Sig SauerSig Sauer Echo1 1-2x30 Graphite Multiple Reticle Thermal Reflex Sight

This device is a far sight better than some of the commonly used thermals often mounted to military MGs at the squad level. Resolution on the screen is low, but for the intended view distances of 25-300 feet the sensor acuity and screen resolution give you a good idea of what you're looking at, and once you get used to reading a thermal you are able to detect even very small creatures inside the intended range of the device.The number of view modes available is excellent, you can choose from white hot, black hot, gradient, green/black, and TWO settings for different contrasts of red/black. What is NOT excellent is the number of brightness levels. I live in the forest, and I got the Echo 1 to help curb the coyote and beaver problems that are endemic to my region. The optic is great for identifying the creatures, but the limited usable range means your best bet is to eyeball the critter first, check on the optic to make sure it's one of your problem species, and then line up and take a shot. With the minimum dimness and the lowest contrast red/black, the brightness of the Echo 1 is STILL washing out my night vision, meaning when I locate problem animals it's usually by hearing or in random scans of the area i'm expecting them to show up in.The add-your-own reticle feature is a great idea, and if you get the drop data for your ammo you can build out self-ranging reticles with a bit of napkin math and a few pixels in their web-based application. Unfortunately, you can only load and use one custom reticle at a time, so if you want to change ammo types you need to head home, plug the optic back in, and load in a new reticle. The Echo 1 BADLY needs the ability to store more than one at a time and flip freely through them. Even if you had enough memory for one or two more to pick, it would allow those of us that switch from subsonic to supersonic ammo the ability to come prepared.If you've never used a digital gunsight before, you will find some key differences between this and your preferred optical or image intensifying sight. There is no parallax, which means the dot is your point of aim, pure and simple, and head/eye placement aren't going to change the point of impact unless your fundamentals are bad. For you "tacticool" types that means you can effectively shoot around small barriers, trees, or around corners in general, so long as you have the ability to view the screen and handle your firearm safely while doing so. That said, there are downsides to a digital sight as opposed to optical. You cannot "look through" your Echo 1 if it isn't powered on, there will be nothing on the screen, and it will obstruct any iron sights or backup optics you might want to use (there's a mounting point on the top of the unit for a tiny pistol reflex sight, if you want it). If your batteries die at the worst possible time, you're SOL unless you've got an alternative for that very scenario. Carrying extra batteries would be wise in any case, the battery life is acceptable if power is conserved, but if you're expecting to leave it on over a long hike you're going to run up against the 8 hour or so battery life.You can't use a magnifier in front of it, because all you will see is the temperature of the glass on the magnifier, not what's on the other side. This might matter to some of you, because the Echo 1 has no "real" zoom. The zoom function built-in simply inflates the image the optic is seeing, and narrows your field of view a bit to help you observe your target, the actual fidelity of that target doesn't change. You could in theory mount a magnifier between you and the device, and zoom in on the screen, but once again this would not actually increase the power you are viewing the target at.With the Echo 1 you are getting a modern thermal device with impressive sensor performance, easy to use interface, solid build quality, and a respectable set of features, for less than you could conceivably pay for an optical gunsight from Trijicon. If you're "on the night shift", are a game warden, need predator or noxious pest control, like hog hunting, or even just want to figure out where all the heat is leaking out of your house, this is a good bet.

Screen was chipped on the edges and cut to short. Can't believe this was made by Sig Sauer. Contacting Sig Sauer to see if this was a factory 2nd. Sending it back. Poor quality control for $1500.00 scope

If you are over age 35 do not buy this optic. As we age our near vision gets worse, why you can no longer use iron sights effectively. You cannot focus this imager to adjust for normal age related vision loss. I am 20/10 in both eyes at distance but need about 1.75 power to read or focus at the distance the optic would mount on your weapon. This is a built in design error and I for one expected much more from Sig. They need to hire a new optics engineer and fire the one they have. The sight is useless for anyone who needs reading glasses of any normal power. I have several other thermal sights and they all have the ability to focus for my eyesight. I have never experienced any optic of any kind that has this issue. I guess you sometimes do not get what you pay for.

I've not the time to review this product in detail, but it probably doesn't do what you expect. Given the price, it is a remarkable piece of engineering, but as a weapon-mounted sight, it is slow, clumsy, and heavy. There may be something for which it would be useful, but that niche would be very narrow; certainly not wide enough for me to dedicate one of my rifles.I don't really know what I can use it for, so it sits on my bench: a solution looking for a problem.

Excellent entry level thermal sight.Great value at this price.Easy to sight in.Images are not as defined as most night vision due to the way the thermal system works This is not an issue, just an observation and something someone new to thermal should be aware of.Night vision amplifies ambiant light and can be augmented with infrared light to enhance visibility. This provides a very defined image.Thermal shows the heat signature of objects and targets. Thermal can pick up the heat signature of camafloged target, that could be difficult to spot with conventional night vision. This is very basic info. I recomend doing research before investing.I am very happy with the quality of this thermal sight. Sig has provided a good thermal sight at a price that is much more affordable than anything I have seen available.

Absolutely love this product! Well worthy every penny spent, it has blown my expectations out of the water!

This is ok; I've been using for a short time and the screen will freeze sometimes when your tracking something that a quick runner. I've used better and I've used worse. I would recommend this for deer and bear but not hogs, rabbits, coyote, or anything that runs fast.

Worked as it should