I have an opportunity to purchase a Leupold 12-40x60 Gold Ring spotting scope, non HD, for $600. I can purchase the HD model for $750.

I plan to use the scope for hunting, no photography. I really don't care if the color of the animal is one tiny shade off, but I do care how much detail I can resolve.

Is the HD worth $150 more?

Is either worth these prices, or is there a better way to go for under $1000?

You could buy my Kowa TSN 664 with 20x60 zoom and case for $850 plus shipping. Do the research yourself. Kowa is a MUCH better scope. I just don't use it anymore.
Ted

zeisstwice is right on the money. The Kowa 664 is superb.

I have the leupold and as a hunting spotter its tuff to beat, if you wear glasses its unbeatable even by the big 3 german companies.

I hear alot of people recommend kowa, the thing that is surprising is hardly anyone sells them, I have never seen a kowa spotter, I live in utah probably the hunting capital of the US and we actually need and use spotters around here, NO KOWA's around here.

another nice thing about the leupold is the form fitting case, It works great to just drop the scope in a back pack or duffle bag, I have only needed to clean the lenses twice in about 5 years the case keeps um clean.

I'd like to know where I can get a Leupold GR, 12-40X60 HD for $750. I'd buy it right now.
That spotter as well as their smaller 50mm where mentioned by Phil Shoemaker as the scopes that his guides actually took up on the mountain by his guides after they played with their clients "better" scopes. Apparently the long eye relief, compact design and light weight complete with a similar tripod makes it a favorite.
I'm sure there are better spotting scopes. But for a hunter on foot in the mountains, this one has long been a favorite. E

Far be it from me to offend someone from "the hunting capital of the US", but just because you can't find a Kowa scope in Utah (ever try the internet?) does not mean that they are not great scopes. BTW, many spotting scopes feature form fitting cases, including Kowa.

I had both scopes in question. For hunting they are hard to beat. The HD was just a little brighter to my eye. Those are great prices you cant go wrong with either. If it were me I would go with the HD. I sold mine and went with a leica televid for a little more magnification. I do sometimes miss the compactness and lightweightness of my HD leupold thought. Bottom line you cant go wrong, as they are great scopes. I wish leupolod would add a little more magnification to this same exact size scope. FWIW

Unless I am mistaken, the best price I can find on the Kowa is $950 and that does not include an eyepiece. Is that correct?

I don't believe Doug sells Kowa so I'll post a link. Be sure to click the right configuration you want. I just put in the 664 kit with zoom eyepiece.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/kowa-66-high-performace-spotting-scopes.html

I know zeisstwice was interested in selling his Kowa 664. You may want to PM him. Hope this helps.

That being said, if I could find a Leupy Gold Ring HD spotter for $750 I'd jump all over it.

I have both and the Kowa is optically better but if forced to chose just one for all my hunting needs I would choose the Leupold. As for the HD being worth an addition $100 - if you dont' plan on digiscoping I would say no.

Thanks for the link. I ended up at $1086 for the TNS664 with zoom eyepiece.

The Leupold HD at $750 sounds like a pretty good deal for what I'm looking for. I ultimately plan to buy an 80mm Swarovski so small size and weight is important for this scope.

That is a great deal for the HD or the non HD. I have zero experience with the Kowa but could not be happier with my Leupold (in non HD). If I'd have found an HD version for $750 I'd be all over it.

I am not saying they are a bad scope, I have never seen a kowa spotter anywhere, doug doesn't sell them, the metro area I live in has 2 million people, has cabelas and sportsman's wharehouse along with nearly every pickup truck being 4x4 and having some kind of hunting sticker on it. kowa may be great but their dealer network sucks.

we glass canyons as far as the eye can see, we ACTUALLY use spotters around her for more than the target range. I have looked at them all, zeiss, swaro, leica, IMO as a hunting scope the leupold HD goldring is a tuff one to beat when the overall package is looked at.

Right... The limited opportunity in this state makes makes UT far from that IMO. 'Course I don't have a hunting sticker on my truck either, while not kissing a man level of gay is getting up there...

What?

Ted, is your Kowa still for sale?
Vance

If you buy a a Kowa be darn sure you want it, because if you don't like it it will most likely be hard to sell. Most people haven't even heard of Kowa and hardly anyone carries them.

they had them at barney's chalet in anchorage, the last time I was there......course' not many folk in alaska hunt, but oddly you can buy a 454 casull pistol at wal-mart there