TSN 553 or TSN 773 opinions for backyard birding light hiking. (1 Viewer)

[BeachRPh]

TSN 553 or TSN 773? opinions for backyard birding /light hiking. Any help or opinions/experience?

 

[KC Foggin]

I'm just going to jump in here and wish you a warm welcome

 

[BeachRPh]

Thank you!

 

[Juliet Moore]

If you want a light hiking scope you will be better off with the new Swarovski ATC . Having had the Kowa 553 the ATC is considerably better in every respect although a bit more expensive. Backyard birding would be good too.

 

[WRL]

If you want a light hiking scope you will be better off with the new Swarovski ATC . Having had the Kowa 553 the ATC is considerably better in every respect although a bit more expensive. Backyard birding would be good too.

Bold statement, literally. What about the focus mechanism? ATC got dual speed?

 

[Juliet Moore]

No dual speed. Same as the Swarovski 65 ATS scope.

 

[WRL]

No dual speed. Same as the Swarovski 65 ATS scope.

Sorry, I did forget to mention the weight comparison. Advantage for ATC/STC over 553/554 as well, hence quote ... better in every respect ... unquote?
Further addendum: 17x-40x zoom range at ATC/STC is "better" than 15x-45x at 553/554?

 

[Peregrine Took]

I have a 'partial' interest in this thread, as I'm considering a Kowa TSN-773. The reviews I've read, and seen, appear to suggest that nothing can touch it in its price range. Not sure it's everyone's idea of a 'hiking scope', but I'd be happy enough walking with it for several miles.

I've also read stellar reviews of the Kowa TSN-553, but short of spending more on the Swarowski mentioned above, wouldn't an Opticron MM4 60 or Nikon ED50 be better (and much cheaper) alternatives for compactness and portability?
.

 

[MiddleRiver]

If you want a light hiking scope you will be better off with the new Swarovski ATC . Having had the Kowa 553 the ATC is considerably better in every respect although a bit more expensive. Backyard birding would be good too.

Could you elaborate? Have you owned them simultaneously?

 

[chris murphy]

Do yourself a favour, get the much underrated and poorly reviewed TSN663 and put the 30x wide eyepiece on it. Superb view and absolutely absorbing.

 

[Juliet Moore]

Could you elaborate? Have you owned them simultaneously?

No. The 553 was sold prior to the ATC purchase.

 

[MiddleRiver]

No. The 553 was sold prior to the ATC purchase.

Im genuinely curios since the side-by-side reviews I’ve seen only mention FOV and ER as being ‘better’ in the Swaro. I miss both those but preferred to save money, weight, and have the dual focus knobs and built in hood. IQ seems superb on 553 and I see no CA even at 45x.

But of course such things can be subjective and ymmv applies!