With FLIR discontinuing all civilian and hunting thermal optics just prior to SHOT Show 2020, the market for thermal weapon sights is ripe for the taking.
And while this was likely not the inspiration for SIG’s latest offering, it’s still great news that the long-time arms maker-turned-optics-and-ammo-maker continues to offer quality thermal optics.
Indeed, the ECHO 3 isn’t SIG’s first foray into the realm of thermal weapon sights, it is the company’s first direct-view thermal sight — meaning, it has infinite eye relief, and can function equally well on close range weapons like submachine guns, as well as midrange firearms like carbines and rifles.
Full information below in the press release.
NEWINGTON, N.H., (February 25, 2020) – SIG SAUER Electro Optics is pleased to introduce the ECHO3 Thermal Reflex Sight. The ECHO3 is a direct view thermal sight, utilizing SIG SAUER BDX technology, with the capability to capture images and record video in eight different color palettes.
“The ECHO3 is an ultra-compact, lightweight direct-view thermal sight,” said Andy York, President, SIG SAUER Electro-Optics. “The innovative direct-view thermal display on the ECHO3 is a massive improvement over traditional eyepiece style thermals which induce eye fatigue and force the shooter to
look through the sight. The ECHO3 allows the shooter to sit back and view the thermal display and when targets are identified, the new BDX reticle technology allows for exact aiming solutions in real time.” The SIG SAUER Electro-Optics ECHO3 is a compact thermal reflex style sight available in a 1-6x or 2-12x magnification, equipped with Ballistic Data Xchange (BDX 2.0), the ECHO3 can be used with 9 different onboard SmartBDC™ ballistic holdover reticles or it can be paired with any KILOBDX rangefinder. The ECHO3 features a motion activated MOTAC™ display that powers up when it senses motion with over 6 hours of continuous runtime, and offers video and image recording in eight color palettes, and six brightness settings. The ECHO3 Includes a quick disconnect mount, with an easy to adjust zoom lens with throw lever attachment.
ECHO3 Thermal Reflex Sight Specs:
Sensor: 320x240 12UM VOX LIWR Core
Magnification: 1-6x or 2-12x
Adjustment Increments: 0.5MOA
Objective Lens Diameter: 23mm (1-6)/ 40mm (2-12)
Illumination Settings: 6 Brightness Settings
Color Palettes: 8 Color Palettes - Red, Red Hot, Black Hot, White Hot, Edge, Tyrian, Iron and Fire
Overall Length: 4.1 in (1-6) / 4.7 in (2-12)
Overall Width: 2.6 in.
Overall Height: 3.1 in (1-6) / 3.6 in (2-12)
Weight: 14.5 oz. (1-6) / 16.6 oz. (2-12)
Waterproofing: IPX6
Battery Life: Greater than 6 hours of heavy usage utilizing two (2) CR123 Lithium Batteries
Total Elevation Travel: 150MOA x 150MOA
Assembled In USA
MSRP (1-6x): $3,899.99
MSRP (2-12x): $5,199.99
The SIG SAUER Electro-Optics ECHO3 Thermal Reflex Sight will be available this spring for purchase at retailers nationwide and on the SIG SAUER Webstore. Complete product specs and information for the ECHO3 are available at sigsauer.com.
One of the more noteworthy features of the ECHO 3 is its use of the BDX technology. For readers unfamiliar with the tech, the so-called ballistic drop compensating tech is an automatic ballistic calculating reticle that instantly gives shooter’s the perfect holdover for a given range.
On their standard rifle optics, this equates to super fast ballistic solutions ideal for engaging multiple targets at unknown and known distances. Giving the shooter a substantial edge in an engagement.
The fact that SIG has paired this technology with their excellent thermal sensors provides an all-in-one solution for shooters attempting to puts rounds on targets in low or no light situations with vastly increased confidence. This is especially useful with thermal optics which have a tendency to make visual range-finding difficult as the thermal projection obfuscates shadows and fine details on targets.
Because of this, the ECHO 3 is ideal for nocturnal hog hunts, police/military overwatch and even home defense scenarios. Most impressive of all, is that despite all these features and SIG’s rock-solid warranty, the ECHO 3 retails for under $4,000.
According to the release, the ECHO 3 should be available this Spring, so shooters won’t have to wait long to get their hands on one. For more information, visit www.sigsauer.com .
