Best spotting scope under $500

[coyotemadness]

Can anyone give me any suggestions?

[hunterbuilder]

I currently am using the Nikon Spotter XL II. It's 16-48x60. It's nearly identical length and weight of the Leupold 12-40x60 except the Nikon is straight and the Leupold has a stepped design. I have both right now and tried the Nikon because of it's straight design is easier to put in my pack. I don't like how the Nikon doesn't have eyecups. You can get the Nikon kit with case & tripod for $500. The Leupold itself is $800. I did notice that Cabela's has a Leupold Golden Ring compact 15-30x50 kit for $500.
Anyway, I don't know if that helps but I gave it a shot.

[hunterbuilder]

I paid about $350-400 for the 12-40x60 leupold off ebay. I got the nikon for $300 off ebay. The leupold was used but good condition. The nikon was brand new in the box.

[high country]

pentax pf 65ed is about as much scope as you can get for less than a grand.

[Intruder]

Check out Vortex.  The Sandpiper 15-45 power 65mm Obj is 330 shipped from Eagle Optics.  I looked at dozens of scopes (new) under 500 and this 1 was the best I saw hands down.

[coyotemadness]

Thanks y'all 

[Dudeluv]

I have the Burris 20x60x80
I like this scope but it is BIG and heavy
You need a very good tri pod to anchor this hog down

[NORRISKI]

I have had leupold 15x30x50 and wind river 15x45x60 sold the 15x30x50 it was not very good for pack scope which is what i bought it for, very hard to focus funky tripod mounting, spent more time trying to get it focused than hunting,wore me out.The 15x45x60 wind river funny enough when leaving your pack open and crawling along they will fall out and get lost for ever, its optics weren't worth looking for ,it has been replaced with 16x48x60 nikon spotter very good optics for the money fits in pack good.

[Bookworm]

Definetly check out e bay when looking for glass. I bought several items for way less than what they sell for in a store. My leupold 12 to 40 by60 was 500.00 with a hard case and a few other things.

[Chopaka81]

I picked up a Pantax PF-63 with a 20-50x eyepiece from Amazon.com of all places. The price is $270. It is an excellent scope, though I would have perfered an angled scope, but for the price I snatched it up. I am not disappointed. Do a search on the keyword "Pentax Spotting Scope" at amazon and it will take you right to the scopes.

Don

[simpleshooter308]

if you get a chance check out the konus 80mm, there pretty good for the $$, about $180, good clear glass in them, a lot of guys i shoot with are switching from kowa to konus, because the konus is as clear, is lighter, and more reasonably priced.