Zulu 6 replacing binos and spotter?

[West18]

I've seen similar topics discussed but I'm curious about my exact optic situation and use case:

I currently have:

Meopta meostar 10x42's
Maven CS.1A 14-45X65 Spotter

Debating on selling both and just using 1 pair of Zulu 6 binos for everything (12x or 16x HDX models - not sure which). I like to tinker and the idea of not carrying the spotter and tripod is appealing. I hunt Montana archery and Rifle elk/mule dear/spring bear mostly. The only thing I really use the spotter for is digiscoping. More to have a video library of animals to look at and less for counting points and size of animals.

Does the Zulu6 digiscope decently well? Any other reasons this might be a mistake?

 

[pokes15]

I have the Zulu6 16x42's and have taken them to Mexico for a mule deer hunt in January and just got back from an elk hunt in Utah. I love them. I only got out my tripod a couple of times, and that was just so I could do some digiscoping. I use the Ollin adapter, and it works really well.

 

[NealS02]

I have no experience with the Zulu 6s so take this for what it is worth, but have been super close to buying a pair previously. I ultimately decided not to. Here is why I made the decision.

To me there is no real benefit to stabilizing binos if I am primarily glassing off a tripod or window mount, which I do. I would be losing glass quality going from my EL 10s on a tripod to Zulus on a tripod. You couldn’t pay me enough to glass all day handholding either without a tripod. Second, I do use my spotter to really pick apart country after multiple passes with the binos, if I don’t see animals. For me, a pair of stabilized 16s don’t really replace my spotter either. I’ve considered carrying all three options, but don’t really want the weight.

Ultimately, where I think I will end up is buying a pair of image stabilizer binos to complement or round out my glassing setup once the technology kinks have been worked out over the next few years. I would then plan on using them during archery elk hunts or when moving in on animals glassed from a longer distance. I personally will never be satisfied or pursue what you alluded to in your question, that is replacing solid binos + spotter with image stabilizer binos. I hope this helps or my reasoning at least provides an alternate viewpoint to consider. A sincere good luck in making the decision that works best for you!

 

[Middle_Ridge]

I've been the 16x42 Zulu6 guy for the last couple Mule Deer seasons. Here are the problems I've experienced with this strategy:

1. A little fog, smoke, or glare renders them basically useless -- so you stand to lose some mornings' glassing opportunities when conditions are non-ideal. Whereas, other optics may make do.

2. Same goes for the small exit pupil and glass quality -- only viable with ideal lighting conditions. The 16x's are not great in shadows.

3. Stuck at 16x and 194 ft FoV @1000yrd.

That said, there are certainly benefits I've enjoyed:

1. HUGE WEIGHT SAVINGS. The 22 oz Zulu6 replaces heavier binos, spotter, and tripod. Typically cuts 60 to 100 ounces (3 to 6 lbs) I'd figure on traditional optics load out.

2. Expedience. You can whip them up on trail, or plop down seated and they are up and running in two flips of the switch. I find propping them up on a trekking pole is plenty of support in conjunction with the I.S. to do seated glassing.

3. Quick survey from multiple angles. I find the expedience opens up the oppprtunity to hop around your glassing knob, getting those slightly different angles you may need to cover the vantage more comprehensively than you otherwise would with a single fixed spot where you chose to set up your tripod.

Conclusion: I'm starting to think of the 16x42 Zulu6 (only) as a sort of survey-mode load out. They're so quick to deploy and cover country, my strategy has become exclusively trying to catch animals out in the open during prime time (e.g. mule deer at first light) over a broad vantage. The power lets me make that work from the opposite ridge. However, if you get fog, glare, or it's not great light for any reason, you stand to miss out, big-time.

Finally, the weight savings is obviously the biggest factor. If you're in a situation where weight is the crux, say, the difference in making it to the basin with the animals or not, then this could be your cheat code. I bet you get ~50% of the capability of a traditional optics kit but at 28% of the weight.

P.S. You can digiscope fine with them. Even handheld! It's pretty cool.

 

[180ls1]

I'd try the 16's before you sell your setup.

I run the 10 and 20's. Sometimes I wish I had a spotter also.