Kowa 663m vs Kowa 55

[Smokey12]

Has anyone directly compared the kowa 663m to the 553? I am thinking about going lighter just not sure if I am sacrificing anything or gaining because the fluorite lenses. One big question on my mind is if the eyepiece on the 553 is more useable than the 663.

 

[Hoghead]

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[Smokey12]

I’m also referencing the old 663 not the new model. Sorry if that caused confusion. Thanks.

 

[TimberHunter]

Haven’t looked at them side by side. I talked to Doug and he thought the 663 was one of the best bang for your buck set ups for under $1k. Never seen one in person

I bought and retuned a 553. It held its own against a razor gen 1 85 but in the end, for half the price I choose the razor 85. But I do regret the weight some time lol


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[dapesche]

I’m also referencing the old 663 not the new model. Sorry if that caused confusion. Thanks.

If you look in my postings I sold a 663m. It was awesome. Just lacked the lighting I wanted at 60x.

In the FS: post I included some pics of a goat that was a long ways away. Shows you how good the glass is.

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[Smokey12]

I have the 663 with both the 20-60 and 30wa eyepieces. The 30 wa is amazing the 663. I’m just curious if it is worth the upgrade to the 553.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

No experience with the 66x but I do have a STX 65 and also a Kowa 554. I also only use my spotting scopes for confirmations and not for glassing.

These are my personal observations with in-field use whether it is scouting or hunting. This may or may not reflect others' experiences. Like all other optics, you are going to compromise somewhere (if anyone ever tells you that a specific optic is perfect for all things, they're an idiot).

Hauled both my STX 65 and Kowa 554 over an extended continuous period of time on a black bear hunt. This hunt covered a variety of terrain, lighting, and weather. The 554 held its own against the STX 65 under most conditions.

Took my 554 to Kodiak to chase mountain goats. Was able to compare my 554 with the guide's older STS 65. The 554 gave up nothing to that specific spotting scope. No issues field judging the bears out several miles; not enough magnification to do the same with blacktail or goat (same with the STS 65).

The 554 and its fluorite glass are nice. The fact that the 554 is literally 1/2 the weight of my STX 65 makes it a no brainer for a lot of my hunts. It is not the scope, neither is the STX 65, for when I need to count inches with a partially or mostly obscured animal. Hell there are times my STX 95 is "lacking".

I would not pay full retail price for the Kowa 55x as that gets you up to the next tier. But when you can readily get it for about $1400 during the year with a little bit of leg work, then it becomes significantly more enticing.

 

[dapesche]

I have the 663 with both the 20-60 and 30wa eyepieces. The 30 wa is amazing the 663. I’m just curious if it is worth the upgrade to the 553.

Gotcha.

I remember that 663 being really light.

Not sure I'd personally step down in size. Having a bit more objective and reach would trump the flourite.

I have the 883. Carried it on a stone sheep hunt this august. No problem. In other words, don't sweat the weight in my opinion.

I'd be curious to hear some thoughts on the eyepiece differences. I had a nikon Ed50 and was not a fan of the eyepiece. Maybe it was the eyepiece or possibly it was the smaller objective.

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[4th_point]

I’m also referencing the old 663 not the new model. Sorry if that caused confusion. Thanks.

FYI - the new Kowa naming convention is two-digit with A if angled. So 66A for the new angled version.

The 660 series were 663 or 664. Later models had M designation. I believe that the M designation was for an upgrade/newer composite material. I don't think coatings changed but could be wrong.

I found the Kowa model names confusing when I was shopping.

 

[4th_point]

I have the 663 with both the 20-60 and 30wa eyepieces. The 30 wa is amazing the 663. I’m just curious if it is worth the upgrade to the 553.

The 550 scopes use the same 20-60x zoom EP as the 660 but the range is different. The 550 is not removable though.

I had a 664 but have not used a 550 yet.

I agree that the 30x WA is a great EP.

 

[willfrye027]

I’m also referencing the old 663 not the new model. Sorry if that caused confusion. Thanks.

I compared my 554 to a 600 series with the 30w. I thought the 600 gave up little to nothing and was more pleasant to look through. So I imagine the 663 is even better. Not a huge fan of the 20-60 eyepiece though. The little kowa is fine, but FOV is narrow and the small objective I feel does give up a bit on low light performance. I’d like to upgrade to the swaro 55 series for increased FOV, at some point. Might want to look at that option.

 

[Smokey12]

That’s exactly what I was looking for @willfrye027, thanks! I also have a 602 and I can confirm the view is much better in the 663 with the 30wa.

 

[jaybe14]

I just sold a 773 due to the weight, have my eye on a 553 (aziak makes a rotating collar so deciding on that over the 554).
But, I heard lots of positive feedback on the fixed 30x WA lens. T