collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Kowa spotting scope  (Read 8531 times)

Offline eastfork

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 166
  • Location: United States
Kowa spotting scope
« on: December 31, 2016, 11:49:07 AM »
Ok.... im looking for something different....i have a nikon fieldscope ed 65mm with zoom eye piece and wide angle 24x eye piece. I love the wide angle.....but i would like more power at times.....so....a few manufacturers have zoom wide angles....leica, Swarovski, meopta, ..... kowa......so i have been poking around and the reviews are pretty high on the new kowa with the prominar wide angle eye piece.....they have a 88mm and a 77 mm.......any experiences with these spotters.....just looking at my options.

Offline Bean Counter

  • Site Sponsor
  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jul 2008
  • Posts: 13624
Re: Kowa spotting scope
« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2016, 11:52:44 AM »
I have the 82mm fieldscope and love it. Keep in mind that those same eyepieces will push you out to further ranges so if you can find an 82mm on the used market you wont have to invest in new eyepieces, and will have a lighter and heavier setup.  :tup:

Offline eastfork

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 166
  • Location: United States
Re: Kowa spotting scope
« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2016, 12:37:58 PM »
That is an interesting thought...

Offline nwwanderer

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 4680
Re: Kowa spotting scope
« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2016, 03:47:44 PM »
Use my Kowa every day, no issues.  It has been around the block several times.  Compared my 65 to a razor 85 recently, same field of view, side by side comparison.

Offline Tbar

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+26)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 3037
  • Location: Whatcom county
Re: Kowa spotting scope
« Reply #4 on: December 31, 2016, 04:27:31 PM »
I run a tsn 884 with the 20-60 eyepiece.  It's absolutely incredible the amount of light it gathers and how crisp it is. The field of view is great (imo)  My smaller scope a swaro sts 65 hd and there is absolutely zero comparison . They are both in Parr as far as quality.  As for the wide angle I cannot offer any input.

Offline eastfork

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 166
  • Location: United States
Re: Kowa spotting scope
« Reply #5 on: December 31, 2016, 07:11:31 PM »
T-bar. You said zero comparison between kowa and swaro.....so what were the differences.... pluses minus.....just curious

Offline Tbar

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+26)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 3037
  • Location: Whatcom county
Re: Kowa spotting scope
« Reply #6 on: December 31, 2016, 07:41:58 PM »
The biggest difference is the expected difference with the 65mm objective and the 88mm. The Kowa is unbelievably bright in low light situations.  They are almost identical  (imo) when comparing  clarity and fine focus. You really can't go wrong with either.

Offline eastfork

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 166
  • Location: United States
Re: Kowa spotting scope
« Reply #7 on: December 31, 2016, 07:55:00 PM »
Thanks a bunch for response. I figured that much. I am really like the idea of the wide angle zoom....  mated with the 88mm......  :)

Offline eastfork

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 166
  • Location: United States
Re: Kowa spotting scope
« Reply #8 on: December 31, 2016, 07:56:26 PM »
Bean counter.....do you have wide angle eye piece or just normal zoom?

Offline Magnum_Willys

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Nov 2009
  • Posts: 5598
Re: Kowa spotting scope
« Reply #9 on: December 31, 2016, 08:38:13 PM »
All the birders seem to rate the big Kowa over everything else. 

Offline eastfork

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 166
  • Location: United States
Re: Kowa spotting scope
« Reply #10 on: December 31, 2016, 08:41:55 PM »
Thats what ive been reading. It sounds like the big kowa is worth looking through

Offline nontypical

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 44
  • Location: ephrata
Re: Kowa spotting scope
« Reply #11 on: December 31, 2016, 09:08:05 PM »
I have a Kowa and wouldn't trade if for anything. The only complaint I have is the weight it is heavy but very clear at a very long range.

Offline eastfork

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 166
  • Location: United States
Re: Kowa spotting scope
« Reply #12 on: December 31, 2016, 09:16:42 PM »
Non typical-
Keep talking. How do you use it. Backpack? Which model do you have? Do you have any experience with wide angle eye pieces? Im very intrigued by the kowa reviews...

Offline crowinghen

  • Women's Board
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2011
  • Posts: 585
  • Location: western wa
Re: Kowa spotting scope
« Reply #13 on: December 31, 2016, 09:30:33 PM »
What do you guys think about the TSN 601? with the 20-60 eyepiece?


Offline Tbar

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+26)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 3037
  • Location: Whatcom county
Re: Kowa spotting scope
« Reply #14 on: December 31, 2016, 10:02:14 PM »
What do you guys think about the TSN 601? with the 20-60 eyepiece?
@crowinghen, I personally don't have any experience with that model.  I had a 881 and after a lengthy discussion with a Swarovski rep I took a look at the 884 (same scope with better glass). I cannot say enough good things about either company.  One unknown to me is the warranty from Kowa. I hope I never need it.  I have sent several items back to Swarovski and have been very pleased. 

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Please Report Problems & Bugs Here by Dan-o
[Yesterday at 11:03:20 PM]


Heard of the blacktail coach? by TitusFord
[Yesterday at 08:38:40 AM]


Fawn dropped by nwwanderer
[Yesterday at 07:36:33 AM]


WDFW's new ship by Tbar
[Yesterday at 07:07:35 AM]


Cougar Problems Toroda Creek Road Near Bodie by Elkaholic daWg
[Yesterday at 06:10:59 AM]


Resetting dash warning lights by Happy Gilmore
[May 30, 2025, 09:14:51 PM]


Wolf documentary PBS by Roslyn Rambler
[May 30, 2025, 07:56:34 PM]


New York deer by MADMAX
[May 30, 2025, 07:38:44 PM]


Halibut fishing by hiway_99
[May 30, 2025, 05:48:13 PM]


Unknown Suppressors - Whisper Pickle by Sneaky
[May 30, 2025, 04:41:08 PM]


KIFARU packs on sale by BigJs Outdoor Store
[May 30, 2025, 02:30:41 PM]


DIY Ucluelet trip by Happy Gilmore
[May 30, 2025, 08:48:54 AM]


Alaska Fishing Guide and Lodge Recommendations by CaNINE
[May 30, 2025, 04:14:32 AM]


Anybody breeding meat rabbit? by jackelope
[May 29, 2025, 10:02:50 PM]


Survey in ? by metlhead
[May 29, 2025, 09:35:57 PM]


Colorado Results by cem3434
[May 29, 2025, 08:35:51 PM]


NEED ADVICE: LATE after JUNE 15th IDAHO BEAR by Sliverslinger
[May 29, 2025, 08:31:23 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal