Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Nikon Fieldscope 13-30x50mm

Anyone have any experience with this scope? Weighs just a pound and might be just what I’m looking for as a backpack spotter.

I’ve used the Kowa TSN15-45x55, and while it’s a wonderful little instrument, it is heavier and significantly more expensive.

Has anyone compared the two?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Brad,

My buddy has the Nikon ED 50 and I have owned the Vortex Razor 50 and now the Kowa TSN-553.

When I got my Vortex I compared it to his Nikon and I can say the Nikon was superior no doubt. However, the Kowa in both our opinions beats the Nikon by the same amount the Nikon beat the Vortex. But as you mention its a lot more money. The weight of his Nikon is 21-22 oz for the angled model he has, maybe the straight is closer to 1 pound. Basically for a 1/2 pound more (and a lot more $$$) you get a much better optic. Of course like any optic as you move up in price what you are getting back isn't linear to what you pay (diminishing returns). That said I can see the Kowa replacing the need for my 85mm Zeiss for nearly all my hunts, even the ones where weight isn't critical cause cause I appreciate the smaller size of the Kowa as well. The ability to go to 45X and still have it be extremely useable is really was distinguishes the Kowa over the Nikon and Vortex for me while still coming in well under 2 pounds. Also if you do go Nikon, don't bother getting the 40X eyepiece....it just isn't as good as their 30X.

Thanks, was hoping you'd chime in as I thought you'd been around both. The fact the Nikon's weight doesn't match its specs is not unusual, but always annoying.

I can get the Nikon for $549 (either angled or straight), which is a pretty good deal. I need to spend some time behind it before I make a decision.

The Kowa is absolutely the finest in class, no doubt. I spent some time with one this fall, it's outstanding.

Brad,

I don't have much time this morning, but I have friends with multiple examples of both and the Fieldscope is better. The Razor seems to have a bit more forgiving eyerelief/eyebox. The Razor resolution falls off quickly beyond 35x-40x.

I have yet to look through a spotter 65mm or smaller where resolution is very useful beyond 40x--including Swaro and Leica. Is the eyepeice interchangable with the Fieldscope? Even then I would go with the zoom because it's easier to find a critter on low power and zoom up. Also, as light conditions deteriorate you have to start lowering the magnification.

I really want to look through the Kowa 553/554. Talked to a buddy who has, and he compares it favorably to his 65mm Swaro.........

But $549 would indeed be tough to pass up.

No doubt, the Kowa is amazing and for a tiny unit is totally outstanding.
In a sub $1000.00 unit I would suggest you peek at the Athlon Cronus 12-36x50 ED Spotting Scope

SPECIFICATION
Magnification 12-36
Objective Lens Diameter 50 mm
Prism Glass Bak 4
Apochromatic Lens System Yes
ESP Dielectric Coating Yes
XPL Coating Yes
ED Glass Yes
Lense Coating Advanced Fully Multi-Coated
Field of View 171-90 ft
Exit Pupil 4.1-1.4 mm
Eye Relief 0.7-0.59"
Close Focus 26.2′
Dimension (LxW) 9.8"X2.6"
Weight 26.5 oz

FEATURES
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 an ultimate clearest and sharpest 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

Brad, I have the field scope in the ED. Keep looking. Im not impressed at all. You can get them used for $350 in excellent shape. I keep trying the lightweights. The nikon was a huge disappointment. Loose wight elsewhere. If you already have the KOWA keep it. I'll use my field-scope for day hunts. But I'm not packing it into the high country regardless of weight. Looking for what I'm after. I'll let you borrow it if you like. I can ship it to you. I'm gonna be damn busy with work til next sept. So if you want to use it all summer you can. FWIW, I've yet to find a Vortex scope, spotter or bin worth a [bleep]

I have both the Nikon x50 and a Leica x65.

I'm happy to carry the Nikon packing...the Leica for non-weight bearing situations. (*and the Leica is not that heavy)

There's nothing wrong with the Nikon until you get into that last 5% of conditions or power.

So, my Leica goes to the range anymore...the Nikon goes hunting. Having said that, I'm also not a PH. I'm a hunter. The PH carries the 80mm Swaro. I'm good with that.

That's the spirit!

Brad,

The ED50 is a decent scope, but the 13-30x eyepiece is just mediocre. I had one just for the zoom range, but the fixed 27x I had was better optically with a wide view and good eye relief. Unfortunately, it can be tough to find eyepieces for the older Fieldscopes... at least it was.

Jason

Based on what I've seen from a couple of Athlon spotters, I'd be fairly tempted to check out the Cronus that Doug mentioned above.

They seem to have a solid build quality, and an awful lot of performance for the $.

Let us know what you end up with.

FC