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[Sir Henry]

Have a Kowa and it is as good as any glass I have looked through so like NCG has said certainly worth considering.
Before you even get to brand you need to decide on straight or angled eye piece.

I’m thinking angled if it was straight I would need to raise it too high.

[North Country Gal]

Highly recommend Kowa and, yes, an angled version sits lower on the tripod for better stability and I also find it to be more comfy viewing when standing. At the shooting bench, though, I prefer straight.

Kowa makes a wide variety of scopes - all are excellent - but the Prominar 660,770 and 880 series are awesome. There's now a new 990 series with a huge 99mm objective. Kowa may not have the snob appeal of Zeiss, Swarovski or Leica, but it is right there with those brands in optics (and price). I did most of my birding over the years with a 663 Prominar. It was small enough and light enough to carry on a tripod over my shoulder all day. Gorgeous optics.

[Sir Henry]

Highly recommend Kowa and, yes, an angled version sits lower on the tripod for better stability and I also find it to be more comfy viewing when standing. At the shooting bench, though, I prefer straight.

Kowa makes a wide variety of scopes - all are excellent - but the Prominar 660,770 and 880 series are awesome. There's now a new 990 series with a huge 99mm objective. Kowa may not have the snob appeal of Zeiss, Swarovski or Leica, but it is right there with those brands in optics (and price). I did most of my birding over the years with a 663 Prominar. It was small enough and light enough to carry on a tripod over my shoulder all day. Gorgeous optics.

I’m seeing this Kowa. Which eyepiece would you recommend? They have several 99 models and I picked one randomly. You you suggest any other 99? It will live most of its life indoors.

https://sandsarchery.com/products/kowa- ... ting-scope

[North Country Gal]

That is one awesome scope. Be my choice.

The 30-70x zoom will handle all your needs and serve you well. Kowa fixed power, wide angle eyepieces are outstanding, though, if you want to add a second eyepiece for some luxury, panoramic viewing. The zoom should be your first eyepiece, though. There will be times when you definitely want the ability to zoom in for a closer look.

[220]

Or zoom out for a wider field of view, variable doesnt offer quite as wide a field as a fixed power but would certainly be my choice with only one eye piece and I am sure it would be a brilliant scope. You are certainly jumping in at the top end.

[Sir Henry]

That is one awesome scope. Be my choice.

The 30-70x zoom will handle all your needs and serve you well. Kowa fixed power, wide angle eyepieces are outstanding, though, if you want to add a second eyepiece for some luxury, panoramic viewing. The zoom should be your first eyepiece, though. There will be times when you definitely want the ability to zoom in for a closer look.

If I went Swarovski which one would you recommend? Maybe something with a bigger objective.

[Sir Henry]

Or zoom out for a wider field of view, variable doesnt offer quite as wide a field as a fixed power but would certainly be my choice with only one eye piece and I am sure it would be a brilliant scope. You are certainly jumping in at the top end.

I think the view from my front window deserves top of the line. I feel like I live in the middle of a wildlife refuge.

[North Country Gal]

Size-wise, Swarovski has something something even bigger than the big Kowa 99, but they do it in a different way, now, with their modular system in which you buy an ocular module (eyepiece and prism) and match it with the objective module. This allows you to mix and match ocular and objective modules. Using this system, you could build a 30-70x115 and with the same ocular module, then add the small 65mm objective module to get a 25-60x65 setup.

Interesting feature, for sure, but personally, if all you plan to do is leave the scope in the house, the advantage is is wasted. That, and it is a new system, so down the road durability is unknown. Standard scopes like the Kowa are as time tested as it gets.

As for the difference in the Kowa 99mm objective and the Swarovski 115mm, you'd have to do some astronomy to probably notice the difference and, even then, it would take an experienced eye. At 70x for daytime work, basically it would be a wash. Remember, 80mm scopes have been the standard for many years for the sake of still being portable enough to carry in the field ion a good SLR camera tripod. Going larger means going larger on the tripod, too. Not something you want to move around a lot.

Note that some of these objective modules have an Area Swiss foot, so you may need to also add an Area Swiss adapter your tripod. Me, I'd forget any QR feature and direct mount to your tripod for your use.

[Sir Henry]

Size-wise, Swarovski has something something even bigger than the big Kowa 99, but they do it in a different way, now, with their modular system in which you buy an ocular module (eyepiece and prism) and match it with the objective module. This allows you to mix and match ocular and objective modules. Using this system, you could build a 30-70x115 and with the same ocular module, then add the small 65mm objective module to get a 25-60x65 setup.

Interesting feature, for sure, but personally, if all you plan to do is leave the scope in the house, the advantage is is wasted. That, and it is a new system, so down the road durability is unknown. Standard scopes like the Kowa are as time tested as it gets.

As for the difference in the Kowa 99mm objective and the Swarovski 115mm, you'd have to do some astronomy to probably notice the difference and, even then, it would take an experienced eye. At 70x for daytime work, basically it would be a wash. Remember, 80mm scopes have been the standard for many years for the sake of still being portable enough to carry in the field ion a good SLR camera tripod. Going larger means going larger on the tripod, too. Not something you want to move around a lot.

Note that some of these objective modules have an Area Swiss foot, so you may need to also add an Area Swiss adapter your tripod. Me, I'd forget any QR feature and direct mount to your tripod for your use.

I think I’ll go with your recommendation. Next is to find a nice tripod. I want a good one and one that looks nice. Something maybe made of wood that doesn’t telescope as it will live it’s life in front of my window in the house.

I’ll be ready to order when I get back as I’m still on the road with Al.

[North Country Gal]

Take a look at Televue mounts. I use the Televue Panoramic ash mount with my vintage 4" Televue refractor.

[Sir Henry]

Take a look at Televue mounts. I use the Televue Panoramic ash mount with my vintage 4" Televue refractor.

Now that I’m back I’m doing more research and want to order soon.