Kowa Spotting scope which one?

[excaliber]

I'm looking for a Kowa Spotting scope that I can pack and also use from the road while scouting. Is the TSN 884 too large to be packed in ? It weighs over 4.5 pounds not counting a tripod.
I was wondering if the TSN 774 would be a decent compromise as it's larger than the TSN 66 models and can use the better eyepiece.

It's only a 1/4 pound lighter so I'm wondering if it would be better to go with the larger scope?

I wondering what those of you who have had the opportunity to look through these scopes have to say on the matter.
Thanks

 

[tipsntails7]

I've not looked through the 77 series, but it gets really good reviews on birding sights. The 88 series is the best big eye spotter out there in my opinion as far as optical quality goes. I have not looked through the atx95 but have the 85.




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[Hatchet Jack]

Excalibur, can you elaborate on the better eyepieces that won't fit the 66? Are you talking optically higher quality eye pieces or just a better power that you prefer? I just started looking at kowa scopes and am interested in the 66 for packability. Sorry I don't have any input on the OP.

 

[tipsntails7]

Excalibur, can you elaborate on the better eyepieces that won't fit the 66? Are you talking optically higher quality eye pieces or just a better power that you prefer? I just started looking at kowa scopes and am interested in the 66 for packability. Sorry I don't have any input on the OP.

The 66 uses a different eyepiece than the 77 or 88. I've never looked through a 66 but supposedly it is not the same quality as the bigger scopes use.


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[excaliber]

Correct. The 77 and 88 TSN Models use the TE-11WZ 25-60X eyepiece.

The 66 uses a different eyepiece than the 77 or 88. I've never looked through a 66 but supposedly it is not the same quality as the bigger scopes use.


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[excaliber]

I guess nobody here has any experience with a Kowa TSN-774. It's tough to get a line on these spotters since no one carries them that's close enough to compare. With almost zero feedback anywhere on the TSN-774 and the lack of reviews it makes it hard to pull the trigger on one.

 

[Sako]

I do not have the 77mm but I do have the 664 and 884. The 884 is indeed heavier. but, if your planning on driving and glassing the 884 is the ticket. In Utah this year, I would drive and then take short hikes to elevated positions to glass. The 884 is great and fits in the front pocket of the Kuiu 1850 even with a cover. On a deep pack in, I would probably take the 664. Optically the both are awesome. The 664 is not the same glass as the 884 but for me and my guide last year agreed the 884 outshined the swaro 80 HD, but his Swaro HD 65 was better the Kowa 664. No by much though...at not a 1k more for sure. If I could only have one, it would be 884.

 

[efnm]

Do both the 664 and 884 maintain a full view in the eyepiece when zoomed in? That's why I sold my vortex, and is a requirement if I ever get another spotting scope. At full Zoom the image would get noticeably smaller.

 

[zach_c]

I can only speak to the 663, which I pack in with. When I bought it came with the 30x wide eyepiece. I subsequently bought the 20-60x eyepiece and was disappointed with the FOV. The 30x wide is very sharp compared to the 20-60x when set at 30x. I wish they made the 25-60 wide for this scope.

 

[Brasco20]

I have the 88 kowa with the 25-60 wide angle eye piece. my original spotter is a 60 mm nikon that i payed $450 for. When i decided to upgrade i bought the big vortex razor after hearing all of the good reviews. I put it side by side with my nikon and was super disappointed. The image at low mag was good but once zoomed in it was shit. So i returned the vortex and bought the kowa. The kowa is amazing. I mainly use the kowa from my truck or on short hikes. My day pack is the mystery ranch long bow, and the kowa with my normal kit barely fits in the pack. For backpack hunts i use the metcalf, and though the kowa fits fine, it is heavy and bulky so i tend to pack the smaller nikon. It would be nice to have both the 66mm and 88mm kowas. Or get the new swaro set up with both sizes. Either way thats a ton of dough!!

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

I have the 663 and love it. I think it is the perfect size for what I do which is mostly solo backpacking. Great scope for the money