be sample variation or mis-memory. Like the 3k’s, one barrel is cooler, one barrel is warmer, so that as you look through both, you get a balanced tone. Center sharpness is really pretty good on my unit, but it falls off pretty quickly, with the edges being noticeably soft. In comparison, I noted the same through the Leica Pro’s I had on hand, but the size of the sweetspot in the center was larger on the Pros, and the drop-off on the edges was not as pronounced. Overall, using them over the last months, I found them to be pretty good, even down to the end of shooting light. I never found myself unable to see in those conditions, and though alpha glass will show you more, I didn’t feel like the 10k’s didn’t give me enough. Would I like alpha- level glass in these? For sure. But undoubtedly, that would push the 10k’s into a whole other price bracket. Compared to my FL’s, admittedly old optics but the best I have, the FL’s are definitely better n all categories, but not mind-blowingly so. I also compared them to the Leica Pro’s, which wasn’t as helpful as I’d have liked as the Pro’s are 8x’s…so the exit pupil alone gave it an advantage. On the other hand, the 10k’s had the magnification advantage, but yes, the Pro’s are optically superior. It’s not binos verses coke bottles, they are actually much closer than I expected to my eyes, but Leica prioritizes their glass and it shows. The 10k glass was good, but it is not in the alpha class, and as expected, though it is apparent in all light, the difference is most noticeable in low light. The thing is though, by the time the 10k’s fell apart for me, it was pretty well after shooting light. And that is a pretty good summary of how I feel about the 10k optics. They are solid and get the job done in an efficient fashion while lacking the next level refinement and performance of the alpha offerings. One final note, I spent many hours behind the 10k’s for many consecutive days while elk hunting this year and did not have any problems with eye-strain, something I am particularly sensitive to with my relatively poor eyesight and progressive lens glasses.

Even after long days of intensive glassing for elk, I never experienced eye fatigue and found the optics, if not extraordinary, to be pleasant to use and sharp enough to pick apart distant hillsides​

So overall, on the optics, I would say we are back where we were with the 3k’s, maybe a bit better. This is a marked improvement over the gen 1 10k’s, giving us good optical performance that I found wholly sufficient and pleasant to look through, though lacking the kind of performance you would expect from alpha glass. That said, considering the incredible strength of the RF performance, this is one area I wish Sig could invest a little more into to more closely match the ranging performance. Of course, as I mentioned, the problem is that it would push the price significantly, as it’s not just as simple as switching out a couple of elements and maybe changing a few coatings. A lot of the design, including the prisms, would probably need to be addressed, which would likely push the price into the class of what alpha offerings cost, something I think Sig doesn’t want to do for this product. Adding another $750 to $1k to the price probably takes it beyond where many people can afford to go, and so shuts out much of the market segment they are trying to serve. My guess is that their product design parameters for their current bino RF’s target the goal of offering very respectable optics, though not top shelf, with world-beating ranging performance, allowing them to come in at a price more people can afford, and I feel like they’ve achieved that.


Ballistics


Like the 8k, the 10k relies on Applied Ballistics for their onboard solver, and indeed, there is no change to the gen 2 in regard to the earlier gen or the 8k. AB is generally considered one of the, if not the, gold standards for ballistic solvers and is used by an increasing number of manufacturers due to it’s excellent reputation. I won’t go into detail here as AB is incredibly dense and would easily fill up a review of it’s own. But the important things to note are that it’s fast and easy to set up your profiles on the app and then load them onto the 10k. After that, you don’t need to connect to the app for ballistics reasons unless you want to create new profiles or edit old ones. It’s very straightforward, range your target and you instantly get your solution, courtesy of the onboard AB elite solver. Of course, like the 8k and the original 10k, the gen 2 has onboard sensors for your atmospherics like temperature and pressure, as well as an inclinometer and an onboard compass. All told, together, the 10k can provide the onboard AB elite solver everything it needs in order to calculate a solution, no need for another device or connection to the app.


Wind


While the ballistics suite did not see any change, that is not the case with wind input. New to the gen 2 are three additional buttons that allow direct entry of wind inputs. Holding down the ‘W’ button brings you to a screen where you can use the other two buttons, ‘+’ and ‘-’, to set your wind speed. Hit the ‘W’ button again, and you are brought to a second screen that allows you to set a vector wind direction in the form of a clock.

Sig added three buttons to the 10k gen 2 to enable very fast and efficient wind value entry. While the optics are the biggest upgrade, the ability to input wind values directly is notable​

It’s very reminiscent of what Vortex offers on their Fury AB, but lacking the ‘capture’ capability, where you just point into the wind and hit capture. Sig’s implementation is very easy to use and effective, despite it lacking the capture mode that Vortex offers, which I understand may be a patented feature, hence it’s exclusion on the gen 2. Overall, the addition of a really fast way to set wind is a nice upgrade from the gen 1 and makes is much faster and easier to get a full solution from AB, such that not only do you get a wind solution, but also enable the solver to be as accurate as possible for things like aerodynamic jump etc.


Display


Another excellent carryover from the 8k and the original 10k is the AMOLED display featured in all three devices, though there is one technical change that appears to have solved one problem but created another less critical one, which I’ll get to later. Otherwise, the display system remains unchanged from the gen 1, which is to say, excellent from an information and capability perspective. Again, have a look at my 8k review linked above for more information, but the summary is that the AMOLED display they are using allows them to do all sorts of things most other RF’s can’t do. The information that can be displayed far outstrips what has been possible in the past (like actually naming your profiles and being able to see it displayed when you are ranging so you are sure you have the correct profile selected). The digital compass reading has actually been really useful to me in trying to find points of interest etc. And the ability for the user to customize just what they want or don’t want to see is pretty great, considering pretty much all of it is right there when you range, no more waiting for the carousel to come around. Frankly, if you show everything, it’s pretty busy to my eye, but that’s why they leave it to each user to configure.


That display has a lot of really cool capabilities that are actually useful, but to me, the most useful is the ability to move the reticle on the screen to properly align with where the ranging sensor actually sits. Every RF I have tested has had some amount of misalignment, and they all have their own ‘within spec’ tolerance. So mapping sensor and reticle alignment is a must for any new RF you might buy, but then, you have to remember where the convergence is, and hopefully it’s in a place that is easy to reference. However, because Sig’s AMOLED screen is configurable, you can actually move the reticle on the screen to align with the positioning of the sensor. There is a limit as to how much the reticle can be moved, but if they cannot be aligned to lie completely within the reticle, I believe Sig considers that a warranty issue. So no matter what, you can ensure your reticle and sensor are well aligned. Mis-ranging is probably a lot more common than we realize, so In my opinion, this is probably the most useful and impactful benefit of the AMOLED display.


The only issue I noted with the display is that In changing the coatings on the gen 2, they appear to have made some changes to the brightness of the display as well. In most lighting, it’s not noticeable, but my gen 2 exhibits ‘ghosting’ of the embedded display screen as the light goes down. I start to notice it at about 15 or 20 minutes after sunset. At that point, it’s barely noticeable and isn’t an issue. But as it gets darker, it becomes more obtrusive. By the time it gets to the last minute or two of legal light, the screen is very visible, especially when looking at dark objects like trees. I could still see through it because the left eye has no screen, so your eyes blend the image and you can ‘see through’ the red box. But it is opaque enough at that light level to the point that if I was only using the right barrel, I would probably not be able to see to range accurately at long distances. Again, in all but the lowest light, you can’t see it, or it is hardly noticeable, but during those very last moments of the day, it became an issue for me. It is still useable, for sure, and it is a fair trade in order to solve the color caste problem, for sure, but it somewhat degrades ranging in very low-light conditions for me, though certainly does not preclude it.

 

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Sig Kilo 10k Gen 2 Review Part III

Other Features


Two other features worth mentioning that carry over from the 8k and the gen 1 are the mapping integration and the continued Kestrel connection. The mapping integration itself is unchanged, however OnX has jumped onboard now, which is a pretty big development as they continue to be the most popular navigation app at the moment. Basemap was an original participant and I believe Gohunt may also offer the integration, though I am not certain if that has been implemented in their app yet. Regardless, the mapping app allows you to range a point and, in connection with your app, drop a pin on your map as to where that point is. The benefit for marking distant game for retrieval is obvious, but with the incredible power that the 10k offers for ranging, it is useful for general navigating as well. There is one caveat, however. I have now tested the mapping integration on 4 or 5 different devices from several manufacturers and have found it to be somewhat inconsistent. That is, in some cases, like when I first tested it, I found it to drop that pin very close to where you ranged. However, with subsequent testing at different locations, this is definitely not the case, and the amount of error seems to change. For example, in once case, I tested my 8k, and it was pretty much dead on. Later, I took it and an RF from Vortex to another location and (after recalibrating both compasses), found that both RF’s were off by about 15% in terms of distance….both, more or less, in the same direction. Doing more testing, I have found this to be the case, sometimes the placement is right on, sometimes not, and it seems to be present across all the manufacturers lines I have tested. I spent a bit of time talking to one of Vortex’s engineers on this, and have talked with Sig’s guys as well….ultimately, it probably comes down to the capability of the compasses in these devices. They’re just too small and limited to be spot-on accurate with current technology. All that is to say, when it comes to the mapping function, I still find it very useful, but not in the way I originally hoped. For example, I would not range a spot across the canyon to see if that spot was inside or outside some imminently close private. I just have not found it to be reliable enough for that. In terms of finding downed game, I think it’s good enough for that, but you may have to circle a bit if the distance that the reading was taken was quite far. Still, it will get you in pretty close, if not right on the spot.


The other feature worth mentioning is that Sig continues to offer Kestrel bluetooth connection, as they have on the 8k and the gen 1. As mentioned, the 10k has full AB onboard and all the requisite sensors to make that work, but Kestrels with AB do have more capabilities and, I think, better sensors (particularly when considering temperature). For dedicated long range shooters and other competitors, connecting to a Kestrel might make sense for the extra features, particularly when considering wind entry. Nevertheless, while I still carry my Kestrel as a backup, I really don’t use it much other than for taking a wind reading if I have time, which I then manually enter. For me, in most hunting situations, I really don’t have the time to be connecting to a Kestrel in most cases, and I really don’t feel the need to, but it’s nice to have the option.


Warranty


The final big change to note is concerning Sig’s warranty. This is something I have heard a lot of questions on over the years, and I suppose Sig heard the same. In the past, it was lifetime on the optics and 5 years on the electronics. However, they have changed that policy and now offer full lifetime coverage on both the bino itself and the electronics, so everything is covered. This makes sense considering people are paying specifically to have an RF and bino combination. If the RF breaks in 5 years, you have basically lost your investment even if the bino still works. Consequently, I have seen a lot of people bring up the warranty in the past who wanted more extensive coverage considering the investment, so this was a good move on Sig’s part.


Summary


With the opportunity to iterate on the original 10k’s, the 10k gen 2 is a solid improvement over the original and a well developed and thought out tool. No RF I have tested (yet!) has checked every box, there seems to always be just a few things left on the table, but the 10k’s are very close, all things considered. That is not to say there are not places for improvement, but overall, the gen 2 is pretty impressive.


Starting with the strengths:


Ranging capability has to be on top. The 10k is just incredible. Both the gen 1 and gen 2 I have tested extensively and I have no complaints here. In good conditions and bad, nothing I have tested has come close to the power and speed of the 10k’s. Keep in mind, testing has been in real-world conditions through several hunting seasons (combined gen 1 and 2). Of all the 10k’s attributes, this is the one I would say where they cleared the table, no complaints.


The addition of the wind buttons for direct access to those settings is a really nice addition. It is well executed and is a substantive addition, despite not being able to implement it as completely as on the Vortex Fury’s. Overall, it was a good decision on Sig’s part to make that change.


The display is actually a big strength, particularly because you can align the sensor to the reticle. But in addition, the great information it provides, the configurability, and even the useful compass headings always being available make the display a substantive attribute.


I would also place the optics on this list, not so much because they are tier one level, but because they are a significant improvement compared to those in the 8k or the gen 1. So the mention here is really a nod to the improvement Sig was able to achieve verses them being the biggest weakness in the gen 1’s. In balance, while not top tier, they are respectable and in using them throughout this season, I never felt like I was at a disadvantage, whereas with the gen 1, I definitely struggled in low light conditions.


Compared to some other RF binos, the 10k’s are quite compact. Sig changed things up verses the gen 1’s, and I think from an ergonomic perspective, it was a step up. I was also using them alongside a set of Leica Pro’s this season, and the size difference was pretty noticeable. While I did not weigh either of them, the Sigs felt lighter as well. Overall, the package is really nice, and I find them well shaped for long glassing periods.


As I mentioned, no one ever seems to ‘clear the table’. The reality is that no product is without it’s ‘room for improvement’ list, and the 10k is no exception, though the last is more of a ‘wish they would’.


Areas for Improvement:


While the display is awesome, and I am so pleased they were able to resolve the color cast issue with the optics, as I mentioned, my unit suffered noticeable ghosting of the AMOLED screen in low light situations that did make seeing and ranging targets in very low light more difficult, at least for me. Its not that I couldn’t, but it was just not as easy because I had to concentrate more on what my right eye was seeing in order to align the reticle and the target. This is likely due to changes they had to make to the brightness of that screen due to the change in the coatings. While I wish it was not the case, it is not a deal breaker for me as I was still able to utilize the RF in low light, but it made it more challenging, so it’s something I hope they can address in the future.


Lens covers. I mentioned this in the 3k review I did, noted it when I got the 10 gen 1’s, and it’s still the case with the gen 2’s. Sig is pretty generous with what they send in the box, but in my opinion, the most important item is missing. I want covers for the lenses….especially for the objectives as the distance from the glass to the end of the barrel is very short, making the risk of getting scratches or damage that much higher. I have not seen any on Sig’s site, nor any from a third party so far. I even went as far as trying a set that I got from Vortex, but that did not work out that well. So Sig, please, lens covers. These are high dollar binos, they absolutely deserve a good set of lens covers to protect them from the twigs and dirt that inevitably build up at the bottom of our bino harnesses during season!


And finally, more of a want rather than a weakness are the optics. Yes, I did mention the improvement over the gen 1’s as a strength, and also acknowledge that I’m actually pretty happy with them, but I’d love to see these with their best possible glass. I know that they are trying to stay at a price point and it is not just a matter of slapping in a couple of higher end pieces of glass….but if they could swing it, I think these would be just about perfect with a glass upgrade. Of course, then I’d probably be complaining about the price, so maybe I should be careful about what I ask for.


As it is, the actual weakness list is pretty short, really just the one issue with the ghosting in low light. If Sig were able to put their highest end glass in the 10k….they’d come pretty close to finally clearing that table I keep mentioning, although that change might end up clearing out some wallets. As it is, the ranging is top drawer in every way, the display is innovative in an actually useful manner as opposed to empty marketing, the form factor makes them really nice to carry and use in the field, and they are packed with just about every technological advance that I am aware that exists in the RF field at the moment. I’ve not tried the Vectronix and Gunwerks offerings yet, so very interested to see how they stack up, but at the moment, these have finally displaced my Zeiss FL’s from my harness. Though the glass on the FL’s is objectively better, the difference is not causing me to miss things with the 10k’s that I can see with the FL’s and is outweighed by everything else the 10k’s bring to my hunting setup. Not that the FL’s are going anywhere, I just enjoy using them too much, but while hunting, where a bino/rf combo makes sense, for me, the 10k’s get the nod.