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Message: <blockquote data-quote="John Dracon" data-source="post: 1421951" data-attributes="member: 14799"><p>Erik - Since you have identified your use as primarily for hunting, I'll thrown in my two cents worth. For big game hunting the need for magnification over 20 power in a spotting scope is greatly exaggerated. I speak with close to 60 years experience using many different kinds of spotting scopes in field conditions. Since hunters hunt during the day, haze, wind, heat waves, snow,etc. play havoc with resolution. Zoom spotting scopes may intrique the novice, but fixed power pieces are best. The first really usable spotting scope in the U.S.A. was the old B&L fixed power spotting scope. B&L added a zoom, but it was really inferior optically to the fixed power eye pieces. The Balscope Senior is still an excellent spotting scope. Bushnell came along with the Rangemaster, which was really a B&L clone. Also a good spotting scope. But not rubber covered like today's models. I have used most of the current big name models, Zeiss, Leica, Swarovski, Nikon, etc. They are all excellent. For compactness, waterproof, good optics and price, the Pentax 65 ED is hard to beat. I have one. Go for the fixed power eyepieces in xw 20 or xw 14, not the zoom. It is inferior to the fixed power.  As stated, the xw 14 EP yields 28 power, but the xw 20 EP at 19.5 power has become my favorite.  Why?  Because it is very bright, the field is very large (61 m at 1,000 m), and the resolution is spectacular.  I have found through considerable experience that powers over 30 have diminishing returns. and the shakes start taking control.  (I am assuming your are using it under field conditions which will be less than ideal - which is most of the time) Even for sheep or antelope hunting the xw 20 is very adequate.  If 28 power tickles your fancy, go for the xw 14 EP.  John</p></blockquote><p></p>

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