Alpha spotters, help me understand..

[Grassymike]

I currently own two good spotters. First is a Pentax PF 65 EDA with Pentax 20-60 eyepiece. my other spotter is a Leupold Gold Ring 12-40 HD. I am wondering from those of you who have used either of the two I currently own and gone on to buy Kowa, Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss is the diffence worth the substantial cost ? looking at used stuff and zeroing in a bit ,seems there are lots of Kowa 553/554 available in the $1000 range. Also Kowa 664 from $500-800. Swaro sells quicker and seems like $2000 ish gets you an ATS 65. Zeiss can be had cheaper. Leica seems highly regarded by anyone who owns or has owned them. I guess my biggest question is what of these scopes is a big enough upgrade to be worth persuing. I only really want to buy one more. Main use is Sheep hunting with a backpack in Alberta. Legal rams here do not require counting rings. I am only interested in the Brands mentioned.

 

[Kenn]

I have an 85mm swaro and an older Nikon field scope and the although the swaro is certainly better, it’s not THAT much better.

 

[Wapiti151]

I started out with a Leupold GR and progressed to a Swaro ATX 65 and the jump was insane. Absolutely worth it. Relaxed viewing with far less strain, clarity, resolution, all of the above. I then got out of the ATX into a Kowa 77 and never looked back. The 77 is definitely better than the ATX, albeit, not nearly the jump that the GR-ATX was. Kowa is the way IMO. Once you go dual focus knob, it’s really hard to go back…even if it’s another alpha. Kowa and Swaro retain value the best, I’d say.

 

[Touchdown88]

I have a Vortex Razor and my father-in-law has a 20 year old Swaro ATS HD. I wanted to toss my Razor in the garbage after comparing with the Swaro.

 

[Wapiti151]

I have a Vortex Razor and my father-in-law has a 20 year old Swaro ATS HD. I wanted to toss my Razor in the garbage after comparing with the Swaro.

Pretty much sums it up lol.

 

[jimh406]

If the dimensions aren't the same, they are hard to compare. Even in the same brand/model, the larger objective usually wins, but of course, is heavier. The biggest difference is at lower light or more challenging light. Each brand has several levels, and you may notice a big difference as you spend more in a particular brand. In bright light, the difference may not seem like much.

The other difference is your actual eyesight. Some may see huge differences while others barely notice. It would be a good idea to go somewhere with the brands you are interested in and compare them. There will likely be overlap.

Fwiw, there are a lot of comparison videos on YouTube for different brands/sizes. At least, that should get you a good idea how to compare them.

 

[Grassymike]

I am in Alberta. Was checking out what I could find in Calgary. There is a Kowa dealer that is by appointment only. Leica is available at a couple sources. swaro is easiest to find. The problem is that they are not all in the same location so comparisons are going to be tough. To help focus this more . I am interested in light weight with great optics as I plan on using this primarily backpack hunting. Also what would be concensus picks as best alpha glass bargains used ?

 

[BluMtn]

My suggestion would be if you want Alfa glass and portability, I would look at the KOWA 66, either the A or S depending on which version works for you. It is the upgrade from the 663 and 664.

 

[Grassymike]

OK so the new Kowa 66A is right at $4000 Canadian. I do not doubt it is amazing. I could buy a 663 mint for around $1000 Canadian. Is the new one $3000 bettter ? Or has the law of diminishing returns kicked in and I am paying a premium for 10% or less better glass ? I guess this is my dilema ,is the latest greatest worth the dough compared to yesterdays top glass at a substantial discount ?

 

[5MilesBack]

I guess this is my dilema ,is the latest greatest worth the dough compared to yesterdays top glass at a substantial discount ?

That's a good question. I look at the discounted previous version Leica's and wonder just how great the new one is in comparison. The previous model Kowa's still have the flourite glass......what are the new improvements?

I have really picky eyes, and I'm just really picky in general as well......I notice every flaw in everything. To me, the Vortex Razors were completely unusable in the top 1/4 of their mag range, and not great even on the low end. My Meopta S2 was better than the Swaro HD side by side, but still a little lacking. I've read that the Swaro X series is better than their HD lineup, but also keep reading that the Kowa is better than the Swaro X.

I would love to see the Kowa 66A and the new Leica side by side for myself.

 

[handwerk]

here is a review of the new Leica :

Leica APO-Televid 82 mm telescope - BirdGuides

Leica’s new modular Televid portfolio sees the introduction of a set of upgraded telescopes, along with a range of accessories aimed primarily at facilitating digiscoping. Mike Alibone puts the top model to the test.

www.birdguides.com

 

[MuleyFever]

Once you get to the upper tier I dont think there is that much difference. I compared a lot of binos trying to find something and at the end of the day I never really saw a huge difference. Sure, you can see a difference but it was never really substantial to me. Probably the biggest difference I have noticed in higher tier glass is edge clarity. Only you can decide what is "worth it". Really have to just look through some options.

 

[Steve O]

What I’ve found is that I can read the small print on targets and the newspaper at 100 yards with my Zeiss, Leica, and Swarovski spotters over the past 25 years. If you can do that with what you have it is not necessary to upgrade.

 

[5MilesBack]

What I’ve found is that I can read the small print on targets and the newspaper at 100 yards with my Zeiss, Leica, and Swarovski spotters over the past 25 years. If you can do that with what you have it is not necessary to upgrade.

I want to be able to read clearly whatever print I can glass up at 1000 yards on full zoom.

Interesting the amount of chromatic aberrations the reviewer experienced with the new and old Leica. The reviews I've seen on the Kowa are much more promising in that regard.

 

[Pronghunter]

That's a good question. I look at the discounted previous version Leica's and wonder just how great the new one is in comparison. The previous model Kowa's still have the flourite glass......what are the new improvements?

I have really picky eyes, and I'm just really picky in general as well......I notice every flaw in everything. To me, the Vortex Razors were completely unusable in the top 1/4 of their mag range, and not great even on the low end. My Meopta S2 was better than the Swaro HD side by side, but still a little lacking. I've read that the Swaro X series is better than their HD lineup, but also keep reading that the Kowa is better than the Swaro X.

I would love to see the Kowa 66A and the new Leica side by side for myself.

You should have bought that Kowa 88 I sold. You’d have seen how awesome they are.

 

[Grassymike]

What I’ve found is that I can read the small print on targets and the newspaper at 100 yards with my Zeiss, Leica, and Swarovski spotters over the past 25 years. If you can do that with what you have it is not necessary to upgrade.

Thanks ,I will check this out.

 

[Grassymike]

I started out with a Leupold GR and progressed to a Swaro ATX 65 and the jump was insane. Absolutely worth it. Relaxed viewing with far less strain, clarity, resolution, all of the above. I then got out of the ATX into a Kowa 77 and never looked back. The 77 is definitely better than the ATX, albeit, not nearly the jump that the GR-ATX was. Kowa is the way IMO. Once you go dual focus knob, it’s really hard to go back…even if it’s another alpha. Kowa and Swaro retain value the best, I’d say.

Which Gold ring did you have ? (HD or regular)

 

[TheGrayRider]

Swaro - buy once, cry once!

 

[missjordan]

My progression with spotters went from a Nikon pro staff to a Zeiss Gavia 85, then a Leica APO televid 82mm then to a Swarovski BTX 115mm.

The jump from Nikon to Zeiss was huge difference. The Zeiss and the Leica there was noticeable differences but the low light performance on the Leica was noticeable. The Swaro blows everything out of the water and i found myself not using the spotter so i sold it. Yes i would buy alpha glass.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wapiti151]

Which Gold ring did you have ? (HD or regular)

I had the HD version of the GR, you will be very satisfied with an upgrade. If are going for an older Kowa 66 (prior to glass upgrade) I’d do a used 77 instead. I’d probably even go with a used 77 over a new 66, personally. Glass is better in the 66 but light gathering is better in the 77 and the weight savings is not significant…nor is the view. Price difference will be significant though, and it’ll be the last spotter you’ll ever need for most situations. If you go Swaro, I’d go ATS 65 (great value) over the ATX unless you plan on adding objectives. IMO, swaro is not atop the traditional non-BTX spotter mountain…and I am a big swaro fan. You’re splitting hairs at this level of glass though, to be clear.

If you buy an older 66, you’re probably going to end up getting into something better eventually.