Author Topic: Kowa spotters (Read 759 times)

fwt1712 · « **on:** July 01, 2005, 03:21:43 PM »

Has anyone used the smallest Kowa spotters (series 500)? Are they worth the money, or should I look elsewhere. I've checked the swivel eyepiece Bushnell spacemasters and liked the optics but have doubts over their long term integrity wrt ingress of dust/moisture etc. through their 'pivot'. The Kowa's seem like a more robust/longer term item.

Morerams · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2005, 12:06:37 AM »

The 2 small Kowa's I have looked through in the last couple of years were not worth the money, only the center of the view was in focus.

durant7 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 07, 2005, 09:56:37 PM »

FWT1712: FWIIW, I have owned & used a Bushnell Spacemaster since the Kowa's were too rich for my budget. I got lucky and picked one up just south of $200. And compared to the baby Kowa's they are optically superior. As for holding up, after 4 years mine is still just as new after hauling it around and flying a few times with it.

Are they as good as a big Kowa...no. Nothing compares.

I browsed eBay and see there are a number of variants of "Bushnell Spacemaster". Mine is the "rubberized" type 20-45 similar to the link. For under $125 I think these are a good starter spotting scope. But after looking through some of the big Kowa's you may want to go top shelf long term.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31715&item=7166658421&rd=1

9inarow · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2005, 10:25:50 AM »

Any of you folks out there have any input on Leupold Sequoia or Nikon Sky & Earth 15-45 x 60 angled spotting scopes? Would appreciate any information.