Have u compared 883 to the newer 88a? I think kowa say the 88a has an extra 4% light gathering, which probably is barely noticeable moet of the time. Also the new 88a has some rubber armouring, which personally I think could wear over time. In the uk the 88a is around £600 more than the 883 so not sure if it's worth the extra cost.

@@GM-bq6zo I haven´t had the option to compare 883 side-by-side to 88A. But this weekend I was part of the staff in the Focus Nordic tent at Falsterbo Bird Show (2000+ honeybuzzards) and had 66, 88 and 99A side by side. The 88A stands out as a true allrounder, crisp picture throughout all the FOV and very easy handling and locating flying birds. At home I have 883 and 99A, but would probably have settled on the 88A instead as sole scope, had it been available at the time of the 99A purchase. Even though 4% may not sound as much, it is still 4% on the ladder to perfection probably due to newer coating and tweeks and ajustments of an already excellent 883. I even think that the 88A boosts the FOV with a few meters (on 1000m distance), as zoom starts at 42m and 35xW creeps to 45m. But doesn´t remember the corresponding figures for the 883. By the way, the 663 and the new 66A was like miles apart. I always liked the 663 especially with the old 30xW okular, but the 66A with both zoom and new 35xW was way better to my eye. Funny though the to okulars new zoom vs new 35xW costs almost the same.