Rifle Scopes Kowa Spotting Scopes
- Thread starter Tom Bruner
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Re: Kowa Spotting Scopes
IMO, the Kowa 601/602s are among the best non-ED scopes. The FOV is somewhat narrow and light-gathering is not as good when compared to the high-end scopes but they don't cost $2000+, either...
I'd put the Kowa spotting scopes in the same class of optics as Bushnell Elite, Leupold mk4, or Sightron SIII riflescopes. They're not as good as Zeiss, Swarovski or Leica (the USO/NF/PR of the spotting scope world), but they still can get the job done.
IMO, the Kowa 601/602s are among the best non-ED scopes. The FOV is somewhat narrow and light-gathering is not as good when compared to the high-end scopes but they don't cost $2000+, either...
I'd put the Kowa spotting scopes in the same class of optics as Bushnell Elite, Leupold mk4, or Sightron SIII riflescopes. They're not as good as Zeiss, Swarovski or Leica (the USO/NF/PR of the spotting scope world), but they still can get the job done.
Re: Kowa Spotting Scopes
The good thing is that Kowa makes an affordable quality spotter in their smaller objective, non-ED models. The other brands don't really do that.
Kowa Prominar are as good as it gets.
Scott
The good thing is that Kowa makes an affordable quality spotter in their smaller objective, non-ED models. The other brands don't really do that.
Kowa Prominar are as good as it gets.
Scott
Re: Kowa Spotting Scopes
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GTriever</div><div class="ubbcode-body">IMO, the Kowa 601/602s are among the best non-ED scopes. The FOV is somewhat narrow and light-gathering is not as good when compared to the high-end scopes but they don't cost $2000+, either...
<span style="font-weight: bold">I'd put the Kowa spotting scopes in the same class of optics as Bushnell Elite, Leupold mk4, or Sightron SIII riflescopes. They're not as good as Zeiss, Swarovski or Leica (the USO/NF/PR of the spotting scope world), but they still can get the job done.</span> </div></div>
I'm sorry but I totally disagree with your assement that Kowa Spotting scopes are secound tier to Swarovski, Zeiss and Lieca. I sold a Swarovski 20X60X80 and replaced it with a Kowa Prominar 20X60X88 after comparing the two side by side. Kowa's top of the line spotters take a back seat to none
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GTriever</div><div class="ubbcode-body">IMO, the Kowa 601/602s are among the best non-ED scopes. The FOV is somewhat narrow and light-gathering is not as good when compared to the high-end scopes but they don't cost $2000+, either...
<span style="font-weight: bold">I'd put the Kowa spotting scopes in the same class of optics as Bushnell Elite, Leupold mk4, or Sightron SIII riflescopes. They're not as good as Zeiss, Swarovski or Leica (the USO/NF/PR of the spotting scope world), but they still can get the job done.</span> </div></div>
I'm sorry but I totally disagree with your assement that Kowa Spotting scopes are secound tier to Swarovski, Zeiss and Lieca. I sold a Swarovski 20X60X80 and replaced it with a Kowa Prominar 20X60X88 after comparing the two side by side. Kowa's top of the line spotters take a back seat to none
Re: Kowa Spotting Scopes
Dollar for dollar Kowa is the best spotting scope I'v ever tried. I sure wouldn't put them in the same class as Bushnell or Sightron, not even close. The std. glass is the best bang for the buck, but the ED glass is probably worth spending the money if your really going for detail. I have a TSN-660 w/ 20-60x eye pc. (non ED) On a good day I can see .22 holes @ 200 yards. I wish the thing was smaller so I would use it more.
Dollar for dollar Kowa is the best spotting scope I'v ever tried. I sure wouldn't put them in the same class as Bushnell or Sightron, not even close. The std. glass is the best bang for the buck, but the ED glass is probably worth spending the money if your really going for detail. I have a TSN-660 w/ 20-60x eye pc. (non ED) On a good day I can see .22 holes @ 200 yards. I wish the thing was smaller so I would use it more.
Re: Kowa Spotting Scopes
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jwp475</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GTriever</div><div class="ubbcode-body">IMO, the Kowa 601/602s are among the best non-ED scopes. The FOV is somewhat narrow and light-gathering is not as good when compared to the high-end scopes but they don't cost $2000+, either...
<span style="font-weight: bold">I'd put the Kowa spotting scopes in the same class of optics as Bushnell Elite, Leupold mk4, or Sightron SIII riflescopes. They're not as good as Zeiss, Swarovski or Leica (the USO/NF/PR of the spotting scope world), but they still can get the job done.</span> </div></div>
I'm sorry but I totally disagree with your assement that Kowa Spotting scopes are secound tier to Swarovski, Zeiss and Lieca. I sold a Swarovski 20X60X80 and replaced it with a <span style="font-weight: bold">Kowa Prominar 20X60X88 </span>after comparing the two side by side. <span style="font-weight: bold">Kowa's top of the line spotters</span> take a back seat to none </div></div>
Re-read the OP's post specifically asking about the TSN601/602, and my reply, doing the same. The TSN601/602 line is definitely mid-tier, with non-ED glass, and they're certainly not "Kowa's top of the line spotters". Your Kowa Prominar is in a different class of optics, using the Flourite lenses of the other high-end scopes. Personally, having compared all four side by side, I prefer (and own) the Zeiss Diascope 85T*FL .
For clarity, let me rephrase the comment you have a problem with:
<span style="font-weight: bold">I'd put the <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="color: #CC0000">Kowa TSN601/602 </span></span>spotting scopes in the same class of optics as Bushnell Elite, Leupold mk4, or Sightron SIII riflescopes. They're not as good as Zeiss, Swarovski or Leica (the USO/NF/PR of the spotting scope world), but they still can get the job done.</span>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jwp475</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GTriever</div><div class="ubbcode-body">IMO, the Kowa 601/602s are among the best non-ED scopes. The FOV is somewhat narrow and light-gathering is not as good when compared to the high-end scopes but they don't cost $2000+, either...
<span style="font-weight: bold">I'd put the Kowa spotting scopes in the same class of optics as Bushnell Elite, Leupold mk4, or Sightron SIII riflescopes. They're not as good as Zeiss, Swarovski or Leica (the USO/NF/PR of the spotting scope world), but they still can get the job done.</span> </div></div>
I'm sorry but I totally disagree with your assement that Kowa Spotting scopes are secound tier to Swarovski, Zeiss and Lieca. I sold a Swarovski 20X60X80 and replaced it with a <span style="font-weight: bold">Kowa Prominar 20X60X88 </span>after comparing the two side by side. <span style="font-weight: bold">Kowa's top of the line spotters</span> take a back seat to none </div></div>
Re-read the OP's post specifically asking about the TSN601/602, and my reply, doing the same. The TSN601/602 line is definitely mid-tier, with non-ED glass, and they're certainly not "Kowa's top of the line spotters". Your Kowa Prominar is in a different class of optics, using the Flourite lenses of the other high-end scopes. Personally, having compared all four side by side, I prefer (and own) the Zeiss Diascope 85T*FL .
For clarity, let me rephrase the comment you have a problem with:
<span style="font-weight: bold">I'd put the <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="color: #CC0000">Kowa TSN601/602 </span></span>spotting scopes in the same class of optics as Bushnell Elite, Leupold mk4, or Sightron SIII riflescopes. They're not as good as Zeiss, Swarovski or Leica (the USO/NF/PR of the spotting scope world), but they still can get the job done.</span>
Re: Kowa Spotting Scopes
I've not looked thru the model you are asking about but I do have a Kowa 82mm with a 27x angled eyepiece. A friend bought a Swarovski in similiar size with 20-60 straight eyepiece. Yeah it cost more but personally I wouldn't trade my Kowa for 10 of his scope. My eyepiece is much easier to see thru with plenty of eye relief and at 1000 yards I can see hits or misses easily. I also have a Unertl with a 20x eyepiece and the Kowa is much clearer.
This is another topic that will have 1000 different opinions with everyone having a like or dislike for a particlar make or model of scope. I've had or used Tasco, Bushnell, Nikon, Unertl, Kowa, Swarovski and prob a few other off brands. Best thing to do is go to a long range match, ask if you can look thru as many models as you can and have a side by side comparison.
Good luck on the search
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I've not looked thru the model you are asking about but I do have a Kowa 82mm with a 27x angled eyepiece. A friend bought a Swarovski in similiar size with 20-60 straight eyepiece. Yeah it cost more but personally I wouldn't trade my Kowa for 10 of his scope. My eyepiece is much easier to see thru with plenty of eye relief and at 1000 yards I can see hits or misses easily. I also have a Unertl with a 20x eyepiece and the Kowa is much clearer.
This is another topic that will have 1000 different opinions with everyone having a like or dislike for a particlar make or model of scope. I've had or used Tasco, Bushnell, Nikon, Unertl, Kowa, Swarovski and prob a few other off brands. Best thing to do is go to a long range match, ask if you can look thru as many models as you can and have a side by side comparison.
Good luck on the search
Topstrap
