Kowa Optics Binoculars

Genesis Prominar Binocular

Since the original invention of the first spotting scope in 1950s, Kowa has since designed some of the best optics. The Genesis Prominar Series is one of their prominent designs.

It is a flagship optics range that guarantees the best imaging excellence. It reflects on the Kowa’s optical design expertise and delivers one of the most stunning, immersive and exceptionally detailed natural view.

Every GENESIS PROMINAR has the best engineering touch. The series feature the use of Kowa’s top-rated XD objective lenses.

This high resolution ED glass comes with large amounts of the high-end fluorite crystal. It, therefore, guarantees the best light transmission that eventually results into some of the most stunning views.

It also uses Kowa’s unique KR lens coating technology that further enhances light transmission by repelling dirt and fluid.

That’s why the Genesis Prominar is celebrated for pin sharp images and a touch of natural color with high contrast.

The technology ensures that the detail that you will view here are virtually free from chromatic aberration better known as color fringing.

More importantly, the prism system of this series delivers the best edge to edge sharpness and minimal light loss. It also offers the widest field of view.

In addition to that, it has one of the best ergonomic styling. It is encased in the best streamlined non-slip body and enjoys a high quality finish using the best materials that enhance styling and handling.

High-end magnesium alloy armor surrounds the body and provides the touch of the high-strength metallic casing and protection. However, it is also light in weight and guarantees less fatigues during use.

More importantly, the model is fully waterproof and has dry nitrogen purged inside to prevent any form of fogging in the extreme weather condition.

Tough rubber armor is added to make the prominar an extremely reliable optic for the lightweight traveller.

A good example of the Prominar is the Kowa Genesis XD44 Binoculars. The Prominar Genesis XD44 has a 4 lens-elements objective. Two of these lens elements are made from the Prominar XD lenses and the others from an extra low dispersion glass.

It also has the 5 lens-element ocular and notably, the Schmidt-Pechan prism technology. The binoculars contain the dielectric reflective surface that comes with the C3 coating and up to 99% reflectivity.

The bin has a close focus of 1.7m, a filter thread around the objective end that enables you to take 46mm photo filters, and a magnesium alloy frame. It is fully water proof with and anti-fogging nitrogen purging.

Available Models

• Kowa Genesis XD 8X22 Binoculars
• Kowa Genesis XD 10X22 Binoculars
• Kowa Genesis XD8X33 Binoculars
• Kowa Genesis XD10X33 Binoculars
• Kowa Genesis XD 8.5X44 Binoculars
• Kowa Genesis XD10.5X44 Binoculars

Pricing

Depending on the Kowa Genesis Prominar design that you choose to buy, you will spend between $1100 and $1500 / £900 and £1200.

Kowa BDII-XD Series Binoculars

The BDII-XD Series plays the second fiddle to the Genesis Prominar model. However, in any other brand, it might have easily been the flagship series.

This is because Kowa unlike several other binocular brands strictly focuses at the top end customers with two high-end series – Genesis and the BD series – and nothing more.

The BDII-XD Series, therefore, operates more or less the same as the Genesis. However, their biggest differences lie in the different styling and in the absence of the Kowa’s Prominar XD lenses in the BDII-XD Series.

What BDII-XD Series Contains

The BDII-XD Series come with an extra low dispersion glass. This is good at giving out the best views under the bins. It improves the optical performance and guarantees the best experiences too.

However, the ED glass further comes in several quality grades. Every BDII-XD model has the environmental friendly XD objective lenses that contain high levels of fluorite crystal.

This means that you’ll get the best light transmission and a flat image from one edge of the lens to the next. No chromatic aberration or color blur at all.

In addition to that, the BDII-XD Series unlike the Genesis also have larger smaller objective lenses with the standard being the 42mm ones unlike the Genesis Prominar’s 44m objective lenses.

Nonetheless, one of the best stand-out optical features that the BDII-XD series has is the large field of view.

The FoV also boasts a wide angle performance. It enables you to easily locate your subject and also enjoy the beauty of the wider surroundings.

 The BDII-XD Series also come in 8x or 10x magnifications, which make it ideal for normal viewing, birding, safari, and concerts.

It is designed to enhance your overall viewing experience and has smooth aluminum focusing wheel. The wheel is fluid and will deliver pin point accuracy.

More importantly, there are smooth twist eye-cups that ensure optimum viewing for all. Thanks to the easy-to-use dioptre adjustment technology this model is simply enjoyable.

Every model here is made of magnesium alloy chassis and guarantees high-end strength and a decreased weight. The rugged structure will withstand harsh weather conditions and guarantee a better sense of durability and security.

Surrounding this tough magnesium alloy casing is the reliable and protective rubber armor. The rubber armor also provides a comfortable grip with a high level of longevity.

It works together with the dry nitrogen purging and waterproof touch to minimize fogging and protect dirt build-up.

Main Features of the BDII-XD Series

• Fully Multi-coated Lenses: Multiple anti-reflective coatings on every air-to-glass surface that increases light transmission.
• Phase Correction Coating: Used on the roof prism to enhance resolution and guarantee high contrast.
• Kowa’s C3 Prism Coating
• BaK-4 Glass Prisms: Optimizes the light transmission and guarantees higher quality performance than in regular BK-7 prisms.
• Rubber Armoring: Maximizes secure, safe and non-slip handling, it also minimizes damages in case of accidental falls.
• O-rings sealed: Guaranteed waterproofing touch. It prevents moisture, dust, and also debris from accessing the inside of the binocular.
• Nitrogen Purged: The barrels of the binoculars are filled with dry nitrogen gas. This inhibits internal fogging.
• Multi-position Twist-up Eyecups: Provides plenty of eye relief that serves both glass wearers and non-glass wearers well.
• Tripod Adaptable: The binoculars can be easily mounted on a tripod stand using the standard ¼-inch threading.

Available Models

• Kowa BDII 6.5x32XD Series Binoculars
• Kowa BDII 8x32XD Series Binoculars
• Kowa BDII 10x32XD Series Binoculars
• Kowa BDII 8x42XD Series Binoculars
• Kowa BDII 10x42XD Series Binoculars

Pricing

The BDII-XD Series is the high quality optics worth every dollar. Depending on your model of preference you will pay between $500 and $600 / £500 and £560.

Kowa SV II Series Binoculars

The Kowa SV II is a roof prism binocular that also boasts superb features. It has the Kowa Repelling (KR) lens coatings with 100% waterproofing technology.

The SV Series represents a design with the perfect balance for anyone who needs the best optimal performance and also a lightweight construction.

It is an easy to use stylish binocular that has some of the most desirable features for any regular viewing.

The SV II Series enjoys the high quality eco-glass and has all its surfaces fully multicoated. The roof prisms are treated with the best phase coatings to boost on reflectivity.

These coatings provide better light transmission and color definition. They maximize the brightness and provide a high contrast to keep the bin’s performance at maximum.

This binocular, therefore, produces clear and vivid images. More importantly, its eyepieces and objective lenses are also covered with Kowa’s unique Kowa Repelling (KR) technology.

The KR technology prevents grease, fluid, and dirt from accessing and sticking on the binocular’s outer surface. This makes it easy to clean the binoculars.

The same technology also reduces any risks scratches on fragile lens surfaces since you will require low pressure when removing dirt.

More importantly, the SV II Series has practical features that enhance the daily experience too. It is fully optimized for use under any climate.

For starters, every joint and cavity is fully sealed thus making any binocular model in this class 100% waterproof.

The designers have also added a final climatic protection technology through the injection and sealing of every barrel with nitrogen gas.

By doing this, the model counters internal fogging of its lenses even under varying temperatures. Nonetheless, the SV II is also wrapped in thick rubber armor, to protect internal optics from any knocks and scrapes.

Again, the Kowa engineers have also increased the objective lens size to act as a protective buffer. It provides extra layer of protection for fragile internal lenses.

Kowa has also incorporated a large centrally-located focus wheel for easy use. It has also used the inner grip technology to increase the response of the focusing wheel to any movements.

This inner grip technology is also applied to the SV II’s dioptre adjustment ring. The next feature that the SV II boasts of is the slide eyecups with a three-click turn.

The eyecups allow any user to optimize the main distance between the pupil and eyepiece and are designed to accommodate any spectacle wearer.

Finally, there is a tripod socket that’s centrally positioned and, which allows the SV II to attach easily to a tripod.

NOTE: One other thing that I noticed with the SV II series is this. The body of this binocular incorporates natural contours and surface texture variation to provide a good grip always.

Main Features

• Fully Multi-coated Lenses: Increases Transmittance – multiple anti-reflective coatings
• Phase Correction Coatings: Applied on Roof Prisms
• BaK-4 Prisms: Optimizes light transmission
• Water and Fogproof: O-ring sealed/ Nitrogen Purged
• Tripod Adaptable – Mounts on the standard ¼-inch threading

Available Models

• Kowa 8×32 SV II Series Binoculars
• Kowa 10×32 SV II Series Binoculars
• Kowa 8×42 SV II Series Binoculars
• Kowa 10×42 SV II Series Binoculars
• Kowa 10×50 SV II Series Binoculars
• Kowa 12×50 SV II Series Binoculars

Pricing

The SV II series is responsive and easy to customize to your own viewing experience at a cost of € 249.00 to € 329.00.

Kowa Highlander Prominar Binoculars

Like the Genesis Prominar, the Highlander Prominar also uses the Prominar Lens Technology. It is a group of large binoculars.

The bins feature amazing 82mm objective lenses. The lenses are designed with pure fluorite crystal with an excellent light gathering capacity.

This technology helps the bins to eliminate any form of chromatic aberrations and instead leaves you with a distortion free viewing and an edge to edge sharpness.

The model is O-ring sealed and comes with dry nitrogen gas purging in its barrels. The result is an outstanding durability with a high-end ability to perform easily under extreme weather.

The PROMINAR Highlander also offers an easy system that enables you to change eyepieces easily. It is supported with an easy to use individual focus system and interpupillary distance adjustment.

The Highlander PROMINAR also offers an ultimate flexibility with its ability to change eyepieces. It has an extended high magnification observation with the eye fatigue free technology for better experience.

Thanks to its stereoscopic effect on the binocular vision. Remember, the large objective lens diameter also provides an excellent light gathering ability.

Best Feature: Fluorite Crystal Technology

The Fluorite Crystal Technology provides the viewer with the best viewing experience. It is one of the best technologies today, which will virtually eliminate all forms of chromatic aberrations. By doing so, the technology ensures that you finally get images with outstanding resolution and contrast.

One thing that you should keep in mind is this. Fluorite Crystal technology is substantially more difficult to operate than the optical glass. This technology requires advanced processing technology and that’s why it costs more when introduced into a bin.

Nonetheless, this is the technology that makes the Kowa Highlander Prominar extremely unique.

Available Model

• Kowa Highlander BL8J3 Binoculars with Prominar Fluorite Crystal Technology

Pricing

Kowa Highlander BL8J3 Binoculars with Prominar Fluorite Crystal Technology sells for € 3,999.00.

Kowa BD-XD Series Binoculars

Kowa BD-XD Series Binoculars consist of the XD (high grade ED) lenses that maximize the excellent low light performance ability.

The BD56-XD series remains highly compact and also lightweight. It fuses well with the large bright 56mm objective lenses.

The binoculars offer high optical performance and comprising the bright and clear imaging technology. The images are high resolution images with a high contrast.

The Kowa BD-XD Series are perfect for the outdoor observation and more specifically in low lit environments. They are also ideal for the best night sky observation.

Main Features

• Fully multi-coated lenses
• Highly reflective coatings
• Phase corrected roof prisms
• Twist-up eye cups
• Rubber armoring
• Waterproofing, and fogproofing

Available Models

• Kowa BD56-8XD Binocular
• Kowa BD56-10XD Binocular
• Kowa BD56-12XD Binocular

Pricing

The price range is € 619.00 to € 659.00 with the Kowa BD56-8XD Binocular coming at the lowest price and the Kowa BD56-12XD Binocular at the highest.

Kowa Ultra Compact Travel Optics

The Kowa Ultra Compact Travel Optics is one of the most common binocular ranges from Kowa Bins.

The Ultra Compact Travel Optics comprises a selection of ultra-compact bins that are perfect for travelling.

These bins are for the guys who intend to carry less or travel light.  They are pocket sized bins with a portable and lightweight touch.

The bins come with a wide range of budgets that suit all types of pockets. Because of their compact sized touch and quality optics, these models are very versatile.

They can come through for numerous applications and will work for sporting events, travelling, hiking, and birding.

Main Features

The bins are fully multi-coated optics. They deliver excellent optical balance and will give a close focus of 6 feet (1.8m).

The bins are also ideal if you want to observe small plants and insects. The prism is phase-coated so that you get sharp and high contrasting images.

They are also O-ringed sealed and nitrogen purged making them fully waterproof and fogproof. The glass wearers will also enjoy the twist up eyecups, which guarantee the best eye relief for a comfortable viewing experience.

Some of these models even use the Prominar Lens Technology, which is one of the high-end technologies.

Available Models

• Kowa BD 8×25 Binocular
• Kowa BD 10×25 Binocular
• Kowa 8×25 SV Binocular
• Kowa 10×25 SV Binocular
• Kowa Genesis Prominar XD22 8x Binocular
• Kowa Genesis Prominar XD22 10x Binocular

Pricing

The Kowa Ultra Compact Travel Optics is very affordable. They range from € 99 to € 739.00 in any certified retail outlet.

Kowa YF Series Binoculars

Finally, we have the Kowa YF Series Binoculars. The main feature of the YF Series is its value for the money and its mid-sized porro-prism.

The YF series binoculars come with a remarkably wide field of view. The 6×30 for instance has its FoV at 420 feet at 1000 yards. The 8×30 model, on the other hand, has its FoV at 393 feet at 1000 yards.

There are only two binocular models under the Kowa YF Series binoculars. They both have fully multi-coated lenses. The lenses are enclosed in an ultra-lightweight and compact waterproof housing.

Kowa YF series are also ultra-compact and perfect for travelling.  They are pocket sized and will deliver excellent optical performance.

Main Features

• Fully Multi-coated Lenses: Anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces
• Water and Fogproof
• Lightweight casing

Available Model

• Kowa YF 6×30 Binoculars
• Kowa YF 8×30 Binoculars

Pricing

The Kowa YF Series Binoculars are affordable. They range between € 129.00 and € 149.00 in any outlet.