KOWA TSN 884 or Minox MD 80 ZR spotting scope

[Turbulent Turtle]

Ok, thanks to Turbulet Turtle, I ordered the TE-80XW Extra wide lens and received it last week. I have it on my 883 and I have to say it is remarkable. I didn’t think I could improve on the 25x LER eyepiece for mirage but the XW lens does it. the mirage just seems to be more distinct. I can’t explain it but it just is.

The only negative is the loss in eye relief. I wear glasses and when spotting prone in F-Class, the LER eyepiece moved effortlessly into place. I have yet to try the XW in a match, so I’m anxious to see how fast I can get on the scope and mirage. I did buy the kowa protective eyepiece cover for the new eyepiece and it does take away a slight bit of eye relief for me as my eyeglass lens touches the lens on the protective cover. I tried it with the standard eyepiece cover and gained a bit of eye relief. Hopefully, I can adjust my routine and make it work.

Ah, ah, ah. I made you spend money.

I also wear glasses but not when I'm shooting. In between the battle with progressive lenses, sweat, fog and all manners of trouble with glasses and optical devices, many years ago, I stopped wearing my glasses when shooting my match rifle. I get a much better picture from the riflescope and can transition really quickly between the spotting scope and the riflescope. I only need my glasses when I have to read or write.