Big eyes??

[Hatchet Jack]

@willfrye027 did you notice any tunnel vision with the kowa 55? I've never looked through one but my 66 uses that same eyepiece and the FOV is pretty narrow; when I slap on the 30x wide angle it's a completely different scope both FOV and pure optical quality and is one of the main reasons I love the twin 66 setup. I wish kowa would let you to switch out eyepieces on the 55 it would be a lot more tempting to me.

 

[willfrye027]

@willfrye027 did you notice any tunnel vision with the kowa 55? I've never looked through one but my 66 uses that same eyepiece and the FOV is pretty narrow; when I slap on the 30x wide angle it's a completely different scope both FOV and pure optical quality and is one of the main reasons I love the twin 66 setup. I wish kowa would let you to switch out eyepieces on the 55 it would be a lot more tempting to me.

The newest 55 has got an awesome eyepiece. It’s very wide angle. Nothing like the old 55s. I don’t think you would give up much of any FOV with the new 55 at 30x compared to your 66s. With the benefit of lower and higher magnification.

 

[Nooch2222]

Man thank you all for the help, a lot of great info!
Anyone thoughts on a 65mm or 80mm bigeyes setup with a chest bino? Was thinking I could use them for short hikes and scouting trips, then if needed take one off for long hikes and hunts. Just trying to cover all my bases before making the investment.

 

[Pigtails]

I have a set of STC big eyes for sale

 

[Nooch2222]

I have a set of STC big eyes for sale

Where are you located?

 

[Beendare]

FWIW, I hunt the AZ desert every year and have tried just about everything....15x multi, SwaroBTX, Spotters of every make, Big 30x Kowa, Including the older 30X Swaro binos. [which you can still find on Ebay]

I have settled on the 18x Vortex UHD's. They carry like the 15x...the UHD is comparable resolution wise in a side by side comparison to 15x Meopta/Swaro....but the big deal is the extra 3x, it's surprising how much more you get with that. FWIW, the lesser 18x Vortex are poor.....the UHD are far and away better.

 

[hereinaz]

FWIW, I hunt the AZ desert every year and have tried just about everything....15x multi, SwaroBTX, Spotters of every make, Big 30x Kowa, Including the older 30X Swaro binos. [which you can still find on Ebay]

I have settled on the 18x Vortex UHD's. They carry like the 15x...the UHD is comparable resolution wise in a side by side comparison to 15x Meopta/Swaro....but the big deal is the extra 3x, it's surprising how much more you get with that. FWIW, the lesser 18x Vortex are poor.....the UHD are far and away better.

I agree, the 18x UHD are surprisingly great. I don’t feel like I gave up much to the 15x Swaro. For binos, I gotta have the new 14x EL though.

I am on board with @Hatchet Jack… The new Kowa 55 have me very interested in finally buying big eyes, but I may try out a set of S.2 Mavens I have seen locally.

I don’t know that I am ready to commit… it’s a lot of money either way I go.

 

[hereinaz]

AZ guys with big eyes, can we do a range day so you can convince me to buy a set, lol? I want some time behind them.

 

[Nooch2222]

AZ guys with big eyes, can we do a range day so you can convince me to buy a set, lol? I want some time behind them.

Great Idea! I emailed Adam adapters and he's has demos setup at his place in Tucson to look through.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

AZ guys with big eyes, can we do a range day so you can convince me to buy a set, lol? I want some time behind them.

i built my own bracket for kowa 664's about 7 years ago. After using them, my brother, dad and 2 buddies all bought a set of kowas in the next few months. They really are that impressive. I am actually moving back to the Gila Valley here in the next month or so, if you happen to be in that area you're welcome to come check them out.

 

[Pigtails]

Where are you located?

Logandale NV

 

[4th_point]

Here’s my AZ buck from January at 1.5 miles. Couldn’t count the points with the STC big eyes but I also didn’t need to..




View attachment 871129


Never felt the need for high magnification to field judge. If anything it’s led me astray in the past and talked me into bucks I didn’t really want to shoot

View attachment 871130

Will,

Thanks for the pics. 1.5 miles is pushing it for a small spotter, but that pic looks good especially handheld and a frame from a video.

Were you able see more detail with your eyeballs, compared to viewing with the iPhone?

 

[willfrye027]

Will,

Thanks for the pics. 1.5 miles is pushing it for a small spotter, but that pic looks good especially handheld and a frame from a video.

Were you able see more detail with your eyeballs, compared to viewing with the iPhone?

Yes definitely more detail with the eye.

 

[Steve O]

Big eye guys. I don’t have narrow enough eyes for the STC little big eyes so I’m going to have to go with the twin ATS 65. Have any of you used both the 25-50 and 20-60? I’d assume I will want the wide angle but figured I would check.

 

[willfrye027]

Big eye guys. I don’t have narrow enough eyes for the STC little big eyes so I’m going to have to go with the twin ATS 65. Have any of you used both the 25-50 and 20-60? I’d assume I will want the wide angle but figured I would check.

I’d think you would want the wide angle.

But you should see if the mini Kowa can go narrow enough for your eyes. I actually prefer slightly the mini kowa glass to the mini swaro glass. The twin ATS are kind of a beast, the mini Kowa is very manageable.

 

[Maciasjayden02]

i built my own bracket for kowa 664's about 7 years ago. After using them, my brother, dad and 2 buddies all bought a set of kowas in the next few months. They really are that impressive. I am actually moving back to the Gila Valley here in the next month or so, if you happen to be in that area you're welcome to come check them out.

Do you have any pictures/measurements of your bracket? Recently got two 664’s and am planning to build a bracket. Just looking for ideas to see what works

 

[BBob]

Big eye guys. I don’t have narrow enough eyes for the STC little big eyes so I’m going to have to go with the twin ATS 65. Have any of you used both the 25-50 and 20-60? I’d assume I will want the wide angle but figured I would check.

Didn't see this till now. The 25-50 is superior in all ways to the 20-60. Way back when the 25-50 was released I tested them both side by side and the 20-60's (yes plural) all got sold and 25-50's went on. When I built the twins I used the 25-50's and they are awesome. To the 18X fans, no you won't out do a good glasser down here equipped with a good pair of twins. Change my mind