OK, my 2 cents. I've got a couple of really good 8X binoculars, one is a Leica and the other is a Nikon LX which is just as sharp. My Nikon 50mmED can show me much more than either of my 8X binoculars can, especially at the longer distances like 1-2 miles. Set at 25X, it can show me a little more than my Leica 12X50 can at those distances.
No way I'd have a fixed magnification eye piece on a spotting scope. Sometimes you must reduce the magnification to see something more clearly. Other times, you can use more magnification. Usually this is early, or late in the day, with the sun behind you or close to that.
All that said, I suspect a 60mm Leupold Gold ring would work better for me as a packable spotting scope. Maybe one day, I'll buy one. E
