Kowa Prominar Pure FL 553 15-45x55 Angled Spotting Scope

[Benjblt]

Any one have one of these and can tell me the weight? Specs list at 29 oz but watching the Mindful Hunter review he said that it is 39 oz (including 2 oz arca plate). I have a swaro 20-60x80 but was thinking of going with the Vortex Razor 13-39 because it is 29 oz with integrated arca. Thoughts?

 

[Tahoe1305]

Just make sure the review you are watching is on the old 553 and not the new 55a Kowa. The old one is close to that weight. The new one a bit more.

I personally like my mini razor more than the 553 but feel I’m on the minority there. The center picture on the Kowa is great and I prefer the dual focus. But the Eyebox is tight and FOV limited. I think the razor is better there.

The new lows fixes those issues but at a cost in $ and weight.

Both are good scopes with compromises.

 

[tak]

I've got it, but out of town for thanksgiving, could weigh it Sunday if someone doesn't get it sooner.

I love that little scope, but agree with Tahoe that the FOV is tight and the edges aren't sharp. Still a great little scope though.

 

[Tahoe1305]

I just looked back on a review/comparison I did on them in 2019 on rokslide and I had them then at 28oz. Not including arca.

Very close to new razor weight inclusive of arca. Fwiw tricer arca plate is .7oz or so if I recall (one of lighter ones).

BL: the old Kowa 553 and newer razor are very close in weight.

The new Kowa costs 1/2 lb.

 

[Benjblt]

This is the one I was looking at. https://kowaoptics.com/products/prominar-tsn-553-spotting-scope-angled
I was looking at the Vortex Razor as it is $1,000 but wondering if the razor is near as good as the old Kowa. I also kinda of wanted the straight.

 

[Tahoe1305]

If I was going to pay $1k for both I might have trouble passing up the Kowa to be honest.

That said, I’ve seen a few of the razors go on here for closer to $700. That makes it a tougher decision for sure.

That Kowa deal is sweet. But they are closing them out in an attempt to get more folks buying the Kowa 55a/s which is a better more $$ scope (IMO).

I’d personally try and find a used razor and if not then I don’t think you’ll lose sleep over the discounted 553. They are sweet for what they are (a confirming tool not a scanning tool).

 

[Benjblt]

If I was going to pay $1k for both I might have trouble passing up the Kowa to be honest.

That said, I’ve seen a few of the razors go on here for closer to $700. That makes it a tougher decision for sure.

That Kowa deal is sweet. But they are closing them out in an attempt to get more folks buying the Kowa 55a/s which is a better more $$ scope (IMO).

I’d personally try and find a used razor and if not then I don’t think you’ll lose sleep over the discounted 553. They are sweet for what they are (a confirming tool not a scanning tool).

Right. The razor's are $800 on Midway. So not bad really. My buddy has the old Vortex 11x33 Vortex spotter and it is pretty brutal to look through for me.