Kowa TE-9WH 50x Wide Angle Eyepiece for High Lander Binocular

High Lander Exclusive: The TE-9WH Eyepiece

The TE-9WH is an optional eyepiece for the Kowa High Lander and High Lander PROMINAR 82mm binoculars, which share one manual. Kowa lists it only for the High Lander, not for its spotting scopes or other binoculars.

As an optional accessory, the TE-9WH eyepiece allows you to expand the capabilities of your High Lander beyond the standard 32x eyepieces. At 50x you can study distant wildlife and other far subjects in more detail. This listing is for a single TE-9WH eyepiece; a matched pair is necessary for binocular observation.

50x Magnification and a 1.3° Field of View

The TE-9WH is the highest-magnification eyepiece Kowa offers for the High Lander. Its figures suit detailed inspection rather than wide-field scanning.

• Real Field of View (1.3°): a narrow field for studying one subject. At 1,000 meters this is 23 m wide (22.7 m per the manual).
• Exit Pupil (1.6 mm): A small exit pupil is a direct result of high magnification. It needs more precise eye placement and suits bright daylight.
• Relative Brightness (2.6): This value indicates that the image will be dimmer than with lower-power eyepieces, which is a natural trade-off for the increased magnification. It suits good light and is less suited to twilight.
• Twilight Factor (64.3): the High Lander manual lists 64.0. Twilight factor rises with magnification and objective size; with its small exit pupil, the TE-9WH still needs good light.

Optical Design

Kowa does not describe the lens elements or coatings of the TE-9WH. It is a wide eyepiece: the High Lander manual lists a 67 degree apparent field of view.

On the High Lander PROMINAR, it works with the binocular's 82mm pure fluorite crystal objectives, which Kowa says virtually eliminate chromatic aberration.

Viewing with 15.0mm of Eye Relief

Eye relief is the fixed distance from the eyepiece's outer lens to the point where your eye must be positioned to see the full field of view. The TE-9WH provides 15.0 mm of eye relief. It is the shortest eye relief of the three High Lander eyepieces.

For comparison, the manual lists 20.0 mm for the standard 32x eyepieces and 17.0 mm for the TE-21WH. Kowa does not describe an eyecup or make eyeglass-wearer claims for the TE-9WH.

Digiscoping with the Kowa TE-9WH Eyepiece

The manufacturer's documentation for the Kowa High Lander and its accessory eyepieces, including the TE-9WH, does not specify any dedicated adapters or systems for digiscoping. Kowa names no adapter for attaching a camera to this eyepiece.

Choosing Your High Lander Eyepiece: 50x vs. 32x vs. 21x

The High Lander system offers three distinct viewing experiences through its interchangeable eyepieces. The TE-9WH provides the highest power. Figures below are from the High Lander manual.

• TE-9WH (50x): 1.3° real field (67° apparent), 1.6 mm exit pupil, relative brightness 2.6, 15.0 mm eye relief. The highest magnification of the three, for detail on distant subjects.
• Standard 32x (Included): 2.2° real field (70° apparent), 2.6 mm exit pupil, relative brightness 6.8, 20.0 mm eye relief.
• TE-21WH (21x): 3.0° real field (63° apparent), 3.9 mm exit pupil, relative brightness 15.2, 17.0 mm eye relief. The widest field and brightest image of the three, for scanning broad landscapes and following moving subjects.

Installing and Removing the TE-9WH Eyepiece

The Kowa High Lander features a simple and secure push-fit mounting system for its eyepieces. The process requires no tools and can be done quickly in the field.

To install the TE-9WH, align the eyepiece with the opening in the binocular body and push it in firmly until it stops against the top of the focus ring. You will feel it lock securely into place. To remove the eyepiece, grip it firmly and simply pull it straight out of the focus ring. Fit the second TE-9WH the same way on the other side.

Care and Storage for the Kowa TE-9WH

Keep the lens surfaces clean, as the High Lander manual advises. First, remove any loose dust or grit using an air blower. For fingerprints or smudges, apply a small amount of lens cleaning fluid to a fresh piece of lens tissue or a microfiber cloth and clean in a gentle, circular motion from the center outwards.

After use, especially in dusty or humid environments, clean the eyepiece and allow it to dry completely. Replace the caps and store it in a vinyl bag with desiccant in a dry place, as the manual advises.

Kowa's Limited Lifetime Warranty

The Kowa TE-9WH eyepiece is protected by Kowa's Limited Lifetime Warranty. This warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the product to the original owner, provided it was purchased from an authorized North American Kowa retailer. The warranty is subject to normal wear and tear and is void if damage results from unauthorized repair, alteration, abuse, or misuse.

Lens caps, cases, pouches and straps are covered for their lifetime to the original owner but not for accidental loss. Service is provided when requested by the original owner. Kowa American Corporation will, at its discretion, repair or replace the product free of charge. Product registration within 30 days of purchase is requested.