Image Stabilizing Binoculars

[LRHFox]

I know sig has the the only hunting specific Image Stabilizing Binos out there right now.

I’m about to pull the trigger on them, but wanted to see if anyone’s heard rumors of another brand producing some, like a Vortex/Leupold, etc.

I know Swarovski came out with the Spotter, so I’m sure they are working on Binos, but I’m sure those will be a pretty penny.

I’m sure most groups are scrambling to produce something, or get left behind.

Just curious what the word on the street is.


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[benconfused]

I know sig has the the only hunting specific Image Stabilizing Binos out there right now.

I’m about to pull the trigger on them, but wanted to see if anyone’s heard rumors of another brand producing some, like a Vortex/Leupold, etc.

I know Swarovski came out with the Spotter, so I’m sure they are working on Binos, but I’m sure those will be a pretty penny.

I’m sure most groups are scrambling to produce something, or get left behind.

Just curious what the word on the street is.


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There's another company that exists that I believe Sig replicated the tech from. Can't remember the name.

Also strong rumors about a new Sig release coming this summer but nothing confirmed that I've seen.

 

[MImatt]

I havent heard anything but i do love my 20x stabilized sigs!

 

[T-Rex]

I'm sure they are all working on something... I sure love my Sigs, man what a difference from traditional bino.

 

[Golt199]

If you need IS binoculars now for hunting, buy the Sig Zulu 6 HDX. They're the best option currently available for a hunter who wants IS in the field. I've taken mine on elk hunts, whitetail hunts, and birding trips, and they've performed well.

 

[zbb]

There's another company that exists that I believe Sig replicated the tech from. Can't remember the name.

They appear similar to the Canon image stabilizing binos. Which is what I was going to suggest as the glass quality was great, but the price seems the be really close.

The Canons are the only stabilizing binos I have experience with. Even from what I thought was a stable tripod, I was shocked at how much movement I had created when I let the button go.

OP good luck with your search. Image stabilizing binos are awesome.

 

[LRHFox]

There's another company that exists that I believe Sig replicated the tech from. Can't remember the name.

Also strong rumors about a new Sig release coming this summer but nothing confirmed that I've seen.

I’m familiar with the company you are referring to. I forget their name as well.

I’m guessing most of these companies will source from the same manufacturer and place their own spin on them. Just curious if anyone knows of an eminent release.

I’d love to have options.


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[Back Country Hunter 2]

The other company is Alpen. The link to their website is below. If you look at them in person as I have, it's the same part number as my Sig's. Kinda weird.

Apex Steady HD Binoculars

Featuring image stabilization, the ALPEN OPTICS Apex Steady binoculars allow you to experience a rock steady field of view at up to 14x and 20x zoom.

alpenoptics.com

 

[LRHFox]

The other company is Alpen. The link to their website is below. If you look at them in person as I have, it's the same part number as my Sig's. Kinda weird.

Apex Steady HD Binoculars

Featuring image stabilization, the ALPEN OPTICS Apex Steady binoculars allow you to experience a rock steady field of view at up to 14x and 20x zoom.

alpenoptics.com

That’s right.


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[Ishootgunssometimes]

There’s a company called Kite that makes a pair.

 

[sf jakey]

Boy, I must have used some terrible Sig binos then. I found the image quality, clarity and most importantly field of view, or total lack thereof, to make them useless to me. I’ll stick with my NL Pures.

 

[z987k]

Boy, I must have used some terrible Sig binos then. I found the image quality, clarity and most importantly field of view, or total lack thereof, to make them useless to me. I’ll stick with my NL Pures.

I've used both those binos quite a bit. The image quality from the sig's is absolute garbage next to the NLs.
I'll pack a tripod all day before I rely on the sig's for finding animals.

With the one really notable exception being on a boat. Especially a moving one. Being able to scan beaches at 20kts vs nothing whatsoever without image stabilization, is a big advantage.

 

[swavescatter]

Boy, I must have used some terrible Sig binos then. I found the image quality, clarity and most importantly field of view, or total lack thereof, to make them useless to me. I’ll stick with my NL Pures.

The image quality on stabilized sigs is like cheap Vortex diamondbacks, but on a tripod. Not great, but extremely effective. I've used them side by side with NL Pure 14's and unless I'm going to sit in a single spot for an hour, I'm taking my Sigs every day of the week. Handheld NL Pures are garbage compared to the Sigs in terms of effectiveness.

I'll be the first in line to pay $5k for stabilized Swaros, but won't waste $3500 on NL's because I just don't sit still long enough to ever take advantage of glassing off a tripod.

 

[tdoublev]

Would be shocked if Leupold ever came out with a pair. Last time I spoke to one of their reps at event, they dismissed it as 40 year old technology that they implemented decades ago. I think they were miffed that the Sig tent just one row over was booming.

Everyone’s mentioned the brands I’m immediately aware of. These binos have real use cases for star gazers and bird watchers too (they’re not snobs about glass quality) so you could find some other fringe options there. I think Swaro’s approach to the spotter is telling. Sig has the market for the binos and I don’t think anyone has found a way to make the tech work with great glass quality. So Swaro is hoping to get the spotter market for now. I don’t believe anyone is impressed with the spotter’s glass quality so if another brand releases one it probably will contend.