good spotting scope for $500ish?

[wawhitey]

looking for some recommendations for a quality spotting scope in the $500 price range.

 

[broomd]

Some good scopes...Nikon ED50--$500-600, Nikon XLII--awesome for around $200-250; kowa-there are a couple of older ones on ebay, fabulous Japanese glass bargain prices.
Cabelas euro scopes are made by Meopta (who for years made Leica and Zeiss spotters for them) saw one go for $500 this weekend an Ebay. Awesome apo glass for the money.

Older Leupold 25X50 or 20X60...Great glass around $200-300.

A guy can spend very little money for great glass with some knowledge.
Just be sure to get nice, scratch-free glass and care for it properly.

 

[woundedrabbit]

Nikon Prostaff 5..

 

[Whiterock]

I second the Nikon Prostaff.

 

[grizzly]

Google "Cornell Spotting Scope Review". Then check out the 2008 comparison with a great pdf breakdown. Some models have been updated and not all are included. But it is a good start.