What is a good spotting scope for decent price

[tjtjwdad]

I have a KOWA I bought years ago and still use it frequently. One thing to look at is they type of eyepiece, Mine is a 25x long eye relief and it works great for my application.

 

[hoz53]

I was cheap too, had 3 different manufactures before I got a Kowa. Big improvement over the others, but is not any better than my rifles scope. I have a Golden eagle 15-60 and a NF BR 12-42

what model kowa did you get? even though my kowa has a 20x60 eyepiece i to can see better out of my NF benchrest scope at 42 power

 

[Liven The Dream]

Kowa 82SV Spotting Scope And 25X LER Eyepiece Combo with Creedmoor Scope Cover​

Status: In Stock
Read Reviews / Write a review


SKU: KOWA82COMBO



$975

 

[centershot]

Gen 1 Vortex Lazer. I sold a Kowa to buy one. They are out there for $799.00

I bought one and returned it. Why? Made in China.

 

[1885Winman4590]

what model kowa did you get? even though my kowa has a 20x60 eyepiece i to can see better out of my NF benchrest scope at 42 power

I have the 82SV with the 20x eye piece as well. It is a great spotter, better than anything else I've looked thru, but it don't compare to what you see thru either the NF br 12-42 or the GE. Mine will probably be for sale at some point in time! Not yet though, would like to try it with a 25x eyepiece.

 

[Gman]

I have the 82SV with the 20x eye piece as well. It is a great spotter, better than anything else I've looked thru, but it don't compare to what you see thru either the NF br 12-42 or the GE. Mine will probably be for sale at some point in time! Not yet though, would like to try it with a 25x eyepiece.

Well, I don't own a Kowa but I do have a couple of NF BR scopes & I can tell you this. My Pentax PF-80ED spotter with a Pentax XW14 or XW10 eyepieces can see a whole lot clearer than my NF BR series riflescopes at any yardage.

 

[hoz53]

I have the 82SV with the 20x eye piece as well. It is a great spotter, better than anything else I've looked thru, but it don't compare to what you see thru either the NF br 12-42 or the GE. Mine will probably be for sale at some point in time! Not yet though, would like to try it with a 25x eyepiece.

i have the kowa 82SV also and i to can see better out of my NF BR at 42 power? i may have to upgrade spotter but dont know what to get yet. thanks

 

[hoz53]

Well, I don't own a Kowa but I do have a couple of NF BR scopes & I can tell you this. My Pentax PF-80ED spotter with a Pentax XW14 or XW10 eyepieces can see a whole lot clearer than my NF BR series riflescopes at any yardage.

mabie i need one of them.—- thanks

 

[SSchnd]

Celestron makes a sweet spotter in 65 and 80 mm. My 65mm Regal ED is awesome. Their Regal line is very good. While they do not make an LER eyepiece their Regal line does accept all eyepieces such as astronomy type I think they are 1.25". Their prices have come up in the past year. Those checking out mine feel as good as their Kowa. If LER is not needed the zoom eyepiece comes with is good to go.

 

[6BRA]

TSN 883 with 1.6 multiplier/ 96 x..very clear and can see the 6mm holes at 600...lol..not inexpensive. Tad better than 55x NF comp.

 

[kberch]

I am of the opinion of " buy once-cry once"
Having bought cheaply many times only to later regret the purchase,I now save up for more quality right off the bat.
Also a fan of the KOWA brand and 25X LER eyepiece. Good luck.

 

[swampthang]

Well, I don't own a Kowa but I do have a couple of NF BR scopes & I can tell you this. My Pentax PF-80ED spotter with a Pentax XW14 or XW10 eyepieces can see a whole lot clearer than my NF BR series riflescopes at any yardage.

Wow, that's bold statement.
I have 2 N/F br 12x42 , but now I wanna compare for my old eyes.i know pentax was a leader in the camera industry as my dad was a semi pro photographer. Never seen pentax spotter but my curiosity is up now

 

[Gman]

Wow, that's bold statement.
I have 2 N/F br 12x42 , but now I wanna compare for my old eyes.i know pentax was a leader in the camera industry as my dad was a semi pro photographer. Never seen pentax spotter but my curiosity is up now

It is pretty simple actually.

The Pentax has ED glass, the NF BR does not.

The Pentax has an 80mm objective lens, the NF BR has a 56mm.

The Pentax uses 1.25" astronomical eyepieces which are over $300 apiece.

If you really want clarity & resolution, buy a Pentax PF-100ED & you will be amazed.

 

[tovaert]

I'll also vouch for the optical quality of the Pentax, but It is a large (and heavy) scope, especially with the Pentax zoom eyepiece, if that matters. I was looking to see .22 holes in the aiming black at 200 (and perhaps 300) yards, on the ranges I shoot at, mid-Summer (mirage laden) and such, which was not possible. I wound up selling it as I wanted something lighter and more "flexible" for various reasons. I found a NOS Nikon RA III with a 20-60 zoom on eBay, and then I found their 25X LER eyepiece (great for me since I wear glasses), and then a 38X wide angle (smallbore?) eyepiece (3 total). I'm happy with it, especially now that more competition ranges are going to e-Targets. I think a spotting scope choice depends on your budget and what you are going to use it for, and remember they can get beat up a bit during use, no matter how careful you are.

 

[mike278]

Well, I don't own a Kowa but I do have a couple of NF BR scopes & I can tell you this. My Pentax PF-80ED spotter with a Pentax XW14 or XW10 eyepieces can see a whole lot clearer than my NF BR series riflescopes at any yardage.

+1 for the Pentax. I don't have any fixed magnification eyepieces yet, but with the Baader 8-24mm hyperion adjustable the optics are great. I compared it at the range side by side with a Kowa that had the 27x LER eyepiece, and the contrast and resolution at that magnification was better in the Pentax. The Kowa had better FOV and eye relief, though(eyepieces make a big difference). Saving my change to get some good fixed power eyepieces now.

 

[Waydeo]

Does anyone know if the Athlon Talon 20-60 spotting scope can use astronomy eyepieces?

 

[SS GO DEVIL]

Pentax PF80EDA. Best bang for the buck. If you want better have to jump up to alpha glass $3k. I can see bullet holes in paper at 600 and sometime if conditions are perfect 1000.

 

[longbow]

Swarovski AT-80 variable,old style . Bought used for $800.00 sent to Swaro and they completely went over it.My 8x20 binos are 17 years old and cant be beat.