Sig Zulu 6 10x30 vs 16x42's Experience

[Stocky]

So backstory is my truck got broken into and my Bino harness got snatched. Have been running the Sig Zulu 16x42s and rate them to the point I'm genuinely disappointed going back to my 10x32 NL Pures.

So Im looking to replace these and am considering either new 10x30s or second hand 16x42s as the price markup down here is nuts and there's never any sales.

I did find the 16s average for FOV, Mirage, and Low Light but not enough to make e not want to run them.

Obviously Swaro may be coming out with some soon but cant be bothered waiting and will just get them when they come out.

So are the 10x30s any good, I mostly chase red deer, hate glassing of a tripod, but still bring a spotter for evaluation only.

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

I have both. Am planning to sell the 16’s as I’ve never really used them and keep the 10x30 for limited use case. I’m the opposite in that I’d prefer to use my NL as I have them in 8, 12, and 14.

The sigs will be in a belt pouch on my pack for still hunting to get views into the timber as I am moving.

Just can’t find a place in my needs for the 16x42 so letting those go.

 

[Stocky]

I have both. Am planning to sell the 16’s as I’ve never really used them and keep the 10x30 for limited use case. I’m the opposite in that I’d prefer to use my NL as I have them in 8, 12, and 14.

The sigs will be in a belt pouch on my pack for still hunting to get views into the timber as I am moving.

Just can’t find a place in my needs for the 16x42 so letting those go.

Where and how do you hunt? There not a place off a tripod that I think the NLs win in. Are the 10x30s better in low light than the 16s? I hunt relatively open alpine primarily similar to goat country.

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

Where and how do you hunt? There not a place off a tripod that I think the NLs win in. Are the 10x30s better in low light than the 16s? I hunt relatively open alpine primarily similar to goat country.

I am in mostly dark timber. The sig is definitely better for me when moving and needing to pick things apart up ahead before I move through. But I don’t like the picture through them.

When I sit, I much prefer the massive fov and clarity/view of the NL. When I’m not moving and breathing hard, I find it very easy to look through the 8’s. I use the 12 mostly if I have a rifle hunt where it’s open country but that’s not often. And the 14 are always for a tripod.

I don’t think I’ve really noticed the brightness difference. For what I use them for I’ve never spent a ton of time behind them. Just quick examination. I also haven’t used the 16 much. Just a couple times in my truck looking at a hillside. I haven’t noticed any issues with brightness but haven’t really paid much attention

The numbers say the 10 should be brighter. But they also say the 16 should have a smaller FOV than the 12 which isn’t the case. I don’t know that this tech follows the same rules.

 

[swavescatter]

I have both the 16's and 10's. Use case totally depends on the country - my 16's are generally my go-to for glassing 600yds+. The 10's have a much better FOV inside that.

The only issue with my 10's is that there is a noticeable "fishbowl" type effect where the image is not flattened throughout the FOV. Still serviceable to me in my use case (bopping around and quickly glassing hillsides).

Neither one of these can compete with alpha glass on a tripod, but I don't ever sit still enough to take advantage of them. No alphas handheld or from a moving vehicle can compete with IS binos either. Pick your poison.

 

[Stocky]

Cheers guys to clarify ive run the 16s as primary binos for the last 3 years (they replaced 10x32 NL Pures) and I can deal with the downsides as most of my hunting is trying to locate mature stags and then stalk in on them. Not great up close but fine. Its mostly if its worth considering the 10s as ill be buying the swaro versions when they eventually come out and Likely ill be trying to buy something in the 12x range then so the sigs will become spares (not popular here as the are expensive and resale is poor due to people not knowing about them).

@swavescatter how do the 10s go long distance glassing say out to a mile. Is the shit glass an issue then?