Leupold or Kowa

[AussieShooter]

Which spotting scope has better dollar for dollar value for money?

I have seen Leupolds up to $2,500.00 and Kowas up to $3,000.00

Considering what scope to purchase for long range.

One trade off maybe that Kowas optics don't have a Mildot, TMR or Horus (that I know of).


Please feel free to comment.

 

[GunKnowledge]

Re: Leupold or Kowa

It may be easier if you specify exactly what models you're considering.

While they go UP to several thousand, they both have models that start at only a few hundred.

So are you actually looking at the top of the line models?

The big advantage of the Leupold Mk 4 series is having those ranging reticles, something that none of the Kowas have. But only the Mk 4 Leupolds are that expensive, the non reticle models are much cheaper.

A far comparison would be the Gold Ring series (no reticles) vs the equivalent Kowa series 600/700/800.

 

[icarus2005]

Re: Leupold or Kowa

I recently did a TON of research trying to find out that very question before I bought one.

if you search around you will find some articals comapring most major brands. this is done by birdwatching professionals (appartently they spend a lot of money to view birds). it is not ONE person's opinion, it was done by a dozen people all rating over 20 scopes at the same time under same conditions. of course opinions varied which is they had so many to reach an accurate aggregate.

here is the short version:

for best quality, meaning most clear at highest magnification and bright, you have to go to the very top ends of these lines:

Optolyth 30-60x100 (have seen as low 2,700)
Leica Televid 25-50x82 APO (around 3,500)
Swarovski ATM 25-50x80 HD ( around 3,200)
Zeiss Diascope 20-75x85 (around 3,000)
Vortex Razor HD 20-60x85 (NOTE: this one is half the price of the others in this category!!! around 1,600)
(Note: though Optolyth was brightest people didn't favor it due to size and weight; many bird watchers are not strong people)

after that it is a step down to scopes like those below that are all priced from around 600 to 1200:
Olivon 23-68x90ED
Kowa
Pentax PF-80ED
Leupold
Baush & Lomb
Minox
Meopta
Nikon Fieldscope ED III
(note: most of the brands in the top list also have lower priced versions that make it in this category)

then you get the low budget scopes which is a flooded market, and most if not all are total CRAP. The best of them if that is all you can afford is the:
Bushnell Legend HD

Personally, if I had the money, I would buy the top Optolyth or Vortex Razor because I think they offer the best price for the highest quality.

I DON'T have the money, so I bought a Bushnell Elite 15-45x60 straight version at auction for $285

I chose it because it is a good scope to mount on the driver's window of a car and easy to pack, plus I got it dirt cheap.
But bear in mind that it is NOT a scope you want to use for very long range shooting - you need better magnification!! I wasn't concerned with that because I can attach my canon 5D with which I can magnify the scope highest setting x10 and then use my field monitor to double that!! Of course, this is only for bench shooting and that camera and monitor are $6,000 worth of equipment that most people don't have.

highest quality - at least $1600 retail

mid quality - around $900 retail

best lower quality - around $400 retail

scopes priced lower belong in a landfill!!

So there you have it. I just saved you about 30 hours of research, so you own me a latte

 

[AussieShooter]

Re: Leupold or Kowa

Wow that's a quiet in-depth review putting things in perspective.

Has anyone purchased/used the vortex razor and what are the pros / cons?

 

[AussieShooter]

Re: Leupold or Kowa

I hope the Vortex Razor are worth it. I just took a large hit on my piggy bank purchasing that little fu#*er.

 

[harley_jeff]

Re: Leupold or Kowa

I love my Vortex Razor spotter. For the dollars spent a great scope.

 

[command450]

Re: Leupold or Kowa

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ivan R</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I recently did a TON of research trying to find out that very question before I bought one.

if you search around you will find some articals comapring most major brands. this is done by birdwatching professionals (appartently they spend a lot of money to view birds).
So there you have it. I just saved you about 30 hours of research, so you own me a latte

</div></div>

now that comment about bird watchers was funny as hell !!

thanks for sharing your conclusions too !

 

[John L]

Re: Leupold or Kowa

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: command450</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

now that comment about bird watchers was funny as hell !!

thanks for sharing your conclusions too ! </div></div>

Actually the "Bird Watchers" are a MUCH larger market for spotting scope sales than shooters. Just as the OP found out if you want good info on the quality of a spotting scope, just check out a few bird watching websites.

 

[BigBlue&Goldie]

Re: Leupold or Kowa

I would consider eye releif as well. I would love to have a Kowa, but the budget doesn't have room right now. Accurate shooter had a good breakdown on popular scopes a while back that is worth reading as well.

 

[ghorsley]

Re: Leupold or Kowa

Which one of the 2K plus scopes can you see 308 holes at 500-600 yds?

 

[AussieShooter]

Re: Leupold or Kowa

The max magnification on the Razor is x 60.

With the lifelong warranty I will be happy if the optics live up to the expectations.

If I can get out in a few weeks I'll try and take some pics.

 

[icarus2005]

Re: Leupold or Kowa

depends on magnification.
some bigger one like the Optolyth with 100m might depending on type of target, on black target with dark background maybe not.

but with most good scopes you can mount a modern digital camera to it and use it zoom in feature for even closer look

 

[pmclaine]

Re: Leupold or Kowa

I have a Kowa 82SV with 20-60X eyepiece. At 200 yards it can be impossible to see .308 shotholes - I use SR targets with black bulls on paper. Mirage beats magnification everytime. Use appropriate targets and that will help.