Review of the Kowa TSN-55A Spotting Scope

Have you rated your binoculars yet?

7 May 2026

Arkadiusz Olech

4. Summary

The Kowa TSN-55A cost about 10 000 PLN. It's a lot but in this quality class there are few rivals. Not so long ago we had an opportunity to take a closer look at the cheaper Vortex Razor HD 13-39x56 spotting scope, and our opinion was positive as well. Still, there is no doubt that the Kowa is a class above both when it comes to the parameters (mainly we think here about the field of view of the eyepiece) and correction of the majority of optical aberrations.

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Review of the Kowa TSN-55A Spotting Scope - Summary

To be honest the Swarovski Optik ATC 17-40x56, with most of parameters almost identical and the price even a tad higher, reaching almost 11 000 PLN, is the only direct rival of the tested Kowa.

Unfortunately in the 55-60 mm category of objectives neither Zeiss nor Leica take up the challenge. You get the Nikon Monarch 60ED, offered for less than 6000 PLN, with a bit bigger objective diameter and a possibility to use removable eyepieces but, unfortunately, this particular model has been withdrawn from offer of this producer. You might try to find the last items on sale or buy them second hand.

If you are interested in a small spotting scope of the highest optical quality with an eyepiece that offers you a really wide field of view you have to choose between the Kowa and the Swarovski. Of course we have been planning to test the latest model in order to provide full information and we hope to do it very soon. Even without this test, though, we can state without doubt that the Kowa's parameters and performance will satisfy any potential customer.