Three Foot Johnson Posted July 22 Share Posted July 22 (edited) I've been using a B&L Discoverer for a LONG time, but have looked through some pretty amazing optics lately that make me realize maybe it's time to step up. The Kowa TSN-82SV is pretty amazing for the price - around $1100 w/fixed eye piece. The Vortex Razor HD 27-60x85, around $1600, has great reviews, but I haven't had the opportunity to try one yet. I'm looking for an angled eyepiece, probably 80-85mm objective minimum, and haven't made up my mind on fixed power eye pieces or zoom. Edited July 22 by Three Foot Johnson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted July 22 Share Posted July 22 Celestron M2 80ED OLG 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted July 22 Share Posted July 22 I have a 20 year old Leupold 12-40X60 that has never disappointed me on the range or bird watching or casual astronomy. A good tripod with easy adjustments is worth the investment. I use a Manfrotto tripod with a pistol grip mount. The scope mounts like a bayonet, easy on, easy off. Get them at a camera store. The tripod extends to over 6 feet tall and is solid when extended. The pistol grip mount is squeeze-aim- release and it’s locked in position. Not good for shooting prone, but just about everything else is convenient. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugler Posted July 23 Share Posted July 23 Here in Billings during sight in days where I am a Chief Range Officer, the Vortex Razor dominates......see an occasional Nikon, Leica and Swarovski. I personally use the old Kowa TSN-1 angled 25x eyepiece, have used it since 1989 when I shot NRA Service Rifle....still a fabulous scope. Bugler 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD Lud Posted July 23 Share Posted July 23 I’ve tried the Celestron Regal M2 and thought it was horrible compared to my expectations. All sorts of good reviews but all I could conclude were a bunch of 1st time buyers that didn’t know any better, at least for the one I had. Anything above 20 was near useless and I sent it back right away. Bought a Nightforce TS-80 and a world of difference. It’s a rebranded Meopta. I got as open box sale from Camerland so great price and huge difference. I think unless stepping up into a higher end Kowa at over 2k this is probably the sweet spot. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still hand Bill Posted July 23 Share Posted July 23 Have a kowa, really like it. After trying a high quality fixed eyepiece I was amazed at the improvement over a cheaper adjustable. Even with lower power the kowa was far easier to make out details. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still hand Bill Posted July 23 Share Posted July 23 I think when I got mine is was less than $1k for a kowa with eyepiece. Might be an 820 if I remember correctly. Been quite a while. Still looks like you can get the new model for about the same price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gracos Kid Posted July 23 Share Posted July 23 I have a Kowa, recommended by a world class Buffalo Rifle shooter friend.....To me it's the Cadillac of spotting scopes for the price.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack, SASS #20451 Posted July 23 Share Posted July 23 The big Vortex Razer if you are hurting for money but much better: The best Kowa you can afford. Excellent Kowa's can be had for about 2K. I use a 4K Hensoldt but the only reason is I have to have the Horus reticle. A $2.5K Kowa with fluorite crystal objective is clearer than my Hensoldt. The big fluorite Kowa makes Swaro, Zeiss, Leica, etc. look poor. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon C Posted July 23 Share Posted July 23 I second the big Kowa or a Swarovski ATS85. Doug at Cameraland in NY often has excellent deals on Kowa, I’d give him a call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugler Posted July 23 Share Posted July 23 Are you wanting to use a 60mm or 80 mm objective lens? Randy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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