I'm in the market for a spotting scope and I'm down to the MeoPro 80 HD or the Leupold Mark IV 20-60x80 with a reticle. The Meopta wins in clarity but does not have an option for a reticle. How important is the reticle and are there other options in this price range that I really need to consider?

Not a LR guy, but my understanding is reticle on a spotting scope is for a sniper/spotter team. Spotter can use reticle to call accurate adjustments based on observed impact.

If you're just using it to check a target yourself after a shot, I don't think it would be as important. I only use one for zeroing with no reticle and it works for that.

Someone may correct me.

I have a no reticle.....and wish I had bought with reticle.

Not that it was a huge mistake, but would be nice to have done the first time around.

Right now I'll only be using it for checking targets at a 1000 yard known distance range but our deer lease has the opportunity to setup targets much further. At some point I'm going to be using it for adjustments. I'm leaning towards the reticle because I don't see myself buying another spotter.

Also, has anyone used this for shooting prone? It looks like a good setup.
http://tacticaltripod.com/

Thanks. That's what I'm leaning towards.

Only reason to get one with a reticle is if you are shooting long range or PRS

No experience with spotting scopes, but I LOVE being able to zero a rifle quickly and accurately by using the mil reticle in my scope to measure the amount I need to adjust. I imagine it'd be more and more advantageous the further the targets are, especially when verifying needed adjustment for drop and wind at range.