Got the chance to glass some white pelicans at Blackwater this weekend. Very happy with the tripod and the scope.
The scope price of $287 was all I wanted to spend right now and that is for the Redfield Rampage 20-60x x 80mm . I returned the 20-60x x 60 after Christmas and got the 80mm objective with an angled eyepiece. All of the reviews I read confirm what I experienced on Saturday and that is, "very good for the money." With a lifetime warranty backed by Redfield, which is now owned by Leupold, how can you go wrong ?
5 out of 5 stars in 40 reviews and most other websites were similar in rating it.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/redfield-rampage-20-60x80mm-angled-spotting-scope-kit.html
The Pelicans were nearly 1000 yards away (Google Earth image scaling) and at 40x, they were identifiable and fairly clear. I am not sure if high end glass would make much of a difference at those distances. Birds within a 100-200 yards were sharp at the lower magnifications but went to somewhat crappy at 60x. The 8omm also has a larger diameter eyepiece which helped expand the field of view.
My younger son says I am crazy for not going out and blowing $1500 or more on good glass. Maybe he's right but this will do for now.