Big spotter question.

[NDHUNTER24]

I'm looking at getting a new "bigger" spotter. I currently have 12X42 nl pures and a kowa TSN-554. My question is how much better is the kowa Tsn-88s vs the swaro sts 80hd spotter. I do like kowa glass but the store around me "scheels" carries swarovski and I have gift cards saved up.

 

[6.5x284]

They are both great. If I had gift cards I would definitely go that route personally.


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[Brian Fahs]

Ive owned both.

I prefer and still own the big kowa.

 

[realunlucky]

First you can't go wrong with Swarovski and they hold thier value the best. All that said Kowa is better glass and often cheaper.

Here's a review on biggest glass on the market-

Clash of the Titans: Kowa VS Swarovski - Rokslide

Group of hunters take the Kowa 99, Swarovski 95 and Swarovski 115 out in the Nevada mountains for a real-world side by side comparison.

www.rokslide.com

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[rackcity24]

@realunlucky ill take a look.

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[GKWMontana]

I have never complained about my swarovski.

 

[BluMtn]

If you currently have a KOWA you are used to the focus knobs. When I have been glassing with others, and they have their Swaro's and we are switching back and forth, the first comment they make is how much easier it is to focus the KOWA. Not a big deal, but still, something to think about. They also comment on how much clearer my KOWA is than their Swaro. NOT MY WORDS, theirs.

 

[NDHUNTER24]

@BluMtn which model do you have?

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[BluMtn]

I have the KOWA 99S.

 

[WeiserBucks]

If you currently have a KOWA you are used to the focus knobs. When I have been glassing with others, and they have their Swaro's and we are switching back and forth, the first comment they make is how much easier it is to focus the KOWA. Not a big deal, but still, something to think about. They also comment on how much clearer my KOWA is than their Swaro. NOT MY WORDS, theirs.

I consider it a big deal when someone is spending a couple thousand dollars. Kowa focus is certainly better, I've owned both and won't be going back to a Swarovski spotter.

 

[NDHUNTER24]

@WeiserBucks did you get to look through both of them before you bought the kowa? Unless I can get scheels to stock them, I don't really see myself being able to look through one.

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[WeiserBucks]

@WeiserBucks did you get to look through both of them before you bought the kowa? Unless I can get scheels to stock them, I don't really see myself being able to look through one.

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Negative, I had a Swarovski 80 for a while and sold it due to lack of use. Bought a Kowa after 647 hours of research and a leap of faith. They're both good, Kowa is just a better overall package in my opinion.

 

[NDHUNTER24]

@WeiserBucks just out of curiosity what makes you want to use the kowa more vs the swaro you had.

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[WeiserBucks]

Swaro was so big and heavy that I almost never carried it, just a $3k paperweight. Bought a smaller Kowa and after spending a little time with it I really appreciate the dual focus and glass quality is as good as anything you'll find.

 

[waspocrew]

You're going to get people from both camps. I'd just buy the Kowa, look through it for a while (even take it to Scheels and compare to the Swaro outside), then let your eyes make your final decision.

I went back and forth on Kowa vs Swaro for a long time and ultimately went with the Swaro ATX 85mm since I had gift cards to Scheels as well. It's a heavy scope, but it goes with me everywhere.

 

[waspocrew]

PS - if you do end up buying a Swaro through Scheels, order online and pick up in store.

Go to Activejunky.com and sign up for an account. Purchase the Swaro on Scheels (through Active junky) and you get 7% back on the purchase.

 

[realunlucky]

@WeiserBucks did you get to look through both of them before you bought the kowa? Unless I can get scheels to stock them, I don't really see myself being able to look through one.

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You can go to rent outdoor gear (they are a sponsor here @Rent Outdoor Gear) and rent both options and compare side by side. I think they have a program that applies the rental fees towards the purchase price so essentially the comparison is free.

Check them out-https://rentoutdoorgear.com/keeper-program/

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I was between the same two scopes at one point. The Kowa glass is noticeably better than the ATS/STS. To get comparable glass, you have to go up to ATX/STX, then the weight difference is substantial. Kowa dual focus knob is a lot better as well.

 

[Mike D Texas]

You can go to rent outdoor gear (they are a sponsor here @Rent Outdoor Gear) and rent both options and compare side by side. I think they have a program that applies the rental fees towards the purchase price so essentially the comparison is free.

Check them out-https://rentoutdoorgear.com/keeper-program/

Thanks for the reminder about them. Is there a Rokslide discount code for them?

I need to rent a spotter and milling eye piece next month.


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[NDHUNTER24]

Its a little off topic question but i've seen some nice spotting scopes in the classifieds from time to time and am curious what everyones thoughts are about buying optics from the classifieds? I would hate to get a lemon. I don't want to make any irrational decisions on a spotter, so i plan to wait for a few months and possibly sell a Nightforce NXS in the mean time to help out. Thanks guys.