Alpha Spotter Durability

[AkMtnRunner]

I am looking to buy once and cry once for a great spotting scope. I've read LOTS of great performance reviews of the Meostar S2, Kowa's, Leica's, and of course the Swaro's, but I've not heard much regarding the durability of them. I'd like to take this spotter and tripod in a backpack along with some warm clothes and run up in the mountains to spot and scout, besides of course the actual backpack hunting, so I need to learn more about which ones I should steer clear from. Perhaps I don't hear much about failure because they very rarely break down, or should I be concerned enough to stick with a Vortex Razor for its VIP warranty?

I am looking mostly at the 85 mm class, if that makes a difference.

 

[AGPank]

I’ve handled Meoptas 82, vortex 85, and Kowa 65.

Vortex no worry warranty.
Meopta - built like a tank. Everything they make feels military grade (yes often ounces heavier)
Kowa-65 I bought used. The prism broke loose in shipment. No box damage. Well packaged. Kowa repaired at my cost.

I have Swaro and Leica binos. Extremely durable, I’m assuming the same from their spotter.

One thing I don’t do and should is add weight to my tripod when scoping to stabilize the setup from accidental tipping.

Atmospheric conditions have been my limiting factor. With the 20-70 Meopta I don’t think there is anything Leica, Zeiss, or Kowa will see that the Meopta won’t. With them coming up used $1500-1700 (one last week at $1400), if money is a consideration I don’t know how you pass on it at top performance/value at 80mm + class spotter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AkMtnRunner]

Thanks AG, I have been leaning to the meopta with the 30-60 wide angle eye piece. With that said, I’m in no hurry and I could reach up to a good deal on a kowa 883; that is if they’ll last a lifetime of use.

 

[mthillrunner]

I purchased the Kiowa 65 in June. It has been hauled many miles in the mountains. Endured several falls & generally beaten around pretty hard. It works as well as the day I got it. When not being hauled in my pack it’s riding in the pickup. I’m happy so far, however, for what they cost I’d be pretty unhappy if it wasn’t still going strong. Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss, kowa, Meopta should all be able to take some abuse. I do realize I can fall 100 times & not damage it, just once at the right angle is all it takes. I also got a pair of the kowa genesis 8.5x44, am very happy with both

 

[handwerk]

I've been using swaro spotting scopes (STS 65 or 80) for about 10 years without issue.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

It would be our pleasure to discuss this with you.IMO, the Kowa, Swarovski, Leica & Meopta MeoStar are the top spotters out there.

 

[aron]

I’ve handled Meoptas 82, vortex 85, and Kowa 65.
Kowa-65 I bought used. The prism broke loose in shipment. No box damage. Well packaged. Kowa repaired at my cost.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

AGPank, I'm curious as to why Kowa made you cover the cost of repair. Is this typical of their warranty? Even if the failure is clearly internal to the spotting scope.

 

[WRO]

I've literally pummeled my stx 95 mm with no issues.

The thing with the vortex, is you'll have to use the warranty.

 

[AGPank]

AGPank, I'm curious as to why Kowa made you cover the cost of repair. Is this typical of their warranty? Even if the failure is clearly internal to the spotting scope.

I bought it (TSN-663) used from a reputable user on BirdForum.

Kowa warranty is to the original owner as I understand it. When I spoke to them during the repair, I voiced my concern that the spotter shouldn’t have been damaged as no apparent mishandling occurred.

The repair was quick. The spotter functions well now. I would have been impressed had they just covered it, but understood the warranty as written.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AkMtnRunner]

I found this regarding Kowa's limited lifetime warranty. Of note, the warranty does only apply to the original purchaser and only from an authorized dealer. Also, any coverage from normal wear and tear or abuse is up to the sole determination of Kowa.

 

[Eric4]

I found this regarding Kowa's limited lifetime warranty. Of note, the warranty does only apply to the original purchaser and only from an authorized dealer. Also, any coverage from normal wear and tear or abuse is up to the sole determination of Kowa.

I was going to mention something similar.

Also, even if it's an authorized dealer, but in another country, Kowa may not cover you. The Kowas on ebay from Japanese sellers, for example, would not be covered.

Meopta's warranty is lifetime and transferrable, which is a big plus. I've owned the Meostar B1's, and the build/view were excellent. Meopta Sports Optics | Warranty

My spotter is a Nikon EDG 65, and their warranty is 'lifetime no fault' which makes me feel confident. Couldn't find out if it's transferrable though... Nikon No-Fault Repair/Replacement Policy

The Nikon rifle scopes are lifetime AND transferrable. https://www.cabelas.com/assets/product_files/pdf/nikon_warranty.pdf

I've never owned Leica binoculars/spotter, but I remember reading that their warranty is not transferrable.

Maven has lifetime transferrable warranties.

 

[Shrek]

Durability of the Meopta S2 and Swarovski scopes are excellent and I know for sure that Swarovski will refurbish one of their scopes for a very reasonable fee many years down the line. I’ve never needed Meopta service so I can’t speak for them. I can say the rubber armor on the S2 is impressive. None will withstand abuse of banging on rocks hard or being wiped with gritty cloths. If they’re in the pocket on the back of your pack and you just drop the pack you’re asking for trouble. Scopes don’t generally wear out but are physically damaged by rough handling. As for the Vortex warranty it will do you no more good in the field than any other but the performance will definitely be limited. Sure Vortex will replace your scope if it fails but you’ll still have a mediocre scope and Swarovski will refurbish theirs because it’s not a cheaply built throwaway scope. It takes a little longer to actually fix a scope. Thousands of us take our very expensive scopes into the field and use them in rough conditions and they hold up fine. Buy a great scope and go enjoy it.

 

[Shrek]

The thing with the vortex, is you'll have to use the warranty.

This is the terrible truth. The friend I’m loaning my ATX 95 to needs to send his Razor 85 back...again ! He’s owned it four seasons I believe. Going back a second time.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Swarovski - Leica - Kowa - Meopta

You'll love your scope and the quality is there.