Ballistic Data Xchange is a new, Bluetooth enabled optics system from SIG Optics. It consists of Telescopic Sight, Laser Range Finder, and Ballistic Data App. BDX facilitates the transfer of ranging data from the Range Finder to their ballistic software package and into the weapon scope which displays your hold. SIG Optics partnered with Applied Ballistics to create a new Bluetooth enabled app called Applied Ballistics Ultralight. The app should be available via Google next week, and Apple Store a few weeks later.
“Connect The Dot”
It’s simple to use. Range the target. The data is sent to the scope via Bluetooth. A blinking LED indicates the hold has been transferred to the scope.vElevation and wind age holds are indicated via the Automated illuminated Holdover Dot on the Reticle.
Interestingly, although this “Digital Focal Plane” is on the second focal plane and dots scale with magnification like a FFP scope.
These illuminated dots on the reticle are situated at 18 Windage points (9 per side) and 72 holdover points equaling 30 MOA on 10x.
BDX is intended for use out to 800 yds with 1 MOA accuracy. Although, you can trick a bit with a 200 yds zero, for longer range shots.
BDX also features LevelPlex, a digital anti-cant system.
KinETHIC
Once again, BDX is a hunting platform and SIG introduced KinETHIC to assist with determining whether a shot will be an ethical kill. When enabled, the KinETHIC feature will indicate if the projectile will fall below a preset threshold of energy (Ft/lbs).
BDX Offerings
If the promise of new tech wasn’t enough, BDX enabled gear is the same price as traditional rangefinders and scopes. Rangefinders start at $299, while scopes start at $599.
Products include KILO1400BDX, KILO1800BDX, KILO2200BDX, KILO2400BDX, and the new KILO3000BDX rangefinder binocular. The last twill pair with a Kestrel.
SIERRA3BDX riflescope offerings include 3.5-10x42mm, 4.5-14x44mm, 4.5-14x50mm, and 6.5-20x52mm.
Although BDX was created for the hunter, there’s some technology here worth further exploration.
Press Release
Below is SIG’s press release for additional details:
SIG SAUER® Electro-Optics Transforms Hunting with the launch of BDX™
NEWINGTON, N.H., (May 4, 2018) – The SIG SAUER Electro-Optics division today unveiled their all new Ballistic Data Xchange (BDX) rangefinders and riflescopes with integrated Applied Ballistics® and wireless Bluetooth® technology. This groundbreaking BDX technology enables interoperability and key ballistic holdover information to be exchanged wirelessly between SIG SAUER BDX Electro-Optics products. The foundation of the BDX system was designed for simplicity and ease of use. SIG SAUER BDX requires no new learning, and uses the same tools hunters and shooters have been using for years.
How does BDX work? The BDX rangefinder and riflescope system is simple, fast, and intuitive. Simply download the “SIG BDX” app available for Android or iOS smartphones, pair the KILO BDX rangefinder and SIERRA3BDX riflescope, set up a basic ballistic profile, and then you’re ready to shoot or hunt.
Once you are in the field, range your target as you normally would, and the KILO BDX rangefinder will utilize onboard Applied Ballistics Ultralight™ to instantly send your dope to the scope via Bluetooth.
Using your basic ballistic profile the ballistic solution is calculated for your target and will instantly illuminate on the BDX-R1 Digital Ballistic Reticle with windage and elevation holds in the SIERRA3BDX riflescope. A blue LED on the riflescope power selector indicates that the BDX system is paired, and when the reticle has received new ballistic holdover and windage data from the rangefinder.
“Rangefinding riflescopes of the past have had two major shortcomings: they are either big, boxy and heavy, or extremely expensive,” said Andy York, president, SIG SAUER Electro-Optics. “The revolutionary and affordable BDX system packs advanced ballistics technology into a simple platform that looks just like the rangefinder and riflescope that every hunter is using today. It is extremely simple to use; range a target, put the digital ballistic holdover dot on target, pull the trigger, impact. Incredibly accurate and extremely simple, just connect the dot.”
The BDX family of rangefinders includes: KILO1400BDX, KILO1800BDX, KILO2200BDX,
KILO2400BDX, and KILO3000BDX rangefinder binocular. These rangefinders include many of the legacy features that the KILO name was built on: Lightwave DSP™ digital rangefinder engine, Hyperscan™ with 4 times per second scan rate, RangeLock™, and the Lumatic™ auto-adjusting display.
Available in 3.5-10x42mm, 4.5-14x44mm, 4.5-14x50mm, and 6.5-20x52mm, the SIERRA3BDX riflescopes have the look, feel, weight, and size of traditional riflescopes.
They feature HD glass for superior resolution and optical clarity, 30mm main tubes, side-focus parallax adjustments, and the LevelPlex™ digital anti-cant system. The BDX-R1 Digital Ballistic Reticle is the evolution of holdover, providing a ballistic solution out to 800 yards with 1 MOA of accuracy.
Rounding out these superior features is SIG SAUER’s kinetic energy transfer indicator: KinETHIC™.
KinETHIC 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.
“Ethics in hunting are a contract we make with ourselves based on the standards we as sportsmen adhere to as a group, what we feel good about personally, and respect for the game and our hunting traditions,” said Andy York president, SIG SAUER Electro-Optics. “KinETHIC is a feature that asks the hunter to make an educated and ethical decision beforehand by taking into consideration what the velocity and energy capabilities of your bullet and load are to deliver a killing shot. It then lets you know if the shot you are about to take will fulfill this contract. If not, it provides a visual affirmation to stalk-in closer. Knowing your maximum effective hunting range is more than just knowing what you can hit.”
KILO BDX Rangefinders starting at $299.99 MSRP
SIERRA3BDX Riflescopes starting at $599.99 MSRP
Available at dealers July, 2018.
