Welcome to the board!
My sugestion is to get the best pair of binoculars to start with and then go withthe spotting scope.
My self I have a small set of Carson Z-80's for about $145.00

http://www.carson-optical.com/zoom.html or
http://www.carson-optical.com/superzoom.html

Without a smal tripod once you get above 40x things get interesting and they have a small objective lens so they are not the best in low-light conditions.

My wife LOVES them and I will have to work hard to get them for myself when we go on trips.
I used them in Africa(or rather she used them) this past June!
I generally carry a 8x or 10x pair of compacts when I am bowhunting.



Greg

"Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus."

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!