Forget about the spotting scope unless you are just spotting game.  They are large bulky heavy and require a tri pod.  As far as binoculars all I use and alot of others is a good quality 10x42.  My prefenace is Swarovski but they are pricy.  The best suggestion is to get the best optics that you can afford, and that usually means a miminum price of $500.00 your eyes will thank you after using them for a couple of hours a time. 

Critter is right about the spotting scope (unless you like packing around stuff you will not use)

bino's I like the 10X50 in the fixed, but have a pair of Nikon 8-24 X50 that I like a lot, I don't go higher than 16 power on them.

welcome to the west

Thanks! That goes along with what Ive been told, to buy the best that I could afford, so thanks again for clearing that up...

I should of added that if you find a good pair of binoculars that you like at a local sporting goods dealer and think that the price is a little high get on to the intenet and check out prices on line.  Just remember that if you buy on line you may have to pay shipping.  A good place that I have found in here. 

http://www.eagleoptics.com/

I slightly disagree with the others on the spotting scope angle here. I think a good spotting scope or powerful pair of binocs can be very handy if hunting the flats and open areas for Antelope or Mule deer, it all depends on what you are going to do. I would love to be able to afford a really good one/pair of either, but have used others and been surprised what I could see. Not that you have to haul one around all the time, but for scouting, glassing from a ridge, as well as having a buddy help you carry the load while you make the move or whatever. I plan to rent one this year to help glass up some monster Mulies I saw out hunting Antelope year before last in the flats; and saw them through an expensive scope a passing hunter happened to let me look through when my own binocs where not enough. Frankly they were the biggest deer I've seen with my own eyes... so kind of have a fever this year since I was drawn for the unit. If I had the "big bucks" a good pair/one costs, I'd buy one tomorrow myself, LOL.

That said, I use two pairs of binocs depending what I am doing. I have a pair of fairly nice/clear Bushnells in 7x35 I'll carry in a pack at times for general glassing about medium in size maybe; and a small compact pair of Leupolds 9x25 I carry when out archery hunting. The small pair fits in my camo pants pocket for easy access with one hand while still holding the bow with the other. I used to have a nice pair of small Tasco's (world class?) that were perfect for my bowhunting stalks, (and footbal games LOL), with a slightly wider field of view and always clear and in focus. I actually liked them better than the more expensive Leupolds, but I couldn't find them anymore; my son lost it in the field one year... bummer. Some friends of mine have good pairs of 8x40's they use.

I also have a pair of 10x50 binocs kicking around someplace still I think, but they seemed too big and ungainly for me, and weren't of good quality anyway, so don't use them. I don't think the cheaper small/compacts I've seen are not of much use either really. You get what you pay for when it comes to optics I guess. 

:grin: I would just like to say thanks to all of you that have taken the time to chime in and help a GreenHorn from back east. You all have made me feel welcome before I've even got there. And just to let you know I'm not done with askin' questions. I probably got 10 or 12 left...LOL!!!

:grin:

Just remember there is no such thing as a stupid question, but there are some dumb answers. 

Well, OK then here is another one....
Hunting Packs: The one I've used has a few seasons on it, not fancy, not water proof. The ones that school kids are using for book bags are even nicer...LOL!

What do you guys use as far as size and different features?