REVIEW: Kowa TSN-55A PROMINAR Spotting Scope

11 June 2024
By Stuart Hamilton

Three weeks ago, Bird-Watchers.com was among only a handful of wildlife journos to be sent the brand new Kowa TSN-55 PROMINAR for testing. This is a tiny scope, with cutting-edge technology and sharp design at its core. The Japanese brand says the TSN-55 will meet the demanding needs of birdwatchers and travel birders in 2024 and beyond.

​With its advanced optical technology, compact and lightweight design, this spotting scope certainly stands out in what is a growing and competitive market. Here’s a detailed review highlighting its key features, performance, and overall value.

What's in the box?​
  • TSN-55 PROMINAR with 17-40x wide zoom eyepiece (based on TE-11WZ II)
  • Objective lens cap
  • Cleaning cloth

Optical Performance:
At the heart of the TSN-55A’s exceptional optical performance is its pure fluorite crystal lens. This material significantly reduces chromatic aberration, ensuring that the images are crisp, clear, and vibrant across the entire field of view. Birders, especially experienced birders, will appreciate the true-to-life colour rendition and sharp detail that this lens delivers, making it easier to identify subtle plumage variations and other key characteristics.

The dual focus mechanism is a standout feature, providing both coarse and fine focusing options. This allows users to quickly acquire their target with the coarse focus and then make precise adjustments with the fine focus. This system is particularly beneficial when observing small, fast-moving birds or when trying to achieve the perfect focus at varying distances.
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Design and Build:
The Kowa TSN-55A PROMINAR boasts a robust yet lightweight construction, making it ideal for birders on the move. Weighing approximately 965 grams and measuring just 255mm in length, this scope is highly portable. The fully-sealed body is designed to keep weight down while ensuring durability, and the ergonomic design allows for comfortable handling during extended observation sessions.​

Wide-angle Viewing:
The Kowa TSN-55A uses a similar eyepiece (17-40x) to Kowa's leading TE-11W II 20-60x wide-angle zoom eyepiece and is built into the body of the scope, which enhances the viewing experience by offering a huge field of view - up to 50% more FOV coverage than the previous 550 model. This is crucial for tracking birds in flight or scanning wide areas for bird activity or rarities.

The field of view stats on the new TSN-55 are also really impressive - with the view at 1,000m: 64~35m!  The zoom capability allows for versatile viewing, from wide-angle landscapes to detailed close-ups.​

Ease of Use:
Setting up and using the TSN-55A is straightforward, thanks to its intuitive design. Additionally, the scope's compact size and lightweight build will make it very easy to carry on long hikes and birding tours. So small in fact, you'll have no problem putting this in your carry on hand luggage if you so desire.

Durability and Weather Resistance:
​The TSN-55A is fully waterproof and filled with dry nitrogen gas to prevent internal fogging, ensuring clear viewing in a variety of weather conditions. This feature is particularly valuable for birders who often find themselves in humid or rainy environments.​
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Accessories and Compatibility​:
Kowa offers a range of accessories that enhance the functionality of the TSN-55A. These include digiscoping adapters for smartphones and cameras, allowing users to capture high-quality images and videos through the scope. The eyepiece compatibility ensures that users can choose the best optical setup for their specific needs.​

Price and Value​:
While the Kowa TSN-55A PROMINAR is positioned in the higher price range, its performance justifies the investment for serious birdwatchers. The advanced optical technology, combined with the lightweight and durable design, provides excellent value for those who demand top-tier performance in a portable package.​

Verdict:
The Kowa TSN-55A PROMINAR Spotting Scope is a premier choice for birdwatchers and travel birders seeking a high-performance, portable, and durable spotting scope. Its outstanding optical clarity, user-friendly design, and robust build quality make it a reliable companion for birding adventures.​

​★★★★★★★★★ 9/10

Testing scores
  • Design: ★★★★★★★★★ 9/10
  • Performance: ★★★★★★★★★ 9/10
  • Durability: ★★★★★★★★ 8/10
  • Weight: ★★★★★★★★ 9/10
  • Value: ★★★★★★★★ 8/10

📦 Buy now: www.kowaoptic.com
🏷 Price: £2,089.00
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