Sig Kilo, or kestrel, or something else? A bit to spend...

[Wetwoodshunter]

So I currently have a bushel cheapo range finder (max distance about 350 yards) that I am looking to upgrade from and have been looking at the Sig Kilo for a while. After the last few months I have squirreled away enough money to buy one and read reviews and it looks like this is a great unit for me as I am a medium range rifle hunter but primarily an archery hunter and this unit works well for both. Well with $400- $500 to spend are there any other pieces of gear that you see that would be more important to purchase?

As I have a great pack (Mystery Ranch), Rino gps (onXmaps), leupold 10x50 mojavie pro guides, full set of firstlite gear and such the short list of items I am looking at are,

Sig Kilo
DeLorme Tracking and SOS
New boots - Lowa Tibets? (Currently running Irish Setter Elk Trekkers)
Kestrel - doubt I would get a ton of use out of this.

If you could only pick one item at the moment, like me, what would you choose and why? Thanks for your input!

[jasnt]

What is medium range to you? In my exp a quality rangefinder is more important than exact weather conditions for under 500 yards. I have both the sig and kestrel and would rather have the sig if I had to choose just one

[Bob33]

If your maximum distance is 350 yards, your need for a higher end rangefinder is probably not that important; a basic model will work. A Kestrel is of limited value at shorter ranges in most conditions. SOS - do you hunt where you'll get lost or stranded? Boots: if you do much walking that's where I'd put the money first.

[hunting4sanity]

Of the items on your list, I'd value the Lowa Tibets or the Sig Kilo the most. I have those boots and have been very happy with them and I've been very impressed with the Sig Kilo my son uses. You mention First Lite gear, do you have their Uncompahgre Puffy coat? If you're needing a great hunting coat, the Uncompahgre Puffy was probably my favorite new piece of gear last season.

[Wetwoodshunter]

Thanks for the input so far. My rangefinder only ranges out to 350 before it gives up and gets frustrating. I have shot quite a bit out to 700 yards in good conditions and it comes in from there depending on the wind. When I have taken the longer shots they are ranged using someone else's range finder that is with me as mine can't read that far.

I do have the Uncompagre Puffy, it is an awesome piece and doubles as a back country pillow when folded correctly.

My first lite system is:
Seek Jacket - pre ordered
Stormtight Pants - pre ordered
Fusion Leafy - pre ordered
Leafy balaclava - pre ordered
Corrugate Pants
Alegheny Bottoms
Llano
Chama QZ
First lite beanie
Balaclava - replaced beanie
Cold Weather Balaclava - pre ordered
Merino gloves

I love First Lite gear and especially the service that I have had from them. As an aside if you PM me I'll email a gear review I sent to them to you if you wanted to see my thoughts on any of their pieces of gear.

[Wetwoodshunter]

Under careful consideration I have chosen to go the route of good boots.

[jasnt]

Under careful consideration I have chosen to go the route of good boots.

very hard to beat good boots!

[Jonathan_S]

Sig Kilos are incredible.  Boots are obviously paramount.