There's a new beast - KOWA Prominar TSN-99

[ILPete]

Doug, FYI it seems the possibilities of glassing with the new extra wide fixed eyepiece TE-80xw are being really well received by early adopting western hunters. Not only is this the widest field available but crisp edge to edge, 40x & 35x fixed on the 99 / 880, 770, with the 1.6x extender still have wide field but now at 64x / 56x respectively and again crisp edge to edge. I think someone on here needs to check this out and report back soon.

Jeff,

While I'll reserve final judgement until I actually get my hands on a 99A, please thank the designers for including 2 threaded sockets & bushings for mounting the foot to the plate. This design element should work great with plates having a middle slot for the screws in providing a secure, immovable and non-rotating connection which anti-rotation pins usually didn't fully solve.

 

[Geewhiz]

Boy I sure would like to hear a bit more on these.

 

[ILPete]

Boy I sure would like to hear a bit more on these.

Have patience, they are only first available in a few days. Then it will take at least a few weeks to get some reliable reviews.

 

[BluMtn]

The brand new Kowa TE-80xw EXTRA wide angle eyepiece features the widest field of view in the market at over 80 degrees apparent field. It functions at 40x fixed on the new 99 mm, and 35x on the existing TSN-770 & TSN-880 models, Add the TSN-EX16 extender and you now have the ability to glass with a SUPER wide-angle fixed 64x / 56x power (99 / 880 & 770 respectively). Happily for glassing (and astronomy) the EXTRA wide angle eyepiece is crisp edge to edge. Definitely something to check out, we had a handful of hunters come to the birding festival in Tucson 2 weeks ago and test this on the distant mountainside and were blown away. All three have pre-orders placed!

I know it would be hard on me, but I will take one for the team if KOWA would send me a TE-80xw and extender. I will put it on my 88 and report back if it is any good. And being the good guy that I am I will not charge a fee, but will just keep the eyepiece and extender as a gratuitous gift for my glowing report.

 

[Matt G.]

I would like to build on your idea and offer my services for the 77 series : )