The "Birding" Community offers a wealth of information on finding the best binoculars in your budget...They are, by far, the most demanding enthusiast in the optics world. Thanks for the review.
I see this is a year old, I just bought my Howa, and they are made in Japan, not China. I'll put my Howa up against Maven c-1's or c-3's any day of the week. Crystal clear. And fantastic clarity. For under $500. There aren't many brands that are going to match these. Clarity is usually $$$$$$$$$$$$ thousands not under $ 500, mine are 10x42'. Greetings from Va.
Do you mind sharing the country of manufacture for your Kowa's? I am finding conflicting info on whether these were ever Made in Japan and it is preventing me from pulling the trigger. And thank you for your great review!
I’d say it’s pretty decent. The 8’s were solid with low light, however, the conquests will outmatch them in low light performance which is factored into the cost there. As someone that’s looked through both of those, I’d say you’ll get to see an extra 10 minutes at sunset/sunrise with the conquests. On the other side, you’ll have a much wider field of view with the kowas.
@@east2westhunts In your opinion, is the image quality significantly better with the Conquests compared to the Kowas? I read that the Kowas use Japanese glass but are assembled in PRC. Thanks for the information and have a good one!
@@archstanton9703 you notice the image quality on the outer edge. In that case, it’s better. However, the usable view will be very similar due to a couple of things. 1. The field of view is wider on the kowas which means that the usable image from both binos will be similar. Just know you’ll get more distortion on the outer circle of the kowas. 2. The fluorite in the kowa lenses keeps things brighter than other comparable binoculars in the price range. In an overall answer to you, I think the conquests can be had for a great used price and a superior optic. However, if you think about how much field of view you have and the clarity of the image in 75-80% of the kowas view, you’re going to be in a very similar perspective with those binoculars at a better price.
@@east2westhunts Thanks for the very well explained comparison between the two binoculars. I’ve looked through the Conquests and liked the image quality over the Leica Trinovids. I’m going to take a look at the Kowas and see if it’s good enough or if the Conquest is worth the difference. Hunting season is still quite some time away, and I’m going to take my time in deciding. Thanks again for the help and I just subscribed.
No offense taken. My main binos are my swaro EL’s or maven b6’s but for a budget bino they do pretty well and can certainly do the job for most folks. Enjoy those mavens, they are solid!
The "Birding" Community offers a wealth of information on finding the best binoculars in your budget...They are, by far, the most demanding enthusiast in the optics world.
Thanks for the review.
100% agreed, Matt. Such great information from the birding community out there. Super detailed folks that thoroughly enjoy their optics.
I see this is a year old, I just bought my Howa, and they are made in Japan, not China. I'll put my Howa up against Maven c-1's or c-3's any day of the week. Crystal clear. And fantastic clarity. For under $500. There aren't many brands that are going to match these. Clarity is usually $$$$$$$$$$$$ thousands not under $ 500, mine are 10x42'. Greetings from Va.
I couldn’t agree more! I’m glad you’re enjoying the glass as much as you are. Fantastic value for what you get.
Thanks for watching. Cheers!
Do you mind sharing the country of manufacture for your Kowa's? I am finding conflicting info on whether these were ever Made in Japan and it is preventing me from pulling the trigger. And thank you for your great review!
Mine show made in China
I was leaning towards the Zeiss Conquest, but these seem like pretty good at half the price. How’s the low light performance? Thanks!
I’d say it’s pretty decent. The 8’s were solid with low light, however, the conquests will outmatch them in low light performance which is factored into the cost there. As someone that’s looked through both of those, I’d say you’ll get to see an extra 10 minutes at sunset/sunrise with the conquests. On the other side, you’ll have a much wider field of view with the kowas.
@@east2westhunts In your opinion, is the image quality significantly better with the Conquests compared to the Kowas? I read that the Kowas use Japanese glass but are assembled in PRC. Thanks for the information and have a good one!
@@archstanton9703 you notice the image quality on the outer edge. In that case, it’s better. However, the usable view will be very similar due to a couple of things.
1. The field of view is wider on the kowas which means that the usable image from both binos will be similar. Just know you’ll get more distortion on the outer circle of the kowas.
2. The fluorite in the kowa lenses keeps things brighter than other comparable binoculars in the price range.
In an overall answer to you, I think the conquests can be had for a great used price and a superior optic.
However, if you think about how much field of view you have and the clarity of the image in 75-80% of the kowas view, you’re going to be in a very similar perspective with those binoculars at a better price.
@@east2westhunts Thanks for the very well explained comparison between the two binoculars. I’ve looked through the Conquests and liked the image quality over the Leica Trinovids. I’m going to take a look at the Kowas and see if it’s good enough or if the Conquest is worth the difference. Hunting season is still quite some time away, and I’m going to take my time in deciding. Thanks again for the help and I just subscribed.
@@archstanton9703 my pleasure! Let me know if you have any other questions! Curious to see what you think of the kowas. Thanks!
I will keep my Mavens B1.2 8x42
No offense taken. My main binos are my swaro EL’s or maven b6’s but for a budget bino they do pretty well and can certainly do the job for most folks. Enjoy those mavens, they are solid!
*Kowa BD-II XD Series Binoculars🔍🔎Very Better*