Nikon ED50, Maven S.2, Kowa 554

[COwineguy]

I am in the market for a small spotter and after looking at reviews it seems the Kowa 554 is the way to go but I didn't see it come up in the latest reviews as a comparison for the ED50 and the S.2. The philosophy i have come to in hunting gear is to buy once cry once. Obviously the Kowa is in a different price point than the other two. That being said it seems that especially in a smaller scope going high quality is even more important because of the small objective. What are the thoughts on these options? Am I going the right direction going for the 554 or is it a waste of money?

Cheers

 

[tdhanses]

Only reason the Kowa wasn’t in the review is it wasn’t available. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better compact spotter.

 

[Dos Perros]

I don’t think there is any doubt the Kowa will outperform all of those listed. But is the price worth it? That’s up to you. They can be had for $1400 new.

 

[lundellhunting7]

Kowa 100%. I like maven products but would not touch the S.2. The Ed50 I enjoyed while I had it it’s nice you can get different eyepieces for it. The Razor 50 even though I don’t have one anymore is a good piece of glass if you can find a used one for a decent price. I wouldn’t pay full retail for it. I would go Kowa 100% if you wanted a 50. I now run a Swaro 65 and have taken it everywhere I took my 50 spotters and don’t know if I would
Ever go back to a 50

 

[COwineguy]

Makes sense. I looked at the Swarovski 65 as well but honestly think I will end up with 2 in the end. A smaller one and either a big Zeiss or Swarovski. I think the lighter weight and smaller size of the 554 will mean I will actually take it with me on a lot of hunts. I do almost all of my scanning with binos and only need the spotter for a better look at specific spots (ie. Animal and targets)

 

[tdhanses]

Makes sense. I looked at the Swarovski 65 as well but honestly think I will end up with 2 in the end. A smaller one and either a big Zeiss or Swarovski. I think the lighter weight and smaller size of the 554 will mean I will actually take it with me on a lot of hunts. I do almost all of my scanning with binos and only need the spotter for a better look at specific spots (ie. Animal and targets)

I had an 80HD swaro I sold after getting the Kowa, I do exactly what you do and it is perfect for that.

 

[AkMtnRunner]

With your stated philosophy, I think the only way you’ll regret getting the Kowa is if you need a full size objective spotter. It is true that the Kowa can give great midsize spotters a run for their money, but if you really need the greatest detail and/or great low light performance, you may regret shedding this weight.

 

[tdhanses]

With your stated philosophy, I think the only way you’ll regret getting the Kowa is if you need a full size objective spotter. It is true that the Kowa can give great midsize spotters a run for their money, but if you really need the greatest detail and/or great low light performance, you may regret shedding this weight.

Did you experience this first hand? The low light diff while not as great as my 80HD swaro wasn’t far off.

But that extra little bit of low light gathering will do you nothing if you don’t always take the big spotter, the little Kowa is always with me where as my big 80 hardly was with me.

 

[COwineguy]

Agreed. I eventually see myself getting a larger scope as well for detail oriented hunts like sheep. Currently i don't use a spotter as i mainly judge deer off the frame and not as much on an inch by inch process. I would also like a spotter for use while shooting for practice. Sometimes shooting steel can be tough knowing where you hit if the steel as been hit multiple times.

 

[AkMtnRunner]

Did you experience this first hand? The low light diff while not as great as my 80HD swaro wasn’t far off.

But that extra little bit of low light gathering will do you nothing if you don’t always take the big spotter, the little Kowa is always with me where as my big 80 hardly was with me.

Yeah, there was an obvious difference between the 554 (when I had it) and my Kowa 883. Sometimes the Kowa on 45x was very impressive, other times, not very usable. I am sure the little Kowa will almost always be enough for some hunters and their usual style hunts. After having both big and small for a few months, I decided the big one was right for me. I only hunt Alaska so I sometimes need to count brow tines and judge sheep horns so I want as big and as great of glass as possible. If I don't need to do those, binos are enough and the spotter stays home.

 

[Block]

I read every thread and review I could find about the 554 b4 buying, and although I was warned about the field of view being small.. The field of view is VERY SMALL...To the point I’m almost surprised so many people like it... it’s good for identifying animals,, or taking video...but really it’s almost worthless for scanning shade or picking apart a far hillside becuz of how tiny the field of view is...it’s clear,,, I like it,,, but I just can’t say I’m 100% stokt on it..

 

[flyinsquirel]

My experience between a Swaro 65hd 20-60, kowa 554 and an ED50 with the MC2 eyepiece


The little Kowa hangs with the Swaro in low light. The field of view is almost shockingly small compared to the Swaro. The ED50 is noticeably behind the both in low light.

 

[Bones]

I haven’t compared the Kowa to the ED50 side by side, but I had one with the mc2 eyepiece, and compared it side by side to the little razor. The razor was much better in low light, and I ended up keeping it. Since, I have sold it and carry the Kowa.

I don’t do any scanning with it. Purely to get a better look at an animal. I think it is the perfect complement to a larger spotter.

There is only one person that can decide if the Kowa is worth the extra $, you. I will say, like most good glass, they seem to hold their value pretty well, but so do the 50mm razors if you pick one up used.