wolfbirder
Well-known member
Hi
Not a highly scientific test, but I was able to compare these yesterday at the Birder's Store in Worcester. I'm juts a lay person so don't understand or use all the technical jargon.
I realise the ATX Swarv is the latest of their line, in fairness, but the ATS80 has almost set the standard for a number of years.
I trialled the ATS80 with the 20-50 zoom eyepiece (wide-angled one) and found it excellent with its single large focussing ring. On a bright sunny day distant objects were quickly snapped on to, though it gave a colder less bright image compared to the Kowa. As always, it looked streamlined and robust. Not much else to say really, it was effective, simple to use, and of very good quality - producing an excellent image from 20x to 50x, though it lost a little clarity on max zoom. I did not try it with 20-60 zoom eyepiece as most seem to prefer the 20-50.
The Kowa 883 with the 20-60 zoom eyepiece produced a snappier, brighter image of distant objects, but only just, all the way to the edge. The intensity of colour was deeper. It has a dual focussing ring, and the smaller secondary ring to precisely focus, produced a clarity of image that the Swarovski ATS80 could not quite attain. But the dual focus might mean it takes slightly longer to attain that clarity, not easy when birds are moving around. Probably becomes perfected with practice.
The small focussing ring on the Kowa I looked through was a little loose too, which was a bit concerning. And the eye-relief twist-up cap also seemed to have a bit of grit in as it turned awkwardly. So the model I looked through almost seemed like a 2nd-hand model. A bit concerning 'if' it cannot cope with regular use. This was a new example but obviously the one used as a show-piece example for birders to try. It shouldn't really exhibit these slight faults if it has simply been in the shop. Has anyone else who purchased one experienced these concerns? They probably can be easily fixed in fairness.
Overall I would give the Swarovski ATS80 8.5 out of 10, and the Kowa 883 9 out of 10. The former cost the best part of £2,000, and the Kowa £2400 so both are extremely expensive but you pay for what you get, without doubt.
I needed to go away and consider my options. Still haven't decided.
Not a highly scientific test, but I was able to compare these yesterday at the Birder's Store in Worcester. I'm juts a lay person so don't understand or use all the technical jargon.
I realise the ATX Swarv is the latest of their line, in fairness, but the ATS80 has almost set the standard for a number of years.
I trialled the ATS80 with the 20-50 zoom eyepiece (wide-angled one) and found it excellent with its single large focussing ring. On a bright sunny day distant objects were quickly snapped on to, though it gave a colder less bright image compared to the Kowa. As always, it looked streamlined and robust. Not much else to say really, it was effective, simple to use, and of very good quality - producing an excellent image from 20x to 50x, though it lost a little clarity on max zoom. I did not try it with 20-60 zoom eyepiece as most seem to prefer the 20-50.
The Kowa 883 with the 20-60 zoom eyepiece produced a snappier, brighter image of distant objects, but only just, all the way to the edge. The intensity of colour was deeper. It has a dual focussing ring, and the smaller secondary ring to precisely focus, produced a clarity of image that the Swarovski ATS80 could not quite attain. But the dual focus might mean it takes slightly longer to attain that clarity, not easy when birds are moving around. Probably becomes perfected with practice.
The small focussing ring on the Kowa I looked through was a little loose too, which was a bit concerning. And the eye-relief twist-up cap also seemed to have a bit of grit in as it turned awkwardly. So the model I looked through almost seemed like a 2nd-hand model. A bit concerning 'if' it cannot cope with regular use. This was a new example but obviously the one used as a show-piece example for birders to try. It shouldn't really exhibit these slight faults if it has simply been in the shop. Has anyone else who purchased one experienced these concerns? They probably can be easily fixed in fairness.
Overall I would give the Swarovski ATS80 8.5 out of 10, and the Kowa 883 9 out of 10. The former cost the best part of £2,000, and the Kowa £2400 so both are extremely expensive but you pay for what you get, without doubt.
I needed to go away and consider my options. Still haven't decided.
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