• This Forum is for adults 18 years of age or over. By continuing to use this Forum you are confirming that you are 18 or older. No content shall be viewed by any person under 18 in California.

Kowa TSN-82SV Vs Sightron SIIBL 20x60x85HD spotter

Quest-QC

as I don't seem to find any valuable review regarding one or the other for F-Class application, I would appreciate your feedback on those spotter. One don't provide ED glass but better overall quality (Kowa) and the other provide ED glass but...no info on the web so....

here are the links to both scopes:

http://www.kowaproducts.com/KowaTSN-82SVSeriesSpottingScope/KowaTSN-82SV-AngledSpottingScope/

http://info.sightron.com/Spotting-Scopes/SII-Spotting-Scopes/SIIBL2060X85HDA/

the purpose is reading mirage up to 1000 yards

thanks for your comments
 
I would be interested in hearing about the Sightron as well. It seems to be priced well, but I can't find any reviews of it anywhere.
 
Check back with me in a month or so.

I have the Kowa onroute for my Xmas present. Winter may not be ideal but on a sunny day over snow, you will see mirage big time

as for the Sightron, my hesitation is the eye relief.

glasses and low eye relief are not a good receipe. Hopefully, they will heed my comments and that can be improved 2014???

Jerry
 
thanks for your imput guys. I've been looking....a lot..lately trying to find information regarding the Sightron and there is basically.....none ! For the few ones I've found they were really not good. As per Jerry said, eye relief is painfull as well as glass so....its not gonna be a Sightron.
 
tomorrow i'm gonna have a look in a couple different models in a supplier close to home and will keep you posted.
 
I think the sightron optics will be great as I have been thrilled with the many scopes on my rifles - massive eye relief here.

But they have not listened to us glass wearers and continue to offer eye relief that is WAY too short on their spotters.

If they offered a 20mm and longer eye relief, I think they will gain a solid following.

We shall see what SHOT has to offer but I will not be holding my breath. Why I went with KOWA cause I know they will work.

Also have a new pair of 15X70 binos which I am itching to try out. Glass is surprisingly good given the price point. Now to see if you can "see" the air.

Jerry
 
as per my previous statement, i went to a retailler this w-e and tried a lot of different model in the same circonstances....and been terribly disapointed regarding the mid price range of spotting scope. Anything under 800$ is not well suited for my expectations passed 500 yds as i brought my range finder for the test.

So now, i need to raised the budget and will go for a Pentax PF-80A with the outstanding eyepiece SMC 20x60. I compared this scope witht the Kowa 883 with its 20x60 eyepiece and been disapointed with the eyerelief. The color definition is oustanding in the Kowa but as my target are black and white, i dont give a s...to color definition and the Pentax got plenty enough glass for my needs.

Here is the cheapest supplier in USA:

B&H photo video in NY state (cant post the shortcut)

the cheapest international:

http://www.sale-telescopes.com/
 
A few of the BC shooters are using Pentax spotters. Very very good for the money.

I have owned pentax spotters in the past but prefer the KOWA eye pieces.

Definitely not a fan of Pentax variable eye pieces. If your eyes work with, awesome. Me, not so much.

I just went with the KOWA fixed LER eyepiece which should do all I want.

Hope Santa arrives early.

Jerry
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sightron-SII-20-60x85mm-HD-Stright-Spotting-Scope-23011-/200993797388?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ecc29f50c
 
Jerry, i would be more than surprised that you were using the Pentax SMC eyepiece as its simply outstanding, and get "in your eye" way better than the Kowa.
 
eye glasses really change what works and doesn't. And the reasons why you wear glasses will again affect what you prefer.

And the best part, that can change as your eyes age.. Joy!!!

The only real way is to climb behind them and have a look.

All the stuff mentioned is great quality. Whatever works for your eyes is the best for you.

Jerry
 
Just in time for Xmas.

TSN-82SV plus the 25LER that fits the 600 series of spotters.

Today, later afternoon. Overcast and grey. Very little humidity in the air and it is around -4C. Very light snow in some areas. Very clean air so ideal for optics viewing.

Now due to cold and pending family stuff, I just snuck upstairs and looking out a double pane window. The outside pane is not exacty spotless so not an ideal surface to look through BUT....

First test is my chimney at 1035yds. No problem resolving the grout lines. Easy to see, no straining at all. Chimney is a nice grid. Very nice resolution.

Second is a deck fence at around 1100yds. No problem with the vertical posts. No 'bending', even spacing, sharp edges.

Doors, windows, deck chairs, outside lights, etc.... all clear, and easy to see.

Sign lettering at 750yds, is a no brainer but they are also quite large.

Swing the spotter to the other side of the house and looking at a hillside well over 2000m away. I have to range it someday but it is a very very long ways out.

At this distance, and viewing out another window, I am glassing a couple of mulie does. No problem seeing the nose and white muzzle, the eyes and ears. Obviously, they are small in the image but no problem seeing them moving in and behind brush and trees.

Legs and body are clear. I bet you could count points on a buck.

Shrubs and brush are no problem to see clearly. Small branches are sharp and resolved.

So first impression is very positive for resolution and clarity. Eye relief is huge as expected. Focus knob is easy to use and getting a nice image (even through a dirty window) is no problem

One neg is a bit of edge distortion likely because the eye piece was designed for smaller objective. the inner 80 to 90% is just fine.

At these long distances, you can still see closer objects giving a real sense of depth of field. Panning didn't give me that wobbly drunk sensation of some spotters. I could really enjoy using this for a hunting spotter too.

The next test will be waiting for a sunny day and some mirage. Hopefully, the clarity stays but the mirage info easy to see.

Very happy so far.

Jerry
 
Thanks for the review (and your efforts in so-doing) Jerry. This is the sort of info that makes forums so valuable -- real data from a real person.

Kudos!

:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Upgrades & Donations

This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.


Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.

You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.


To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.

Classified Ads

Forum statistics

Threads
165,899
Messages
2,205,637
Members
79,196
Latest member
pkitrinos01

Share This Page

Back
Top