They're still too new, but if I ever catch a great discount, I'll own one of those 66s.I was debating between the 66s and the 55s.
I'm not sure the conditions that you were using the 554 in to come to this conclusion, but just wanted to offer my perspective so that someone doesn't get the wrong impression or atleast to offer another contrary experience.The 554 is very handicapped at distances beyond about 1300 yards. Frames start to get fuzzy and blurred, to the point the spotter really isn't aiding in identifying the animal at all.
It's the larger objective making mirage less obtrusive and probably how the lenses work throughout the larger spotter. Definitely not an optics specialists are far as that stuff is concerned. But I've had the 554 and 884 side by side, literally looking at the same deer, in the same lighting conditions and 1700 yards and you could not even put a frame on the buck with the 554. And with the 884 I could clearly see it was a good 4x4 with eyeguards. They just simply don't produce the same image, under any conditions. And the further away you're using them, the more apparent it becomes. I've used them side by side many times in the field before coming to the conclusion that the smaller spotters weren't going to work for my glassing needs.I'm not sure the conditions that you were using the 554 in to come to this conclusion, but just wanted to offer my perspective so that someone doesn't get the wrong impression or atleast to offer another contrary experience.
I find this statement not to be accurate.
For it to be so, the glass would have to be inferior to the 77 series, when in fact it is not. It is actually better. There is no distance that is a limit fort the clarity and sharpness of the 55 series, wether the previous generation or the new. Poor lighting conditions will effect the light transmission and the limited FOV on the previous versions are limiting factors, but sharpness at distance is not one.
The new 55 and the Swaro ATC series are both most certainly worth carrying if you need a lightweight spotter and don't need the best low light performance or magnification above 40x. In fact I've used both the 553 and the ATC on multiple successful sheep hunts, both Dall and Bighorn.
I ordered an angled, but sent it back for a straight. What little I was able to play with the angled one, I can tell I’m gonna like the 66.They're still too new, but if I ever catch a great discount, I'll own one of those 66s.
Edit to add: Steve, maybe you had an inferior sample of a 55. I know that the 88 I briefly had was not as sharp as my 77, which it should have been. On Birdforum there are examples of some Kowa’s getting past QC that were most certainly not to the optical standard they should have been.
Hahaha, probably threw his idea for a loop now@Wyo_hntr I guess you’re going to just have to try one and compare for yourself!
Personally I now own and use an ATC & 66A. Both are phenomenal and serve different uses.
I might just get the 55s and see for myself. Until then I guess I will be lugging the 774, which I really do absolutely enjoy using.@Wyo_hntr I guess you’re going to just have to try one and compare for yourself!
Personally I now own and use an ATC & 66A. Both are phenomenal and serve different uses.
I might just get the 55s and see for myself. Until then I guess I will be lugging the 774, which I really do absolutely enjoy using.
Or maybe a 66s is the perfect in between
What distances do you intend to glass at? And maybe what animals are you looking at (deer, elk, trophy quality or just anything with horns ect) and possibly verified distances that you’ve glassed your further animals at and what not?I might just get the 55s and see for myself. Until then I guess I will be lugging the 774, which I really do absolutely enjoy using.
Or maybe a 66s is the perfect in between.
Perfect. So for elk, I’d say you’d be just fine with a smaller spotter. You can see them pretty easily at 2 miles with just binos, and then possibly just verify a bull is in the group with the little spotter. I verified a small bull elk at over 3 miles with my 554 under perfect conditions when the light hit his horns.Deer, elk, and sheep. I've used the 774 to spot elk out to 2 miles. Haven't used it on a deer hunt but will next this season. Sheep will also be this year and next. For deer I'm looking for trophy quality, for elk not so much I guess.