Choosing a spotting scope

[opsoclonus]

I'm moving into longer range shooting (max at my range is 600 yds) and my old 20X leupold compact just isn't good enough at distances greater than 200 yds. In terms of my basic gear, I sport a Remington Sendero 7mm ultra mag with a Leupold Vari-XIII 4-14X50. I eventually will be moving to a higher power rifle scope and will want a spotting scope that can take me as far as the range permits. My personal limit is $500-$600 and I was wondering which spotting scope would be the best for me. As I'm new to this arena, all I know is that water/fog-proofing and size matters little to me unless standard on the better scopes. I would like to know not just your specific thoughts on products, but what you envision to be the limiting factor in imaging a small spot at a long distance. Done a fair amount of microscopy in my time so I think I can handle the techno-jargon... java script:emoticon(':hittin-self:')
java script:emoticon(':hittin-self:') Thanks!

 

[mulie03]

I own a Kowa ts series. Any Kowa I

Highly recomend. High quality glass. Better than leupolds and Bushnells that I have had in the past, Next best choice is a Nikon Fieldscope.

 

[DKScott]

Both of those are really good scopes, but there are others, especially if your purpose is long range bench rest shooting. You may want to check out the 80-85mm objective scopes. Check out this website for some good evaluations and a primer on optics and what to look for. Its mainly oriented toward birders and they are absolute fanatics about optics Better View Desired

 

[so cal hunter]

I purchased a Park's jovian 90 scope frome scopecity in costa mesa ca. total cost with eye piece was $500. +tax. this work's excellent for target spotting as well as game spotting check out www.scopecity.com. made in the u.s.a. s.c.h.