Spotting Scope Help - Kowa 553/554 vs. Leupold HD Golden Ring

[Big Ern]

I am in a spotting scope dilemma and need some real world assistance. I am looking for a high quality spotter that is compact and lightweight. It will be used at the range (spotting steel out to 1000 and holes on paper at 100), but primary purpose is backpack hunting (hence, the smaller size/weight). I don't need a reticle.

I want the best optics I can get for the size/weight. I understand the Kowa 553/554 is excellent, but haven't got behind one. I have spent time behind a Leupold HD Golden Ring and whilst the image quality is very good, I really like the longer eye relief. It is just really easy to get behind and use. I am concerned the shorter eye relief on the Kowa may be an issue for me.

Any experience/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, if there is a high quality spotter that I am missing please let me know.

Thanks.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

The Kowa is without a doubt the best compact spotter out there

 

[Big Ern]

Thanks, Doug. Is the eye relief on the Kowa difficult to work with or noticeably shorter than the GR? I think the Kowa checks all the "boxes", but am hesitant due to the eye relief issue since every GR I have gotten behind has been comfortable and I have never tried a Kowa.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

16.5mm on the Kowa which is less than the Leupold but more than the standard 15mm of many scopes

 

[DetroitRearView]

I have owned both. The Leupold has been gone for sometime. The KOWA is signicantly better in every way. It is a keeper and way under rated outside of the birding community for some reason. It is by far my go to compact, lightweight highest quality packable spotting scope.

 

[4darkseid]

My Leupold HD 8 x 42 is optically astounding with a totally confidence inspiring robust build quality. The binocular is really too heavy for comfortable birding but the images are so superb I use it any way. I assume my example was assembled in Beaverton, Oregon, and I remember some discussion in the past on this forum that it may have been based on a Kowa design, or used Kowa components or both. At one time, I owned a non-HD 8 x 32 version, and found the oversize eyecups unusable and the optical performance OK but not special.

 

[northshorelumber]

The Kowa is without a doubt the best compact spotter out there

Listen to this opinion from Doug. Nothing better than the Kowa considering your criteria.

 

[StealthOwl]

Kowa glass and the dual focus adjustment are excellent!

 

[Trident3033]

I have the Kowa TSN 774- it is excellent in every respect. I based my decision largely on recommendations from Snipers Hide. It exceeds my expectations. I also recommend a tripod from RRS- the quality is remarkable. I have the CFTC 33 with anvil 30 head.

 

[GreenMushroom]

I got the angled version from Doug awhile back and its amazing what it accomplishes in such a small light package. I think the glass is superior to my Swarovski slc binos. I mostly use it for digiscoping so can't help too much on the eyebox. Seemed a little finicky but not too bad. The secondary fine focus knob is awesome. Only downside on these is the eyepiece is not changeable. I'd love to be able to put a wide angle fixed 25 or 30 on mine.

 

[smoothy8500]

I based my decision largely on recommendations from Snipers Hide.

Hmmmm, what did they recommend when responding to a year old post?

 

[gr8fuldoug]

FYI, The Kowa TSN-553/554's are on sale at the moment for only $1,499.99

 

[Baron23]

I recently looked thru a Kowa at a Silhouette match and thought the glass/image/brightness were awesome.

I have a Leupold Mk 4 12-40 x 60 cause I wanted compact with a reticle and the Kowa did not provide a reticle (as far as I know).

 

[smoothy8500]

Unfortunately, there is no reticle option for Kowa scope eyepieces.

 

[Trident3033]

Hmmmm, what did they recommend when responding to a year old post?

PM,s mostly plus general references to Kowa glass quality