So far we are very happy with our Vortex Stokes Sandpiper 15-45x65mm angled, our first spotting scope, and have not regretted our snap purchase in August 2007. While in the area on vacation last summer, we visited Eagle Optics Canada in Guelph, Ontario, intending only "to look". But after testing a few scopes, we were so impressed with the Sandpiper--its ease of use, nice feel, good optics, and LOW PRICE!--that we went back the next day and bought it for C$390 (the price has since come down as the Canadian dollar has moved up relative to the US$), thus saving a considerable sum over the $1,000+ we had tentatively budgeted for a scope and eyepiece.
The Sandpiper performs very well in the 15-30x zoom range, even in poor light conditions. Images are clear, bright and sharp, with excellent fields of view. When the zoom is cranked up to its maximum 45x, views are still quite good in daylight and decent atomospheric conditions. The angled zoom eyepiece is built-in and not interchangeable, which some would see as a negative. For us, however, the versatility which come with a zoom was one of our criteria in choosing a scope. The small focus wheel on top is convenient and easy to operate, even with gloves on. The eye relief is 18mm, more than adequate if you wear glasses, as we both do. About 14 inches long and two-and-a-half pounds, the waterproof Sandpiper is comfortable to handle and easy to carry. It is compact and light enough to stabilize on a monopod for viewing at the lower end of the zoom range (15-20x), although most of the time it sits atop a Manfrotto-190XB-tripod+128RC-head.
We also bought an inexpensive monopod and mini tilt head. This setup works very well for using the scope inside a car. When tilted all the way back and parallel with the scope, the compressed monopod becomes something akin to a "rifle stock". Tucked under the arm and braced on the car window ledge, the setup provides very stable viewing, even up to 45x. We also have a window mount, but find the monopod setup works better. It is more maneuverable inside the car, and is easier and quicker to transfer back and forth from driver to passenger, and adapt to what each might be wanting to look at.
One criticism I have seen suggests that the plastic body might be a bit fragile. But our Sandpiper came with a stay-on-case which offers some protection. We have been careful in handling the scope, and have noticed no problem as of yet in terms or durability. I guess only time will tell. In the final analysis, our decision to buy the Sandpiper was based on what most agree to be the number one criteria in choosing a spotting scope--we looked through it, and liked the way it worked for us! As has been stated on this forum and elsewhere so many times, personally testing a scope is essential!
I have tried my hand at digiscoping by hand-holding our Canon A75 to the eyepiece, occasionally getting a great shot, but most of the time getting throw-away photos. It's probably not the best scope for that purpose.
Based on our experience so far, we would recommend checking out the Vortex Stokes Sandpiper.
And if you read the recent 2008 review of scopes by the folks at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, so do they:
http://www.livingbird.org/
And by the way, and for the record, we have no connection to Vortex or Stokes. We just "intermediate"-skilled bird watchers who are happy with our scope, which has made our duck and gull watching along the Niagara River immensely more enjoyable this past winter.
Hope this info is useful to you.
Ron & Lynda
Fort Erie, ON