Leica apo-televid vs Kowa Prominar. Need input

[Ahugemuledeer]

I’m very curious about how these 2 scopes compare.

I know that the kowa prominars are close to the best as far as most are concerned. There happens to be many sales out right now and the leica alpovid has caught my eye, particularly the 82mm with the wide angle 25-50.

Can someone who has used this thing offer some input? Strangely, there aren’t very many reviews out there

 

[Maverick1]

I’m very curious about how these 2 scopes compare.

I know that the kowa prominars are close to the best as far as most are concerned. There happens to be many sales out right now and the leica alpovid has caught my eye, particularly the 82mm with the wide angle 25-50.

Can someone who has used this thing offer some input? Strangely, there aren’t very many reviews out there

Seems very few have owned both. Here is one comment: Leica APO Another A third A fourth

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Seems like the Kowa is well regarded.

 

[Quandary]

I have the APO 65. It is excellent. I can only compare it to Swaro's as I have never looked through a Kowa. To my eye it is superior to all the Swaro's.

 

[Ahugemuledeer]

I have the APO 65. It is excellent. I can only compare it to Swaro's as I have never looked through a Kowa. To my eye it is superior to all the Swaro's.

Very interesting. Appreciate the insight

 

[6.5x284]

I’ve owned Kowa, Leica APO, Swaro STX series, BTX, and Meostar S2. I generally prefer the Kowa to the Leica but I haven’t had them side by side so it’s from memory. I went Meostar to Leica to STX/BTX to Kowa fluorite. I prefer the dual focus or the Kowa and Leica to the Swaro stuff. Honestly if you don’t look through it every day I’d grab the best deal.

My Leica was a 65 and my Kowa was the 88 so that probably plays a part. I like how the Leica focus are more protected though and it wasn’t a slouch by any means. I’d like to look through a Kowa 66 and a Leica 65 and STS 65 in a shootout.


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[Ahugemuledeer]

I’ve owned Kowa, Leica APO, Swaro STX series, BTX, and Meostar S2. I generally prefer the Kowa to the Leica but I haven’t had them side by side so it’s from memory. I went Meostar to Leica to STX/BTX to Kowa fluorite. I prefer the dual focus or the Kowa and Leica to the Swaro stuff. Honestly if you don’t look through it every day I’d grab the best deal.

My Leica was a 65 and my Kowa was the 88 so that probably plays a part. I like how the Leica focus are more protected though and it wasn’t a slouch by any means. I’d like to look through a Kowa 66 and a Leica 65 and STS 65 in a shootout.


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Sheesh, swaro atx/btx, kowa and leica. you have lived out my glass dream.

My heart tells me to just buy the kowa and forget about it. Appreciate the insight

 

[Quandary]

Nothing wrong with getting a Kowa. They have an excellent reputation. This is one of those paralysis by analysis moments. There really isn't a wrong decision.

 

[eaglemountainman]

I’d like to look through a Kowa 66 and a Leica 65 and STS 65 in a shootout.

I acquired a Kowa 66s a couple of months ago and it is spectacular. I have no experience with the Leica APO, but between the Kowa and Swaro STX, the Kowa is an easy choice for me.
I also have a TSN-884 and 554 and wouldn't trade either of them for anything else in their respective size classes.


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[alaska_bou]

Just a few years ago I had owned the Kowa 85 (Prominar), the Swaro 85 and the Leica 82 (APO) at the same time, and I compared them side by side on three different tripods at dusk. It was a great comparison as I could resolve the branches of dead trees on top of a mountain at four miles with good atmospheric conditions and zero wind. Had I not compared them side by side I likely would not have noticed much of a difference, because I had this opportunity, I did find noticeable differences. I also tried to compare all three at the same magnification settings despite different focal lengths.

To me, the Kowa was the winner in pure optics, and I would rank the Swaro as the second best of the three. Aside from the optics, I will say that I much prefer the focus system on the Kowa and the Leica over the Swaro, but I do prefer the rubber body of the Swaro and Leica over the Kowa.

That said, the Leica is an excellent scope, and I don't think the relatively small differences in performance would ever result in a lost opportunity in a hunting situation, in my opinion.

 

[Ahugemuledeer]

Well everyone,

4000 Canadian $ later, there is a 66A kowa prominar with my name on it. I got the sale from Kowa with the vanguard vesta tripod because, well the old vortex one should have been replaced years ago.

It’s a ridiculous amount of money for glass, but I couldn’t be more excited. I have been eyeing the 66 since it came out in fluorite glass over a year ago, and to all my research it’s the finest scope money can buy you in that size range.

I have been hunting with a vortex diamondback 65mm for the last 5 years, and yes it’s junk. Having very little experience with any other scopes, I think this kowa is going to blow my mind, so at least I expect. Never been so excited for a piece of year to show up in the mail.

 

[Tick]

Congrats on the new glass.

 

[alaska_bou]

Great choice! I also bought a 66. It is my new favorite.