Kowa spotting scope

[eastfork]

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.

[Bean Counter]

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. 

[eastfork]

That is an interesting thought...

[nwwanderer]

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.

[Tbar]

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.

[eastfork]

T-bar. You said zero comparison between kowa and swaro.....so what were the differences.... pluses minus.....just curious

[Tbar]

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.

[eastfork]

Thanks a bunch for response. I figured that much. I am really like the idea of the wide angle zoom....  mated with the 88mm...... 

[eastfork]

Bean counter.....do you have wide angle eye piece or just normal zoom?

[Magnum_Willys]

All the birders seem to rate the big Kowa over everything else. 

[eastfork]

Thats what ive been reading. It sounds like the big kowa is worth looking through

[nontypical]

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.

[eastfork]

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...

[crowinghen]

What do you guys think about the TSN 601? with the 20-60 eyepiece?

[Tbar]

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.