Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Spotting scope: New entry level or Old high end?

I'm looking at acquiring a spotting scope on a limited budget. In general which is better a new entry or mid level scope or a ~25 year old high end scope?

Example: Vortex Diamondback 20-45x60 vs Nikon Fieldscope II 20-45x60

Thanks for the input.

I'd go older, high end. The build quality on a sub $500 spotter is beyond cheap, they are all bad.

Nikon Fieldscope, no question. I have the compact field scope (50mm) and it's truly great kit.

More money spent general the high the glass quality is.

Thanks for the feedback! Nikon it is then.

the problem with vortex is they constantly change their models and when they do they blow out the old ones at heavy discounts. That really effects resale value. I say that and my spotting scope is a vortex viper HD. but I didn't pay retail for it and I shouldn't take too bad of a beating when I sell it, but I did know what I was getting into before I bought. ideally my strategy is to buy optics at the very best possible deal. Then I can sell and upgrade later and get nearly all or all my money back to upgrade with.

Old high end

Many years ago I picked up a used Swarovski and it still is as good as when I got it.

I have had several Vortex products and they are not bad but will not hold up like a used high end optic.

Still using 2 older models a lot at the range, Zeiss 85 FT-L and a Pentax ED 65. Paid 1100 for the Zeiss and 350.00 for the Pentax. Doubt anything new will beat them.