Is a Kowa 66a enough for Ram hunting?

[schlumpyj]

I am considering dropping some change on a new Kowa 66a which would be my first spotter. I live in Wyoming and the spotter would mostly be used for mule deer and bear glassing but I may be moving to Alaska eventually. I'm sure the 66a will do great for muleys and bear but not sure on AK game. As I've never hunted rams before, would the Kowa 66a be enough glass to judge these animals? Or is there a better piece of glass I should be considering around the 3k mark? Thanks!

 

[as.ks.ak]

You’ll never regret having more glass…I started with vortex razor 65mm.

I went to kowa 77mm, now have kowa 88mm and have found myself very happy with the glass. Do I need 99mm? No sir. The 88mm is about as big as I feel necessary.

My eyes LOVE the Kowa glass. Go big and get what you think you might want. You can always downgrade…


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[gr8fuldoug]

Our pleasure to discuss this with you. Give a call, 516-217-1000, if you have a few minutes to chat

 

[madcalfe]

I run a Leica 65mm with the 25-50wide and I don't have any complaints.

 

[schlumpyj]

Our pleasure to discuss this with you. Give a call, 516-217-1000, if you have a few minutes to chat

Yes I tried calling CameraLands and unfortunately had a condescending person answer who wasn't very knowledgeable about hunting use cases. I probably should've asked for you by name.

 

[AKMoose]

Just my two cents, but 66a will have the nearly the same optical performance of an 88a in all but dim light conditions. Same eyepiece, all the same FOV, magnification, same lenses all throughout except 66mm objective vs 88mm objective.

Total light gathering area on 88 will be 88*88*pi*1/4 = 6081mm2

Total light gathering area on 66 will be 66*66*pi*1/4 = 3421mm2

So in theory it will gather 85% more light, but that only will matter pre sunrise and post sunset, and likely barely any then unless you're at max magnification and need the exit pupil high light then.

 

[as.ks.ak]

Just my two cents, but 66a will have the nearly the same optical performance of an 88a in all but dim light conditions. Same eyepiece, all the same FOV, magnification, same lenses all throughout except 66mm objective vs 88mm objective.

Total light gathering area on 88 will be 88*88*pi*1/4 = 6081mm2

Total light gathering area on 66 will be 66*66*pi*1/4 = 3421mm2

So in theory it will gather 85% more light, but that only will matter pre sunrise and post sunset, and likely barely any then unless you're at max magnification and need the exit pupil high light then.

These are spot on, but turns out when evaluating rings on a ram you’re at full magnification and typically at low light.

Also, if you plan on buying the magnifier, you’re going to want as much light gathering as possible.

Valid statements for both the 66 and 88. Just buyer beware on the magnifier. You need ALOT of light to make it worth carrying.


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[gr8fuldoug]

I'm sorry about that. I'm in today just till noon then back Monday 10-6.