If you want a mountain spotter, it has to be compact, light, and tough. My Elite has been on five sheep hunts, a goat hunt, and anywhere I have to carry a spotting scope in my backpack. Here's a super buy on a Bushnell Elite, which usually sells well above $500. Be sure and read the customer reviews.
http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-15-45x-Wa...+spotting+scope