Review: Kowa TSN-66A PROMINAR Spotting Scope
15 November 2023
By Stuart Hamilton
By Stuart Hamilton
As an avid wildlife watcher with quite a few years (too many!) of experience in the field, I was excited to get my hands on the new Kowa TSN-66 PROMINAR spotting scope and road test it, so to speak. Here are my thoughts...
Little known fact for you, but Kowa is the brand that gave us the first spotting scope in the 1950's. You just have to ask any experienced birder or wildlife watcher while out and about these days, to realise just how highly the Kowa brand is now regarded when it comes to optics for wildlife watching. I had a feeling this would be good.
Build and Durability:
The first thing that struck me about the TSN-66 PROMINAR was its build quality. Like its big brothers, the 99 and 88 series, it feels robust and well-crafted. The scope is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry during long birding excursions and a great choice for those looking for a smaller option in the optics stable. The body is made of a durable magnesium alloy, and it's nitrogen-purged to be waterproof and fog-proof. This durability will ensure it can withstand the rigours of outdoor use, from the wetlands to the mountains - no problem. This week, however, the Lea Valley Park.
Optical Quality:
The optics of the TSN-66 PROMINAR are simply outstanding. The scope features Kowa's unique PROMINAR 'pure fluorite crystal' objective lens technology, which for those not in the know - basically, eliminates chromatic aberration and brings brilliant colour into your eyes. This means that the images produced by this scope are incredibly sharp, clear, and colour-true. I was particularly impressed by the scope and its ability to render fine details on distant birds, such as the resting Cormorant - the wing detail was absolutely superb! The 66mm objective lens provides ample light gathering, even in low-light conditions, and the multi-coated lenses ensure minimal light loss. The image is bright and vibrant, and I found it to be exceptionally crisp and vivid even in challenging lighting conditions.
Magnification and Field of View:
The TSN-66 PROMINAR offers a magnification range of 20-60x, which is suitable for birders who need both wide fields of view for tracking birds in flight and high magnification for fine details. The field of view is generous, particularly at lower magnifications, making it easy to locate and track birds in particular. The eyepiece design is comfortable and easy to use, with a twist-up eyecup for eyeglass wearers. The dual-focus system is precise and super smooth, allowing for quick and accurate adjustments.
Portability:
With a body length of 310mm (Angled version) and a weight of 1135g, the TSN-66 PROMINAR is compact and lightweight. It easily fits into a backpack or carrying case, making it an excellent choice for birders on the move. The included padded case and shoulder strap are convenient for transportation, and the scope is compatible with standard tripod mounts.
Price:
Kowa's commitment to optical excellence is reflected in the price of the TSN-66 PROMINAR. While it is not the most budget-friendly option on the market, its exceptional optical quality and durability justify the cost. Birders who are serious about their hobby will find the investment worthwhile.
Verdict:
The Kowa TSN-66 PROMINAR is a spotting scope that lives up to its reputation. Its exceptional optical quality, featuring the quite brilliant pure fluorite technology, durability, and portability make it an excellent choice for experienced birders who demand the best from their equipment in a relatively small package. While it comes with a higher price tag than most, the investment is well worth it for those who want to take their wildlife watching to the next level.
★★★★★★★★★ 9/10
Testing scores
📦 Buy now: www.kowaoptic.com/Kowa-TSN-66-PROMINAR
🏷 Price From: £2,449.00
Little known fact for you, but Kowa is the brand that gave us the first spotting scope in the 1950's. You just have to ask any experienced birder or wildlife watcher while out and about these days, to realise just how highly the Kowa brand is now regarded when it comes to optics for wildlife watching. I had a feeling this would be good.
Build and Durability:
The first thing that struck me about the TSN-66 PROMINAR was its build quality. Like its big brothers, the 99 and 88 series, it feels robust and well-crafted. The scope is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry during long birding excursions and a great choice for those looking for a smaller option in the optics stable. The body is made of a durable magnesium alloy, and it's nitrogen-purged to be waterproof and fog-proof. This durability will ensure it can withstand the rigours of outdoor use, from the wetlands to the mountains - no problem. This week, however, the Lea Valley Park.
Optical Quality:
The optics of the TSN-66 PROMINAR are simply outstanding. The scope features Kowa's unique PROMINAR 'pure fluorite crystal' objective lens technology, which for those not in the know - basically, eliminates chromatic aberration and brings brilliant colour into your eyes. This means that the images produced by this scope are incredibly sharp, clear, and colour-true. I was particularly impressed by the scope and its ability to render fine details on distant birds, such as the resting Cormorant - the wing detail was absolutely superb! The 66mm objective lens provides ample light gathering, even in low-light conditions, and the multi-coated lenses ensure minimal light loss. The image is bright and vibrant, and I found it to be exceptionally crisp and vivid even in challenging lighting conditions.
Magnification and Field of View:
The TSN-66 PROMINAR offers a magnification range of 20-60x, which is suitable for birders who need both wide fields of view for tracking birds in flight and high magnification for fine details. The field of view is generous, particularly at lower magnifications, making it easy to locate and track birds in particular. The eyepiece design is comfortable and easy to use, with a twist-up eyecup for eyeglass wearers. The dual-focus system is precise and super smooth, allowing for quick and accurate adjustments.
Portability:
With a body length of 310mm (Angled version) and a weight of 1135g, the TSN-66 PROMINAR is compact and lightweight. It easily fits into a backpack or carrying case, making it an excellent choice for birders on the move. The included padded case and shoulder strap are convenient for transportation, and the scope is compatible with standard tripod mounts.
Price:
Kowa's commitment to optical excellence is reflected in the price of the TSN-66 PROMINAR. While it is not the most budget-friendly option on the market, its exceptional optical quality and durability justify the cost. Birders who are serious about their hobby will find the investment worthwhile.
Verdict:
The Kowa TSN-66 PROMINAR is a spotting scope that lives up to its reputation. Its exceptional optical quality, featuring the quite brilliant pure fluorite technology, durability, and portability make it an excellent choice for experienced birders who demand the best from their equipment in a relatively small package. While it comes with a higher price tag than most, the investment is well worth it for those who want to take their wildlife watching to the next level.
★★★★★★★★★ 9/10
Testing scores
- Design: ★★★★★★★★★ 9/10
- Performance: ★★★★★★★★★★ 10/10
- Durability: ★★★★★★★★★ 9/10
- Weight: ★★★★★★★★★ 9/10
- Value: ★★★★★★★★★ 9/10
📦 Buy now: www.kowaoptic.com/Kowa-TSN-66-PROMINAR
🏷 Price From: £2,449.00
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