Anyone use this spotting scope? Need to replace my old BL that I bought back in the 90s. Want something lightweight, but good clarity.

Hello. The top end Kowa's are very good. Unfortunately the 501 isn't an elite unit. It is built as an entry level spotter I found the zoom had poor eye relief and started having clarity issues past 25X. The little 50mm Razor at Hougen's is better but over 1000.00 CDN. The 55MM Kowa is amazing but spendy. The Minox 50mm is good if you don't wear glasses as it's eye relief is a bit tight but it's a very good unit.. I have one for sale you could look at (I live in Whitehorse) and The Leupold 50mm is also better. If You want to stay Kowa the 60mm is a better unit than the 50 and still pretty light.

Here is a good article on the small spotters from 2015. http://opticsthoughts.com/?p=1499

I use a Kowa TSN-553 for lightweight, long glass scouting. It’s an excellent piece of gear, that is almost perfect for what I’m using it for.

I can’t speak to the 501, but after reading north61 findings, I’d probably go a different direction, like he suggested.

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I wish I'd bought the Kowa 55 now that I have looked through one. Worth saving for.

When you’re ready. Doug @ CameraLand is your hook up.

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I have one, and it is a very average piece of equipment.
Also it is made in China if that makes a difference to you, I bought mine from optics planet and asked them before I bought where it was made and they said Japan, they lied

Thanks good info. My son has the 55 Kowa so I know its very good. Let me know what you are asking for the Minox.

I needed a compact spotter and researched this for quite a while before buying. I ended up with the Athlon Chronos 12 x 36 x 50. I have used it for 1 hunting season and also for target shooting now for about a year. It is perfect for my use. Super-light, compact and fits in a padded water bottle pouch with room to spare. Not Alpha Glass by any means but not far away from it. Doug recommended this as the best compact spotter in this market price niche. I could not be happier.

Interesting. I have never heard of that brand before. I bought my Lieca binoculars from Doug and he knows his stuff. Thanks for the information

The Athlon Cronus 12-36x50 ED Spotting Scope is an excellent unit. I cannot think of any other compact unit that comes close to this quality near this price point.
Aprochromatic Lens System: Apochromatic lense system gives you the result of images which have greater contrast, sharpness and color definition
ED Glass: ED glass gives you an image with little or no chromatic fringe so the final result brings a clearer and sharper image to your eyes
ESP Dielectric Coating: ESP Dielectric Coating is a multi layer prism coating that reflects over 99% of the light to your eyes bringing you a clear, bright image that displays accurate color reproduction.
Magnesium Chassis: Magnesium chassis give you the strength of a metal chassis while reducing the weight as much as 30%
XPL Coating: XPL Coating gives you an extra protection on the exterior lenses from dirt, oil and scratches
Bak4 Prism: Bak-4 glass prisms reflect more light to your eyes which will give you brighter and sharper image.
Advanced Fully Multi-Coated: Advanced Fully Multi-Coated lenses gives you better light transmission to bring optimum brightness and true color across the entire light spectrum.
Argon Purged: Argon Purging uses the inertia gas with bigger size molecules to purge any moisture out of the tube giving you better waterproofing and thermal stability .
Waterproof: Waterproof to protects the binocular in the harshest weather conditions or if accidently submerged underwater
Dual Focus: Dual focus has dual speed focus knobs that offer both faster and finer focus adjustment
Rotating Ring: Rotating Ring allows you to rotate the scope around tripod supporting ring into the most comfortable and convenient angle for observation