85mm BTX vs Kowa 77/88

[Ztm91]

I currently have an assortment of spotters but am looking to sell my 56mm Razor and 65mm Ares G2 and upgrade to a higher quality backpacking solution.

A while back, I happened to pick up a 115 BTX for a ridiculously good deal from a gentleman on here. While I would love to sit and glass in the backcountry all day with the 115 BTX, naturally, the bulk and weight of it is not the most backpacking friendly setup. I was fairly set on watching out for used Kowa 774's to try to pick one up, but then began to consider if I should just grab an 85mm objective lens for my BTX eyepiece. The BTX/85 combo weighs 30+ ounces more than either the Kowa 77 or 88mm scopes and the BTX eyepiece is obnoxious to pack; but if I am sitting around all day glassing for mule deer, I feel I may really appreciate having the BTX out there.

Does anyone have extended experience with both in the field?

Additionally, what would be a recommended tripod for these set ups? I have been debating picking up a tricer tripod. The tripods I currently own are aziak backcountry w/ Tricer LP head, Slik 634 w/ Aziak Front Country head, Sirui ST -124 w/ VA-5 head.

 

[Xperimental]

I owned the 883 and it was very nice...but I bought a BTX and there is simply no comparision in what I can see through the BTX as compared to the 883. I can see mirage running in four or five different directions at one time..it really allows one to pick the field apart and find the mirage that is telling the truth.

 

[Ztm91]

I owned the 883 and it was very nice...but I bought a BTX and there is simply no comparision in what I can see through the BTX as compared to the 883. I can see mirage running in four or five different directions at one time..it really allows one to pick the field apart and find the mirage that is telling the truth.

Thank you for the insights and comparison, much appreciated!