Kowa 8X42

Kowa 8x42
The Kowa 8x42 is a versatile professional viewer with Pechan prism and phase coating that can compete with Zeiss and Leica. These binoculars are great for bird watching or general outdoor use. The difference with the Genesis (XD) models of Kowa models is that the XD models have a so-called C³coating on the prisms and Prominar XD lenses used in the Genesis models but not in the 10x42 and 8x42.

Filled with nitrogen: waterproof and fully dustproof
The Kowa is completely filled with nitrogen so that the inner pressure is higher than the outside pressure. This keeps dirt, water and other contaminants out.

Kowa Pechan prism with phase coating

The Kowa 8x42 and 10x42 are equipped with so-called Pechan prisms. This is a revolutionary invention to obtain a greater clarity in combination with a coating. Kowa 8x42 and the 10x42 use a phase coating resulting in a clear image. The Kowa Genesis models have an even better coating called a C3 coating.

Twist-up / foldable eyepieces (eyecaps)
The eyepieces can be twisted up so that the binoculars come closer to the eye; this is a must for those wearing glasses because normally they would see less (as the spectacles are between the eye and binoculars).

Minimum focusing distance: 2m
As the Kowa can already focus from 2m it is suitable for virtually all applications.

Reviews and opinions about the Kowa 10x42 and 8x42
The Kowa 10x42 and 8x42 are compared in this review with the Zeiss 8x40 BT* and the Zeiss 10x40BT* respectively

• Looking at the Priceof the binoculars: the two Kowas are just half the price of the Zeiss binoculars
• Looking at the sharpness and field of vision: The Zeiss viewers are performing only slightly better than the Kowas
• General conclusion: "The KOWAs are top viewers with good properties for a relatively low price. The light transmission and field of view are somewhat lower than the absolute top instruments. The KOWAs are not the top but still offer good value for money. They too are good for ornithology purposes ".