Best eye piece Kowa 77 series?

[elillquist]

I have a Kowa 773 with the older 20-60x eye piece. I’ve read some older posts on here about the 25-60x Wide angle (TE 11WZII) being a big improvement. Other guys talk about the 30x wide angle (TE17W) or the 35x extreme wide angle (TE80XW) being the tits. Haven’t seen many recent posts so thought I would revive the topic.
To those who have run any combo of these what would you recommend? Pros and cons?

Also how about the 1.6x magnifier? Is that recommended? Does it cut down optical quality at all?

My context: hunting big country in Idaho primarily. Often glassing 2-3 miles out and using spotter to find game but also using spotter for trophy evaluation closer in. Currently have a set of Maven 11x45 binos that I use to spot game until the distances get too great.

 

[Brian Fahs]

25-60x wide angle is my choice for my 884.

For finding game my 10x42nl or 15x56slc on a tripod is what I run.

 

[elillquist]

25-60x wide angle is my choice for my 884.

For finding game my 10x42nl or 15x56slc on a tripod is what I run.

Word! I just went ahead and purchased the 25-60x WA.
I’m also curious about guys who have the 15x or 18x binos, do you carry them and a set of 10x or 12x and your spotter when you’re hiking? It just seems like a ton of glass and weight.

 

[Brian Fahs]

Word! I just went ahead and purchased the 25-60x WA.
I’m also curious about guys who have the 15x or 18x binos, do you carry them and a set of 10x or 12x and your spotter when you’re hiking? It just seems like a ton of glass and weight.

I'm a deer and turkey hunter who primarily hunts the northeast where I live or the midwest on annual trips. Optics are a passion of mine just like many who frequent this forum. I enjoy using different optics for specific hunts or duties. I seldom double up on optics in the field with the exception of bringing the 884 for distant evaluation but thet is rare.

I do not do anything outdoor related without either my 8x32 els or 10x42nls on my chest in a marsupial. My 15s and spotter usually are used in or near the truck for distant observation. I'm at the point I'd rather carry a good tripod and head for my binos in the field than binos and spotter combo.

 

[elillquist]

That totally checks out dude, thanks for sharing