"Before taking the plunge, I read a lot of Kowa spotting scope reviews on the internet. I purchased my Kowa TSN spotting scope after peering through all of the 55mm scopes that I found online. It has all the features I want without the big price tag. I took it to South Dakota and felt just fine with it, looking for deer to shoot. Even before sunrise and after dusk, I was able to see fine. I compared it to my buddy's Leica 60mm scope and felt that mine was just as good as his. It even help up longer than his as the sun was setting. This was a nice surprise.

"When I read a few Kowa spotting scope reviews, I felt like Kowas were the ones for me. Mine was super simple to set up, and the focus worked great. I was getting crystal clear images even at 250 yards. It's a Kowa 663 scope and I hope you found this review helpful. I highly recommend it!

"After reading all the Kowa reviews, I also bought a Kowa TSN-663. It has great resolution and clarity. It's also really well built and sturdy. I'm glad that I can see all of my bullet holes on a target that's 150 meters away, at 60x magnification. I'm happy with it and would recommend it wholeheartedly."

"My 66mm Kowa Spotting Scope has all of the features of the Kowa TSN-820M, but in a more compact body. It's great for me because I'm both a bird watcher and an amateur astronomer. It's a great investment and value for the money. It's great for low light settings and long distances. Kowa offers a limited lifetime warranty as well."

Although we have analyzed Kowa scopes before, its latest line is something that rocked our world. To those who do not know, Kowa TSN-880 spotting scopes are the latest series to be released. In this field, first impression is very vital and the recently introduced TSN-883 blew our minds. The image is awesome and very sharp. We fell in love with it to say the least.

Weighing in at a little over 3 pounds, the TSN-883 model is undeniably compact with a length of 13 inches. We were totally astonished by its weight. Waterproofing and a fool proof seal are also regular fixtures. Armed with a push button release mechanism, the stable eyepieces also lock in place.

We checked our stocks and got the best scopes from different brands. We tried to compare these scopes side by side with the recent release from Kowa. And the Kowa scopes beat out each one of them by a landslide. In their respected class, Kowa is simply number one. The accuracy, brilliance and precision are captivating. The level of visibility is something to behold. In our review process, we looked for possible flaws with these scopes but we did not find any. Even at the extreme edge of the field, the accuracy of the image did not falter. Blurring did not occur; the image did not bend and no distortion was seen. The image remained bright at 60x zoom in dark conditions. Using other models from reputable brands, we hardly saw any detail in the same lighting condition. This is something important to think about when choosing a birding scope. Kowa scopes really perform with astonishing excellence that our reviews appeared to be an overstatement.

Even the lenses are special; they’re completely multi coated with coatings that are exclusively for Kowa products. Also, these lenses are friendly to the environment because they’re produced by using eco-glass.

Various types of eyepieces can be used by the TSN-883 model. In doing this, they’re just following the industry trend as a lot of scopes are presently practicing this. It can’t come at a better time as Kowa recently introduced a line of updated eyepieces that fit the old scope models. Kowa even provides individual drawstring protective pouches which are made of leather to protect the eyepieces. However, these eyepieces did offer us a minor headache: adjusting the eyecup can loosen it.

Because this product is fresh from the press, it’s not possible to review its accessories yet. As a result, we had no idea about the scope’s case. The body of the scope does not have armoring that’s why it must have an excellent case. Of course, a scope as great as this need all the protection it can get. Topnotch quality comes with a price; the TSN-883 costs $2100 plus $540 for the zoom eyepiece and you need to shell out another $315 if you want the wide angle eyepiece. However, the performance and quality justify the price tag.

Describing all the definite details of this wonderful scope in words is pretty much impossible to do. You have to experience it to really comprehend what we’re trying to say. Your views on what level of resolution, brightness and sharpness that can be provided by a spotting scope will be forever changed once you’ve experienced it. This scope is undoubtedly the best we’ve seen so far. I’m quite certain that once consumers have tried the Kowa TSN-883, they’ll automatically switch to this. Whoever can afford the cream of the crop will surely acquire one.

Birding spotting scopes can cost upwards of $6000 so it's important to know what you're investing in before you drop that kind of money. The major factor that determines cost is the lens quality and design. Other features also come into play such as being fog resistant, water resistant, and shock resistant. However, the lens is surely the most important factor.

Birding scopes are for looking at birds from afar, like eagles on a cliff, or hawks by the sea. You want to be able to see the birds' details that your binoculars will not provide. Lens quality will allow you to see the birds very brightly and vividly. Zoom and magnification is what allows spotting scopes to give you so much zoom and detail, all while being comfortably far away.

When birdwatching with your gear, you will be exposed to the elements like rain, wind, dirt and heat. Without shelter, you will need a scope that is waterproof. Also, you want rubber padding or armor because your scope will inevitably be bumped at some point in time. This rubber protection will protect your gear from the collisions and dings and dents. If you spend $1000 or more on Kowa spotting scopes or any other brand for that matter, you surely want your investment as protected as possible.

Based on how you will be using your scope (what kind of conditions, frequency, etc), you can use this information to make the best decision. Talk to friends who have gone through the same decision making process and see what they have to say. This way you will have peace of mind knowing that you took the time to do the research and made the best purchase for you.

Plane watchers and birders frequently use spotting scopes for viewing their faraway subjects. Though it’s in the same class as a telescope, a spotting scope is most ideal for looking at subjects that are present on Earth. The power of the magnification of these scopes measures not lower than binoculars and not higher than astronomical telescopes. Their varying magnification range lies somewhere in between. You can find these products along with other equipments such as camera mounts, tripod, etc. at most optical, scope and birding stores.

As I’ve mentioned earlier, the magnification power varies from scope to scope but typically, the magnification range is from 20 to 60 times. Of course, more powerful scopes perform better but you have to remember that there are times when ultra high magnifications can distort the view. If you prefer a magnification that’s lower than 20 times, binoculars are more suited for you. These spotting scopes are made to be durable and can withstand the outdoor’s unpredictable conditions. Targeting subjects should be easy because these scopes provide a broad enough field of view.

Portability is very vital when it comes to these scopes because they’re carried on long walks or treks. This is the reason why lightweight scopes are ideal. Waterproofing is also a regular fixture that’s why they can be used in any weather condition. Most of the spotting scopes are versatile and are compatible with telescopes and cameras. Being able to function with a camera is crucial especially for birders who want to document their experience through pictures.

Fundamentally, two kinds of Kowa spotting scopes exist: refractor and catadioptric. The refractors are more affordable, lightweight and yet very sturdy. This type bends light using an optical glass. On the contrary, the catadioptric ones are more costly, provide a better picture but are more delicate. To produce images, this type of scopes bounce light using mirrors.