spotting scope question
 

Planing on buying a spotting scope, will spend $400 to 500 Probably a leupold. What power is best ? This will be used for antelope and mule deer.

Look at Vortex optics.

As much power as you can get!

Choice of straight or angled;

http://www.opticsplanet.net/vortex-o...ng-scopes.html


No questions asked warranty - gotta like that !

Cameraland is another excellent company to do business with and get great prices on just about anything in binos, scopes, cameras, etc.

You can't go wrong with a Leupold, though my experience is with a rifle scope. I have a Vortex spotting scope, one of the older 80 mm Nomads. They fixed it without charge when my son knocked over the tripod and the base of the scope broke. If you have the luxury, I'd strongly encourage to look through a scope before you buy. People's eyes are different and what may seem like the best scope to one may not be the case with another.

X2 on looking through the scopes. Most places will let you take them outside so you can compare them next to each other. I have heard good things about Vortex and just picked up one of their rifle scopes. Nikons have nice clear glass. I have a Winchester spotting scope that I have used for a few years that i like.

I've got an older Redfield. It's 20x45 with a 60MM lenses. IMO anything that goes above 45 is not worth it. At 60X you get a lot of mirage. I've used my scope on 3 separate sheep hunts & a mtn goat hunt all here in Colorado. I had no problem seeing & judging the animals.

I would look at Nikon before the Leupold. I think with Leupold you are paying a premium for that gold circle.

Swarovski is crystal clear above 45....

But no where near the OPs price.