Very bad day at the range, my spotting scope and stand blew over in freak wind gust.  The scope is an older Kowa TSN -821 about 12 years old.  Emailed Kowa describing the damage to see if it's repairable.  I am spoiled by the quality of this scope and was wondering if any other newer brands have comparable optics.  If my Kowa is DOA I don't believe I will be able to afford the purchase of a new Kowa.  Any suggestions for less expensive alternatives.

Please post their response. I as well as others may have similar issues.good luck Bob

IN my humble opinion, the Burris Landmark with 80 mm lens is the best buy on the market. Not necessarily the best scope. Can see a .22 hole at 200 yds as well as any. I do not have one only because it is too long to fit into my range box, but I paid double for a scope that is no better in terns of what you can see. 

Go to an optics store where they will let you put a target up with .22 holes in it about 200 yds away and  compare scopes. then decide. I went to Eagle Optics in Middleton and they let me compare scopes side by side with a target I put up in a snow bank. 
Joe S.

I'll second the Celestron Regal spotting scope. You should be able to get a Celestron Regal M2 80 ED for about $600 or the M2 100 ED for about $750. That's with a 27X long eye relief eyepiece included. A sometimes shooting partner of mine has one that we've used and it seems as good as a Kowa.

It is extremely windy in Alberta.
Luckily I caught my scope before it hit the ground.

When you find a new scope you may wish to modify your tripod to prevent it from blowing over.
I taped nine 1/2 pound lead weights around each leg of my tripod.
She will not blow over anymore.

It also makes the scope more stable in the wind and reduces vibrations as well.

I found buying a good tripod was not good enough.

Solid mount makes for a good picture.  My Unertl which is about irreplaceable use a very heavy Bodgen tripod and even then often lash it to the shooting house post. It's too big and bulky to spot beside me when shooting. Mostly use it to check what can't be seen with other scopes

Use the little Leopold’s for alongside work, and often lash them to the shooting rail too.

What helps a lot  is using a spotting target beside you offhand. ASSRA 50 yard on a clipboard with push pins marking strikes.  Easier to refer to the board than re-count on the record target often. Get difficult light conditions holes fade in and out you find the new one easier with some idea of what was on the target before firing. My scores are limited by eyesight more than anything else, best don’t use them more than needed.

Boats

Well, I got an email from Claudia at Kowa American.  She stated that KSN-821 has been out of production for 10 years, parts are limited.  None the less I acquired an RMA# from here and got the damaged scope to the UPS store for transport to Kowa's repair site.  Will let you folks know the outcome when it is available. hoping the news comes from their company's recovery room and not their MORGUE!

Also thanks for recommendations on alternative scopes, I have heard good things on the Celestron's also.

Instead of using a tripod take a look at a Sinclair bench stand. It clamps to the bench and can't blow over.

40 Rod