Which spotting scope should I buy from this list (lowest prices found listed)

Lavos

FNG
Joined
Nov 16, 2024
Messages
1
I have a habit of overanalyzing everything I buy and I'm on day 3 of researching this, so please help me choose from this list! Listed the lowest prices I could find

Vortex razor 16-48x65 (gen 1)
~$650 pre-tax

Vortex razor 22-48x65 (gen 2)
$999 pre-tax

Vortex razor 20-60x85 (gen 1)
~$750 pre-tax

Vortex razor 27-60x85 (gen 2)
~$950 *no tax*

Swarovski ATS-65 w 20-60x eyepiece
~$1750 *no tax*

Leica Televid 65 with 25-50x WW eyepiece
~$1700 *no tax*

Kowa TSN-553 15-45x55
~$1150 *no tax*

Feel free to add anything comparable in this price range if I missed it
 

hereinaz

WKR
Rokslide Sponsor
Joined
Dec 21, 2016
Messages
3,278
Location
Arizona
The Kowa 553 is the best bang for the buck, IMO. Look at birder reviews, the glass is fantastic. The flourite they use for lenses is lighter and doesn't shift colors like glass. Its clarity rivals Swaro.
 

peaceman

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 29, 2015
Messages
168
Location
The Valley, Alaska
I have the Kowa and Swaro. I tried a couple Vortex's and i don't believe they compare and send them back. If you want lighter weight and a lower variable magnification go Kowa, otherwise the Swaro.
 

MustangHX

FNG
Joined
Nov 12, 2024
Messages
5
If you don't mind the narrower FOV, go Kowa 553, the most affordable scope with fluorite element on the market
 
Joined
Sep 10, 2014
Messages
2,736
Location
hawai'i
I have a habit of overanalyzing everything I buy and I'm on day 3 of researching this, so please help me choose from this list! Listed the lowest prices I could find

Vortex razor 16-48x65 (gen 1)
~$650 pre-tax

Vortex razor 22-48x65 (gen 2)
$999 pre-tax

Vortex razor 20-60x85 (gen 1)
~$750 pre-tax

Vortex razor 27-60x85 (gen 2)
~$950 *no tax*

Swarovski ATS-65 w 20-60x eyepiece
~$1750 *no tax*

Leica Televid 65 with 25-50x WW eyepiece
~$1700 *no tax*

Kowa TSN-553 15-45x55
~$1150 *no tax*

Feel free to add anything comparable in this price range if I missed it
where are you getting a kowa 553 for 1150
 

Mojave

WKR
Joined
Jun 13, 2019
Messages
2,277
Kowa is best, and has the most usable eye relief.

Swarovski is ok if you have 20-20 vision and are not near sighted.
 

MustangHX

FNG
Joined
Nov 12, 2024
Messages
5
Maybe you also want to check Kowa 66a (not the older 663), reviews suggest it's better than ATX65. If you can find a reasonably priced 883, that'll be great too
 
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