BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="andyotter" data-source="post: 3307276" data-attributes="member: 118165">A mate of mine has recently decided he wants to get a scope. He's in Italy so has little opportunity to follow the advice of "try before you buy". After dozens of emails he's narrowed himself down to a c60mm with a zoom.This fits his constraints: <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">he travels by scooter so wants to keep weight and bulk down</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">he is worried that a 50mm won't give him enough "reach"</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">despite my arguments about fov/sharpness, he's definitely wants a zoom, but</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">wants a scope which has alternative fixed EPs available should he want to switch</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">he often goes birding in dusty conditions so needs a stay-on case</li> </ul>He was latterly thinking between the Hawke Endurance ED 16-48x 68mm (£450 - good reviews; only 1 27xEP; long& heavy for a 60*)  and the Vortex Viper HD  15-45x 65mm (£600, some concerns about quality, only 1 25x EP, no stay-on case).*As a benchmark, I use my beloved Fieldscope III 60ED with it's 20-60x zoom (which I don't rate as brilliant) attached;Yesterday, after looking at some used scopes, he found a "mint" Kowa TSN-663 with 20-60x zoom for about £700 (with stay-on case). This is at the upper end of his budget.On his behalf, I'd appreciate some advice on the pros & cons of this combination: <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">how highly do (ex)users rate it? (How does it compare to the, albeit heavier, FSIII ED60?)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">how good is the zoom** (fov, sharpness, brightness)?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">is it overpriced at that price?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">are their warranty issues with used Kowas?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">are there any other used/new recommendations you would make?</li> </ul>**post#8 in <a href="http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=309954" target="_blank">this thread</a>   suggests this zoom is a "quite bad 90s vintage Kowa 20-60x". Is this so or have I misread (Kowa EPs are a mystery to me)?Any advice/opinions gratefully received!PS. putting  this here cos hoping for some comments about other brands; should I post on Kowa thread too/instead?</blockquote>

Verification