Like the look of the new compact Kowa spotter. Anxiously awaiting release.

arri1942

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Anybody heard chatter on what the price range is going to be when it comes out? Going to be very light and a good weight saver. Should be due out any day.

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ljalberta

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They look good. I think many of us are also awaiting the TSN-550 series which was on display at SHOT. I have no idea about details, but from what I've read it's sounding like the 550 series will be higher grade glass, while the 500 series aimed towards being a more budget-friendly option. Of course, I could be very wrong in this speculation as well.
 
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arri1942

arri1942

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They look good. I think many of us are also awaiting the TSN-550 series which was on display at SHOT. I have no idea about details, but from what I've read it's sounding like the 550 series will be higher grade glass, while the 500 series aimed towards being a more budget-friendly option. Of course, I could be very wrong in this speculation as well.

So that is a lower grade option? I was anticipating the one shown at SHOT. So my mistake if this is different. Either way I am anxious for release and curious on cost. Does the TSN 550 shown at SPOT resemble the TSN 501 above in style and looks?
 

Broomd

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I don't think that these scopes will re-invent the wheel.

I was jazzed when Zeiss debuted the 'dialyt' compact spotter and it was a huge disappointment. I see them selling now at $1600! lol... P.T. Barnum had it right.
There is only so much these guys can do with a small 50mm spotter, overall I suspect it will be much like the Nikon ED-50, or vortex razor 50 compact.
The flourite glass is a great first step, we'll see.

I hope i'm wrong, but I suspect the Leica apo 62 or swaro 65mm will remain THE go-tos for lightweight mountain hunting.
 
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I don't think that these scopes will re-invent the wheel.

I was jazzed when Zeiss debuted the 'dialyt' compact spotter and it was a huge disappointment. I see them selling now at $1600! lol... P.T. Barnum had it right.
There is only so much these guys can do with a small 50mm spotter, overall I suspect it will be much like the Nikon ED-50, or vortex razor 50 compact.
The flourite glass is a great first step, we'll see.

I hope i'm wrong, but I suspect the Leica apo 62 or swaro 65mm will remain THE go-tos for lightweight mountain hunting.

What do the the 62 APOs weigh with the zoom eye piece? It's hard to find good specs on them online.
 

dotman

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I don't think that these scopes will re-invent the wheel.

I was jazzed when Zeiss debuted the 'dialyt' compact spotter and it was a huge disappointment. I see them selling now at $1600! lol... P.T. Barnum had it right.
There is only so much these guys can do with a small 50mm spotter, overall I suspect it will be much like the Nikon ED-50, or vortex razor 50 compact.
The flourite glass is a great first step, we'll see.

I hope i'm wrong, but I suspect the Leica apo 62 or swaro 65mm will remain THE go-tos for lightweight mountain hunting.

The thing I like is the 55mm scope at an est 28oz. It will not be a 65mm but should be better then all the 50mm options for a similar weight.
 

Broomd

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'55mm'...........+1...valid point. 28oz is l i g h t....

I looked through some of my records. 44 oz for the 62mm apo 'straight' with zoom...angled is about the same.
0zU3ql6.jpg
 
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arri1942

arri1942

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thanks for all the input and insight. I already have a larger meopta meostar s2 82 (cabelas model) but it is pretty bulky. Great glass and optics but a pain to pack around when backpacking in. I had been looking at a Nikon fieldscope ED but when I heard about the new kowa spotting scope coming out, I decided to wait and see.
 
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thanks for all the input and insight. I already have a larger meopta meostar s2 82 (cabelas model) but it is pretty bulky. Great glass and optics but a pain to pack around when backpacking in. I had been looking at a Nikon fieldscope ED but when I heard about the new kowa spotting scope coming out, I decided to wait and see.

I'm in the same boat. Already bought a sirui t0025x to strip down and a outdoorsman micro PH, just need to settle on a little spotter now.
 
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I don't think that these scopes will re-invent the wheel.

I was jazzed when Zeiss debuted the 'dialyt' compact spotter and it was a huge disappointment. I see them selling now at $1600! lol... P.T. Barnum had it right.
There is only so much these guys can do with a small 50mm spotter, overall I suspect it will be much like the Nikon ED-50, or vortex razor 50 compact.
The flourite glass is a great first step, we'll see.

I hope i'm wrong, but I suspect the Leica apo 62 or swaro 65mm will remain THE go-tos for lightweight mountain hunting.

While I would probably agree with you, I don't think that's what these are going for.

If the 55 with the pure fluorite front element beats or is equal to the mid tier 65's like the razor( I think it will actually be better) then they will sell a BOAT load of these to hunters.

Vortex razor 65= 56 oz

Kowa 55= est 28oz

I think it will easily be top of the heap for ~50mm glass.

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Ronb

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Just got an answer from Kowa on the two scopes. Kinda disappointed in the retail cost of the 55mm. I'll pick up a used Swaro 65 at those prices.
0545ea50b3557a20aa535440a5bf3dff.jpg
9c668fdff70b17d41a2311e32e58ee9f.jpg



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Just got an answer from Kowa on the two scopes. Kinda disappointed in the retail cost of the 55mm. I'll pick up a used Swaro 65 at those prices.
0545ea50b3557a20aa535440a5bf3dff.jpg
9c668fdff70b17d41a2311e32e58ee9f.jpg



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JESUS..........you can still get the 88 for 2600 most places, and the 77 for less than 2k.
Maybe that's MSRP and it will sell for around 1400? Still pretty damn rich for a 55

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dotman

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'55mm'...........+1...valid point. 28oz is l i g h t....

I looked through some of my records. 44 oz for the 62mm apo 'straight' with zoom...angled is about the same.
0zU3ql6.jpg

With your collection the Kowa 55 series will fit in somewhere ;)
 

dotman

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Just got an answer from Kowa on the two scopes. Kinda disappointed in the retail cost of the 55mm. I'll pick up a used Swaro 65 at those prices.
0545ea50b3557a20aa535440a5bf3dff.jpg
9c668fdff70b17d41a2311e32e58ee9f.jpg



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Doubt it sells for $2k, probably closer to $1300 on the street.
 

luke moffat

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Feb 24, 2012
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Dang...if that 55mm spotter really comes out less than $1500 I may jump on that for trips like deer, caribou, and bears were legality isn't based on horn or antler configuration.

A spotter that is 1.75 pounds vs one that is 4.25 pounds would be a welcomed addition for those types of instances. When I need the big guns or weight isn't an issue then the 85mm Zeiss will get the nod. I have been wanting to get another 65mm Swaro for some time now but price and lack of substantial weight savings has kept me from doing so.

Be interested to see what Mr. Cashell has to say about these after comparing them to other 50-60mm spotters.
 
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