Spotting Scope advice

[GoPlayOutside]

So it's just about time to pull the trigger and buy a spotting scope.  I have been saving for 4 years in order to buy a Swaro 60mm.
Now that I actually have the money for it....I'm really really nervous to spend that much on a scope.

Where should I be looking to buy (I need the whole set up: tripod, protection, eye piece, etc).  I was thinking Cabela's (not by first choice or price), but because I have about $450 in gift cards and points.

Also, do you recommend any other high quality scope other than the Swaro's?  Leopold, Zeiss, Nikon, etc.

[SemperFidelis97]

Ebay all the way if you ask me you will pay considerably more going to Cabelas do yourself a favor save the 450 in gift cards, and just look at how much cheaper they go for there.

[Bean Counter]

You have already showed great wisdom and prudence. Most serious hunters that buy cheap spotters wind up buying twice.

I lucked out and got a Nikon ED 82mm angled with a 30x wide angle eyepiece for less than $800 on ebay. The glass is outstanding. It is definitely in the top-tier. I wont argue that its better than Zeiss or Swaro, but I don't see how spending twice what I did would cause me to love my scope that much more. 

A few observations:
1. I love the wrap around focus ring. I can't stand those small focus knobs.
2. I wish it was a straight, not angled body. Mainly for when you're sitting up on a hill and want to keep a low profile lest you skyline yourself for the deer to see. However, when you're just standing and you're sharing a view with a hunting buddy, its usually easier to have an angled scope and not have to readjust the height.
3. Don't buy a cheap tripod and head. I picked up a Manfrotto from Adorama in NYC. B&H sucks. You wont so much notice the difference if you say have it set up at the range and are just leaning over to check your grouping. However comma when you're panning around for hours and hours its nice to have a smooth feel as it turns. i've also sat in my tuck to rest in the middle of gusty winds and left the scope set up while I rested and the thing didn't flintch in the wind. 

[Wacenturion]

I purchased the Nikon ProStaff Spotting Scope Outfit, 20x60 with an 82mm front end in camo.  Great package.  No complaints.  It also fits nicely in my Badlands Hypervent pack with a designated scope pouch. 
Obviously not a Swaro, or Zweiss, but then neither is the price.  They are currently on sale at Cabelas by the way, about $100 off on the one I have.

Another one to check out would be the new Zen Ray spotter.

[Huntnphish]

 Don't feel nervous about buying a Swaro spotter, you are going to love it.

[7mag.]

I did the same thing a few years ago. I ordered one for a decent price, and before it came, I decided to send it back. When it arrived, I set it up and looked up in the hills behind my house. That's all it took. It is now a huge part of my scouting and hunting. You will not be disappointed. I have the Swaro 20-60x80 HD. My hunting partner calls it the Hubble.

[HUNT]

When you buy the Swarovski you wont ever worry about needing a new spotting scope.   

Finally talked a friend of mine into a 20-60x65 HD.  Now he doesnt ask to look through mine all the time.   

[jackelope]

I have had a couple inexpensive spotters in the past. I still do actually. For my special permit hunt last year I got to use a Swaro 20-60x60 and my buddy with me had the 20-60x80.... holy crap is all I got to say. Those things are amazing. If you have the money and are prepared to spend that kind of coin on a spotter, I can't imagine anyone having any concerns regarding the quality or the functionality of one of those spotters. They're amazing. If you're prepared to do it financially, do it, you won't be sorry.

[deerdog]

Don't feel nervous about buying a Swaro spotter, you are going to love it.

 I had the same feelings when I bought mine, but now that I have it I don't regret buying it at all.Also If you buy it now you will have it for the rest of your life.

[jjhunter]

Buy your tripod and scope cover at cabelas with your gift card.   Don't buy your scope there.   Do some shopping on the internet.  Buy an STS HD, not an STM.  You will pay more for the STM and there are no optical advantages over the STS.  I've had the STS 60 and the STS 80 HD.  I bought the 60 in 2001 for $1149 at Sportsman Warehouse with part of my harvest check.  I stole my STS 80 HD (last summer) for $1583 out the door at Wholesale Sports!!   

Shop around, deals are where you find them and you can save a BUNCH of money.   I've owned about everything that Swarovski makes and the stuff holds it value.  I bought a pair of SLC 10x50 in 2004 and used them for 6 years and sold them for the same price as I bought them for.   I sold my STS 60 after using it for 10 years and lost $49.  I could have sold it for $1500 to a guy in WY, but sold it locally to a buddy instead.......Not that you would ever sell, but there is a reason that these things hold their value over time!

[Bean Counter]

I'm curious about the difference in quality for the straight, 65mm scope in both HD and reg'lar (non-HD). 

[whacker1]

Buy your tripod and scope cover at cabelas with your gift card.   Don't buy your scope there.   Do some shopping on the internet.  Buy an STS HD, not an STM.  You will pay more for the STM and there are no optical advantages over the STS.  I've had the STS 60 and the STS 80 HD.  I bought the 60 in 2001 for $1149 at Sportsman Warehouse with part of my harvest check.  I stole my STS 80 HD (last summer) for $1583 out the door at Wholesale Sports!!   

Shop around, deals are where you find them and you can save a BUNCH of money.   I've owned about everything that Swarovski makes and the stuff holds it value.  I bought a pair of SLC 10x50 in 2004 and used them for 6 years and sold them for the same price as I bought them for.   I sold my STS 60 after using it for 10 years and lost $49.  I could have sold it for $1500 to a guy in WY, but sold it locally to a buddy instead.......Not that you would ever sell, but there is a reason that these things hold their value over time!

Sound Advice

[HUNT]

I'm curious about the difference in quality for the straight, 65mm scope in both HD and reg'lar (non-HD). 

In my opinion the only need for the hd would be if you are planning on taking pictures with it. 

[jackelope]

I'm curious about the difference in quality for the straight, 65mm scope in both HD and reg'lar (non-HD). 

In my opinion the only need for the hd would be if you are planning on taking pictures with it.

I've been told the same thing.

[BIGBULLBALLS]

Check out Bear Basin Outfitters http://www.bearbasin.com/spotting.htm.  I picked up my Swaro HD 20x60 80mm ATS for $2803.  The scope came with a Velbon Carbon Fiber Basic Works Package which included the fluid filled head.  This setup is awesome.  Great glass and a full size tripod that is unbelievably stable and half the weight of the aluminum model.  Bear Basin is the largest Swarovski dealer in the country. They are not able to have discounts on the scopes but can "through things in" to sweeten the deal. 

Very good people to deal with!