The TE-9Z is the current 20-60x Kowa zoom for that mount. It's a fabulous eyepiece. Much better than the original zoom that went with the TSN-1. -2, -3, and -4. We just sold one to a TSN-2 user on Saturday.
Note JRING's comments = good advice!
I use the Opticron SDL V2 on my Kowa TSN 4 (same mount) and it works pretty well too! A while back I let another birder try my SDL V2 on his Opticron scope and he preferred it to the HDF equivalent - however the HDF is cheaper.
My TSN 4 does not have the window between the mount and the prisim so there is nothing for the front of the eyepiece to contact. Also the thickness of the spacer ring is nearer 3-4mm in my case. I just progressively shaved down a Neoprene O ring until I got a nice fit - never works loose!
Note a few of the higher end Opticron fixed eyepieces fit as well - generally it is the ones with the external collars rather than the ones with threaded barrels.
Have fun!
Hi all,
I have had the Kowa TSN-3 with 30x WA lens for many many years, and have been very happy with it. But I felt that I needed a zoom option, so bought an Opticron SDLv2 eyepiece as discussed on this thread. I also considered the Kowa TE-9Z, but the eyepiece is narrower and I thought the Opticron option would allow me to do digiscoping (which is really difficult with the current 30xWA). It would also give me the option of buying a smaller [Opticron] scope body that I could use with the same eyepiece, for travel.
As advised here I bought a 4mm thickness O ring. The setup works fine initially but the eyepiece can move slightly, which makes the image really blurred. Do I just need a thicker O ring to pad out the space between the eyepiece and the scope?
Regards,
Mike
Hi Mike,
where do you put the O-Ring? It needs to go inside the lug on the eyepiece above the female thread. Just cut it open and shorten as needed to put in there. There's a small grove where it stays without falling out.
If that's what you did, 5mm it is. My zoom sits very tight - never turns a bit when zooming let alone wobble.
Joachim
Thanks johnf3f and jring. I've ordered a 5mm cross-section O-ring, and will see how well it works.
Mike