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Kowa TS501 questions

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Al Nyhus View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice


Joined: March/08/2009
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Al Nyhus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Kowa TS501 questions
    Posted: March/09/2009 at 21:17
   Anyone had any experience with the little Kowa TS501 spotters?
 
   Thanks in advance.  -Al
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lucznik View Drop Down
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Optics Master


Joined: November/27/2004
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucznik Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/10/2009 at 00:20
I considered one back when I was looking for a small spotting scope for hiking/backcountry hunting. Unfortunately, the Kowa 501 has no weatherproofing so; that pretty much removed it from my list. 
 
Kowa generally gets high marks for optical performance and, as long as you won't use your scope in inclement weather, the 500 series would probably prove an excellent choice.
 
Other, perhaps more versatile choices might include:
  • Leupold Golden Ring Compact (straight)
  • Minox MD 50 W (straight or angled)
  • Bushnell Legend Ultra (staight or angled) - this one is brand new so; I haven't had a chance to examine one, but the specs seem pretty good.
  • Nikon ED 50
 
What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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anweis View Drop Down
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Joined: January/29/2006
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/10/2009 at 10:06

I looked at them 4 years ago or so. They are excellent scopes. I believe that they are not waterproof? I don't remember. What i really did not like about them was the fact that i could not replace the zoom with one of the excellent wide angle eyepieces made by Kowa. Also, the zoom was not on par with the ones used on larger scopes. It had less field of view and not quite the performance.

Overall, an excellent small scope, but i was looking for more. I wanted all the performance of a large scope in a small package, with a wide angle 18x or 20x eyepiece. I got my wish fulfilled by Nikon 50 ED.
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