HIGH END spotting scopes.

First topic message reminder :

So there are countless discussions about cheap/budget spotting scopes but lets say you've got nice equipment and finally want to upgrade your scope, what's the best for our purposes? I know a lot of people like the old Kowa scopes, are the new ones as good? I have an inside track on Vortex products, they have a 11-33x50 Razor spotting scope I can get for $500 which is still quite high even with the discount.

Ended up buying the Celestron Regal 65. Balances well on my Ray-Vin stand.
Will see how it performs for me shortly.
Was offered an Orion GrandView ED 80mm  at the same price as the Regal. Regal seemed better built although the Orion 80 was a bit brighter for image. It had a wider range of zoom too. Hope I made the right decision. But very happy with my purchase so far.
Only negative is that the case provided by Celestron won't fit on scope with the eyepiece protector cap installed. (And I can't leave the Ray-Vin scope mount installed and use the bag.)

PhotoEscape wrote:Zane, you can try upgrading to Celestron Regal M2 80 ED or 100ED.  A little bit more money, but higher magnification, ED glass, nitrogen filled.  Two last features would give better light passing capabilities, and no fogging.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/917619-REG/celestron_52305_regal_m2_80ed_spotting.html
AP

I use one of those for High Power. It's a good scope but heavier than the Kowa. I wouldn't use it in my gun box though.