Why don’t the Kowa Genesis Binos get more love?

[PredatorSlayer]

They are phenomenal. I traded for some 10.5x44s and after comparing them to some NL Pures picked up the 8x33s. Maybe my eyes are crazy, but they were every bit as good optically as the NL Pures, just had a narrower FOV. How are these not the best binos on the market considering their price point?

 

[Moosehunter]

Interested as well.
Never looked thru them however.

 

[alderchokedhellhole]

Only thing I can think of is ergonomics/weight.

 

[chasewild]

Don't have a pair, but interested as well. Hoping someone with more experience can chime in. I'd be interested in an EL comparison.

 

[JGRaider]

Because when using high end glass, the "best" is always subjective. For instance, I found the 8x32 UHD superior to the Genesis 8x33, and IMO the NL's stand alone as the best hunting binocular known to mankind. Ergonomics play a big factor as well. That's why I always say you've got to try 'em for yourself, as your eyeballs may see things differently than mine, and vice-versa.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Because when using high end glass, the "best" is always subjective. For instance, I found the 8x32 UHD superior to the Genesis 8x33, and IMO the NL's stand alone as the best hunting binocular known to mankind. Ergonomics play a big factor as well. That's why I always say you've got to try 'em for yourself, as your eyeballs may see things differently than mine, and vice-versa.

Interesting. I just got back from 2 weeks in Alaska moose hunting. My buddy had 10x42 UHDs and I had my 8x33 Kowas. We could both see much more detail when it came to counting points and brow tines etc in the Kowas.

 

[alderchokedhellhole]

Because when using high end glass, the "best" is always subjective. For instance, I found the 8x32 UHD superior to the Genesis 8x33, and IMO the NL's stand alone as the best hunting binocular known to mankind. Ergonomics play a big factor as well. That's why I always say you've got to try 'em for yourself, as your eyeballs may see things differently than mine, and vice-versa.

I firmly believe in trying before buying.

I will be purchasing. A set of mid grade/alpha binos within the next year and while the 10.5 genny is on my list, the only way to try them is to purchase and if I don’t like them, I will have to pay a restocking fee, which I don’t want to do.

That alone might steer me away from a potential bino.

 

[Maverick1]

Marketing.
Weight.
Ergonomics.
FOV.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Marketing.
Weight.
Ergonomics.
FOV.

Marketing is a valid point. The other three are likely only bettered by the NL Pures which cost 3x as much.

 

[magtech]

IF you glass a lot, try a few of the top ones and keep the ones that feel best to you. The monarch hg's i have access to feel better than the conquests, but i use zenray ED3 daily and they arent terrible.... But those HG's are just nice to put to my face compared to the ED3, maybe someday i'll get myself some.

Once Bins get to a certain level you're doing yourself a disservice if you dont compare them side-by-side.

 

[TxxAgg]

The 8x33 are awesome. I sold mine recently to consolidate bino/range finder but i miss them.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

Rangefinder? If not, I’m out.

 

[Arcticmanak]

They are incredible glass. After comparing the Maven B6 10x50, Kowa Genesis 10.5x44 and GPO Passion HD 10x42 I decided to keep the GPO's. The Kowa's are absolutely stunning optically, but were a little heavier than the others.

 

[Reed104R]

Marketing.
Weight.
Ergonomics.
FOV.

Marketing is the major factor in my opinion. Most consumers never have the opportunity to try Kowa branded products. On the other hand, many people likely use older Kowa products branded for other companies and don't even realize it.

 

[JGRaider]

Marketing is the major factor in my opinion. Most consumers never have the opportunity to try Kowa branded products. On the other hand, many people likely use older Kowa products branded for other companies and don't even realize it.

Like what?

 

[Reed104R]

I understand many of the older Bushnell spotting scopes were made by Kowa.

 

[ni7ne]

Getting an open-box-discount pair of the 8.5x Genesis is what convinced me to start saving up for a Kowa spotter.

Tracked a daytime large rocket launch with them. They are flawless with blue sky high-contrast where chromatic aberration starts to hurt midrange binos.

 

[Lando]

I think one issue is the inability to put an outdoorsman's stud on the Kowa Genesis vs. basically every other binocular. I have a pair, like them a lot, but leave them at home and take my Meopta 12x50s because my spotter also has an Outdoorsman's stud, as do my Maven 18s and the Meoptas.

There are other mounting options like Aziak etc. (which I have, but it just adds another piece of gear to the equation that hasn't been worth the fiddle factor for me yet).

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I think one issue is the inability to put an outdoorsman's stud on the Kowa Genesis vs. basically every other binocular. I have a pair, like them a lot, but leave them at home and take my Meopta 12x50s because my spotter also has an Outdoorsman's stud, as do my Maven 18s and the Meoptas.

There are other mounting options like Aziak etc. (which I have, but it just adds another piece of gear to the equation that hasn't been worth the fiddle factor for me yet).

Good point. I use the Aziak.

 

[alderchokedhellhole]

Those that use the 10.5 genesis,

How do you find the kidney beaning/blackouts?

I don’t know if I’m just sensitive to them but I tried the Conquest HD and they were terrible for me.