kowa 663/664 vs swaro 65 sts/ats

[Bowfinn]

Im considering getting a new spotting scope and I’m trying to decide between the Swarovski 65 sts/ats or the Kowa 664/663. My plan is to use the 20-60x eye piece. It looks like the current prices on the Kowas are a bit cheaper than the Swarovski. Would I be fine with the cheaper Kowa or should I go with the Swarovski? Any input is appreciated.

 

[WormSportsman]

I’m tagging along as I am looking into the same ones. I’ve noticed a lot of STS/ ATS hitting the classifieds lately though so wondering what people are moving to and why? Wish I could find a Kowa to look through but are much harder to find in person than Swaro. STS sure seems like a sweet spot to land though for an overall spotter.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

It's the Kowa 66A/66S that is the one to go with

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Im considering getting a new spotting scope and I’m trying to decide between the Swarovski 65 sts/ats or the Kowa 664/663. My plan is to use the 20-60x eye piece. It looks like the current prices on the Kowas are a bit cheaper than the Swarovski. Would I be fine with the cheaper Kowa or should I go with the Swarovski? Any input is appreciated.

You’d be more than fine. The Kowa 66a is the finest optic in its class. Side by side, there is an obvious difference when compared to the ATS 65 in both resolution and field of view.

 

[JGRaider]

It's the Kowa 66A/66S that is the one to go with

What's the difference in these and the 663-664?

 

[Tahoe1305]

I had a 66a and sold it in favor of STM65.

I agree that the 66a was awesome. But got such a good deal used in the STM and with it being almost half a pound lighter it was worth it. I could barely tell the difference between the two objectively comparing over many hours.

The comparison is below and the thread talks about my progression going to the STM. The test was with the 25-50 eyepiece. Once I got the 20-60 I decided to stay with it. I prefer the 20-60, for me it resolved more and made it closer to the Kowa. Many others prefer the 25-50.

Both are really good. I prefer the Kowa focus the most.

The Rokslide Members' GIANT Optics Review

In this giant optics review, a group of Rokslide members got together to compare a long list of optics in real field conditions.

www.rokslide.com

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

What's the difference in these and the 663-664?

$1k vs $3k spotter. The 663 was not part of their top tier Prominar line with flourite glass. It also has an inferior eyepiece, less fov etc.

 

[Tahoe1305]

OP. I think most of us are assuming you meant 66a/s compared to ATS65 because that’s a good comparison.

If you meant what you wrote on 663/4 the swaro is the better choice.

 

[Bowfinn]

I had a 66a and sold it in favor of STM65.

I agree that the 66a was awesome. But got such a good deal used in the STM and with it being almost half a pound lighter it was worth it. I could barely tell the difference between the two objectively comparing over many hours.

Thanks, this is what I’m looking for. It seems almost unanimous that the 66a/s is the best of its class. What I want is a quality spotting scope but I also have to factor in cost, so I think that puts me in the market of a used STS or an STM (if I can find one).

The comparison is below and the thread talks about my progression going to the STM. The test was with the 25-50 eyepiece. Once I got the 20-60 I decided to stay with it. I prefer the 20-60, for me it resolved more and made it closer to the Kowa. Many others prefer the 25-50.

Both are really good. I prefer the Kowa focus the most.

The Rokslide Members' GIANT Optics Review

In this giant optics review, a group of Rokslide members got together to compare a long list of optics in real field conditions.

www.rokslide.com

I have read that comparison prior to this posting. I did notice that it had the 25-50 eyepiece, and I was wondering if the 20-60 would improve the resolving of the scope. So thanks for the confirmation that it is an improvement of resolution with more magnification.

 

[Bowfinn]

OP. I think most of us are assuming you meant 66a/s compared to ATS65 because that’s a good comparison.

If you meant what you wrote on 663/4 the swaro is the better choice.

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.

 

[Tahoe1305]

Thanks, this is what I’m looking for. It seems almost unanimous that the 66a/s is the best of its class. What I want is a quality spotting scope but I also have to factor in cost, so I think that puts me in the market of a used STS or an STM (if I can find one).


I have read that comparison prior to this posting. I did notice that it had the 25-50 eyepiece, and I was wondering if the 20-60 would improve the resolving of the scope. So thanks for the confirmation that it is an improvement of resolution with more magnification.

In my opinion I could resolve more with the 20-60. I’ve experienced that in almost every piece of glass I’ve compared. Zoom almost always trumps “glass”. The 20-60 resolved within a single element of the Kowa 66a.

 

[BigBelle]

I have the Kowa TSN663 among others. It is an excellent optic and the eyepieces are pretty sweet too. I have never looked through a Swaro though.

 

[Bowfinn]

In my opinion I could resolve more with the 20-60. I’ve experienced that in almost every piece of glass I’ve compared. Zoom almost always trumps “glass”. The 20-60 resolved within a single element of the Kowa 66a.

Thse images are great. Are they both at 60x?

 

[Tahoe1305]

Thse images are great. Are they both at 60x?

Yes both 60x same time and zoom on phone. As close to identical as I could make them.

 

[JGRaider]

$1k vs $3k spotter. The 663 was not part of their top tier Prominar line with flourite glass. It also has an inferior eyepiece, less fov etc.

Thanks!

 

[Stinky Coyote]

I feel like we did this nearly 10 years ago, to death? We talking same spotters still? I did a big comparison between the 663/4 20-60x against the hd Swaro with both eyepieces, the 25-50x wide was awful for judging, got super grainy and mirage wavey way sooner than 60x from either, the 20-60x battle was much closer, more curve built into the image for panning and reducing rolling ball effect in the Swaro and warmer tone, the kowa out resolved speed limit signs at like 1800 yards and had more accurate image to the scene with cooler hue that matched scene closer as well, my conclusion was the kowa was the better judging tool for say rams which is what I needed most, did most of my game finding in tripod mounted bino's so the spotter almost entirely used to judge or check a certain thing out here and there from what was found in bino...back then the kowa was about half the price of the Swaro...

do some searches, Matt did a bunch of work on these too back then no?