Leupold has just introduced a new spotting scope that looks to be their new best offering in that category. Both from the price-point of $2,339 and by the quality invested in this new piece of glass the SX-5 Santiam HD 27-55x80mm spotting scope has a foundation to deliver results. Whether you are spotting for a long-range buddy who is making some steel sing at 1,000 yards or glassing for elk from one ridge to another, this spotting scope should get the job done and then some.

The SX-5 Santiam HD is available in both a straight offering as well as an angled one in a Shadow Gray finish. The MSRP is the same for either choice at $2,339 and the complete specifications for these spotting scopes can be read below as presented by Leupold:

• Re-Designed Oversized Eyepiece – Eliminates eye strain and maximizes clarity for all-day glassing comfort
• Twilight Max HD Light Management System – Drastically reduces glare during the day and helps you see clearer at dawn and dusk when animals are moving the most
• Guaranteed for Life – The lightweight, high-impact body is waterproof, fogproof, and designed to excel in the harshest conditions, forever
• 100% Waterproof & Fogproof – Absolute waterproof and fogproof integrity – each is ready for a lifetime in the field, in all conditions.

• Armor Coated & Rugged – The durable aluminum housing is shrouded in a rubber armor coating that provides a positive grasp.
• Diamondcoat 2 – Exterior lens surfaces are treated with DiamondCoat 2, an ion-assist lens coating, for higher light transmission and the greatest level of abrasion resistance we’ve ever offered. DiamondCoat 2 has the additional advantage of assisting in light transmission, for greater brightness, clarity and contrast, and will prove its worth in the wildest places on earth.
• Guard-Ion Rain Shedding Coating – Our Guard-Ion rain shedding is extremely durable, scratch resistant, and sheds water, dirt, and fingerprints.
• Tripod Ready – A built in ¼ – 20 tripod adapter port makes it easy to mount to a tripod.

That is a solid listing of components, features and benefits, but the price-point might have a lot of people cringing. Leupold offered this excited and explanatory statement with the announcement of the SX-5 Santiam HD to potentially ease people’s minds:

Western big game hunters rejoice, the new SX-5 Santiam HD 27-55x80mm Spotting Scope has arrived. Designed with the most diehard hunters and shooters in mind, this new spotter delivers premium optical performance and rugged reliability in a way only Leupold can. You’ll be able to glass for hours without eye fatigue thanks to its comfortable, oversized eyepiece and premium edge-to-edge clarity. Combine that with fully-multicoated lenses that eliminate distortion and provide truer colors, and you’ve got yourself the perfect tool for identifying trophy game from several ridges away.

For all of our readers out there who do a lot of western big game hunting or long-range shooting, what do you think of this new spotter from Leupold? Would you dive in whole-hog at the benchmarked MSRP of $2,339? Or would you entertain something else? Is this spotting scope undervalued and $2,339 is a great bargain? Let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We will give you the final say on this one and as always appreciate your feedback.