Power meets portability with Kowa’s new line of TSN-5 spotting scopes. Available in 20-40x50mm and 15-45x55mm options, with straight-through or angled viewing, they will quickly become a standard item in your birdwatching, hunting, or range kit.
Choose straight-through viewing to make finding targets faster and tracking moving subjects easier; or go with the models that have the eyepiece set at a 45° angle to the optical tube for more comfortable viewing when seated, standing, or lying prone. Regardless of which model you go with, the entire line features fully multi-coated optics that maximize light transmission through the optical path to improve image brightness, color rendition, and contrast. To improve views, the front will accept standard filters. To be compatible with the widest array of support systems, the shoe is outfitted with a large 3/8"-16 mount and comes with a 1/4"-20 adapter so it will fit most quick-release plates and heads on photo, video, and field tripods.
Kowa made the optical tube of a lightweight and impact-resistant polycarbonate. This chassis material is also temperature-resistant, which allows it to stay a neutral, comfortable temperature in cold weather, while also resisting the expansion and contraction common with metal chassis that can cause the optical components to move out of alignment over time—preventing the user from being able to achieve proper focus.
The 50mm models are extremely lightweight, weighing just 14 ounces and taking up very little space, and they measure less than 10" long. These design features make them easy to fit in your pack, and won’t weigh you down on the trail. Their broad 20-40x zoom range translates to a respectable 131-foot field of view at 1,000 yards on low power, and 92 feet on high power.
The 55mm models receive several performance upgrades over their smaller compeers, while still maintaining their compact form factor. These begin with ultra-low-dispersion PROMINAR fluorite glass elements that eliminates chromatic aberration (which causes halos, astigmatism, and fringing) for improved color rendition and contrast. Next, Kowa adds its oil-resistant KR exterior lens coatings that make it easy for dirt, sap, and oil to be cleaned from the lenses without smudges or residue. Finally, focusing is improved with a two-speed mechanism that enables fast coarse focus, and a precision fine focuser to see views in tack-sharp detail.
Whether you choose the featherlight 50mm model that is easy to pack and carry, or you require the increased light-gathering ability and performance boost of the 55mm versions, these Kowa TSN-5 spotting scopes are designed to be your constant companions that will withstand the rigors of the trail or range without sacrifice.