I'm going to buy my 1st spotting scope and have a budget of $400. It will be used for deer and elk hunting, and I would possibly

[2walla]

I'm going to buy my 1st spotting scope and have a budget of $400. It will be used for deer and elk hunting, and I would possibly take it out in the field with me. Should I get a fixed or adjustable magnification? What is the best scope for my budget? Or should I save more for a better scope?

[Booner Chaser]

Check out the Redfield spotting scope. When we were testing it out in the shop, we took it outside and were counting sticks on a hillside 800 yards away. Redfield is owned by Leupold and is a very good brand. I would check it out if I were you. Plus it only costs about $230 so you will have money left over to get your window mount and tripod and all that good stuff that is way overpriced because they know you will want one.

[Booner Chaser]

Just a warning though, at 60x magnification, the image does get a little blurry towards low light but if it is sunny you can see pretty good with 60x

[30-CAL]

Go for a compact model if you are going to take it into the field, buy the best you can afford it will make a difference in low light conditions and the better ones wont bug out your eyes. check out leupold or nikkon.

[Treestand]

The Redfield is the poor mans Leupold...Buy a Leupold even if you have to save-up, Remember you get what you pay for! Buy it one time it will last you a life time.

[Cgull]

For 400 I'd go with a Leupold. Look at Ebay for prices.