Sig Zulu 6 HDX

[Bowtie747]

Hey guys been looking into these binoculars. I looked through a pair the other day and was pretty impressed by the image stabilization. I could see a price tag clear across the store with the stability on and couldn’t without.

Anyways who’s has real world experience with these?

Also what size would you recommend for general use. From deer, ducks to out west. I was leaning heavily towards the 12x. Also meatester has the slightly older version 20% off for anyone looking. Ends the 31st

 

[gr8fuldoug]

All of the Sig Zulu 6 IS Binoculars are on sale thru NYE

 

[StupidLightweight]

Lots of people with more time behind them than me, but I spent a few weeks with the ZULU6 HDX Pro 14x50s this fall. They completely reshaped my opinion on hunting optics. The SIG's glass is good, not great, but the technology is so remarkable that anything else — Leica, Zeiss, Swarovski — pales in performance to these image stabilized binos. It's not even close.

As for power, I too wondered what's best. The person in charge of the line at SIG said the 12X is ideal for timber hunting. For open county, he said the 16X is the model to use. His word is more valuable than mine, but I must say, the 14X never disappointed me or the dozen other guys I showed them to. The 14X was never too much power at close range or too little at distance. In Texas a few months back, I was spotting game from a moving high rack on bumpy roads. It's amazing technology that's only slightly less mind-blowing than thermal.

No exaggeration, the SIG IS binos are 100 times better than I thought possible. When I finally sell my Swaros to buy a set of my own, I'd likely go with the 14Xs because I know how well they work.

 

[hunthikecamp]

I've really enjoyed my 16x42s, I used them all season this year. In situations where in the past i'd be able to see "there's elk" now i was able to see "there's the 6x6 chasing the cow and the raghorn is off to the side" at around a mile away, freehand.

For deer and ducks maybe at closer range 12 might be a better bet for quicker target acquisition. But i used them for watching birds and hawks a few times and the IS tracks birds really nicely.

The image stabilization is definitely a game changer, especially while you are hiking around and just wanna throw the glass up to check something out. You can glass while panting/catching your breath and while eating a snack and it's steady enough to be useful. I didn't even carry a tripod or spotter this year but i probably still would if i were picking country apart for a deer at longer distance. But for elk, i'd have to be looking pretty far before i'd consider a tripod and spotter weight. At least until i get out of the 'any legal bull' phase of my hunting career.

TLDR - Worth every penny

 

[Bowtie747]

Lots of people with more time behind them than me, but I spent a few weeks with the ZULU6 HDX Pro 14x50s this fall. They completely reshaped my opinion on hunting optics. The SIG's glass is good, not great, but the technology is so remarkable that anything else — Leica, Zeiss, Swarovski — pales in performance to these image stabilized binos. It's not even close.

As for power, I too wondered what's best. The person in charge of the line at SIG said the 12X is ideal for timber hunting. For open county, he said the 16X is the model to use. His word is more valuable than mine, but I must say, the 14X never disappointed me or the dozen other guys I showed them to. The 14X was never too much power at close range or too little at distance. In Texas a few months back, I was spotting game from a moving high rack on bumpy roads. It's amazing technology that's only slightly less mind-blowing than thermal.

No exaggeration, the SIG IS binos are 100 times better than I thought possible. When I finally sell my Swaros to buy a set of my own, I'd likely go with the 14Xs because I know how well they work.

Thanks for the reply. They kinda give me like “why would u buy something else” vibes. I could buy 4-5 pairs at this sale price for a pair of swaro’s and still see maybe not “better” but see more. Not bashing other brands because I’m very limited in my optics experience but it was impressive. I did notice a little weird feeling but I’ve heard that comes from inexperience with using them. Like a strain feeling

 

[hunthikecamp]

Thanks for the reply. They kinda give me like “why would u buy something else” vibes. I could buy 4-5 pairs at this sale price for a pair of swaro’s and still see maybe not “better” but see more. Not bashing other brands because I’m very limited in my optics experience but it was impressive. I did notice a little weird feeling but I’ve heard that comes from inexperience with using them. Like a strain feeling

The price point is what sold me. I got them from another company but at the same pricepoint as the sale listed above. 899 for the 16s. i'll save my glass $ for a nice spotter.

You do get used to it pretty quick and you kinda learn what scanning pace feels the most comfortable. It can get a little trippy if you try to scan in target mode by accident, they'll jump around. And if i wanna make a big swing i'll turn IS off, get to my new spot, turn it back on, rather than having it mess with my eyes.

 

[bigbuckdj]

The person in charge of the line at SIG said the 12X is ideal for timber hunting.

This surprises me a little. I had the 10x30s, 12x42s, and 16x42s all at the same time and the optics were my favorite in the 12s but the field of view was just annoyingly small to me in that prescription. I picked the 10s for field of view and what I thought was a small low light penalty. Maybe I need to try some 12s again.