Kowa 66 vs 88 vs 99?

[RockAndSage]

Anyone have experience with a couple of these, to offer comparisons?

I mostly use 8s on the chest, 15s or 18s on the tripod, and a little spotter in the backpack for checking what I find on the 15s. Looking at upgrading the big spotter I mostly use scouting from a vehicle, and trying to figure out if there's a sweet spot between these 3 Kowas, or if there's a notable advantage that makes one really stand out.

It might go on some hikes, and I wouldn't want it being exclusively for vehicle use, so I'm leaning towards the 88s. How packable are they? Any big disadvantages over the 66s? Losing out at all to the 99s?

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Will preface this with saying I have the Kowa 554 and Swaro STX 65/95 and I do have in-field time with the Kowa 88. No single optic is going to excel in all conditions and scenarios; you are going to have to compromise.

Take a look at:

KOWA Prominar TSN-99A & TE-80XW Eyepiece Review - Rokslide

Kowa Prominar TSN-99A spotting scope review. Kowa Prominar TSN-99A vs Swarovski ATX 95. Who will come out on top of the heap?

www.rokslide.com

Kowa TSN 99 Review: DETAILED Kowa Spotting Scope Review

In this Kowa TSN 99 review discover the remarkable Kowa TSN 99. We explore the exceptional features of Kowa optics in this comprehensive spotting scope review.

backwoodspursuit.com

Comprehensive Kowa TSN 883 Review: The Ultimate Spotting Scope

In this Kowa TSN 883 review, discover why it is the top choice for spotting scopes, offering exceptional performance and lightweight design.

backwoodspursuit.com

Since scouting from a vehicle is a specified use case, I'd pass on the Kowa 66. There's no real reason to skimp on weight and pack volume. Also, you already have a small spotter so replacing it with another "small" spotter doesn't really do that much for you.

That takes you to the Kowa 88 or 99. Pack volume: Kowa 88s (no eyepiece) is 12.8" long and the Kowa 99s (no eyepiece) is 14.3" long; that 1.5" additional length may or may not matter. Pack weight: Kowa 88s (no eyepiece) is 3.26 pounds while the Kowa 99s (no eye piece) is 4.04 pounds; that extra 0.744 pounds may or may not matter. The eyepiece is 0.8 pounds. Cost: $400 between the two.

I never regretted grabbing the 95 objective and passing on the 85; for me the additional ~2" in length and ~8 ounces is worth it.

 

[RockAndSage]

Will preface this with saying I have the Kowa 554 and Swaro STX 65/95 and I do have in-field time with the Kowa 88. No single optic is going to excel in all conditions and scenarios; you are going to have to compromise.

Take a look at:

KOWA Prominar TSN-99A & TE-80XW Eyepiece Review - Rokslide

Kowa Prominar TSN-99A spotting scope review. Kowa Prominar TSN-99A vs Swarovski ATX 95. Who will come out on top of the heap?

www.rokslide.com

Kowa TSN 99 Review: DETAILED Kowa Spotting Scope Review

In this Kowa TSN 99 review discover the remarkable Kowa TSN 99. We explore the exceptional features of Kowa optics in this comprehensive spotting scope review.

backwoodspursuit.com

Comprehensive Kowa TSN 883 Review: The Ultimate Spotting Scope

In this Kowa TSN 883 review, discover why it is the top choice for spotting scopes, offering exceptional performance and lightweight design.

backwoodspursuit.com

Since scouting from a vehicle is a specified use case, I'd pass on the Kowa 66. There's no real reason to skimp on weight and pack volume. Also, you already have a small spotter so replacing it with another "small" spotter doesn't really do that much for you.

That takes you to the Kowa 88 or 99. Pack volume: Kowa 88s (no eyepiece) is 12.8" long and the Kowa 99s (no eyepiece) is 14.3" long; that 1.5" additional length may or may not matter. Pack weight: Kowa 88s (no eyepiece) is 3.26 pounds while the Kowa 99s (no eye piece) is 4.04 pounds; that extra 0.744 pounds may or may not matter. The eyepiece is 0.8 pounds. Cost: $400 between the two.

I never regretted grabbing the 95 objective and passing on the 85; for me the additional ~2" in length and ~8 ounces is worth it.

Those links were awesome, as were your thoughts. Much appreciated.

 

[RockAndSage]

Sharing for others - video from one of the articles comparing the 88 vs 99, it's great:

 

[dapesche]

Brought kowa 883 on our sheep hunt a couple years ago. Will bring it again on this year's sheep hunt.

You can see a lot of Digiscoping videos of sheep in the video of the hunt...

I had a 663. Then a 773. Bought a 1.6x extender which led me to make the final upgrade to the 883. No regrets.



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[BluMtn]

I had the 884 and it got borrowed. Upgraded to a 99S and use it during Montana and Idaho Mulie hunts. I don't mind packing the weight for what you get. For what you are describing the 99 works or if budget and weight are a concern find an 88. Either choice will work for you.

 

[Jake Larsen]

I had a previous model 88. Got the new 66s, and compared them side by side. I kept the 66. There was a slight difference in the last 5 minutes of light, but not enough for me to justify the weight and form factor of the 88. But I also backpack hunt a lot…


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[AkMtnRunner]

I've found the 88 is packable and with an appropriately stable tripod to be worth the weight. But I am not an ounce counter with my 90 lb pack.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

This guy here also has quads bigger than a mule and the lungs to match. @AkMtnRunner

I’m pretty happy with the low light performance of the 66a. The 77 I sold was probably the sweet spot though.. Same weight, but closer in low light performance to the 88.
@RockAndSage

 

[MCS]

I've owned the 66 and 88. The weight of the 88 was not a problem for packing. The 88 takes up a lot of space in your pack. If I go on a backpacking hunt I take the 66 and if I hunt from the truck I take the 88.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Your timing is great as all the Kowa Spotting Scopes are on Mother's Day Sale