(this is an extension of the November 2018 Newsletter article - we will continue to update this post)

This is a product I've been waiting for a while to get my hands on, and this month we finally have our first look.

It is the Sig Sauer Electro-Optics BDX, which stands for Ballistic Data eXchange. This system consists of 3 pieces: a range finder, a scope, and an app which all communicate via BlueTooth.

For the TLDR crowd, your rangefinder relays distance to your scope, and with the parameters you've input via your app for ballistics, weather, wind, etc., your scope automatically presents you with an LED aiming point that factors in drop and windage. Range your target, aim with the illuminated dot, and fire out to 800yds.



For the rest of you, we'll do an overview of the product line and cover what it takes to get the system installed and running in this installment.



RANGE FINDERS

Let me start by saying that the rangefinders, separate from any BDX functionality, are excellent on their own.

Sig has been making some of the best range finders in the business, and this latest generation is the pinnacle of that development.

They are small, well built, bright, fast, and accurate. Powered by a CR2 battery, they can range with 4 updates per second in scan mode, and will display ballistic information including elevation and wind holds and angle of incline. User has the option to show Line Of Sight distance, Angle Modified Range, or the Applied Ballistics Ultralight which gives ballistic results in MIL or MOA.



As noted, the range finder will communicate with your app to input your ballistics data (up to 25 can be stored), and will then show you results for a solution directly on the range finder display. So you don't need any special scope in order to use these features, but of course the real magic starts when it's paired with one of the BDX scopes.

The current product line has 4 range finders:

- KILO1400BDX 6x20mm : $299.99

- KILO1800BDX 6x22mm : $479.99

- KILO2200BDX 7x25mm : $599.99

- KILO2400BDX 7x25mm : $959.99



RIFLE SCOPES

Just like the range finders, the BDX scopes are a standalone excellent product.

Built using a 30mm tube and powered by 2 CR2032 batteries, they are waterproof to 1 meter. Protected windage and elevation knobs are used to zero, while the left hand knob adjusts parallax and reticle brightness. They have motion activated illumination so they can conserve batteries when left on and not being used, but those details are all configurable via the app.

The scope can be configured via the app with your ballistic profile to display fixed holdovers for various ranges out to 800yds, or when used with the BDX rangefinder, the single dot used for that exact yardage.

Also included is a digital level which tells you if your scope is canted. This can be configured at a set sensitivity, or it can automatically increase sensitivity as distance is increased.

Another unique feature of the BDX is what they call the KinETHIC kinetic energy indicator. With your input ballistic profile and your range, the scope can warn you when your bullet's kinetic energy at the target falls below a certain threshold.



The reticle picture above shows:

A - 18 addressable wind hold indicators
B - 76 individually addressable vertical segments
C - 2 LevelPlex indicators

Just like the range finders, there are 4 scopes:

- SIERRA3BDX 3.5-10x42mm : $599.99

- SIERRA3BDX 4.5-14x44mm : $719.99

- SIERRA3BDX 4.5-14x50mm : $839.99

- SIERRA3BDX 6.5-20x52mm : $959.99

Sig also offers the range finders and scopes bundled together in a package that saves you money when purchased together.

BDX APP

The heart of the system is the BDX app which runs on both iOS and Android, and is available in the Apple App Store and via Google Play.



From the home screen you can see five choices:

PAIRING - allows you to pair or bond a scope with a range finder.
PROFILES - this is where you enter the specifics of your gun and ammo; there is a built-in library available with a large database.
RANGEFINDERS - specifics of the conditions includes range, windage, temp, angle, altitude, and your profile data. Everything is displayed here for your shooting solution.
SIGHTS - allows for the configuration of the sight and whether to show ballistic holds.
SUPPORT - link to web based support info including manuals for the BDX sights and range finders, videos, and FAQs.

Detailed views of the screens are below:






MOUNTING AND SETUP

The packaging for the BDX components was very nice. It was luxurious and functional (protective), and really made you feel like you had purchased a quality item. The lid for the scope is magnetically held closed, and the box is thick with an almost rubbery feel to the surface. I know many will complain that fancy packaging is a waste as it's going to get thrown away, but I appreciate it. Would they gain any customers by lowering the price $10 and delivering scopes in a cheap plastic bag? I doubt it. Of course now I have to figure out where to store the box, as it's too nice to throw away...

Let me first say that the software component of the setup was super easy. The app scans for the devices, displays them in a list on the pairing screen above, and you just pick which scope and range finder you want to bond together. It's a no-brainer when you only have one of each, so that went off without a hitch. It only takes each about a second to connect with the app when you turn them on.

Now the hardware installation is another story. It's always a frustrating time when you have to pick rings to mount a scope... and this was no exception.

I had chosen the 6.5-20x52mm scope because I really wanted to see what their high-end scope could do. In retrospect, I may have been better off with one of the 4.5-14 scopes, as they would have provided more adjustment range (a problem I ran into), or even the 3.5-10x42 considering that the BDX system really tops out at 800yds anyway. Keep in mind this product line is geared towards the hunting market vs the tactical market.

The host selected for this testing is a Remington 700 in .308, with a 20" threaded barrel.

The goal to keep the scope as low as possible while taking into account the base, base-cant, barrel taper, objective size, clearance for scope covers, mounting position forward/back, and everything else that gets thrown into the equation when selecting scope rings/height is mind-boggling.

I tried using some of the calculators that are out there, and when I was convinced I had determined the lowest I could go on the rings while making sure everything cleared, I ordered a set of Badger Ordnance 30mm Medium rings. Of course I built in a safety factor to make sure I wouldn't have to re-order, but that turned out to be so close that I just barely got lucky.

The first problem I ran into, which I often do, is running out of room to mount the scope forward. As you can see in the photo above, I had zero room left to move it forward. But that was OK because it was fine in that position, and the objective has plenty of clearance.

The alternative would have been to extend the stock and move my head further back. I prefer a short length of pull and to keep everything tight, particularly when shooting from a prone position. But the real close call was how close the eye-piece is to the base. There is barely room to slip a business card in there and since this whole eyepiece rotates to change magnification, it has to have clearance. I am definitely pushing the limit of what would work, and am actually surprised it's not touching. In order to avoid this, the scope would have to be mounted way too far back, and I would run out of room on the front of the scope for the front ring.

So with everything mounted, the latest technology at my fingertips, and knowing I had avoided a major catastrophe, I was anxious to get this thing sighted in! I don't have a long range at my home, but I can squeeze out about 400yds.

I set up at 100yds, and did a basic bore-sight looking through the barrel and the scope while it sat on the rest. Doing so, I dialed the elevation until it could go no more to try to align reticle to bore. Hmmm. Maybe I cannot see straight. Let's load and see where we are.

First shot was centerline and about 6-7" high. But I'm out of travel to bring it down. Hmmm... I wasn't going to replace the base, the rings aren't going to change, and the scope maxed out at close range. OK- let's fire a second shot and make sure... second shot is right next to the first. So much for zeroing at 100yds. I collected my belongings and went inside to figure this out.



I measured the target, and came up with a point of impact 6.7" above my point of aim at 100yds.

OK- this is basic physics, so let's figure out what range my scope is zeroed for... pulled up the handy ballistic calculator, and determined that 6.7" at 100yds equates to a 340yd zero. A quick analysis shows that with a 340yd zero, at 100yds I'm 6.7" high. Already knew that. So the rest of the ranges up to 340 look like this: 50yds : 3.3", 200yds : 8.9" (my max), 300yds : 4.2". OK no problem. if I need to shoot 200yds, I know to hold 9" low. But the real fun comes at 340yds+!

THEN I can take advantage of the BDX. Who want's to shoot at less than 340yds anyway?!?

So quick tests at 400yds worked great using the BDX system. It allows you to input the range that your rifle is zeroed for, so that worked great. It was even a windy day so I played with the windage holds, end everything seems to be working exactly as it should. It takes no time to range a target and fire without counting marks, and without having to dial in any adjustment. I don't have a Bluetooth enabled Kestrel, but I've read that it will also communicate with the BDX app.

Working alone is quick, but having a partner who ranges for you eliminates any delay before you can get a shot off.

Next step is to take this thing out between 400-800yds and see how it does, but so far it has delivered on every technology promise that it makes. As to the limited adjustment, sure it would be nice to have more, but it was my choice to go with a 20x scope. As mentioned before, I could drop back to a 14x and more than likely everything would work as it should. For now, any coyotes at less than 340yds will likely get their spine broken!

I'm impressed by the performance of the Sig range finder in speed, accuracy, and the amount of built in functionality even when used alone. It is fast. The system together seems like a great solution, and I'm sure there will be others following.

I forgot to mention that the firmware is also updatable via the app, so Sig can push updates out and you can easily keep everything up to date with the latest features and fixes. When I first powered up, there was already an update for the range finder, so that was applied quickly and seamlessly.

So far a big thumbs up for the Sig BDX.

For $700 I don't think you can get a better combination of scope and a 1400yd range finder. This is a combination that easily gives almost anyone first round hits out to 800yds without any deep knowledge of ballistics, and in an almost mistake-proof manner.

For only $100 more ($899) you can get the 4.5-14x44mm with an 1800yd range finder.

I may have to expand my test base of BDX products...

If anyone ends up getting a BDX set up, please post your results here. Also, if there's any questions regarding the system, post them as well and we'll do our best to address them.