Kowa 82SV 82mm Spotting Scope vs. Kowa 66mm Angled Scope Prominar XD Lens

[F/V Icy Swan]

I have some modest spotter scopes for Bullseye but will be shooting some rimfire benchrest and some high power matches. I was ready to go with the Kowa 82SV because it is what is carried by my normal vendor and the price is right. $1,000 for the scope body is the limit, which rules out the higher end Kowas except the 66mm one with the Prominar XD lens.

Although it has a smaller objective lens, is it the way to go in this price range in order to get the more "modern" and presumably "better" Prominar lens? The $200 price difference is not an issue. I generally am old school [I still miss Studebaker and DeSoto] but am open to the newer and smaller scope if there is a tangible advantage.

Thanks for any input.

Mike

https://www.creedmoorsports.com/product/kowa-66mm-angled-scope-prominar-xd-lens/Spotting-Scopes​

 

[dkhunt14]

When we compared a Kowa Highlander Prominar lens with a regular one. The only difference we saw was the color rendition was better with the Prominar. The difference in price between 2800 and 5000 to me wasn't worth it. We had at least 3 people look through them and they all said the same thing. The Higlanders are binoculars and 82 MM with 32x eyepiece. We were looking at 1200 to 1700 yards. Matt

 

[dskogman]

I’ve got the 66mm with Prominar and for watching mirage I think it’s much better than the regular lens. The bigger lens is better in low light but we’re not hunting so it’s really not necessary and the smaller scope is easier to manage on the line.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

This is where Doug and I disagree. I have always been a big proponent of ED/Super-ED glass in the riflescope due to its resistance to distortion from mirage, but with non-ED/Super-ED/Fluorite glass in a spotter because you want to catch all the mirage you can see.

 

[F/V Icy Swan]

Thanks for the input. It looks too close to definitively call. I guess that is why Kowa still offers both.

Mike

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

The Prominar 66mm most probably presents a better image than the 82SV due to its use of XD lenses. If I was motivated by the best IQ, I would pick that one hands down, no questions asked.

My point it that, in MY experience, non-XD/ED/Super-ED lenses distort the image more in a mirage situation. When I am using a spotting scope on the line I want to discern as much mirage as possible and so I used the 82SV which does not have ED type lenses.

Doug on the other hand, states that the Prominar with the 88mm ED-type lens is much better at watching mirage and that's where we disagree.

Now please note that Doug is an awesome shooter.

One thing I just realized is that you're talking about using this in rimfire benchrest (no mirage to speak of), and perhaps some high power matches. Perhaps the Prominar is better for you needs.

 

[tvaught]

What Doug really excels at is Gator spotting

 

[F/V Icy Swan]

TT, thanks for the insight, particularly the rimfire aspect. The Prominar it is. Even I eventually moved on from points and condensers to electronic ignition.

Mike