Kowa TSN 661 vs. TSN 663 spotting scopes

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Gunsmoke

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Anyone have experience with these scopes? The difference between the two being the TSN 663 has ED (Extra Low Dispersion lense)

The intended use is as a spotter for F-Class to confirm mirage and shot marker placement. Right now I use an el-cheapo old vintage 20x Bushnell with an angled eyepiece.

thanks in advance,

Brian
 
I'm not familiar with those models, the nature of the feature differences between them, and the price difference between them.

Be aware that some of the big-dollar optics things are of fairly marginal use to shooters. For example, bird watchers or long distance photographers might put a very high value on colour trueness, or on the aesthetic qualities of the image; but for shooting purposes, these might not matter. Seeing fine details in mirage - hell yes, that's worth paying for, and possibly paying big bucks for too.

If you can arrange an actual side-by-side viewing of these two scopes, plus one or more existing "known-quantity" scopes, you can get a decent idea of whether it's worth paying up for these particular scopes, or not.
 
FWIW lots of BPCR shooters use the Kowa spotters and they are very highly regarded. the advantage with super crisp optics is that you can often (but not always) see the bullet as it passes the target as opposed to seeing where it strikes the backstop 6-10 feet behind. When you're dealing with a 500-550 gr bullet lumbering along at black powder velocities that makes a big difference when you're giving your shooter adjustments at 500 meters. While I'd be more inclined to go with one of the 82mm scopes, but that's because they're what I'm used to.
 
Brian, Richard, T-bo and I all use Pentax PF-80 ED's. Cameraland (a CGN sponsor) has these for a terrific price and they are some of the nicest pieces of glass you will ever see. I will show you mine at the Sierra
 
I picked up a Leupold Sequoia for spotting BPCR Silhouette, and it works OK. Most of the guys (and gals) I shoot with in Bethune use the Kowas. I took a peek through one while hanging out at a club shoot in Forsyth Montana this spring. Next best thing to being there. Shiloh Rifle Company in Big Timber MT has them on for what I think is the best price you'll find anywhere at $890 USD without a tripod.
 
Short Knife Johnson said:
I picked up a Leupold Sequoia for spotting BPCR Silhouette, and it works OK. Most of the guys (and gals) I shoot with in Bethune use the Kowas. I took a peek through one while hanging out at a club shoot in Forsyth Montana this spring. Next best thing to being there. Shiloh Rifle Company in Big Timber MT has them on for what I think is the best price you'll find anywhere at $890 USD without a tripod.
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So you're a Bethune Pasture Cartridge Rifle shooter too? Did the shoot go ahead in PA on Mother's Day?
 
The ED lens in theory is clearer and sharper with little or no chromatic aberration, therefore giving better color definition. In practice, with my eyes it is hard to see an image difference between the TSN 661 and 663 in good daylight. You might notice some difference in lower lighting conditions. The TSN 663 is about $300 more than the TSN 661 as well.
 
BigUglyMan said:
So you're a Bethune Pasture Cartridge Rifle shooter too? Did the shoot go ahead in PA on Mother's Day?
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It did. I was going to shoot BPCR on Saturday, then Cowboy Action on Sunday, but an old friend of mine passed away and his service was on Saturday. So I did CAS on Sunday. Man, the place looks pretty apocalyptic after the fire and plow wind. But the little trees are starting. They get everything going again, and some jerk vandalizes the place. Unreal. I'll have to find out when the next shoot there is happening, it's a nice range.

I guess Saturday was a pretty tough day to shoot. I'm hoping to head to Bethune for the 5th and 6th of June, and again for the Pingert Match. I just need someone to work for me on the 9th to 11th of July.
 
Gunsmoke said:
Anyone have experience with these scopes? The difference between the two being the TSN 663 has ED (Extra Low Dispersion lense)

The intended use is as a spotter for F-Class to confirm mirage and shot marker placement. Right now I use an el-cheapo old vintage 20x Bushnell with an angled eyepiece.

thanks in advance,

Brian
Click to expand...
The ED glass is used in apochromatic lenses, usually long ones, to reduce or eliminate the color fringing that is associated with different wavelengths not converging at the same exact focal point. It is seen as a colored halo around long distance objects .
Of course, ED glass and apochromatic lenses cost more but it is money well spent in a quality scope.
PP. :)
 
Short Knife Johnson said:
I picked up a Leupold Sequoia for spotting BPCR Silhouette, and it works OK. Most of the guys (and gals) I shoot with in Bethune use the Kowas. I took a peek through one while hanging out at a club shoot in Forsyth Montana this spring. Next best thing to being there. Shiloh Rifle Company in Big Timber MT has them on for what I think is the best price you'll find anywhere at $890 USD without a tripod.
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SKJ,
The only Kowa I could find on Shiloh's site is the Kowa TSN-82V with 25X eyepiece. If that's what everyone is using it is significant, but are they using it with the 25 or 20-60 X or other eye-piece? Have you noticed many 663s being used?
I'm looking for a spotting scope myself, and am trying to sort out the size/weight/ capability issues.
 
I'm sorry, I'm not too sure. Be willing to bet that everyone on most BPCR firing lines are using the Kowa listed in the Shiloh catalouge. Don't know about the eyepiece, but most posters on that forum use 25 power I'm sure.

Too busy trying to outsmart the chickens at the moment to find out what everybody is using.
 
Short Knife Johnson said:
I'm sorry, I'm not too sure. Be willing to bet that everyone on most BPCR firing lines are using the Kowa listed in the Shiloh catalouge. Don't know about the eyepiece, but most posters on that forum use 25 power I'm sure.

Too busy trying to outsmart the chickens at the moment to find out what everybody is using.
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I think the 27x LER eyepiece is the most popular with the guys at Bethune. I find it crisper than the 20-60x. I klnow that the Old Man uses a 27x and think there are a few others as well. Talk to Leo and Gary and see what they're using (besides the coolest tripod ever).
 
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