New Kowa 55 experience?

[lifeisgoodsteve]

Hi All,

For those who pulled the trigger on the new Kowa 55, now that you've got scouting and some of the hunting season under your belt with it, what are your thoughts?

What are you coming from as a spotter?

Is the wider field of view in real life a game changer to broaden its usability or still limited for your application?

s

 

[cumminsbassguy]

I am curious as well, following for results.. however if the new 55 is comparable in size to the 501, she is TINY in real life, and super light compared to a 65

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

Also would like to hear same feedback. What the negatives from going from a 77 or 65? Obvously you are loosing zoom from 50/60 zoom to 40 zoom. In reality if you are not counting inches does that matter?

 

[WormSportsman]

Tough to find much info on this one still. Hopefully someone has some insight now that most hunting seasons are winding down.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Bringing this back up.

 

[Wamuley]

Wanting feedback from field trials as well…

 

[ljalberta]

I like it a lot more than the previous Kowa with the more narrow angle eye piece. It’s a great optic. Comparable to the ATC/STC line. I prefer the Swaro a hair more due to the eye piece, but the focus and additional zoom on the Kowa is nice. I like the 55 size for any proper backpacking if I’m not counting rings on sheep or looking for similar detail (so for me, that means always prefer to backpack the 55 around in Alberta). I do have a 66a for the range or where I’m just day hunting or out for a short trip.

I had the chance to compare a good number of spotters side by side across a few hunts this year. The differences in the high end spotters was small and mostly preference.

 

[Wamuley]

Thank you for the feedback! I used to have a big Sharp but it was so heavy it stayed in the safe where it was useless. I love the size:weight specs on the Kowa as I primarily backpack hunt. Going to start looking for one up for sale

 

[WeiserBucks]

Thank you for the feedback! I used to have a big Sharp but it was so heavy it stayed in the safe where it was useless. I love the size:weight specs on the Kowa as I primarily backpack hunt. Going to start looking for one up for sale

On sale at S&S Archery and Cameraland right now.

 

[Wamuley]

…I meant to say Swaro not sharp. F’n autocorrect.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I just got one from S&S with the sale. I also have the previous model 553. I can put some pictures up comparing size/weight but won’t get in the field until May to really test it. I’ll post back after I do.

 

[CaliforniaMuley209]

Looked through one at sheep show this year but that’s it. It was pretty sweet. Extremely clear and bright for a 55.

 

[Fritz D]

The Kowa sounds vey nice Indeed. And about 700 bucks less expensive than the Swaro counterpart?

 

[WeiserBucks]

The Kowa sounds vey nice Indeed. And about 700 bucks less expensive than the Swaro counterpart?

More or less. Optics are 50/50 but weight, price and dual adjustments aren't.

 

[Wamuley]

I’m going for it and will get one through the sale as well. Will update after I put it to use