SIG Sauer Rangefinder Review: KILO5K with Applied Ballistics Technology

The next-generation rangefinder from SIG Sauer – the KILO5K – offers cutting-edge technology that returns fast, accurate shooting solutions and is easy to operate.

November 24, 2021 By Brad Fitzpatrick

Rangefinders have become standard equipment for rifle shooters and hunters, but very few rangefinders offer as many high-tech features as SIG’s KILO5K 7x25mm. The KILO5K comes with a lightweight aluminum housing and weighs just 7.8 ounces without battery (8.2 ounces with battery). At 4.4 inches long it fits comfortably in a vest or jacket pocket, yet this compact laser rangefinder offers a suite of sophisticated features that make it a standout among competing laser rangefinders.

One key feature of the KILO5K is the onboard Applied Ballistics Ultralite technology with environmental sensors. Used in conjunction with SIG’s free BDX smartphone app, BDX-U allows the shooter to create upwards of 25 custom ballistic profiles and sync one of these profiles at a time to the KILO5K. There are also eight pre-programmed ballistic groups that include holdovers for centerfire cartridges, muzzleloader, and crossbows.

When the rangefinder is in BDX-U mode, it instantly provides the shooter with a firing solution out to 800 yards. Once a target is ranged, the KILO5K provides a line of sight (LOS) distance and incline for two seconds and then elevation and windage holds. The KILO5K also supports BDX External (BDX-X) technology. This allows you to connect your KILO5K to external devices from other brands, such as Garmin and Kestrel. When the KILO5K is paired with a compatible optic, the holdover and windage solution flashes on the screen, offering you the most precise and fastest aiming solution available. KILO5K rangefinders have a maximum effective range of 5,000 yards on reflective objects and up to 2,000 yards on deer.

The KILO5K allows you to select from a variety of modes that can be customized to each shooting situation. First, select between LOS (Line of Sight) and AMR (Angle Modified Range) settings. AMR settings automatically compensate for angle and provide an angle-adjusted holdover point, which is the ideal setting when hunting game under 400 yards. For shots at greater ranges using ballistic software and wind measurement devices shooters may opt LOS mode which allows for precise holdover and windage adjustments beyond a quarter mile. LOS mode displays angle to the target as well as LOS range.

The KILO5K also offers modes for First, Best, and Last target mode, each of which is ideally suited for a specific shot presentation. First target mode is best suited for taking shots at small targets at close range. The Best mode is ideal for hunting or target shooting when the object is clearly visible and unobstructed. Last mode is used when shooting at targets obscured by heavy brush or tall grass where the rangefinder may detect objects in front of the target and provide an inaccurate measurement. In addition, the KILO5K’s state-of-the-art Gen II Lightwave OSP engine offers new modes for Fog and XR (Extended Range).

SIG Sauer KILO5K Rangefinder (Photo courtesy of Brad Fitzpatrick)

KILO5K rangefinders utilize SIG’s innovative new BDX 2.0 system that allows you to quickly bond your rangefinder to your BDX-equipped scope quickly and easily even if you aren’t particularly tech-savvy using SIG’s QUICKbond technology. By activating QUICKbond in the KILO5K your rangefinder will automatically search for any SIG SIERRA riflescopes in the area that are set to illumination setting 1.

Pairing the KILO5K to the BDX app on your smartphone is almost as simple as pairing the riflescope to the rangefinder. Be certain that Bluetooth connectivity is activated on your phone and download the BDX app (you can search for either SIG or BDX) in the Apple App Store or Google Play. Once you’ve downloaded the BDX app to your phone launch the app and turn on your rangefinder by pressing the Range button once. When you select Pairing on the app you’ll see the serial number of your rangefinder appear if the app and rangefinder are communicating via Bluetooth. The serial number is printed in white under the KILO icon. Once you touch to select the correct serial number for your device the app will request you to input a two-digit PIN code that is listed on the display in your rangefinder.

Pairing the app with the rangefinder and your optic is fast and simple, and SIG deserves credit for providing easy-to-follow directions that are written in plain English and easy to follow. Once the devices are paired, you’re ready to begin utilizing all of the high-tech features that the KILO5K has to offer.

One of the most exciting features found on the new KILO5K is this rangefinder’s ability to pair with the Basemap app. This allows KILO5K owners to mark the precise location of distant objects. The rangefinder automatically syncs ranged target data with remote locations, allowing you to identify the exact location of an animal when you fired, navigate, measure distance, and much more.

Simplicity for the Field

There are several ways to obtain your ballistic solution in the field, but none are as streamlined as the SIG BDX 2.0 system. When you range an object in the field the KILO5K communicates the distance to the app which, based on your ballistic profiles, illuminates the proper aiming point in the reticle. Lots of apps and devices provide you with holdover and windage data, but these require the shooter to manually adjust the turrets or select the correct aiming point on ballistic reticle. Under field conditions, those few seconds required to adjust your optic may very well cost you your shot, and the associated stress of having to obtain and input a ballistic solution while the trophy of a lifetime is rapidly slipping out of your field oftentimes results in human error. In both instances, you’ve missed your shot and your tag may go unfilled. But the seamless nature of SIG’s BDX 2.0 system eliminates much of the stress and reduces the interval between ranging and firing the shot. For that reason alone, I believe that BDX 2.0-enabled SIG optics are a must-have item for any serious hunter or shooter. What’s more, being able to sync your ranging data with the Basemap app makes this KILO5K an even more versatile tool for hunters.

Having a suite of user-friendly technology at your fingertips is beneficial when hunting but being able to use that technology is also important. By being able to select from different modes, including Fog and XR, you can obtain more accurate measurements with the KILO5K than you will from other rangefinders. In scan mode, the KILO5K refreshes four times a second (can take longer in other modes), and this helps ensure fast, accurate readouts.

The lightweight, durable KILO5K is small enough and light enough to be carried anywhere, and it’s an invaluable addition to any hunting kit. Target shooters will also appreciate the KILO5K’s blend of sophistication and simplicity. An IPX-4 waterproof rating ensures this optic is durable enough to withstand the elements, and the diopter adjusts +/- 3. The Lumatic OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display offers a large dynamic range. It remains visible in any setting (light or dark) by automatically adjusting screen brightness to match surrounding light conditions. SIG’s LensArmor abrasion-resistant coatings protect the KILO5K’s lenses from damage and The KILO5K runs on a single CR2 battery that’s easy to exchange and lasts up to 4,000 ranges.

MSRP for the new KILO5K is $779.99, which is an excellent value considering the quality of the optic and the sophisticated suite of built-in technologies that make obtaining ballistic solutions faster and simpler than ever. And should something ever happen to your rangefinder the KILO5K is backed by SIG’s outstanding Infinite forever guarantee (5-year warranty for electric components). The KILO5K offers hunters and shooters plenty of useful features, but perhaps most importantly, SIG makes accessing cutting-edge ballistic technology very simple.