Crowd Sourced Optics Comparison (CO area) ***Updated 3/9/24***

[Benchleg Hunter]

Good read and really cool and unique idea
Good job

 

[Tahoe1305]

If anyone is interested in our “fan fav”. Decided to let the Kowa go ;(.

No big hunts planned for a few years for that much glass. I’ll regret it.

WTS - Kowa 66a 25-60 (TE-11WZ).

New Kowa 66a with TE11 eyepiece. Bought for my optics comparison (see link). It was the best 65mm scope we had fairly unanimous by all. Never hunted with. Mint condition. More scope than I need for foreseeable future so letting it go for a small discount. $2600 shipped/insured in all...

rokslide.com

 

[crowlja]

If you ever plan on doing another one of these, I really hope to make it out! Sounds like a ton of fun and very informative!

 

[Tahoe1305]

Heck now the new baby Kowa is out I feel ones needed. But pretty sure it will be as good as atc with dual focus like all the others are saying.

New NLs would be fun to mess with too.

Will let you know.

 

[mlevimadden]

I missed this thread at the time too but turned on notifications now. I'd be happy to join for a future comparison but only have meopta 12's and a kowa 774 to contribute.

 

[bojangles808]

@Tahoe1305 maybe you can help me out with this looking through so many optics. I have been trying different optics with friends to try and get feel for price tiers and such and had a question. Some of the optics as I adjust and am looking through them, the two circles merge to one clear circle as I adjust eyecups/diopter. Obviously this is ideal viewing experience. On other optics the two circles don't quite merge all the way no matter the adjustment. My question is this a more personal fit issue? or bino quality issue? LIke the higher the quality/price the more likely you will get one clear circle or do these just fit me better? My eyes sit a little deeper than most too so I don't know if thats the issue and yes I am adjusting diopter/eyecups per the manual.

 

[Tahoe1305]

@Tahoe1305 maybe you can help me out with this looking through so many optics. I have been trying different optics with friends to try and get feel for price tiers and such and had a question. Some of the optics as I adjust and am looking through them, the two circles merge to one clear circle as I adjust eyecups/diopter. Obviously this is ideal viewing experience. On other optics the two circles don't quite merge all the way no matter the adjustment. My question is this a more personal fit issue? or bino quality issue? LIke the higher the quality/price the more likely you will get one clear circle or do these just fit me better? My eyes sit a little deeper than most too so I don't know if thats the issue and yes I am adjusting diopter/eyecups per the manual.

Good question. I’m no expert but had a similar issue with a pair at work last week.

I think it is a mechanical issue with the inner pupil distance being too far. Said another way you can’t get the barrels close enough.

The only other thing that can be adjusted is the diopter on one barrel/eyepiece. But this is just making them focus equally (if individuals eyes aren’t the same acuity). It shouldn’t affect the two circles you saw. Hope that helps.

Edit. Moving the eyecups out can effect it a bit too IMO. And to be clear I don’t think it has to do with quality, but more the mechanics of individual binos.