Spotting Scope!!!HELP! my brain is fried

[CoryTDF]

Ok guys i need some help. I need a new spotter and am looking at Nikon and or Vortex. I don't have 1k to spend. I will NEVER own Bushnell products ever again so those are out. Was looking at the Kowa but cant find what type of warranty they have.  I am not interested in how "Sweet" it looked in the store. I want real reviews from field tested trials. I need a GOOD spotting scope and am looking ton the following. Who has used any of these and what do you think? I will be spotting from very long distances. I have ready every review i can find but some hippy bird watcher is not going to sway my decision one way or the other. I want hunters to help me.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/kowa-60mm-high-performance-spotting-scopes.html

http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Diamondback-20-Straight-Spotting/dp/B00BIKFKW4/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_2

http://www.opticsplanet.com/nikon-prostaff-5-spotting-scopes-20-60x-82mm-zoom.html

http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-15-45x65-Viper-Spotting-Scopes/dp/B004I8Q9SC/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_5

http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-15-45x65-Straight-Spotting-VPR-65S-HD/dp/B004I8Z48S/ref=pd_sim_sbs_p_1

[WenHunter]

I just got the Nikon 20-60x82mm, and I really enjoy it so far. I actually found it on camofire for a great price of $399, I bet they still have some left and will be putting them up again, or just give them a shout their customer service is awesome. That's my 

[sticky]

Aw man. You mean you don't like to drop some acid and look at all the warblers and chickadees up close - it's like you're floating through the scope and then, poof! Now you're a bird too - with all kinds of far out colors and a big beak to eat bugs with . . . but I'm a pacifist, I can't kill other living things. Maybe if I eat stuff that's already dead. What was the topic again?

[SemperFidelis97]

I use a leupold gold ring 20-40x60, I paid about 650$ for it on ebay new.  It has a very small profile so I can fit it, and my tripod into my pack very easily.  The optics are superb as you would expect from a leupold gold ring line of product, and I haven't had a single issue with it in all the years I have owned it.  I know you asked about nikon, or vortex I do not own either though I have looked through some nikon spotters all are fine products.  For me it came down to the lightweight space saving design of the leupold as well as my experience with the durability, and quality of the product they sell.

[CoryTDF]

Aw man. You mean you don't like to drop some acid and look at all the warblers and chickadees up close - it's like you're floating through the scope and then, poof! Now you're a bird too - with all kinds of far out colors and a big beak to eat bugs with . . . but I'm a pacifist, I can't kill other living things. Maybe if I eat stuff that's already dead. What was the topic again?

I laughed so hard i snorted reading this LOL

[CoryTDF]

I use a leupold gold ring 20-40x60, I paid about 650$ for it on ebay new.  It has a very small profile so I can fit it, and my tripod into my pack very easily.  The optics are superb as you would expect from a leupold gold ring line of product, and I haven't had a single issue with it in all the years I have owned it.  I know you asked about nikon, or vortex I do not own either though I have looked through some nikon spotters all are fine products.  For me it came down to the lightweight space saving design of the leupold as well as my experience with the durability, and quality of the product they sell.

I do like Leupold but i'm really interested in warranty. Whats the point of spending that kind of money and having to worry about not being able to get it fixed or replaced if someting goes wrong or you drop it. Vortex and Nikon both have lifetime "No Fault' warranty. I have used Nikon's 3 times all cases were my own fault and they did me right everytime. The last time the just sent me a brand new pair of monarchs. I think there is a time limit or something like that on the Leupold warranty.

[follow maggie]

Leupold has a lifetime warranty, even if you're not the original owner:
http://www.leupold.com/resources/leupold-warranty-infomation/

[sticky]

I laughed so hard i snorted reading this LOL
[/quote]

Dude! Snorted what? Can I have some? 

[Bob33]

Leupold has a lifetime warranty, even if you're not the original owner:
http://www.leupold.com/resources/leupold-warranty-infomation/

+1. You will not find a better company, warranty wise.

[grundy53]

I use a leupold gold ring 20-40x60, I paid about 650$ for it on ebay new.  It has a very small profile so I can fit it, and my tripod into my pack very easily.  The optics are superb as you would expect from a leupold gold ring line of product, and I haven't had a single issue with it in all the years I have owned it.  I know you asked about nikon, or vortex I do not own either though I have looked through some nikon spotters all are fine products.  For me it came down to the lightweight space saving design of the leupold as well as my experience with the durability, and quality of the product they sell.

I do like Leupold but i'm really interested in warranty. Whats the point of spending that kind of money and having to worry about not being able to get it fixed or replaced if someting goes wrong or you drop it. Vortex and Nikon both have lifetime "No Fault' warranty. I have used Nikon's 3 times all cases were my own fault and they did me right everytime. The last time the just sent me a brand new pair of monarchs. I think there is a time limit or something like that on the Leupold warranty.

Leopold has one of the best warranties out there. And it's lifetime.

[huntnnw]

Find a used leupold on craigslist or Ebay

[Bean Counter]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NIKON-FIELDSCOPE-82MM-ED-OUTFIT-/370839016013?pt=US_Telescopes&hash=item5657ba524d

You're done. IDK if this item up for bid has an eyepiece included or not, which can run you up to $250. I have a fixed 30x wide angle. I'm not sure if a 25-75x would be better or not. I have a ridiculously wide FOV, edge to edge clarity, and brightness in low light.

I would buy my scope all over again, without hesitation. I love the wrap around focus ring. The thumb wring is just too darned small for my spastic fingers to focus comfortably all day long. If you do a lot of backpacking in, consider the ED 50mm Fieldscope. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Fieldscope-Iii-Angled-Ed-20-60X60-Spotting-Scope-Hunting-Waterproof-8340-/390592534832?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5af1211930

Cheers

[Bean Counter]

Aw man. You mean you don't like to drop some acid and look at all the warblers and chickadees up close - it's like you're floating through the scope and then, poof! Now you're a bird too - with all kinds of far out colors and a big beak to eat bugs with . . . but I'm a pacifist, I can't kill other living things. Maybe if I eat stuff that's already dead. What was the topic again?

I laughed so hard i snorted reading this LOL

Believe it or not I learned most of what I know about optics on bird watching forums. Hard to fit in (didn't talk much about hunting) but holy cow those guys know glass...

[Bean Counter]

Yikes, I need to read more carefully 

I checked the links you provided and it looks like you're in a lower price range than my suggestions. I apologize but will leave them up FWIW. Good luck with the search.

[rosscrazyelk]

If $1000 is your budget vortex viper would be a good scope for that. 
I have the razor and it is only $300 more.   If you need a vortex hook up let me know