Best Spotting Scope??

[ljalberta]

I got the chance to compare a bunch of Kowas, Swaros, Vortex, and Zeiss side by side this fall. I didn’t have the top of the line Zeiss, and most were in the 55-65mm category. I wanted to like the Kowa best in all ranges, but ultimately I preferred the Swaro ATC in the 55mm range and the Kowa in the 65mm range.

 

[Jake Larsen]

I got the chance to compare a bunch of Kowas, Swaros, Vortex, and Zeiss side by side this fall. I didn’t have the top of the line Zeiss, and most were in the 55-65mm category. I wanted to like the Kowa best in all ranges, but ultimately I preferred the Swaro ATC in the 55mm range and the Kowa in the 65mm range.

I agree the Swaro 55 is better. 65-90 I like Kowa better. I also prefer the focus knob on the Kowa, and the price!


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[Brucebarker024]

I have the kowa 77 and it really is a great spotter. I’ve toyed with trying to trade it for a swaro spotter only because the swaro color seems to agree with my eyes more.

 

[mainbeam pursuit2]

Tahoe and ljaberta are spot on, in my comparisons.

 

[nphunter]

The Meopta S2 is a great piece of glass, it’s on par with the Swaro and Kowa glass. Really depends on what a person wants. I love my S2, the body isn’t huge but at 82mm it offers an excellent image and it fits in my spotter pocket well.
IMO the ATX line is too heavy and bulky unless you plan to be modular. The only way I’d consider them is if I planned going BTX. For a spotter they’re heavy, you can carry a much larger spotter for the same weight penalty. I personally don’t like the Kowa dual focus, they easily get hung up on stuff and are always out of focus when you pull them out. I prefer the barrel focus, it’s just more sleek and fits in the pack better. I’ve never felt I need the fine focus to get a crystal clear image.

 

[smokingfire]

I agree the Swaro 55 is better. 65-90 I like Kowa better. I also prefer the focus knob on the Kowa, and the price!


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Where’s the best place to look through Kowas? Seems like most of the big box stores don’t sell them like they do Swarovski

 

[TheGrayRider]

Swaro! Buy once, cry once…

Happy hunting, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

 

[JGRaider]

The Meopta S2 is a great piece of glass, it’s on par with the Swaro and Kowa glass. Really depends on what a person wants. I love my S2, the body isn’t huge but at 82mm it offers an excellent image and it fits in my spotter pocket well.
IMO the ATX line is too heavy and bulky unless you plan to be modular. The only way I’d consider them is if I planned going BTX. For a spotter they’re heavy, you can carry a much larger spotter for the same weight penalty. I personally don’t like the Kowa dual focus, they easily get hung up on stuff and are always out of focus when you pull them out. I prefer the barrel focus, it’s just more sleek and fits in the pack better. I’ve never felt I need the fine focus to get a crystal clear image.

Agree 100%. The S2 takes a back seat to nobody.

 

[Jake Larsen]

Where’s the best place to look through Kowas? Seems like most of the big box stores don’t sell them like they do Swarovski

Depends on where you’re located. I had a buddy with a new Kowa 66 when I had my Swaro 65, so that’s originally how I was able to do a side by side in all different lighting conditions. I picked up an 88 first, then was able to do a comparison between the 85/88. Ended up settling on the Kowa 66.

Camera Land is a dealer, I think he’s been chiming in on this thread. Not sure if they offer discount or not

S&S is a big dealer, and they offer Rokslide 10% discount.

If you can’t find anything local, I’d give them a call.


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[gr8fuldoug]

Where’s the best place to look through Kowas? Seems like most of the big box stores don’t sell them like they do Swarovski

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