I have saved for 3 years for a spotting scope and want to get it right.I will be using it for muledeer and elk in AZ.Should i get a stright or angled eye piece.What power should i get?What brand is the best,clearest and will last i cant belive im going to spend so much.Thanks

i'd stick with the straight eyepiece. had an angles one once and it was great for prone target work, but i was damned if i could get onto game with the thing looking someother direction that right at it. I believe swaro is the best out there, but swaro, leica and zeiss are all going be high buck. also if you're carrying it around you'll want to look at smaller bodied scopes. most all are going to come with a variable power eyepiece, so thats not a consideration. As long as you have the money to spend, stay away from the low priced stuff. The inbetween scopes like nikon, leupold etc. all give you pretty good value, but go to someplace like cabelas and look through some of them and make your decision on what your eyes like best. Then I usually find the best buys at camera outlets in new york Get a photo magazine or 2 and look thru the adds, but be careful on the companies, some are really bad.

It would be my pleasure to discuss the different options in spotters with you. Feel free to give me a call at the store during east coast business hours.

This is easily the best discussion I have ever read about spotting scopes! If the link doesnt work, it is likely you will have to sign up on the site, but I promise it will be worth the effort!
Cdog.http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/6mmbr/vpost?id=1936814

Leica or Zeiss period
get the best they make ,i like my 45% eye piece,you simply turn down the power to fine what your looking for. if weight is an issue
go 65 mm if not go 77-85. my eye piece power is 20-60,but i think a 30power would work better all around.
regards