Cabelas Euro HD (Meopta Meostar) vs Sig Zulu6 HDX IS

[shannerdrake]

HT Community, I apologize for another optics thread, but it’s my offseason and I need to dream for the fall.

I currently have 10x42 Cabelas Euro Binos which have a Meopta label and from my research, I believe they are simply rebranded Meostars. They are the 2016 or 2017 models.

I have been contemplating upgrading binos for a while. However, I’m not quite in the Swaro money spending mood yet so I’ve been looking at that $1000 price point.

The Sig Zulu6 HDX image stabilization binos have popped up several times and I’m interested in them.

I am a Midwest Treestand deer hunter, Midwest and south run and gun turkey hunter, and hunt out west for deer or elk about every other year.

I would have to sell the Cabela’s binos to help finance the Sigs if I went that route.

So my questions, am I crazy to get rid of the Cabela’s/Meoptas to get the Sigs? Is the Image Stabilization a gimmick? How would the glass compare between the two models?

I would also need help on the 12x or 16x Sigs if I went that route, but I don’t want to get the cart before the horse.

 

[dan.kirkpatrick]

ive got the 12x42 sigs regular zulu 6 hdx, and really like them//the image stabilization is pretty cool tech,,no real need for a spotter,,can pick deer out at 800 yrds without a tri pod!!,, seems like a good jump for me this year..ive heard complaints about the new "pro version",,but i like mine.low level light issues are not too bad with the 12x42,s i feel.

 

[Chingon]

I hunt with my buddy that uses all Swaro glass (New 14 NL's, EL Range and big BTX setup). It's a toss up who spots more animals faster. I'm running the 16x HDX Sigs and also Sig rangefinding binos. Sometimes Maven 15's on a tripod if I'm going to be sitting a knob for awhile. I used to envy his setup when running just regular 10's, but no longer feel the need to sneak a peak. Alpha glass is nice, but not for the way I hunt.

IMO you need to lay out your hunting style. Do you have a rangefinder? For me, if running a single piece of gear, a rangefinding bino is the single most important item. Next, are you generally moving about, rarely sitting to glass single spots for extended time (>45min)? That's where the Image Stabilized binos shine. I've already glassed a hillside before my buddy gets his tripod set up, and even with mid-grade glass they stomp all over alpha glass when handheld.

RF binos -> Image Stabilized binos -> Big glass on tripod. That's my vote.

FWIW I really like my Maven 15's. Just a hair worse than Swaro glass and Vortex like warranty. Pricing is decent. Stay away from the new Sig HDX Pro model of the IS binos - I posted a review here as I bought 3 different pairs to confirm they are objectively worse than my gen 2 HDX. Save your money.

 

[shannerdrake]

ive got the 12x42 sigs regular zulu 6 hdx, and really like them//the image stabilization is pretty cool tech,,no real need for a spotter,,can pick deer out at 800 yrds without a tri pod!!,, seems like a good jump for me this year..ive heard complaints about the new "pro version",,but i like mine.low level light issues are not too bad with the 12x42,s i feel.

Thanks! I am have thinking the 12x is where I need to be due to the amount of time I spend in Midwest treestands. Fear that 16x would be too much magnification to find animals.

 

[shannerdrake]

I hunt with my buddy that uses all Swaro glass (New 14 NL's, EL Range and big BTX setup). It's a toss up who spots more animals faster. I'm running the 16x HDX Sigs and also Sig rangefinding binos. Sometimes Maven 15's on a tripod if I'm going to be sitting a knob for awhile. I used to envy his setup when running just regular 10's, but no longer feel the need to sneak a peak. Alpha glass is nice, but not for the way I hunt.

IMO you need to lay out your hunting style. Do you have a rangefinder? For me, if running a single piece of gear, a rangefinding bino is the single most important item. Next, are you generally moving about, rarely sitting to glass single spots for extended time (>45min)? That's where the Image Stabilized binos shine. I've already glassed a hillside before my buddy gets his tripod set up, and even with mid-grade glass they stomp all over alpha glass when handheld.

RF binos -> Image Stabilized binos -> Big glass on tripod. That's my vote.

FWIW I really like my Maven 15's. Just a hair worse than Swaro glass and Vortex like warranty. Pricing is decent. Stay away from the new Sig HDX Pro model of the IS binos - I posted a review here as I bought 3 different pairs to confirm they are objectively worse than my gen 2 HDX. Save your money.

Appreciate the feedback. Your reviews of the Sigs have played heavily in my decision process.

Yes I have a rangefinder. Primarily a bow hunter so I range a lot and am comfortable with and prefer a stand alone rangefinder.

Midwest deer hunting (10 days a year) is all from a tree and I’m looking at things from 50-600yds. Tripod is not an option.

Turkey hunting (4-6 days a year) is all run and gun (moving) and again looking at things from 50-1000yds.

Western hunts (every other year about 7 days) are all mobile. I’ve carried tripods and spotters a lot of miles in my pack and rarely use them. Another reason I’ve been interested in the Sigs. I spend a lot do time looking through binos and rarely setup to glass though.

I also hike and birdwatch with my wife 10 days a year. And then birdwatch year round at the house.