[Bart B.]

I'll add to this thread saying that old M49 scope was "the" spotting scope for forward observers back in the 1940's; thousands were made for the US Army and Marine Corps. Several military rifle team members were issued them because they worked good enough to see subtle changes in heat waves as the cross wind speeds changed. But they were quickly found in the early 1960's to be inadequate to resolve 22 caliber bullet holes in the black bullseye on 600 yard targets; even in pristine conditions.

This is where your Kowa will shine. If you want the best clarity or image sharpness as seen through it, get a fixed power eyepiece; they're better than variables. I use a 25X eyepiece on my old Kowa TSN-1 and can see flies crawling on black bullseyes 1000 yards away when the atmosphere's clear and not distorted.