Kowa TSN 884 or Minox MD 80ZR Spotting scope
- Thread starter Calfed
- Start date
You can’t go wrong with Kowa. I have a TSN-883 I use for wind reading. I’m not familiar with the minox.
what will you be using this scope for?
what will you be using this scope for?
Yes, but the question is relating to how it is to be used. Reading wind/mirage at 1,000? Following bullet trace? Observing impacts on steel? Seeing holes on paper at 300? All of the above?
I have had the Swarovski and now the 884 KOWA oh and the Vortex Razor too but haven’t seen anything better than the Kowa especially if you get the extra wide angle single power lense. I see dozens of them at FClass type matches.
SO, I suggest you try the Minox and report back with your thoughts on it…. As we maybe missing out.
SO, I suggest you try the Minox and report back with your thoughts on it…. As we maybe missing out.
Ok, which of "all the above" is more important? Because all eyepieces will work well but one might be better suited on your primary choice.
I also use the 25X LER (Long Eye Relief) for wind reading and trace all distances.
Holes on paper at 300? Maybe the zoom is better for you but "seeing" those holes is more dependent on air quality and mirage not interfering. No problem at 200 yards, very clear. Field of view is a little less even if zoomed out, but still can read the wind and observe trace.
In this order...
Bullet holes in paper
Impact on (and around) steel
Reading Wind/mirage
Seeing bullet trace.
Since you have both, would you say the 25LER eye piece is sharper than the 20x60 eyepiece?
I don’t think it is sharper at the same power. Kowa lenses are superb. The 25LER does have more eye relief like its name indicates. I’ll have to get the 25x-60x out of the closet and compare. As I mentioned, I haven’t used it much. I shoot F-Class and the 25x stays on the scope for wind reading. Probably several years since I’ve had it out.
I read your similar post on the other forum and Turbulant Turtle mentioned the new Kowa 35X extra wide angle eyepiece (TE-80XW) for the 883. I wish I had not read that. Now I may have to get one for my 883. I think they go for around $700. Anyone here have one for wind reading?
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Thanks, guys! The Kowa scope arrived
Question--The protective filter for the front lens is pretty pricy. Would a good quality Hoya or Nikon 95mm UV or clear filter work?
Question--The protective filter for the front lens is pretty pricy. Would a good quality Hoya or Nikon 95mm UV or clear filter work?
I use a Hoya filter on mine, but my Kowa Prominar is 66mm. There shouldn't be any difference. Nice optics you got there!
Nice scope. What eye piece did you get?Thanks, guys! The Kowa scope arrived
Question--The protective filter for the front lens is pretty pricy. Would a good quality Hoya or Nikon 95mm UV or clear filter work?
Kowa makes protection for the eyepiece as well.
88mm/77mm Kowa See Through Eyepiece Cover
88mm/77mm Kowa See Through Eyepiece Cover For the Kowa 20-60x or 30x eye piece. The 88mm/77mm Kowa Eyepiece Cover provides protection to the front of the eyepiece. Suitable for those who wear glasses. The see through cover allows the user to keep the item on the spotting scope and if any...
www.creedmoorsports.com
Random.....I am dog sitting for a buddy of mine, I stop by and keep and eye on his 2 pit bulls....and he lives on the water on Long Island NY
I notice he has the Kowa 88 mounted by his back window overlooking the water- he must have researched what the best spotter is bc he is not a hunter/shooter.
I was BLOWN AWAY at how amazing that spotter is. You can see details on boats miles away....boats that were well beyond the capability of my rangefinder. I am almost upset bc seeing how amazing that spotter is has ruined me for all others. I will never be able to appreciate anything less lol
One complaint, it is butt ugly. Why puke green? Rifle scopes are black 99% of the time but for some reasons spotters are these random colors. Maybe bc bird watchers like pretty colors?!?! But hunters want black. This is where Leica and Zeiss got it right. Swaro's greeen is classic I can not compalin but Kowa's green is hideous.
That said, it is the best spotter I have ever looked thru....not even close (but I have not looked thru a Harpia or Leica so take my opinion with a grain of salt)
I notice he has the Kowa 88 mounted by his back window overlooking the water- he must have researched what the best spotter is bc he is not a hunter/shooter.
I was BLOWN AWAY at how amazing that spotter is. You can see details on boats miles away....boats that were well beyond the capability of my rangefinder. I am almost upset bc seeing how amazing that spotter is has ruined me for all others. I will never be able to appreciate anything less lol
One complaint, it is butt ugly. Why puke green? Rifle scopes are black 99% of the time but for some reasons spotters are these random colors. Maybe bc bird watchers like pretty colors?!?! But hunters want black. This is where Leica and Zeiss got it right. Swaro's greeen is classic I can not compalin but Kowa's green is hideous.
That said, it is the best spotter I have ever looked thru....not even close (but I have not looked thru a Harpia or Leica so take my opinion with a grain of salt)
I have a similar protector on my LER eyepiece for my Kowa. It doesn't get in the way at all.Kowa makes protection for the eyepiece as well.
88mm/77mm Kowa See Through Eyepiece Cover
88mm/77mm Kowa See Through Eyepiece Cover For the Kowa 20-60x or 30x eye piece. The 88mm/77mm Kowa Eyepiece Cover provides protection to the front of the eyepiece. Suitable for those who wear glasses. The see through cover allows the user to keep the item on the spotting scope and if any...www.creedmoorsports.com
I've owned the same scope for many years. Creedmoor Sports can make you a protective cover that will protect your scope better that the Kowa OEM, and has a choice of colors and camo's. I also purchased a Kowa 1.6x System S Eyepiece Extender and it will expand you viewing options even more. You will fully enjoy your purchase. You purchased the good stuff and so you'll only cry once.
I went to Creedmoor Sports to see about this fabled protective cover that is supposedly better than the fitted neoprene Kowa cover. Couldn't find it.
Creedmoor Sports Kowa 82mm 45 Deg Blue Scope Cover
Creedmoor Sports Kowa 82mm 45 Deg Blue Scope Cover This unique designed spotting scope cover is made out of Cordura nylon and line with Nylon Pack Cloth. Polyester padding provides ample protection for the scope. The front cap is zippered and folds back and is secured out of the way with a...
www.creedmoorsports.com
Wrong spotting scope and crappy cover.Creedmoor Sports Kowa 82mm 45 Deg Blue Scope Cover
Creedmoor Sports Kowa 82mm 45 Deg Blue Scope Cover This unique designed spotting scope cover is made out of Cordura nylon and line with Nylon Pack Cloth. Polyester padding provides ample protection for the scope. The front cap is zippered and folds back and is secured out of the way with a...www.creedmoorsports.com
No soup for you.
This is the cover I selected for my Kowa 883. It's a fitted neoprene cover and I keep it on the spotter at all times for its protection.
