Hi HNI Visitor,
I haven't had any experience with Burris spotting scopes. I carried a Waterproof Redfield for about five years in Alaska and it worked very well. (And I still have it six years later!) Optics were clear, never had a fogging problem, and if I could find fault in it at all.....it would be that it isn't exactly small or light by today's standards. But a "very sound" glass all in all.
One of the new scopes I've seen that has really caught my eye is the New Leupold Golden Ring 10-20x40mm Compact Spotting Scope. You can see it at their website:
http://www.leupold.com/products/gold...binoculars.htm
I haven't looked at it really close, and I certainly haven't spent any time behind one yet.....but what caught my eye....is its size. It has to be one of the most compact spotting scopes I've ever seen. I intend some time in the very near future to go check one out at length. It remains to be seen what I'll think of it then. We'll see!
I suggest if you have access to a reasonable sized range, or shooting club, ask around with the members and see what they own. See if they are willing to let you spend a handful of minutes behind theirs. Or if you make it to one of the bigger "outfitting" stores.....like Cabelas, or Gander Mountain....talk to the manager on duty and see if they will allow you to carry several outside, tripod mounted, and look through them.
If all else fails, (or maybe just for the heck of it), contact a number of outfitters and ask their opinions. Ask what they use....and why! And keep an eye open for spotting scope reviews, (though if the reveiwers accept advertising from those companies....read with a grain of salt).
Good luck with your search!