[birding] Spotting Scope and Tripod Suggestions

[gaviaimmer at live.com]

Hi Birders,

I was given some money with the stipulation that it was to be used to by a 
spotting scope.  I am looking to get a scope in the $400-$500 range and 
tripod in the $100-$200 range.  Bird Watcher's Digest ran an article about 
mid-priced spotting scopes and the article recommended the Alpen 788 
20-60X80 as the best scope in my price range, but I read somewhere that the 
review method that was used was inaccurate.  Has anyone had good success 
with this scope?  Living Bird did a scope review two years ago and in my 
price range they suggested the Vortex Stokes Sandpiper (15-45x).  Has anyone 
had good success with this scope?  Any suggestions are welcome.

I would like to get a decent tripod that is relatively tall since I am 6' 
11' and still growing.  I plan on getting a scope with an angled eye piece 
(so that it is easier to share the scope with people of different heights) 
so a tall tripod is not critical but it would be nice.

Thanks in advance.

Matthew Schneider
Silverton, Oregon
gaviaimmer at live.com