Sig Zulu 6 Binoculars - Here’s What You Need to Know! 2024

[@stevencgodden1767]

Maybe the best equipment review I have heard. You made several comments on the ZULU6 has really slowed me down to commit to buy.

[@MindfulHunter]

I am supposed to have a pair of the new 3rd Gen's on the way from Sig for review, I will get my thoughts upas fast as possible.

[@MasterTheHunt23]

I've been using these for over a year now, and absolutely love them. Are they 100% perfect? No. Do they change the game entirely? Yep. Don't know how I'll ever go back to unstabilized

[@MindfulHunter]

👍

[@Basicsareeverything]

Another use for these, they are by the best 3D archery binos ive ever used.

[@MindfulHunter]

Great call!

[@cardinalcrazy09]

Absolutely, I tried them for free ag TAC last year and immediately needed them lol. Being able to call shots at 80yards is amazing. 😊

[@adamvisser9815]

Thats cool that the cool that the company reached out to you and had a phone call conversation about the new glass that they have come out with. Awesome review man keep up the good work!

[@MindfulHunter]

@@adamvisser9815 💪

[@T_157-40]

Good vendor to get on call with you. It’s smart management vs not giving a damn about consumers.

[@MindfulHunter]

💯

[@ChasingGiants23]

Another brilliant review Sig Sauer you guys rock. Your attitude and mindset on this is amazing! This review is helping me build more knowledge on the brand and from what I already know this is helping to confirm. that Sig is doing its best to he super innovative whilst really caring about quality at the same time

[@MindfulHunter]

👍

[@AWAG_FK]

Noob here, this was a great review and I really appreciate your perspective. As an avid outdoorsman who is just getting into hunting, I got a little lost here and there because I lack the experience and vocabulary. There were many spots where I wished I could ask a question about something you just said. Thank you! I'm looking forward to consuming more of your content. PS: the chapters in the description are fantastic.

[@MindfulHunter]

Appreciate the feedback!

[@kschmo3981]

Brother, keep up the excellent work. Your reviews are so refreshing and insightful. I've said it before and I'll say it again. You have the best hunting gear reviews on the internet

[@MindfulHunter]

Deeply appreciate that man!

[@OldelCpt]

From another reviewer the reason the field of view is so narrow on the smaller magnification is because they compromise on the size of the prism that is in the stabilization unit, it’s the same for both magnification, and the prism for the eyepiece which is different for each. It’s that eyepiece that limits the FOV for practical reason ( forgot if it’s the eye relief os something else). Most likely they would be prohibitively expensive otherwise. One can look at the patent from the Kamakura Koki Co to see diagrams on how the stabilization works and they have figures with the prism there. It’s a question of geometry to only have one stabilization unit yet light paths for 2 eyes.

[@MindfulHunter]

They make a lot of sense and would explain why it’s the same between 12’s and 16’s. I bet there’s a ton of cost savings there as well. They basically manufacture one internal mechanism and they can use it in two separate lines.

[@josephwalters4016]

Great review, as always. Keep up the great work!

[@MindfulHunter]

👍

[@bulletterminalperformance]

Great review as usual!! Appreciate the time you put into these!

[@MindfulHunter]

Thanks man!

[@13hawks32claws]

Spitting out truths. Another great brake down giving room for personal thought before purchase. 💪🏻

[@MindfulHunter]

👍

[@Australian.Hunting.Backcountry]

Again, you make so much sense in your review. You hit the nail on the head with the marketing monster - if the companies were honest about what they compromised on and why we would be alot more comfortable dropping big dollars. Also, a 10x50 RF version of these would be awesome.

[@MindfulHunter]

💪

[@aaronburns7477]

I wonder if the reason the fov is reduced is because of the stabilization feature. Like the iPhone has a stabilized video feature but it just cuts the image down so it can effectively gimble the image if that makes sense.

[@MindfulHunter]

That’s exactly what’s it from. The confusing part is why his the same for the 12’s and 16’s. It should be a percentage of total viewable area so you should still have a larger net field of view in 12 power binoculars even after it applies the crop.

[@codyy8006]

I’m curious on your thoughts for the other direction. The new razor uhd 8x32 for a compact main bino. They have a 472’ FOV. Haven’t seen many reviews on them yet. Just got a pair I’m very impressed so far.

[@MindfulHunter]

I’d be skeptical of the light gather ability at 32mm objective. Midday I’m sure they’re fine but daybreak and dusk they won’t be able to compete with bigger glass.

[@vitalinvader514]

Great review, keep them coming. I picked up a pair for the side by side and they work great for that when you don't have time to get all set up with the spotter and a tripod.

[@MindfulHunter]

💪

[@WhyitJellyDonut]

Are image stabilized binos a brand new thing? They have been in camera lenses for a long while now. Thinking of other things photo cameras have, why not a variable aperture? Is it a durability problem?

[@MindfulHunter]

Canons had them for a while but the size and weight made them unnaceptable for hunting.

[@themarksmanABP]

Kite also do quality stabilised bino's, their new 14x & 18x 50mm APC range are meant to be serious quality bits of kit. I just come across that sig has just launched zulu6 hdx pro that interest me. I live on an island in scotland, I wonder how I could get a pair of these new zulu6 hdx pro shipped here. Cool review

[@MindfulHunter]

Trying to get some kite’s now.

[@maurelius135]

Overall I've been impressed. 16x, four months in and I use them year-round in the field and at the range. Enjoy spotting PRS with them. no support needed and easier to make a call and transition to a new target. Agree with your sit/glass vs move/spot comments. These have been in my kit 80% of the time and worth the $$

Only issue and talking with CS now - at max stabilization, the image jumps as I pan. The image doesn't move and then skips to the correct view. Did you notice this at max?

[@MindfulHunter]

I did notice some mild glitches like that from time to time.

[@OldelCpt]

Another reviewer said the same. Panning better with Kite than Sig on first mode. Target mode of Sig (2nd mode) is not made for panning that’s why they have two modes! I don’t know whether Kite has an as good precision mode as the Sig. I would assume they do, one just needs to tune the controller differently for small or large movements. So Sig took the cheaper approach to have the human handle it instead of working on providing a more complex controller. Kite is coming out with a 2.0 version of their controller (stabilization unit) and 3.0 software.

[@Evan-rv9ox]

I think not comparing these to the Cannon image stabilized Binos leaves me wanting more depth to this review. I have the 10x42 cannons and though they are heavy the glass quality seems really high to my eye.

[@kevinbernstein835]

Canon Glass is superior to all other glass. There it a reason it is used by most professional and hobbyist photographers.

[@MattH-wg7ou]

Zeiss, Swarovski, and Leica are outstanding glass too. Generally considered the top 3 in binoculars. Nikon has some great high end binos too.

[@OldelCpt]

One major difference is that the Canons only stabilize 0.8 to 1.0 degree, whereas the Sig do either +/- 2 or 3 degrees. Fuji with the Fujinon do +/- 6 or 9 depending on models. So Canon are good for someone on foot on land whereas the Sig and Kite and a few others that use the same Japanese technology from Kamakura Koki Co that Sig, Kite (Belgium), Besser (Germany), Opticron (UK) also use are good with small motion vehicles, small boats, driving, and bigger motions like on big boats and helicopters the Fujinon will stabilize best. Kite has come out with an HD/ED glass version for x50 binos.

[@uwekonnigsstaddt524]

@@OldelCpt I have binoculars for nightsky watching. Light transmission is a must for me. My binoculars are heavy and have to put them on a tripod, thus image stabilization is not required.

[@L0NGRNGE]

This channel is going to be huge

[@MindfulHunter]

💪 slow and steady bro

[@josephkershner4451]

@@MindfulHunter on point again. If you build it they will come...

[@colbyjones8884]

With regards to reasons for putting this on a tripod is wind. Your trad binos or scope are gonna be unstable, so unless you can tuck out of the wind, these will keep you glassing in the wind.

[@MindfulHunter]

👍

[@travisscott6257]

also, word on the street is Sig is coming out w another improved Zulu 6. I'm gonna wait.

[@MindfulHunter]

😉

[@highlonesome7482]

I just purchased the latest Zulu 6 a month ago (mid July '24) with the "2 stage" stabilization tech (it's got 2 levels of stabilization. Absolutely loving these optics! So....is there an even newer version coming out? Lol. Alway hard trying to stay ahead of the technology curve. Ha! Thanks and good luck, all!

[@MindfulHunter]

@@highlonesome7482 yes there is. Due out in a few weeks.

[@highlonesome7482]

@@MindfulHunter Thanks for the quick reply. New to your channel. I'm a subscriber. Keep up the great work!

[@jrnumex9286]

i bought 1 st gen 16 x. then seen gen 2 20x and bought them under premise they have to be way better or back they go. amazing

[@MindfulHunter]

👍

[@fx4fxnytro]

Great review! Good luck this hunting season!

[@MindfulHunter]

@@fx4fxnytro 💪

[@OldelCpt]

Really good review and very refreshing in many ways! The cherry on the cake is your honest opinion regarding usage in different hunting scenarios, very useful and quite unique (as few reviewers do it) and it’s great. It’s one thing to checkout the specs and another to get to have the visual experience in different situations. You broken those down very well. One reviewer mentioned in reviewing the Kite binoculars (made by the same Japanese company as for Sig, Kamakura Koki Co) that the smaller field of view didn’t bother as much because panning around felt much more balanced and natural with the stabilized optics than regular ones. What’s your view on that? There are Kite 14x50 and 18x50 with HD/ED optics that have come out. Again with same FOV on both, and I was thinking that if panning is more natural maybe an 18x wouldn’t be so bad after all (?) even in close scenarios (?). But, it wouldn’t help compared to using a large field of view to detect motion. But it would be more like moving our eyes (binos) around to extend the FOV. Easier to do with stabilized binos (it would be the same as when sitting down with a tripod for long range except that in the forest one doesn’t set the tripod up, but just start panning with the binos in hand). My analysis here is all theoretical, practical experience wins!

[@anthonybarker9123]

I wonder how these compare to the Canon IS binoculars that have been out for a couple decades.

[@MindfulHunter]

Great additional info. You raise some good points. I’ll have to think on that.

[@MindfulHunter]

The only issue with the Canons is the weight. They’re tanks. I talked with Sig and the original impetus for the Zulu 6 line was military guys saying we need the performance of the canon’s but in a more compact package so it’s realistic to take in the field.

[@anthonybarker9123]

@@MindfulHunter That's fair. I've got the 12x36 and my dad has the 15x50s. They are REALLY nice... But you definitely notice when you are carrying them.

[@frankmarrs457]

Even with the same FOV, 12s should have better low light performance than 16s, because the 12s will have a larger exit pupil (ratio of objective to magnification). Sig can maybe confirm this?

[@MindfulHunter]

That’s a great point.

[@vancejohnson1778]

Another bad ass review bro! I definitely agree I think an 8 or a 10 would be great for the still hunting/closer glassing and would probably do really well!

[@MindfulHunter]

💪

[@EricLeachman]

THANK YOU!!!! Excellent work Jay

[@MindfulHunter]

My pleasure man. Glad it was helpful!

[@travisscott6257]

I have had 2 diff guys tell me they prefer the 12s to the 16s. They both said for whatever reason, the picture is more clear?

[@MindfulHunter]

Interesting. Can’t see a technical reason for that but still valid feedback.

[@wesnelson4792]

Same for myself and less glare on the 12s. Couldn’t stand the 16s.

[@MindfulHunter]

@@wesnelson4792 actually that makes sense of the 16’s are pushing to the edge of the prism and the 12’s are focused more towards the center.

[@jasonnull2248]

I’m interested to know if changing the obj. lens to a 50mm would help the FOV? I’d be very interested in them if that is in the future.

[@MindfulHunter]

Changing the objective does not directly impact FOV

[@OldelCpt]

As already answered it doesn’t, Kite has a 14x50 and 18x50 out (same Japanese company makes the stabilization unit inside and builds to the other company specs) the field of view is actually smaller on the 14! Which makes normally little sense: 49° or 61° apparent field of view 3.7 degrees in both so Exact same 65 m at 1000 m, so 213.26 ft at 1093.6 yards for both. So, I don’t see the point of getting the 14x if one doesn’t have a larger field of view. Might as well get the 18x.

[@chasejohnson-ci8kj]

Im having a hard time figuring out what to buy. The zulu6 hdx or the vortex razor hd, which do you think is best?

[@MindfulHunter]

Just different tools man. One is not “better” than the other.

[@OldelCpt]

Same dilemma, except that if stabilized I would go for Kite in 18x50 because same field of view as the 14x50, these newer models have ED glass, tripod adapter, 5 years warranty on electronics vs 2 years for other models. Same Japanese company makes the stabilization unit and builds them for Sig and Kite and a few others.

[@jrnumex9286]

i have both or a vortex of some higher sort. zulu 6 gen 2 20x wins. their amazing just down the road and years how does the IS hold up.

[@michaelpenland1966]

solid info. thanks

[@MindfulHunter]

👍

[@CD02]

Extremely informative

[@MindfulHunter]

💪

[@michaelkilpatrick3141]

Awesome review! Thanks

[@MindfulHunter]

💪

[@Nave6W]

There is no world where $1000/$3000 bino’s are ever necessary

[@MindfulHunter]

🫡

[@BrownSanta]

😂😂😂

[@BigGamePursuit]

I’ve had mine for 6 months and used on 3 hunts. Honest opinion from me is the technology is sweet but the glass quality is not great.

[@MindfulHunter]

💯

[@spiritzweispirit1st638]

Need A Zoom Version of Same!🌐

[@MindfulHunter]

👍

[@BadKarma.-]

Lemme get these with rangefinding 👀 probably not possible currently but still

[@MindfulHunter]

I’ll pass it on 😉

[@BadKarma.-]

@@MindfulHunter 🙏🙏🙏

[@OldelCpt]

I was originally going to get rangefinder binoculars but that’s another set of compromises and the glass quality just cannot be as good. So I opted for separate rangefinder and get stabilized binoculars.

[@LaneTaylor-s1m]

Thanks

[@MindfulHunter]

💪

[@highrafterranch1982]

20 years too late…. Personally used Canon stabilized 15x and 18x Binoculars for over 20 years during long range hunting where performance and optical clarity were mandatory…. Canons were, and are, up to the task…. My original pair are still running and work perfectly…. No need to go with inferior quality that costs more.

[@MindfulHunter]

🫡

[@primitiveoutfitting]

I hate that I love these

[@MindfulHunter]

You’re not alone

[@amyfraser5316]

1st ten minutes totalBS

[@MindfulHunter]

🫡

[@davecody5997]

Stay out of region 3!!!

[@MindfulHunter]

@@davecody5997 🧐

[@DB.KOOPER]

SIG is such a garbage company.

[@MindfulHunter]

🫡

[@Rico11b]

I really do like Sig products, but they are WAY overpriced. So much so, that I can't support them in good conscience. In all fairness I feel that way about SO MANY companies out there that are simply OVERCHARGING for ANYTHING relating to shooting and the shooting sports. It's practically price-gouging if I'm being honest. Guys are going deep in debt because many youtubers are convincing people that they HAVE TO have these things when they don't. They put this crap on their credit cards and by the time they pay it off they've paid DOUBLE the cost for something that is overpriced in the first place.

[@MindfulHunter]

These things retail for $1k USD and you think that’s overpriced?

[@Rico11b]

@@MindfulHunter Hell yes! It a set of binoculars man!!! Nothing more, nothing less AND you've listed so many CONS that are significant. $1K for a set of Binos, come on man. For that price I better be able to see the face of Jesus each time I look through them. So much so that I will need to ask Jesus to move to the side so I can see what I'm looking at. Also, for the CONS you've listed, they should be paying people to take them instead of charging for them. The fact that you DON'T think it's overpriced at almost $1K is very telling.