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

Where are you located? Come on into us if you're in the area

 

[Linehand11]

I have a Kowa 77 and had a swaro 65STS. I sold the swaro because it didn’t compare to the field of view of my kowa and I liked the focus knobs better on the kowa. The Kowa 77 is a little heavier, maybe 1/2 to 3/4lb, but IMO it is worth the weight. I’ve had it for 3 years now and spent countless days behind it. I bought it from the guys at S&S in Boise. They’ve done a great job for the few purchases I’ve made through them.

 

[WRO]

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

For the money you can get a used s2/cabelas euro for under 1700 if you look hard enough. Other than that, it’s pretty hard to beat a swaro 95.. it’s my favorite scope.


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[BluMtn]

I have the Kowa 99S and have looked through both the Swaro and my Kowa and I like the focus knobs on the Kowa's better. I had a hard time hitting the magic spot of getting a clear picture with the Swaro, whereas the Kowa I can use the fine tune knob.

 

[Matt G.]

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

It is unfortunately the company is going in new direction. I would be afraid if you need any warranty work.

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[eaglemountainman]

You can do the "buy once, cry once" thing, or you can go with a Kowa and cut out the "cry" bit.

 

[smokingfire]

Thank you everyone for the input and comments--gave me a lot to consider. I ended up pulling the trigger on the Kowa TSN-88.

 

[eaglemountainman]

You're gonna love it! I guarantee you won't regret your decision. Hope you went with Doug for the best deal.

To protect you investment, I would suggest a sacrificial neutral filter lens for the objective. Also, if you bought the straight spotter, the Outdoorsmans H.O.S.S cover is great travel protection that doubles as a hand warmer muff while glassing.

 

[smokingfire]

You're gonna love it! I guarantee you won't regret your decision. Hope you went with Doug for the best deal.

To protect you investment, I would suggest a sacrificial neutral filter lens for the objective. Also, if you bought the straight spotter, the Outdoorsmans H.O.S.S cover is great travel protection that doubles as a hand warmer muff while glassing.

I picked it up at the Utah Hunt Expo for 15% off.

I've never heard of these filter lens' you are referencing. Would that change the picture when looking through?

I got the angled one and they told me Kowa is coming out with a new cover and to hold of on their current neoprene one.

 

[eaglemountainman]

I picked it up at the Utah Hunt Expo for 15% off.

I've never heard of these filter lens' you are referencing. Would that change the picture when looking through?

I got the angled one and they told me Kowa is coming out with a new cover and to hold of on their current neoprene one.

No, it won't change the image. I have one on my Kowa 554 and 884 and can't tell the difference in image quality, which is spectacular. And it's a lot less expensive to replace a sratched filter than a scratched objective lens.
Yeah, the Outdoorsmans cover won't fit an angled scope. Hopefully, the new cover will offer much more meaningful protection than the current option.

 

[smokingfire]

No, it won't change the image. I have one on my Kowa 554 and 884 and can't tell the difference in image quality, which is spectacular. And it's a lot less expensive to replace a sratched filter than a scratched objective lens.
Yeah, the Outdoorsmans cover won't fit an angled scope. Hopefully, the new cover will offer much more meaningful protection than the current option.

Do you have a link for the one I should look at?