Which spotting scope would you choose?

[Tomochan]

Honestly, the very best value for money out there is the Pentax 80ED. Pentax spends virtually no cash on advertising their spotters but they really are exceptional.

 

[Melnibonean]

All Kowa's rotate on the body except for the 600 series. The Pentax is also a very nice scope, I don't think you will be disappointed.

You are correct. I was only looking at the 600 series, hence my observation. The other Kowas were never in the running.

Honestly, the very best value for money out there is the Pentax 80ED. Pentax spends virtually no cash on advertising their spotters but they really are exceptional.

I'm not planning on shooting during dusk or dawn, where the extra 15mm would come in handy, and I wasn't warm to carrying the extra size and weight into the field (I shoot a lot on Public Land in the US as well as at ranges here so I wanted something I could hike with as well as carry from the car to line and back).

I heard they were great glass, so I'll find out soon enough I guess. If I can figure out how to set up the digiscoping option, I'll try and take some pics as well.