Vortex vs kowa

[Dbevans]

Good morning, I can get a 773 kowa which as I have seen is a steal. I have maven b1.2s so I think this would supplement them well. But for $800 less I can snag a vortez razor gen 2 65mm.

Is the jump in glass really worth $800? I mostly hunt moose and bear but for I like to have a good view after I do spot an animal.


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[gr8fuldoug]

A Corvette is a very nice sports car, is a Ferrari worth the price difference? Once you are into quality options it's a matter of what your expectations are and what you'll be satisfied with. $800 to some is an insane amount of $$$ and to others it isn't. I assume this is a one time purchase that you'll have for many years to come. Let's say at least 10 years. That's $80 a year difference for the Kowa.

 

[couesbitten]

I'd buy that Kowa in a hot minute. I actually sold my Swarovski ATS 80 HD spotter and purchased a Kowa 554 scope. I have never had any desire to own a Vortex and have never encouraged anyone to buy any of their products. Good thing the Vortex glass comes with a lifetime warranty, because based on what I've read here and other hunting forums, you're going to need it at some point.

 

[SneakyThunderCat]

The Kowa is a great scope for the money. 773/774 scopes compete with Swaro's STS/ATS line, and it's not even Kowa's top tier glass.

 

[Ondavirg]

I just received a kowa 773 this week from Doug. It’s very nice. Can’t imagine needing anything better than this.

 

[Dbevans]

I'd buy that Kowa in a hot minute. I actually sold my Swarovski ATS 80 HD spotter and purchased a Kowa 554 scope. I have never had any desire to own a Vortex and have never encouraged anyone to buy any of their products. Good thing the Vortex glass comes with a lifetime warranty, because based on what I've read here and other hunting forums, you're going to need it at some point.

How durable do you think it is? It comes with the stay on fitted case but Im like to use and abuse my gear.


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[PredatorSlayer]

How durable do you think it is? It comes with the stay on fitted case but Im like to use and abuse my gear.


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If you are hard on gear go with the vortex. Its a no brainer. I hunt hard country, often times on horse back and crap happens. This spring during the bear hunt we had a horse run off with my sons rifle (in the scabbard) only half attached to the saddle. Scabbard was swinging like crazy and we watched it smack a tree and he was turning the corner at a full gallop. Luckily he had a Vortex HST scope that took all of the impact. It was busted up bad. As soon as we got service, I called vortex, they sent him a new scope. For what it is worth, I own Nightforce, Leupold, Vortex, S&B etc. Vortex will always have a place in my safe. I currently use one of their spotters, its great. Are there better? Sure. But when you have your tripod balanced precariously on your ATV and your spotter takes a dump on some rocks, its no big deal .

 

[Dbevans]

A Corvette is a very nice sports car, is a Ferrari worth the price difference? Once you are into quality options it's a matter of what your expectations are and what you'll be satisfied with. $800 to some is an insane amount of $$$ and to others it isn't. I assume this is a one time purchase that you'll have for many years to come. Let's say at least 10 years. That's $80 a year difference for the Kowa.

Thanks, I like nice optics but Vortex’s warranty sounds nice. I haven’t broken any hunting gear yet but the Kowa would be an expensive mistake


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[BigCountry49]

Get the Kowa.

 

[Dbevans]

Get the Kowa.

Straight to the point. I like it. Is it just in another league?


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[BluMtn]

If you get the full coverage stayon cover (The Green one, not the black one) you will not have a problem unless you are just that hard on equipment. I have had the Gen 1 razor 80 spotting scope and it was good for a startup spotter. Went to a Kowa 884 and learned what good glass is. Somebody wanted it more than I did, so I bought the 99S and all I can say is wow. I have it wrapped in Vet tape for protection and that works very well, would not be afraid to drop it in the rocks and worry about damage.

 

[Dbevans]

If you get the full coverage stayon cover (The Green one, not the black one) you will not have a problem unless you are just that hard on equipment. I have had the Gen 1 razor 80 spotting scope and it was good for a startup spotter. Went to a Kowa 884 and learned what good glass is. Somebody wanted it more than I did, so I bought the 99S and all I can say is wow. I have it wrapped in Vet tape for protection and that works very well, would not be afraid to drop it in the rocks and worry about damage.

Thanks. It comes with the kowa case fitted case


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[JDB9818]

I'm a Swaro fan, but I say Kowa all day, everyday over Vortex.

Not the 2 spotters you are considering here, but I've had spotters from both Kowa and Vortex. Kowa for sure!

 

[30338]

Son is using the 773 and I just bought the 884. They are both very nice optics. Mine has a small edge on his perhaps but actually both are very good. I sold a Zeiss I bought new back in 2010 and I think I lost about $65 a year. Pretty minimal for getting to use really good stuff.

 

[roosiebull]

Good morning, I can get a 773 kowa which as I have seen is a steal. I have maven b1.2s so I think this would supplement them well. But for $800 less I can snag a vortez razor gen 2 65mm.

Is the jump in glass really worth $800? I mostly hunt moose and bear but for I like to have a good view after I do spot an animal.


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In this context, I would say the extra 800 is money well spent… get it over with, save yourself the upgrade fee when you get the kowa anyway, then it will cost an extra 12-1300 extra instead of 800 now.

If you can pull it off, I don’t think glass is a good place to compromise

 

[Brian Fahs]

Kowa

Next question

 

[htlt_surfboards]

I originally had a vortex and then got a kowa 554. Kowa was a different league and haven't looked back since.

 

[Pacific_Fork]

Vortex razor binos are decent glass. Their spotters can’t be in the same conversation as Kowa IMO. I’ve had a razor spotter in the past and currently have Kowa 554 and 884 and it’s no comparison in any way.

 

[Dbevans]

I originally had a vortex and then got a kowa 554. Kowa was a different league and haven't looked back since.

Which model vortex did you have?


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[WI in the west]

I had a gen 1 85mm razor and now a kowa 774 there both decent but kowa is definatly better. Noticably so as you get higher in magnification. Color seems better in the kowa i thought also.

Im pretty sure theres a thread on kowas warranty, if i recall its pretty good. Actually most companys warranties are pretty close to vortex i thought for accidental damages