Review of the new spotting scope KOWA TSN-55A PROMINAR (1 Viewer)

[HenRun]

PatR: between the ATC and the Kowa I felt that the optical as well as ergonomical difference was so small that it really did not matter, can't go wrong with either one. Both are stellar performers. I am very impressed with both of them.

Between the two, the focuser was the (slight) decider for me - I am actually more used to the ATC focuser but I did like the Kowa dual focuser a little better for such a small package.

If you don't mind the extra "bulk" I think you would be very happy with the BTX, should you get the opportunity.
I had the 85 module (tried the 65 but it was a little to dim during overcast days). The viewing is truly something else. For a fixed magnification I could not ask for more.

Tim S: Yes, as for the Leica APO Televid, it is a bit strange to consider it the "underdog" in the top tier, given Leicas reputation for optics.
But it seems they have just not gained much traction with the birding crowd.

Today was a cold, grey, drab weather day so the outing with the Leica was less than an hour - and it was quite gusty as well.

It is hard to "fall in love" or even draw any conclusions from a spotting scope on a day like this, coming directly after a sunny day outing with the Kowa TSN-55A - it is unfair. The Kowa was truly excellent and looking at a bunch of magpies about forty metres out the TSN55A was jawdroppingly great. Color and contrast/sharpness was top notch, revealing the smallest of details in the magpies plumage.

I think the magnification range is excellent for this type of scope. 17X is very useful and 40X looks very good when it is bright enough outside.

The Leica deserves its own thread after I have had it some time and I dont want to clutter this thread with an early review of it.
Having said that I feel like the Leica has potential: solid ergonomics/build but not heavy. It has an excellent ocular for me, focusing ergonomics with gloves are spot on. And the grip variation on the tube is great for handling and focusing.

Coming from a 85mm spotting scope there is visible "dimming" on high magnification on a drab,overcast day like this.
I was not expecting anything else, it was more of a reminder that it is just a slight step up in size from the TSN55A and the ATC, and still a fairly compact scope.

That being said I felt that the image felt clean and sharp across the field from up to just past 45X and then a little bit dimmer at full magnification. The tripod was not super comfortable going past 40X and while I could get "crisp" focus at 50X todays conditions did not allow for comfortable viewing at this magnification. As of yet there has been no issues with CA, I have not even thought of it while I have been using it.

As good as the TSN55A / ATC? I am not sure yet. It certainly is excellent, and the ocular suits me the best out of them.
Look forward to the next outing already.

 

[PatR]

PatR: between the ATC and the Kowa I felt it that the optical as well as ergonomical difference was so small that it really did not matter, can't go wrong with either one. Both are stellar performers. I am very impressed with both of them.

Between the two, the focuser was the (slight) decider for me - I am actually more used to the ATC focuser but I did like the Kowa dual focuser a little better for such a small package.

If you don't mind the extra "bulk" I think you would be very happy with the BTX, should you get the opportunity.
I had the 85 module (tried the 65 but it was a little to dim during overcast days). The viewing is truly something else. For a fixed magnification I could not ask for more.

Tim S: Yes, as for the Leica APO Televid, it is a bit strange to consider it the "underdog" in the top tier, given Leicas reputation for optics.
But it seems they have just not gained much traction with the birding crowd.

Today was a cold, grey, drab weather day so the outing with the Leica was less than an hour - and it was quite gusty as well.

It is hard to "fall in love" or even draw any conclusions from a spotting scope on a day like this, coming directly after a sunny day outing with the Kowa TSN-55A - it is unfair. The Kowa was truly excellent and looking at a bunch of magpies about forty metres out the TSN55A was jawdroppingly great. Color and contrast/sharpness was top notch, revealing the smallest of details in the magpies plumage.

I think the magnification range is excellent for this type of scope. 17X is very useful and 40X looks very good when it is bright enough outside.

The Leica deserves its own thread after I have had it some time and I dont want to clutter this thread with an early review of it.
Having said that I feel like the Leica has potential: solid ergonomics/build but not heavy. It has an excellent ocular for me, focusing ergonomics with gloves are spot on. And the grip variation on the tube is great for handling and focusing.

Coming from a 85mm spotting scope there is visible "dimming" on high magnification on a drab,overcast day like this.
I was not expecting anything else, it was more of a reminder that it is just a slight step up in size from the TSN55A and the ATC, and still a fairly compact scope.

That being said I felt that the image felt clean and sharp across the field from up to just past 45X and then a little bit dimmer at full magnification. The tripod was not super comfortable going past 40X and while I could get "crisp" focus at 50X todays conditions did not allow for comfortable viewing at this magnification. As of yet there has been no issues with CA, I have not even thought of it while I have been using it.

As good as the TSN55A / ATC? I am not sure yet. It certainly is excellent, and the ocular suits me the best out of them.
Look forward to the next outing already.

Excellent! I hope you find the ‘one’.

You certainly have some crackers on your radar and since you last mentioned the Leica I have done a bit of research on them and am very impressed. I will try and hunt one down.

I bought the much underrated Opticron MM4 70 a couple of years ago and have been very happy with it and on my Gitzo Systematic tripod it is rock solid, even at the highest magnification. However ,solid though it is it looses a bit of sharpness past the 50x mark.

The BTX has occupied more time than my wallet can stand but it is such a fantastic bit of kit that I think one day it will make the journey to Wales……as long as my wife is at the hairdressers or the local witches convention!

Best of luck choosing, that Leica looks very sweet and if you do end up with one of the 17-40’s there is so little to choose between them that it really does boil down to looks and special to scope features.

 

[HenRun]

PatR: I am not sure I will ever find THE one.
There are just so many great options out there.

The BTX is missed, at times, and I will always cherish that I got to use one. If one should ever surface again (or if the person that bought mine would want to sell it back) it would be VERY hard to pass up on the offer. If we had lived with more of a view at walking distance I would have kept it for sure.

If it was more of a passion and if I would spend more time with a spotting scope over my binoculars there is always the argument for BTX and ATX combo - it would arguably "do it all". But, I just can't justify the expense for the "limited" use it would get.
For the ones that go this route they can really have their cake and eat it too.

But even at the top I find it very hard to find the "ultimate" single scope or bino. I decided on having a small selection of binoculars that suit me.

With the Leica Televid I hope to find that balance of size, optical quality and cost that justifies it as a long term keeper but with stiff competition from the binoculars. I just can't settle for a "decent" scope. It is either great or nothing for me.

I was hoping the Kowa would have been "it", and it almost was. If the Kowa had worked out for me it would probably have served me the best, but there is no going past the eye piece for me.

EDIT: I am sure that for the vast majority the eye piece on the ATC and the TSN55A will be great, it is just that I am one of those that have facial features and glasses that are not within the normal range, it seems.