LAST EDITED ON Jul-19-04 AT 05:17PM (MST)[p]
LAST EDITED ON Jul-19-04 AT 05:13?PM (MST)
Be prepared for the spotting scope snobs to tell you to save your money for the next ten years for a scope that cost more than some peoples rifles. Here is a link for Bear Basin Optics (see below), they have some good prices as well. I have found that an internet search will often produce better prices for optics than cabela's, don't overlook some of the ebay store's either....
As for price / quality, yes, I would be a big fat liar if I told you more money doesn't buy better glass. It's true, but sometimes you can be over glassed for certain situations. More importantly, any spotter is better than no spotter. I have looked through the wind rivers and they are not bad. You will see the difference in most spotters in the shadows and in low light situations. I personally couldn't justify spending over a grand on a spotter. I bought a Nikon Xl on ebay (kit w/ tripod, case)for 350.00 (499.00+ @ cabela's). I got the nikon tip from OSOK here at MM (and a few others), and he didn't dissapoint. Great glass, very clear, sharp, and fog/waterproof to boot. All in a good sized package.
Whatever you wind up doing, remember to do your homework. There are some good deals out there for everything from spotters to bino's to rangefinders. For great "barely used" optics try SWFA (the sample list) they specialize in selling optics demo'd at trade shows. I bought some Khales bino's from them and I wouldn't have known they were used if They hadn't told me, all for a few hundred bucks cheaper than anywear else. They'll get more use on my first scouting trip then they could ever get at a shot show convention.
Good luck.
P.s.... comparing the wind river to a swarovksi side by side is like running a pick-up "head to head" with a hummer. They aren't in the same class but will get the job done in most cases. Its the extreme circumstances that warrant the high end top dollar items and options.
I still contend a spotter is better than no spoter and you can make worse decissions, its still backed by leupold. Try it for a season, then sell it on ebay or another hunter in you position, and upgrade if need be. Maybe you'll find that it fits your needs for now. If money is the issue, like it is for most of us, then save the cash for other important pieces of equipment.
My two cents have been spent.....
http://www.bearbasin.com/spotting.htm#leup_spot
Take er easy
five_point_buck *
