Forgoing traditional magnification and objective configurations, the Sig Sauer 11x45 ZULU9 Binoculars slightly increase both to boost performance without making them too powerful or large to use for long periods. Sig also engineered them with Abbe-Koenig prisms, which make the optical tubes thinner than conventional roof-prism binoculars' tubes, translating into a more comfortable feel in the hands and a more secure grip. Complementing the prisms are extra low-dispersion/high transmission glass, multiple proprietary lens coatings, and phase-correction prism coatings which produce bright and clear high-contrast images with true color fidelity across the entire wide field of view.

Their wide viewing angle and 11x magnification allows for viewing of distant objects versus a 10x, while helping to mitigate the visible hand-shake common in 12x binoculars; and the short 6' close-focus distance enables exceptionally detailed observation of birds, bugs, and insects at feeders or bushes. Rounding out the optical performance is a comfortable, long eye relief and an exit pupil that will cover the eye even when fully dilated in low-light conditions.

For long-duration observation sessions, the ZULU9 can be mounted on a tripod via a user-supplied optional adapter. Rubber armoring helps to give protection from drops and impacts while helping to provide a non-slip grip. Designed for durability, the lightweight polymer chassis is nitrogen-filled and O-ring sealed for fogproof performance and makes them submersible to 3.3 feet for up to 30 minutes. Twist-up eyecups provide a custom-fit eye relief for use with or without eyewear.