Kowa Spotting Scopes - The clearest view yet

If you're looking for a new spotting scope for nature watching, hunting, bird watching or general observations, then you really need to give our range of Kowa spotting scopes some serious consideration. Manufactured in Japan with the finest materials, Kowa puts great thought in to their range of scopes, providing offerings designed to suit the differing price brackets of its customers. 

We introduced you to the Kowa brand and spoke about their awesome range of binoculars back in late 2016, and now it's time to take a closer look at their spotting scope offerings. In our article below, we'll give you information about the key differences between each product line, and summarise expert reviews from well respected world wide optical experts so you know exactly what to expect from your new Kowa spotter. 

Top of the line - Kowa Prominar Series

Kowa Prominar TSN-880 Series spotting scopes

Kowa's Prominar TSN-880 spotting scope models are built with pure fluorite crystal to achieve optical characteristics unattainable with glass. They represent the gold standard of scopes for the most serious of users and are packed with high end features to boost performance and make for easy and comfortable viewing.

Key features:

• Available in an 88mm with either a straight (TSN-884) or angled (TSN-883) body
• Prominar, fluorite crystal, concave lens with extremely low light dispersion characteristics reduces chromatic aberration to produce unprecedented colour brilliance
• Thixotropicly moulded magnesium alloy body for lightweight yet high strength design
• Dual focus system has two knobs. The quick focus knob is large and easy to turn, with just two revolutions allowing you to focus from infinity to 5m. The fine focus offers pin point accuracy in smooth movements and is great for use at high magnifications
• Compact design uses 5 lens elements in 4 groups to shorten the overall length of the scope, whilst keeping the large lens
• Eyepiece locking system keeps eyepiece secure
• Fully multi-coated lenses, prisms and dustproof glass
• Nitrogen purged and completely waterproof
• Tripod mounting screw allows for use with 1/4 and 3/8 inch tripod threads
• Made in Japan

What the experts say:

In his review of the Kowa TSN 883 spotting scope, Jason, the highly regarded owner and author of Bestbinocularreviews.com said:

Strong Points: Where to start! The body of the scope is excellent, made to a very high standard and is compact as well as very light for a scope with such a large objective lens. The glass used in the optics is as good as it gets, as are their coatings, which in turn produce one of the best quality images you can get.

Weak points? To be honest, there really are not any bad points, I just wish you could get all these excellent features at a cheaper price! But as they say - you get what you pay for and in the case of this spotting scope you are getting the very best.

You can read his full review here. 

Next best:

Kowa Prominar TSN-770 Series spotting scopes

Also part of Kowa's flagship Prominar line of spotting scope models, scopes in the 770 range incorporate almost all of the same features as the 880 line, but are built with XD lenses rather than fluorite crystal. XD (eXtra-low-Dispersion-lens) lenses offer outstanding optical performance, close to that of fluorite models, however as these lenses are easier to manufacture and work with, they come with a more affordable price tag. Spotting scopes from the 770 range continually impress experienced users and beginners alike. 

Key features:

• Available in an 77mm with either a straight (TSN-774) or angled (TSN-773) body
• Extra low dispersion XD lens paired with a concave lens reduces chromatic aberration to produce colour brilliance close to that of fluorite models
• Thixotropicly moulded magnesium alloy body for lightweight yet high strength design
• Dual focus system has two knobs. The quick focus knob is large and easy to turn, with just two revolutions allowing you to focus from infinity to 5m. The fine focus offers pin point accuracy in smooth movements and is great for use at high magnifications
• Compact design uses 5 lens elements in 4 groups to shorten the overall length of the scope, whilst keeping the large lens
• Eyepiece locking system keeps eyepiece secure
• Fully multi-coated lenses, prisms and dustproof glass
• Nitrogen purged and completely waterproof
• Tripod mounting screw allows for use with 1/4 and 3/8 inch tripod threads
• Made in Japan
   

Other models: 

Kowa Prominar TSN-660 Series spotting scopes

Kowa has put great thought in to designing a scope suitable for the differing price brackets of its customers. Not everyone can afford the gold class features offered by the 880 range, but scopes in the 660 range are much more attainable for many birders and hunters and still incorporate XD glass and many of the other features showcased in Kowa's flagship line.  

Key features:

• Available in an 66mm with either a straight (TSN-664) or angled (TSN-663) body
• Extra low dispersion XD lens paired with a concave lens reduces chromatic aberration to produce colour brilliance close to that of fluorite models
• Fully multi-coated lenses, prisms and dustproof glass
• Nitrogen purged and completely waterproof
• KR coating protects lenses for dirt and grease 
• Made in Japan

Kowa Prominar TSN-82SV Series spotting scopes

Available exclusively in an angled design, this awesome spotting scope from Kowa offers a large 82mm lens which has fantastic light gathering power and bright field of view. Popular with birders, hunters and target shooters who want a Japanese made scope, but don't have the budget for a scope from Kowa's 880 series, these sophisticated scopes don't fail to impress. 

Key features:

• 82mm lens
• Angled body
• Standard Kowa lens
• Fully multi-coated lenses, prisms and dustproof glass
• Nitrogen purged and completely waterproof
• KR coating protects lenses for dirt and grease 
• Made in Japan
  
  

Kowa Prominar TSN-600 Series spotting scopes

Kowa 600 series scopes boast an unprecedented lightweight design, making them ultra portable and ideal for out in the field. 

Built with a 60mm standard Kowa lens that is fully multicoated, scopes from this series are ideal for a range of applications are Kowa's most affordable spotter offering. 

Key features:

• Available in an 60mm with either a straight (TSN-602) or angled (TSN-601) body
• Standard Kowa lens
• Fully multi-coated lenses, prisms and dustproof glass
• Nitrogen purged and completely waterproof
• KR coating protects lenses for dirt and grease 
• Made in Japan

 
In conclusion..

The key thing that we'd really like you to take away from reading this article, is that all Kowa spotting scopes, regardless of their price range, are manufactured in Japan.

If you want the best of the best, then opt for one of Kowa's Prominar spotting scopes. If you want fluorite crystal lenses, then look no further than the TSN-880 Prominar range. If you're budget doesn't stretch that far, then take a look at the scopes built with Kowa's XD lenses, namely those in the 770 and 660 series. Still want exceptional quality, Japanese made glass, but don't have the spare cash for the higher end scopes? Then something from the 600 range, or the 82SV should put a smile on your face. 

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