Kowa spotting scope

J

jamcam1999

Regular
EE Expired
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Location
campbell river bc
I have an older rubber armoured spotting scope made by Kowa. Variable power, 11 x 33. I have had this scope for about 25 years and it has performed flawlessly, Anybody have an opinion on what the present value might be? I believe I paid around $300 for it new. Thanks in advance.
 
Old glass isn't worth a ton due to the fact that as things have improved they have been rendered, not obsolete, but behind the curve of technology. Look at lens coatings from 25 years ago. I believe that Leupold has had two generation changes in that time. Likewise, Kowa (who don't exactly slouch in the optics game) will have improved their waterproofing, gas filling and lens coating.

Now, assuming that your scope is still airtight and has a crisp image you should have no problem getting at least $200 for it. Maybe a little more but, in reality, if someone can purchase something of comparable technology (I won't say quality because that Kowa is probably better built than many low-end scopes on the market) for the same money why would they buy a 25 year old used scope?
 
There were some Kowas that long time bird watching people, the ones who know their optics, would practically fall down on their knees in front of, they were made for use in the shooting sports at some Olympic games or other in the 1980s. I have a later top of the line Kowa scope from circa 1990 that I have yet to see matched, but I don't claim to be an expert on them or their value. What I suggest is to search out bird watching sites online to try to find a going value, I don't buy much second hand stuff so I can't be entirely helpful there either, but the site that I'm aware of is birdforum.net. They have a very good optics subforum, a place to start anyway, and you could in fact ask about the value there and get an honest answer- optics geeks abound there and they'll jump on bad information.
 
I have a little old Kowa that I had on here for sale for awhile. When I took it to the range I was so amazed by it, I pulled it off the EE immediately. I underestimated it but now it's my spotter. Kowa is some really good glass, even the old stuff.

All I can say to the OP is; your scope is worth more than you'll get on here.
 
propliner said:
All I can say to the OP is; your scope is worth more than you'll get on here.
Click to expand...
....while optics have improved....some of the better scopes like your Kowa were pretty good to begin with.....and you can spend a whole lot for a new scope and not get a huge improvement under many normal conditions and for your particular eyesight...definitely do some comparison shopping before you sell off your current scope.
 
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