NEW! Kowa Prominar TSN-55A Review ***Updated 7/28/24***

[Matt Cashell]

@Matt Cashell if your mostly backpack hunting and already own a kowa 77 would you sell and get the new 55 to save the 1.5lbs of weight? seems like only downside is giving up the extra zoom 50 - 60x. As long as the new 55 is clear all way out to 40x that is good enough for me. I do not find much difference now when I put my spotter on 40x or 50x.

Reading through your post … I think you answered your own question.

If you are satisfied with 40x, and want to save the weight … go for it.

 

[nrspence]

Decision decision Kowa tsn 55 or Swaro stc...

 

[Matt Cashell]

Decision decision Kowa tsn 55 or Swaro stc...

It comes down to which focus style and/or rubber armor.

The optics are essentially a wash.

 

[Sako79]

That video was great. If anything, it left me more impressed with the Vortex than I thought I'd be. I also still really want to try a compact spotter in the field but my brain keeps telling me to just suck it up and pack the big girl around.

The difference is, you'll probably have to send the vortex In for warranty, multiple times while the other two, we'll give you A lifetime of being issue free

 

[Sako79]

I just went through this. My hunting partner has the Kowa 553. And it's crystal clear, but to me, I cannot look through it for a long time. Small eye Relief and FOV. Kowa Make some great optics. In the end, I went with the Swarovski atc. I wanted the armor coating, and my favorite color is green and it will go nice with my NLs

 

[Matt Cashell]

I just went through this. My hunting partner has the Kowa 553. And it's crystal clear, but to me, I cannot look through it for a long time. Small eye Relief and FOV. Kowa Make some great optics. In the end, I went with the Swarovski atc. I wanted the armor coating, and my favorite color is green and it will go nice with my NLs

As noted in the review, this new Kowa solves the 553's eye relief/ FOV issues compared to the ATC. And ... They are both green .

 

[Sako79]

As noted in the review, this new Kowa solves the 553's eye relief/ FOV issues compared to the ATC. And ... They are both green .

Yes but the Kowa is ugly.

 

[jb_358]

Yes but the Kowa is ugly.

Take it back!

 

[Sako79]

Take it back!

Nope great glass But not nice to look at

 

[Adammn]

The difference in max magnification is pretty small. The difference in FOV is huge.

I have gathered that the eyepiece and it's FOV/eye relief seem to be the most substantial upgrades to the 55A when compared to the 553. Do you or anyone else happen to know if the glass itself is different/improved in the 55A over the 553?

 

[lifeisgoodsteve]

Any updates/comparisons from folks after using this season?

 

[Cavila99]

i thought this was a pretty helpful comparison

Yes some good information there.

 

[Cavila99]

Wondering if swaro sts 65 or kowa 66 would be worth the extra weight and size or if the stc or 55 are not that far off from them.

 

[BBob]

Wondering if swaro sts 65 or kowa 66 would be worth the extra weight and size or if the stc or 55 are not that far off from them.

I’m not sure if it’s posted in this thread but the S&S Archery comparison video directly addresses your question.

 

[Cavila99]

I’m not sure if it’s posted in this thread but the S&S Archery comparison video directly addresses your question.

Good to know I will go watch that then! Thanks for the info.

 

[tdhanses]

I have gathered that the eyepiece and it's FOV/eye relief seem to be the most substantial upgrades to the 55A when compared to the 553. Do you or anyone else happen to know if the glass itself is different/improved in the 55A over the 553?

I believe they put the better eyepiece in the latest model which would be a glass improvement.

 

[tdhanses]

Wondering if swaro sts 65 or kowa 66 would be worth the extra weight and size or if the stc or 55 are not that far off from them.

Just depends on what you personally would prefer out of what you get. I have a 55 and 77, I only use the 55 for hunting, I’m not counting rings on a sheep’s horns or length of a goats horns so don’t need the extra magnification. I prefer to have less weight and bulk and also the ability to use a lighter tripod further reducing weight and bulk in my pack.

There will always be trade offs.

 

[mountainmystic1]

i thought this was a pretty helpful comparison

Thanks for posting the video, great find

 

[elsb0048]

@Matt Cashell

I know this is a very old review thread but can you comment at all on the differences in user experience for focus and digiscoping between Leupold GR 12-40x60 and the Kowa 55A/S + Swarovski A/STC.

I own the Leupold and sometimes feel the eye relief is almost too long (30mm) for digiscoping and it can be hard to get things centered/focused because the adapters struggle. Is it any easier/harder/different to digiscope with the moderate eye reliefs (17/20mm) on Kowa/Swaro?

Additionally the zoom and focus knobs on my Leupold are very stiff so you can't look through the eyepiece at all while changing zoom or focusing. Is the Swaro any better for shake from zoom/focus?

 

[Matt Cashell]

@Matt Cashell

I know this is a very old review thread but can you comment at all on the differences in user experience for focus and digiscoping between Leupold GR 12-40x60 and the Kowa 55A/S + Swarovski A/STC.

I own the Leupold and sometimes feel the eye relief is almost too long (30mm) for digiscoping and it can be hard to get things centered/focused because the adapters struggle. Is it any easier/harder/different to digiscope with the moderate eye reliefs (17/20mm) on Kowa/Swaro?

Additionally the zoom and focus knobs on my Leupold are very stiff so you can't look through the eyepiece at all while changing zoom or focusing. Is the Swaro any better for shake from zoom/focus?

I am familiar with your struggles. I once had the Leupy GR. The FLP design has some unique advantages and disadvantages. It allows for that impressively deep eye relief, which is great for people with glasses. Unfortunately it is not great for digiscoping, as you have noticed.

The Kowa and Swaro are much better for digiscoping, as well as being much better optically. The eye relief is plenty good enough for observation, and easily accommodates digiscoping due to the large, sturdy eyepiece design combined with a suitable eye relief range that cooperates with phone cameras.

Focus on the Swaro and Kowa samples I had were smooth and damped, and did not have so much resistance to interfere with observation.