Swaro to Kowa

[alaska_bou]

I heard there are actually two new Kowa models due soon: a 65 and a 99, each with pure fluorite glass.

I sold my atx 85 and now use the 88 kowa and a smaller 65 swaro for packing. The kowa is lighter and, to my eye, has slightly better image qualities but the rubber coating on the swaro sure was nicer to handle. I also prefer the fine focus of the kowa vs the swaro's center ring.

I used the 553 kowa on a mountain hunt last year. Although it is fantastic scope for the size I felt kowa really should have used the te-11z from the 77 and 88 series scopes. In my opinion a 65 is well worth the extra weight over the 55.

 

[BluMtn]

I have the swaro 12x50 EL's and a Kowa 884. No reason to wonder if there is anything better. Even at 60 the Kowa is crystal clear, and I pack the 884 on my Montana hunts. If they put the 88 glass in the 77 that would be the perfect spotter, but I would still keep what I have.

 

[Brian Fahs]

I run swaro binos and a Kowa 884 spotter.

I sold a swarovski sts 80 spotter once I looked through my nephews 884.

I got a hell of a deal on the 884 from an authorized dealer.

 

[fwafwow]

I'm subscribed, but ever since someone suggested that an OP on another thread might have been made by a bot, I'm now constantly trying to figure out if I'm being fooled. I guess even if this was a bot post, it's generated some interest and back and forth by real folks.

 

[Broomd]

I need a good spotting scope (though it might be a while before I can fit it in the budget). I guess my question is how usable is the top end magnification of the Kowa's compared to the Swaros? I have read enough to know I would want the 25-50x eye piece for the ATS 65, which if the Kowa TSN-553 is usable to the full 45x I don't see the point in a 20 ounce weight penalty for 50x.

The next question becomes, is the Kowa 773 useable to the full 60x? If it is, is it worth the 30 ounce weight penalty to move from 45x to 60x?

I hunt goats, want to hunt sheep. I have not used any quality spotting scopes, so I don't have the experience to know what I want. I do know that my current (cheap) scope lacks resolving power for fine details, making it close to worthless.

Kowa TSN-553
28.5 ounces
15-45x
$1799

Swaro ATS 65 HD
49.6 ounces
25-50x
$2418

Kowa 773
59.4 ounces
25-60x
$2249

Source a Leica 62mm apo with the 32x (40x with the 77mm) wide angle. 33oz or so, and glass on par with all of those.
You'll thank me later.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

I have the swaro 12x50 EL's and a Kowa 884. No reason to wonder if there is anything better. Even at 60 the Kowa is crystal clear, and I pack the 884 on my Montana hunts. If they put the 88 glass in the 77 that would be the perfect spotter, but I would still keep what I have.

that's a hell of a setup

 

[ac7473]

I'm subscribed, but ever since someone suggested that an OP on another thread might have been made by a bot, I'm now constantly trying to figure out if I'm being fooled. I guess even if this was a bot post, it's generated some interest and back and forth by real folks.

I'm definitely not a bot..probably been called worse.lol

 

[fwafwow]

I'm definitely not a bot..probably been called worse.lol

I want to be a bot when I grow up.

 

[ac7473]

Which sizes are you talking? I'm always impressed by the view when I use a Kowa. I prefer the Kowa focuser to the swaros too - the 553 has a really nice, smooth, light touch to it that is just a pleasure to use.

I went from a 80mm Ats to the 88 Kowa. The 88 was actually lighter with the magnesium body

 

[unclericco]

I have both. Swaro is the better spotter IMO

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

I need a good spotting scope (though it might be a while before I can fit it in the budget). I guess my question is how usable is the top end magnification of the Kowa's compared to the Swaros? I have read enough to know I would want the 25-50x eye piece for the ATS 65, which if the Kowa TSN-553 is usable to the full 45x I don't see the point in a 20 ounce weight penalty for 50x.

The next question becomes, is the Kowa 773 useable to the full 60x? If it is, is it worth the 30 ounce weight penalty to move from 45x to 60x?

I hunt goats, want to hunt sheep. I have not used any quality spotting scopes, so I don't have the experience to know what I want. I do know that my current (cheap) scope lacks resolving power for fine details, making it close to worthless.

Kowa TSN-553
28.5 ounces
15-45x
$1799

Swaro ATS 65 HD
49.6 ounces
25-50x
$2418

Kowa 773
59.4 ounces
25-60x
$2249

If you pair the Kowa 77 with the 1.6x extender, you are in a completely different league from the Swaro 65 and 553/4. It’s an incredible sheep scope then.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[grappling_hook]

I know it's been discussed several times, but if your in the market for a high end scope, do your self a favor and look through a Kowa scope. I sold an ATS swaro to get a Kowa, it is just better

Did you try looking through a Swaro ATX first? Could be... a future post you’d sell the Kowa to get an ATX?

 

[Bkdc]

Optics on a Kowa are first class. It’s the ergonomics and packability, especially with the Swarovski ATX that wins. Optical quality isn’t everything.

 

[6.5x284]

Kowa over an ATS, yes. Over an ATX, no.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ac7473]

Did you try looking through a Swaro ATX first? Could be... a future post you’d sell the Kowa to get an ATX?

I did not. You may be right, but I am willing to bet it's not 1700 dollars better than the Kowa

 

[JDB9818]

I had the Kowa 883, great spotter!

Recently sold it and got the Swaro ATX setup. To ME, slightly better image but I wanted the modularity as well. I’m also admittedly a Swarovski fan.

You can’t go wrong with either.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Blockcaver]

Marbles, a heck of a lot of guides use the Swaro 20-60X eyepiece on their 65mm Swaro scopes for sheep, caribou, moose and bears. I’ve not seen one with 25-50X eyepiece but undoubtedly some use them. And the 20-60X Swaro eyepiece is useable at 60X with decent light and tripod.

 

[FishStalkerGuy]

I think a better comparison would be with Kowa’s new scope against the ATX, technology gap would be closer. Not sure when Kowa introduced the 883 but mine is 10 years old. Just my thought.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Pabst]

I need a good spotting scope (though it might be a while before I can fit it in the budget). I guess my question is how usable is the top end magnification of the Kowa's compared to the Swaros? I have read enough to know I would want the 25-50x eye piece for the ATS 65, which if the Kowa TSN-553 is usable to the full 45x I don't see the point in a 20 ounce weight penalty for 50x.

The next question becomes, is the Kowa 773 useable to the full 60x? If it is, is it worth the 30 ounce weight penalty to move from 45x to 60x?

I hunt goats, want to hunt sheep. I have not used any quality spotting scopes, so I don't have the experience to know what I want. I do know that my current (cheap) scope lacks resolving power for fine details, making it close to worthless.

Kowa TSN-553
28.5 ounces
15-45x
$1799

Swaro ATS 65 HD
49.6 ounces
25-50x
$2418

Kowa 773
59.4 ounces
25-60x
$2249

I would say the 883 is totally usable all the way to 60x.

On the 554 I do notice the image dim somewhat and I also often need to turn in the eyecup a notch or two as I get close to 45x.

 

[tracker12]

I have owned both and my eyes can't tell the difference. Both are quality.