Kowa 773 - Best Option

[sndmn11]

Yep, there's a Meopta MeoStar S2 20-70x82 listed for $1650 shipped. That's a top shelf scope at a great price.

I'm near certain that the objective lens is pure flourite as well, same with the Maven S1 series.

 

[tdhanses]

Personally the 773 is worth every penny and does not leave me wanting, I also have the 553. I only use the 553 for hunting but if I had to age sheep or goats I would have zero issue using my 773 for that, especially with the extender on.

 

[tdhanses]

Totally cool with you finding that the fluorite glass is not worth the price differential. It’s your money and you’re free to spend it however you want.

I merely gave as close to an apples to apples price comparison for the two models by including the same eye piece.

To me it wasn’t worth the added cost, I have a 553 and 773, the 773 is a great option that while not the 883 isn’t far behind. Another thing is the 773 goes on sale a few times a year it seems.

 

[tdhanses]

I own the 553.

For range use, I find I could use a little more resolution of targets beyond 600 yards out to 1200 yards. At 45x, I see a lot of "boiling" in the 553.

With 773, will this still be an issue?

That is normal with all spotters, you’ll still see it depending on atmospheric conditions.

 

[wnelson14]

Mavens, S1A, there was one posted on here for 1500 the other day. I have had to deal with a warranty issue with them, they were great to work with.
Warranty was my fault and they fixed the Binos no problem.
The big spotter is awesome although I don’t have much to compare to, I went from a vortex to that.

 

[BjornF16]

How does the NF TS-82 Xtreme HD compare?

 

[BjornF16]

That is normal with all spotters, you’ll still see it depending on atmospheric conditions.

So would I see improvement with 773?

 

[tdhanses]

So would I see improvement with 773?

You would see a wider fov.

 

[realunlucky]

I'm near certain that the objective lens is pure flourite as well, same with the Maven S1 series.

Well after owning the maven it was an upgrade to move to 77 which lacks pure fluorite lens

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

[BjornF16]

You would see a wider fov.

So going to 773 I’d have larger FOV but potentially same/lesser image quality?

What about 883…larger FOV but same/better image quality?

553 maxes at 45x…the 773/883 go up to 60x. Would there be less “boiling” at 45-50x in these spotters?

 

[tdhanses]

So going to 773 I’d have larger FOV but potentially same/lesser image quality?

What about 883…larger FOV but same/better image quality?

553 maxes at 45x…the 773/883 go up to 60x. Would there be less “boiling” at 45-50x in these spotters?

If it’s hot out you’ll have more atmospheric or what looks like boiling/moving no matter the quality of the scope. You might see less, I truthfully don’t remember it being any different between my swaro and 2 kowas. Image quality will be pretty much the same between them, you might notice it more on the 55 due to the shorter fov at max power.

I’m not an optic expert but really if you don’t want to see it stay under 30x no matter the brand or zoom range.

 

[BjornF16]

If it’s hot out you’ll have more atmospheric or what looks like boiling/moving no matter the quality of the scope. You might see less, I truthfully don’t remember it being any different between my swaro and 2 kowas.

Not hot when I’ve been using the 553 to digiscope my shooting…on order of 45-55°F. I was also using 2x on my iPhone (optical zoom). Locked AE/AF to focus with spotter.

Don’t think I’ll spend the $$$ for marginal improvement.

 

[tdhanses]

Not hot when I’ve been using the 553 to digiscope my shooting…on order of 45-55°F. I was also using 2x on my iPhone (optical zoom). Locked AE/AF to focus with spotter.

Don’t think I’ll spend the $$$ for marginal improvement.

I think it depends on the air, you may of been using it in 45-55* temps but the ground may be cooler enhancing heat waves.

You have the best glass there is, so optically you will not improve, you’ll get more zoom and a wider fov is all.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Very common to see thermals first thing in the morning as the sun starts to warm up the cold air.

 

[tdhanses]

Quick example, iphone at 2x through my 553, you’ll see at 15x you don’t see the atmospherics but at 45x you do. This was only at 300 yards. Maybe next time I hit the range I’ll take both and compare at 45x.

 

[BjornF16]

Quick example, iphone at 2x through my 553, you’ll see at 15x you don’t see the atmospherics but at 45x you do. This was only at 300 yards. Maybe next time I hit the range I’ll take both and compare at 45x.

View attachment 383333View attachment 383334

Seeing same…but I’m trying to see out 650-1250 yds.

I was just wondering if it’s straight magnication causing this or a function of being at max zoom (in which case being at 45x with 883 would be better?)

 

[peterk123]

Quick example, iphone at 2x through my 553, you’ll see at 15x you don’t see the atmospherics but at 45x you do. This was only at 300 yards. Maybe next time I hit the range I’ll take both and compare at 45x.

View attachment 383333View attachment 383334

Thanks for sharing the pics. This is what I am trying to understand myself. I am looking forward to seeing how well my spotter works with bullets holes at 300 yards.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

I’ll let more knowledgeable people talk but I’ll toss in my two pesos anyway.

Magnification in and of itself does not dictate if you’ll see mirage or not. But changing magnification can impact how much or little you see of it. Dialing down can help while dialing can hurt.

I’ve seen mirage with my SLC 10s, SLC 15s, Kowa 554, STX 65 and STX 95. Seen mirage at first light, throughout the day, and late afternoon.

Edit: see mirage all the time with my eyes which are 1x. Just another example of magnification alone not dictating whether or not you will see mirage.

 

[Schaaf]

How does the NF TS-82 Xtreme HD compare?

It’s the Meopta S2 rebranded.

 

[tdhanses]

I’ll let more knowledgeable people talk but I’ll toss in my two pesos anyway.

Magnification in and of itself does not dictate if you’ll see mirage or not. But changing magnification can impact how much or little you see of it. Dialing down can help while dialing can hurt.

I’ve seen mirage with my SLC 10s, SLC 15s, Kowa 554, STX 65 and STX 95. Seen mirage at first light, throughout the day, and late afternoon.

Edit: see mirage all the time with my eyes which are 1x. Just another example of magnification alone not dictating whether or not you will see mirage.

I completely agree with this, it just is what it is.