Howdy,

I am a elk guide working in wilderness area off the se corner of Yellowstone. Looking for a high end, packable spotting scope. I have a pair of Leica 10x42 Ultravids, and would love to get a Televid 62 APO to match, but just can't seem to justify the cost. So I am trying to decide between the Leupold 12-40x60 HD and Nikon 20-45x60 Tactical ED. Both are top end scopes, hoping to get some feedback from some of you who have used one of these two.

Your experiences and advice would be greatly appreciated!

If I may add a third option....Take a look at the Minox MD62ED with their 21-42 L.E.R. (long eye relief) zoom eyepiece. I think that would be the best choice in the not crazy expensive spotters.

I have the leupold, it sure is nice to have the case surround the entire scope, I just throw mine in a range bag or backpack and its completly protected by the padded outer case, In fact it works so well the lenses have only needed a light brushing with a lense pen ONCE in the last year. a ML deer hunt, a ML elk hunt and a couple coyote hunting trips in that time. The eyerelief on this scope is the only one I have found that will work with my glasses at all powers, and that includes the crazy expensive ones.

I would be interested to know the eyerelief spec on that LER minox, Doug is great to deal with he might even send you one to try out and if you don't like it send it back

Here are the specs:

Magnification 21-42x
Angle of View 21x: 1.6°
42x: 1.2°
Field-of-View (@ 1000 Yds) 21x: 84' (28 m at 1000 m)
42x: 66' (22 m at 1000 m)
Exit Pupil Diameter 21x: 3.1mm
42x: 1.5mm
Eye Relief 21x: 22mm
42x: 20mm
Relative Brightness 21x: 8.7
42x: 2.2
Twilight Factor 21x: 36.1
42x: 51.0
Weatherproofing Waterproof & fogproof
Dimensions 3.8 x 2.0" (96 x 51mm)
Weight 0.61 lb (275 g)