burris vs vortex spotting scope

[ozy clint]

i might be in the market for a spotting scope. it's not something i'm going to use everytime i go hunting. i'll be using it for guiding here in canada and hunting for myself for tahr & chamios in NZ. it must be reasonably compact. water/fog proof. i can't spend a great deal of money on one but want the best optics in the 'budget' class. i've had a quick look and both a burris and a vortex have caught my eye. both are a short stubby 25-75x70. anyone got an oppinion on the quality of one or the other? even oppinions on these brands generally through experience with binos and such. any other brands/models worth considering. i know optically a budget brand will lag a bit but it's not something i'll use everyday. just a season on bears & elk. and some occasional hunting back home in oz & NZ

[Rusty in Fla.]

I've never heard of a Vortex myself but Burris has been around for quite a while. One thing I found out when looking for a spotting scope for the rifle range... A good quality scope with a lower power will allow you to see better than a poor quality scope with a higher power. The best thing to do is a side by side comparison.

[overbo]

I bought a Vortex scope last year.Not very plesaed.IMO w/ optics you get what you paid for and this is  a $200 spotting scope