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Okay:

Looking at the Leupold 12-40x60 non-HD for $999.95 and Zeiss Dialyt 18-45x65 $999.95(open box).

Which one?

Is there another good option for a grand?

- Tom

I wouldn't spend anywhere near a grand for the non-HD Leupold. You can find them used in like new condition for $500-$600.00.

No experience with the Zeiss Dialyt.

I just picked up the Dialyt from Doug and I am impressed with it. I was down to the same choice you had and glad I went with the Zeiss. I have owned the HD version of the Leupold in the past and I would say this is as good at the very least. The Zeiss is built like a tank as well...I dont think there is a spotter built as tough out there.

I have the Leupold. If you wear eyeglasses its your huckleberry. Best scope of all I have had, and I have had some pretty good Kowas and Swarovskis in the past.

You can find them used for either side of $600.

I have no experience with the Zeiss so cannot comment.

harv:

Any issues with eyeglasses, or are you one of those fortunate men with 20/20 vision?

Right now I am one of the lucky ones and I dont wear glasses....if you want i could try it with some sunglasses on to see how the eye relief is? Let me know if you want to try it out

If you wear glasses, the Leupold 12-40x60mm Gold Ring is the scope for you. Best eye-relief in the business, period.

Rob:

It's starting to look as thought the Leupold has the edge for eye relief, which is definitely an issue for me, but you've got my curiosity aroused. By all means, drag that Zeiss out and press your Oakleys up to it.

Ok so I went out and set it up on the window of my truck, Oakleys in place and found that with the rubber eye cup rolled down and my glasses up against it I had the full field of view that I get with no glasses on. As I pulled away the field of view shrunk.

Like I said above I have owned both the Leupold and now this one...the build of the Leupold doesnt hold a candle to the Dialyt and the Leupold HD is definitely not sharper IMO. I wish I had a Leupold here to test eye relief side by side but I don't.

You know if you get the Zeiss from Doug and you dont like it he will take it back as long as its in the same condition you received it in...

I am surprised the Pentax 65 ED hasn't been mentioned at all yet. Depending on what eyepiece you use with it the optical performance has been compared to the much more expensive European brands. Eye relief can be very good as well depending on, again, which eyepiece you choose to use with it. A link to a an extensive review of it is below...

http://www.betterviewdesired.com/Pentax-65-mm-Spotting-Scope.php

I am not sure if size matters but if it doesn't then I would suggest the Theron Optics Mag82. It is a bigger and heavier scope than any of the 60 mm class models that have been discussed so far but it comes with both a fixed power - 30x -wide angle zoom and a 25-75x zoom. Eye relief with the 30xbis very good while the zoom is a bit on the short side. Optical performance is excellent in all practical areas.

If you are stuck on Leupold then I would suggest the Kenai. Same size and eyepiece combo (zoom and wide angle 30x) as the Theron and about the same price.

I've had both of those - get the old grey swarovski 80mm used. It's a little heavier, but the view is better than the new HD swarovskis (to me - I sold my HD 80mm and bought the old grey colored one). They can be found for less than a $1000. Lead crystal glass is just awesome.

here's a spyglass worth considering.....

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...S_Swarovski_CTC_75_spotting_#Post6649584

Just ordered the Zeiss from Doug. Rob's thumbs-up on the eye relief and the ruggedness sold me.

I hope your happy with it. I really like mine. You will have to let us know what you think.