Not knowing what your budgit is, and if you plan on using a camera with it let me just add a couple thoughts here:
* I use an 82mm Kowa that is the midline model. It's not in the same league with the flurite coated Kowas, but still better than 90% of them. I use the 27x eye piece, and have no trouble picking out pop rivet heads at 375 yards. Get very little if any mirage (this will separate the good ones from the also rans).
* The Pentax, Nikon Field Scope, and the B&L Elite series are also really good ones. The best I've seen on super hot days in full sun are the and Liecas & Swarovskis. But on the cheap side you might want to look at the Celestron. A lot of guys are using them, but they are not at the same level as the others here. For 100 yards or less shooting the Celestron is probably all you need if you get at least a 77mm lens.
* More people cuss a spotting scope because of a cheapo tripod than anything else. They hop on the 60x eyepiece bandwagon, when all they need is 30x power. Good scopes are long and heavy, so buy a good tripod. The heavyduty Gitzos and Manfrettos are about as good as it gets. I have all my cameras and my two spotting scopes set up with the dove tail attachment for quick removal.
If your shooting off a bench, the ones from Sinclair and Champions Choice are the best.
Gary
