Scope Quest 2008
Kowa 883 Prominar
In the market for a new spotting scope? Living Bird magazine has a new website and an updated spotting scope review. I'm not surprised that the Kowa 883 Prominar was their near unanimous favorite, as it may be the finest super-premium spotting scope available to birders. But would I sell my Swarovski for it? No way.
Link: Scope Quest 2008
Kowa image © 2008 Eagle Optics
posted by Mike McDowell @ 9:06 AM
6 comments
6 Comments:
A timely piece since I'm planning to buy a scope in the next few weeks. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
I'm curious, objectively speaking, why wouldn't you trade your Swarovski for the Kowa.
Sentimental value. But if I had to do it all over today, I might land on the Kowa 883P. It would be a tough choice, but I do think the Kowa comes out slightly ahead of the Swarovski on optical quality.
Mike M.
Excellent reason, though I might say that sentiment is a subjective reason. And besides, why get rid of an excellent tool just because something newer and shiner comes along.
Objectively, I prefer a helical style focuser for digiscoping versus fine/coarse focusing knobs.
Mike M.
I am in the market for a new scope also. I just purchased (from Eagle Optics) the Vortex Razor 8x42 and I'm very impressed. Love 'em. They are a significant upgrade over my Swift HHS 828 8.5x44. Now I'm thinking I might get a similar "bump up" in performance over my Fujinon Super 80 scope (25xLER, 30x WA and 50X eyepieces) by getting a Vortex Skyline ED 20-60x80. But the mention of that model in the article in Living Bird magazine was not favorable. The $700 raange is my budget so now I'm looking at the Bushnell Elite ED 20-60x80. What's you opinion of the Vortex vs. the Bushnell? Thanks for your time.
The Bushnell has slightly brighter optics, but I'm not a fan of its eyepiece. The Bushnell has a photo adapter available for DSLR cameras, which is kind of nice. The MK1 digiscoping adapter is available for the Skyline, but it will only hold a small point-and-shoot digital camera.
Google "Ryan Brady" for digiscoped images taken through the Bushnell.
Mike M.
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