Help me decide which spotter. Kowa 66a, 773 or 883 or….

[Ryanlemon5]

I’m looking at picking up a new to me spotter. Which would recommend? I have been intrigued with the three below.
New Kowa 66A
Used Kowa 773
Used Kowa 883
I do prefer to save money when I can so I am open to suggestions. I hoping for an all around spotter.

 

[dtrkyman]

Depends on the use, I bought a 77 series as I rarely back pack hunt with a spotter so I use it relatively close to the vehicle or camp, if I hadn't gotten a deal on the 77 I would have opted for the 88.

If I were packing it in all the time maybe a 66 depending on how particular one gets with scoring/judging size.

I will say it is one mine optic, definitely glad I saved the money over a Swaro, I have looked through them side by side in the field and the Kowa is on par!

I much prefer glassing with 15s and only use the spotter sparingly!

Though I have considered a second 77 and a mount to run them like a giant bino!

 

[eh254413]

I got a used 773 off of here last year and I am blown away with it. I've looked through Swaro and Zeiss and I don't feel like the Kowa is lacking at all. For the money, I don't know if it can be beat.

 

[Ryanlemon5]

I got a used 773 off of here last year and I am blown away with it. I've looked through Swaro and Zeiss and I don't feel like the Kowa is lacking at all. For the money, I don't know if it can be beat.

I have been leaning towards either a used 77 or a used 883. How is the 773 for digiscoping?

 

[eh254413]

It’s awesome. I use the Ollin system and it’s super easy. You can usually find it on sale through either YouTubers or just holiday sales. Only downside is you have to get a new phone case if you change phones a lot.

 

[Ryanlemon5]

Depends on the use, I bought a 77 series as I rarely back pack hunt with a spotter so I use it relatively close to the vehicle or camp, if I hadn't gotten a deal on the 77 I would have opted for the 88.

If I were packing it in all the time maybe a 66 depending on how particular one gets with scoring/judging size.

I will say it is one mine optic, definitely glad I saved the money over a Swaro, I have looked through them side by side in the field and the Kowa is on par!

I much prefer glassing with 15s and only use the spotter sparingly!

Though I have considered a second 77 and a mount to run them like a giant bino!

I agree I love glassing with my 12s, did you find much of a difference between the 77 and the 88 in viewing quality?

 

[gr8fuldoug]

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[FlyGuy]

I know it’s a big decision and so hard to choose when you don’t have experience with any of them, but honestly you can’t go wrong. All three are great choices. Just pick the one that’s speaking to you the most and go hunt with it. Later on you can sell it and buy another size if your experience tells you differently.

If you plan to pack it in with you nearly every time, the small one. If you’ll only use it from the truck - the big one. If it’s a mix, the middle one.

I went with the 77 years ago (from Camera Land) and I’ve been very happy with it. Great quality, compact. On elk hunts I just use it from the road; on Aoudad or muley trips it’s in the pack. Does both very well for me.

 

[dmm08300]

I love the 77 that I have as well, no complaints at all

 

[huntnful]

I’ve owned and used all 3 of those extensively. A used 77 and put the extra money towards something else would probably be the best option IMO.

 

[dtrkyman]

Have not used it side by side against the 88, but have side by side against a swarm 95, Advantage Swaro early and late of course at higher zooms but not crazy!


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[Spiral Horn]

I have both the 66A and 88A. For backpack hunts the 66A comes along - for scouting and viewing from the truck or short hikes I’ll lug the 88A if I know there’ll be some extreme distance. Is there an optical difference between the two? = Yes. I can pull a bit more from an image at the highest magnification at extreme distance from the 88 vs the 66 and the 88 is better at dawn/dusk. But it certainly isn’t night and day. The 66A is a fine optic and I’ve never really felt undergunned while using it. The biggest difference is the volume taken up in my pack - there the 66A really shines. After all, the best optic is the one your actually willing to haul along more often than not.

Also, having done some extensive side-by-side comparison I personally prefer the Kowa image over the Swarovski and adore the focusing system. While the SW is no slouch and is certainly an overall more rugged device.

My 2 cents.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Demo 99 at Euro Optic.

 

[Blcktail56]

I have a 77 and love it! Everyone likes the smaller ones for size but realistically the 77 is similar in size to most 65s and gathers more light. I would like to put it next to a swaro but I have looked through them and feel like my kowa competes at least. This photo is next to my buddy’s vortex razor 65 mm

 

[Blcktail56]

 

[Ryanlemon5]

Depends on the use, I bought a 77 series as I rarely back pack hunt with a spotter so I use it relatively close to the vehicle or camp, if I hadn't gotten a deal on the 77 I would have opted for the 88.

If I were packing it in all the time maybe a 66 depending on how particular one gets with scoring/judging size.

I will say it is one mine optic, definitely glad I saved the money over a Swaro, I have looked through them side by side in the field and the Kowa is on par!

I much prefer glassing with 15s and only use the spotter sparingly!

Though I have considered a second 77 and a mount to run them like a giant bino!

Do you think there is much of a difference in quality between the 773 & 883. It seems like I can find decent deals on both where there is a new model for each the 66A & 88A.

 

[mckbcat2000]

I bought an 88 used on here. I really like it. I'm not taking on hunts out west, mainly looking at birds and wildlife around me. On Christmas day of 2024 there was a deer in the last minutes of light 400 to 425 yards from me. Couldn't see with naked eye but in that scope he was there and I knew which deer he was. I've take some good (to me) images with it and my Samsung phone using the Ollin. The Ollin works well and easy to deal with. Hope that help.

 

[dtrkyman]

No quality difference between the two, 88 has advantage early and late and at higher powers, but it is not drastic in my opinion.


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