kowa 663/664 vs swaro 65 sts/ats

[JGRaider]

I’ve compared 2 different ats hd 65 vs my Kowa 664 in the field and optically they are near identical aside from FOV. If you have F you money get the swaro cuz it’s swaro. Otherwise the Kowa is the best deal around.

I've been reading any info available on the Kowa 664, especially actual users. Just to be clear, this is the "older" 664, grey bodied version, not the newer models? Thanks.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

I've been reading any info available on the Kowa 664, especially actual users. Just to be clear, this is the "older" 664, grey bodied version, not the newer models? Thanks.

Yes the 664 tan colored looking one. Don’t get me wrong, the swaro is a better scope due to build quality and better eyepiece. But if you only care about image quality and field of view isn’t of huge importance, the Kowa is dead on with the swaro s series to my eyes. Plus the 30x wide angle eyepiece paired with the 664 is pure magic. I honestly think about stockpiling a few of those scopes since they stopped building them.

 

[eaglemountainman]

I was curious about the 663/4 because it’s cheaper than the swaro STS, and I was wondering what the draw backs would be and if it’s worth the money saved. Due to your feed back I think a used STS is what’s gonna be best for me. I’d like to get a 66s but it’s the prior authorization that’s the problem.

Go for the 66s. You won't be sorry. It's a spectacular chunk of glass.
Remember, it's always better to beg for forgiveness, then to be denied permission.

 

[JGRaider]

Thanks. I also very much prefer dual focus mechanisms over the barrel ring type.