Kowa TSN-664 and 20-60x eyepiece question

[drphodges]

I am looking at purchasing a new Kowa TSN-664 spotting scope with the 20-60x eyepiece for $1180 total.

Is this the best deal for the quality of spotting scope or any other spotting scopes that anyone would recommend? I had looked into the Athlon Ares ($680) and the Nikon Monarch ($1250) spotting scopes. I have heard that the Vortex Razors are in that ballpark but not as good of brightness and optics.

I’ll be mainly using this for spotting steel gong hits out to 800 yards as well as the occasional deer hunt.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

The Kowa 664 will smoke the razor 65 and 85 optically. This is going to sound stupid but the Kowa is right there with the swaro sts optically the only exception being the swaro has a wider FOV. I have compared them side by side on the mountain. The biggest knock on the old Kowa 66 is the narrow FOV through the 20-60 eyepiece. The 664 paired with the wide angle 30x eyepiece is insanely good. I have 2 664 and love them.

 

[Ken Swenson]

The Kowa 664 will smoke the razor 65 and 85 optically. This is going to sound stupid but the Kowa is right there with the swaro sts optically the only exception being the swaro has a wider FOV. I have compared them side by side on the mountain. The biggest knock on the old Kowa 66 is the narrow FOV through the 20-60 eyepiece. The 664 paired with the wide angle 30x eyepiece is insanely good. I have 2 664 and love them.

I’ll second this statement. Have used both the razor 85mm and the Kowa 664, along with the STS 65. The Kowa might be the best glass you can get at the $1K mark brand new. Used, they can be had for a steal if you’re patient enough. I’ve seen them go as low as $600 on the classifieds.

 

[Tanner]

Where are you finding that setup for $1180!?

 

[HingleMcCringleberry]

The Kowa 664 will smoke the razor 65 and 85 optically. This is going to sound stupid but the Kowa is right there with the swaro sts optically the only exception being the swaro has a wider FOV. I have compared them side by side on the mountain. The biggest knock on the old Kowa 66 is the narrow FOV through the 20-60 eyepiece. The 664 paired with the wide angle 30x eyepiece is insanely good. I have 2 664 and love them.

Hatchet jack is spot on. Compared my old 664m with the 20-60 and 30x eyepiece to a Swarovski sts. Very similar image in comparison.