I used a 553 this hunting season and did a fair amount of glass off a tripod 5 miles back in as well as on a window mount. I sold a 50mm and 85mm Vortex to replace with this single scope. I've had an ATX 65 and 95mm, too. I've not had an STS so I can't comment on their glass.
The lack of a rotating scope does impact use on a window mount. If you use a ball head you can make it work but it's not nearly as nice. It wouldn't matter at all with a 554 since that's a straight scope.
Before I sold the Vortexes, I compared them to the Kowa. The 553 held it's own against the 85mm Vortex in low light conditions at lowest and highest magnification. The extra magnification wasn't enough to make me want to lug the heavier scope.
Using the Kowa this season I found the rotatating eyepiece to be fantastic. The sunshield had no effect on sunglare. My only complaint about the Kowa is the edge is not truly in focus. Coming from the ATX and EL binos that bothers me. I don't know if that's normal for all the 55's or just mine and it isn't a showstopper.
The FOV is smaller for sure. That wasn't a big issue. I spent most of the time using it at 15 and simply upped the mag if I saw something I wanted to check closer. At full magnification, like most other scopes I've used, you lose a bit of light and clarity.
For me, I'd save the weight and get one you're more likely to carry in the backcountry.
The lack of a rotating scope does impact use on a window mount. If you use a ball head you can make it work but it's not nearly as nice. It wouldn't matter at all with a 554 since that's a straight scope.
Before I sold the Vortexes, I compared them to the Kowa. The 553 held it's own against the 85mm Vortex in low light conditions at lowest and highest magnification. The extra magnification wasn't enough to make me want to lug the heavier scope.
Using the Kowa this season I found the rotatating eyepiece to be fantastic. The sunshield had no effect on sunglare. My only complaint about the Kowa is the edge is not truly in focus. Coming from the ATX and EL binos that bothers me. I don't know if that's normal for all the 55's or just mine and it isn't a showstopper.
The FOV is smaller for sure. That wasn't a big issue. I spent most of the time using it at 15 and simply upped the mag if I saw something I wanted to check closer. At full magnification, like most other scopes I've used, you lose a bit of light and clarity.
For me, I'd save the weight and get one you're more likely to carry in the backcountry.
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