The Electro Optics division of US Company SIG Sauer Inc. differs from the segment competition primarily for its strong focus on optoelectronics, offering a wide range of high quality and high-tech products, such as Reflex red dot sights, laser rangefinders, night and thermal riflescopes, in addition to traditional daytime optics.
As a surprise while attending a recent event centered on the P320-X5 pistol and MCX Virtus rifle at the headquarters of SIG Sauer Inc. in Newington (NH), we have exclusively been able to examine and briefly test a highly innovative technology from this manufacturer, which further strengthens SIG Sauer Electro Optics' position as the market leader, despite the youth of this company.
Ballistic Data Exchange: new Bluetooth enabled optics system
The technology is called BDX (Ballistic Data Xchange), and is based on a Bluetooth wireless communication protocol to connect different optoelectronic devices and a smartphone running a SIG Sauer proprietary App.
The first practical example of this technology, which will be soon available in all the best gunshops in the US and Europe, is a complete package: the Kilo 2200DBX laser rangefinder and the Sierra 3DBX telescope, connected to each other and a user-supplied Apple or Android phone with the DBX hub App. But many other products are planned, including a thermal riflescope.
BDX technology: how the system works
Beyond the riflescope and laser rangefinder specs - impressive as they are, and of which we will detail in upcoming articles - what is interesting is how the system works. Essentially, the user boots the app and enters some basic data (firearm and ballistic data of the ammunition used, devices type, etc.), then connect the two devices (rangefinder and riflescope) and... that's it: you're done and simply put away the smartphone.
Basically, from this moment on, the devices are connected via Bluetooth; the app's interface is for setup only.
The hunter uses the Kilo2200BDX LRF to range the distance from the game; this and other data (for example, site angle) is then processed by the onboard Applied Ballistics Ultralight engine, and sent to the riflescope, which performs necessary ballistic corrections on the electronic reticle (featuring 76 elevation and 18 windage, 1 MOA, hash points).
Blinking LEDs inside the eyepiece and on the magnification setting ring of the Sierra 3BDX riflescope positively confirm that the reticle has received the latest data and updated the ballistic drop before shooting.
Last but not least, the BDX ballistic engine also includes a kinetic energy transfer indicator: KinETHIC. This system provides assistance in assuring an ethical hunt by indicating when energy on target drops below a threshold that can be set by the hunter using the BDX App.
BDX technology: price and availability
BDX technology will be initially available in the SIERRA3BDX line of riflescopes, with the following magnifications, 3.5-10x42mm, 4.5-14x44mm, 4.5-14x50mm, and 6.5-20x52mm, and the KILO1400BDX, KILO1800BDX, KILO2200BDX, KILO2400BDX laser rangefinders,, and KILO3000BDX rangefinder binocular.
Pricing for a bundle set (Laser rangefinder and riflescope) is currently set to start at 1200 euros. Individually, prices are approximately 535 euros for the Kilo 2200BDX rangefinder, 894 euros for the Sierra 3BDX 4.5-14x44mm variable magnification daytime riflescope and 999 euros for the samer series riflescope but with 6.5-20x52mm magnification. Availability of BDX products is expected for second quarter 2018.
More detailed information will be available soon. Stay tuned on all4shooters!
For more information, please visit the SIG Sauer USA website.
