Kowa 55-77-88

[ZackP]

What new 663? Is Kowa releasing a new 66mm?

At this point it is all internet speculation, and not much of that I might add.

Ok. My ridiculous obsession over finding the best value gear possible will help here.

I've posted re: kowa spotters in other threads and have pics as well.

Order of ownership:
Nikon ed50
Kowa 663ed
Swaro 65atx (bought new and returned)
Tested 65sts against 65atx and 663ed
Kowa 773
Bought 1.6 extender
Kowa 883

Nikon ed50: was great for what it was. Quality was there but I struggled looking through it for long periods.

Kowa 663ed: this spotter was incredible. You'll see a picture of a goat in my fs: ad that was 2kms away. Sold it b/c it just darkened up enough at 60x mag that I couldn't make out sex and age of a goat

Swaro atx65: after the issue on goat hunt, it was obviously due to having a kowa and not a swaro. Talked into the spotter by someone. Received it, compared it vs kowa, and paid restocking cost to return it

Sts65 HD was a friends. It was the worst of the three (663ed/atx65/sts65hd)

Kowa 773: this thing is excellent. Heavier than the 663d but it was essentially the same sharpness but brighter.

Managed to score a deal on kowa 1.6x extender. Tossed it on the 773 and noticed it dropped off in light gathering at 60x again (duh).

Liked the extender and wanted light. Bought a 2nd hand 883. This thing is noticeably brighter and sharp. It is fantastic.


So I sold the 773 to a local guy. He didn't buy sight unseen. I met him at a sheep glassing spot in the evening. He had borrowed a 65ats HD and I had my 773 and 883. 883 was the obvious winner in his opinion. He thought the 773 was better than the swaro.

He bought the kowa. He is bcbillies on IG. He got some great pics of goats this fall using the 773.


So I went down the rabbit hole as a spotter newb and my thoughts are this...
1) I'd buy the 663ed again without a doubt. In reality I should've just stuck with it
2) I'd take the 663 over a 553. The glass is obviously better in the 553 but my experience glassing through a 55 objective spotter wasn't fun
3) the 773 is excellent and if I hadn't bought that extender I would've had no reason to go to the 883
4) the 883 is quality. Brighter than the 773 and still very sharp. Coatings are great. Easy to glass through (I bought an eye patch... So good).

Best value: 663ed
Best spotter: 883

I'll be dragging that 883 around on a sheep hunt this summer. The weight will be worth it and hopefully we can rule out sheep from behind the glass vs hiking hours to get close enough to make the same call.

If you're between the swaro 65 and the 773 then you get the 773. It's better.

If you're between the 773 and 883, that's tougher. 773 is great. If you want to be glassing at 60x during dawn and dusk then you'll benefit from the 883 over the 773.

Any Q's, flip me pm






Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

I actually have been with 3 of the 65 ATS HD and 1 Kowa 77 personally. The 77 is the only one I regret selling. I have now narrowed it down to the 77 and 88. If I’m going anything below 60 it would be the ATC.

I would have to agree with all of the above. Spent time with the 55, 774, and 884 this fall mule deer hunting. I don’t have a whole lot to add to what has been said but would agree with your assessment. I will say, my mom has the kowa 60mm with the 30x fixed eyepiece for birding. Damned if that combo is not overall more pleasant to look through and tack sharp, extremely wide FOV..2oz heavier than my 554 and somewhat bulkier. But it was over $1000 cheaper and the image is better overall. If needing an ultralight spotter on a budget, that combo is excellent and a significant step up from the Nikon ed50 in my opinion.

The 77 series is quite good..if not for the BTX I would still have mine.

I have read phenomenal things on the 66, but if I was sticking with the 60mm series I would just keep the ATS and call it a day.

I really think this is your answer.

Swaro ATX.
It’s modular. Makes these decisions easy.
I’m a huge Kowa fan, but I was in the same situation a few years back. I wanted the “best” but lightweight, different eye piece and so on.
I went ATX with the 65 and the 95. Later picked up the 85.
All over again, I’d do the 65 and 85 and call it a day.

I can’t justify the price of the ATX over the 88 of the Kowa. If I wanted to go bigger, I would take a look at the 99 lol!


- All in all, the ATS is now gone. So I’m stuck with a wad of cash and a decision to make. 77 or 88!! Leaning heavy on the 88, although with the cash saved I can cover those damn SWFA’s I ordered

 

[Matt G.]

I am not sure the ATS is gone from your search at this point. I would review the ATC comparison that S&S did. It looks like the newer 2022 model either got upset too the coatings or they got a gem to review. Either way it puts a monkey wrench in things. I have the 77 and love the view due to eye piece. But this makes me want to try the ATS again and drop 12 ounes...

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

 

[ghostrider272]

Went through this two years ago. Bought the 77 and haven't looked back. Use it with the photo adapter and it's fantastic.

 

[ZackP]

I am not sure the ATS is gone from your search at this point. I would review the ATC comparison that S&S did. It looks like the newer 2022 model either got upset too the coatings or they got a gem to review. Either way it puts a monkey wrench in things. I have the 77 and love the view due to eye piece. But this makes me want to try the ATS again and drop 12 ounes...

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

I read that portion. My issue is I am just not a fan of the EP either way. I would have to try another 20-60, but with the 25-50 in general all I got was the kidney bean.

The 77 is a step above in glass and 5 steps above in the EP.

 

[4th_point]

At this point it is all internet speculation, and not much of that I might add.

OK, that's what I suspected regarding a new 66 coming from Kowa.

I did read a post in the gear DIY sub forum by a member 'wishing' that Kowa would release a new 66 with Prominar glass and the same EP as the 77, 88, etc. That would be awesome if it actually happened.

 

[tdhanses]

I am not sure the ATS is gone from your search at this point. I would review the ATC comparison that S&S did. It looks like the newer 2022 model either got upset too the coatings or they got a gem to review. Either way it puts a monkey wrench in things. I have the 77 and love the view due to eye piece. But this makes me want to try the ATS again and drop 12 ounes...

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

Even if it did improve I don’t think it would be worth it to go from the 77 to the 65 for 12oz.

 

[ZackP]

Even if it did improve I don’t think it would be worth it to go from the 77 to the 65 for 12oz.

Agreed. The ATS 80 HD isn’t in the ball park either.

 

[TheGDog]

If you get a chance, you'd definitely drool looking thru a Kowa Prominar 99!

I asked this older gentleman at the wetlands reserve nearby our home if I could give a look.

I was checking out the details in the iris of a white egret. It was maybe... like 40-50yds away, and that was NOT full magnification. guy had a real legit tripod too.

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

I to regret selling my Kowa 77. I sold it clearing room for the new florite 66 that was supposed to come out this spring (which they have been saying for last couple years. I called Kowa and they confirmed they are still considering it but definitely not this year. My fault I took the risk before knowing but should have never sold my 77. I will be in market for another 77 this summer.

 

[4th_point]

I to regret selling my Kowa 77. I sold it clearing room for the new florite 66 that was supposed to come out this spring (which they have been saying for last couple years. I called Kowa and they confirmed they are still considering it but definitely not this year.

That's interesting information from Kowa about the 66mm. It seems that a fluorite crystal 66mm with newer zoom was what a lot of people were hoping for. Maybe it'll be an all new 68mm!

 

[Flatlander06]

Ok. My ridiculous obsession over finding the best value gear possible will help here.

I've posted re: kowa spotters in other threads and have pics as well.

Order of ownership:
Nikon ed50
Kowa 663ed
Swaro 65atx (bought new and returned)
Tested 65sts against 65atx and 663ed
Kowa 773
Bought 1.6 extender
Kowa 883

Nikon ed50: was great for what it was. Quality was there but I struggled looking through it for long periods.

Kowa 663ed: this spotter was incredible. You'll see a picture of a goat in my fs: ad that was 2kms away. Sold it b/c it just darkened up enough at 60x mag that I couldn't make out sex and age of a goat

Swaro atx65: after the issue on goat hunt, it was obviously due to having a kowa and not a swaro. Talked into the spotter by someone. Received it, compared it vs kowa, and paid restocking cost to return it

Sts65 HD was a friends. It was the worst of the three (663ed/atx65/sts65hd)

Kowa 773: this thing is excellent. Heavier than the 663d but it was essentially the same sharpness but brighter.

Managed to score a deal on kowa 1.6x extender. Tossed it on the 773 and noticed it dropped off in light gathering at 60x again (duh).

Liked the extender and wanted light. Bought a 2nd hand 883. This thing is noticeably brighter and sharp. It is fantastic.


So I sold the 773 to a local guy. He didn't buy sight unseen. I met him at a sheep glassing spot in the evening. He had borrowed a 65ats HD and I had my 773 and 883. 883 was the obvious winner in his opinion. He thought the 773 was better than the swaro.

He bought the kowa. He is bcbillies on IG. He got some great pics of goats this fall using the 773.


So I went down the rabbit hole as a spotter newb and my thoughts are this...
1) I'd buy the 663ed again without a doubt. In reality I should've just stuck with it
2) I'd take the 663 over a 553. The glass is obviously better in the 553 but my experience glassing through a 55 objective spotter wasn't fun
3) the 773 is excellent and if I hadn't bought that extender I would've had no reason to go to the 883
4) the 883 is quality. Brighter than the 773 and still very sharp. Coatings are great. Easy to glass through (I bought an eye patch... So good).

Best value: 663ed
Best spotter: 883

I'll be dragging that 883 around on a sheep hunt this summer. The weight will be worth it and hopefully we can rule out sheep from behind the glass vs hiking hours to get close enough to make the same call.

If you're between the swaro 65 and the 773 then you get the 773. It's better.

If you're between the 773 and 883, that's tougher. 773 is great. If you want to be glassing at 60x during dawn and dusk then you'll benefit from the 883 over the 773.

Any Q's, flip me pm






Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

Nice write up, thanks!

 

[4th_point]

Nice write up, thanks!

I thought that was an interesting rabbit hole story as well!

 

[D S 319]

Just snagged the 774, under 2k from camera land right now!

 

[dapesche]

Out looking for a bear last night.

This is the Kowa 883 at 60x with a galaxy camera a 3x, then 1x, and then a shot of the ridge top (mtn peak) I was focused on...

Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

 

[Team4LongGun]

Out looking for a bear last night.

This is the Kowa 883 at 60x with a galaxy camera a 3x, then 1x, and then a shot of the ridge top (mtn peak) I was focused on...

Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

Great comparison. Any idea on distance from you to the peak?

 

[dapesche]

Great comparison. Any idea on distance from you to the peak?

1.7miles

Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

 

[as.ks.ak]

Post in thread 'Talk me into or out of kowa spotter, 554 vs 773 vs 883' https://rokslide.com/forums/threads...spotter-554-vs-773-vs-883.238667/post-2320023

Assuming you’ve read through this.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wasatchcomm]

Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

looks like a mothers day sale right now
773 has some deals as well

I purchased the 883 last year after researching long and hard,, seriously considered the 773 as well,,, and just went for the 883,, its such a pleasure to sit and glass with it , best of the best IMO

 

[dapesche]

some pics of our 2023 sheep with the kowa 883. Some were with the extended and some were not.
then a couple close ups of the horns.

 

[dapesche]

the kowa 883 was excellent. I spotted the important 2nd annuli the first day we spotted the rams when he was bedded and sky lined. The photo was somewhat clear but when you're dealing with the camera lens and the sensor, it's obviously not as sharp.

The extended was used a lot and it definitely did its job as we sat for a couple days watching the rams.

The 883 and the extender were worth their weight.