Tsn-823 (1 Viewer)

Mayoayo - how does the Baader eyepiece attach to the 823? Does it screw directly onto the eyepiece lens-cover thread, or is some sort of adaptor required? Are there any issues with focus, or the eyepiece not being very secure etc.? (Apologies if this has been covered before - I know that the Opticorn SDL zoom used to screw onto the TSN-3 and 660-series.)

Hello All, I wondering if the Kowa's 823/824 series are any good for digiscoping? If so can you please advise some relevant gears?

Thanks and regards Paul

Hi Paul,

in general the fluorite models 823/4 are still quite good scopes - hampered a bit by the fact that they use proprietary EPs (most Kowa scopes after the TSN-1 from 1984 use one of two EP bayonets (large body for the latest 770 and 880 series and small body for everything else except 820 series and certain models without a removable EP).

But Kowa does offer an adapter ring part number TSN-EC1A which allows you to use small body EPs and some accessories with the 820 series - it's about 100 USD thereabouts though. They also offer the digiscoping adapter DA-20 which is compatible to all 820 series eyepieces (among others).

https://www.kowaproducts.com/Kowa-System-S-EN.pdf

Known weaknesses are the plastic body which has broken at some occasions after having been dropped (although this can happen with any model and material - just don't drop it...) and the fact that the body surface finish sometimes degrades into a sticky mess (which is purely cosmetical and can be fixed either diy or by Kowa).

So if you can get an 823/4 in good working order at an ok price, go for it.

Joachim, who still uses an even older TSN-3 and is quite content with the view.