Before I do Phase 3 of the "thou shalt have no empty space in the gun safe" project, we should talk a little bit about other optics and other things. Some are observation optics, some various auxiliary accessories.

If forced to start form scratch, I have to think carefully about what I actually use.

The whole discussion of what I like and do not like is about to follow and it will invariably, end up with spending a lot of hypothetical money.

If I was forced to choose one optic to pick up and use for hunting, observation, spotting for other shooters and for range estimation without having to sell a kidney, it would be Delta 9x45 LRF binocular. It is a very good general purpose magnification, perfectly respectable range finding module and excellent build quality for around $1150.
https://annexdefense.com/delta-lrf-binoculars-delta-t-9x45-hd-rf-bino-rangefinder-do-2720/

For me, the order of importance is as follows:
General purpose binocular
LRF
Thermal
High magnification binocular
Low magnification binocular
Night Vision
Spotter

Naturally, that implies to standalone devices. When there is integration of some sort happening, everything changes.

Now, onto the details:

Spotting scope would be among the last items I spend money on. I simply do not use spotters all that much outside of the range and for that I want a very specific feature set: I want good depth of field, reticle and integrated LRF. There is a product coming out onto the market that will give me all of that, but until I get one into my hands I can't make recommendations.

Until then, the spotter that lives in my bag is Athlon Ares G2 UHD with a 65mm lens https://bit.ly/3P5gSWi and 22x reticle eyepiece https://bit.ly/3P7oO9t. It does everything I need of it at a reasonable cost and reasonable bulk. I do also have the 15-45x variable eyepiece and I almost never use it. It so happens the lighting and air conditions I face most of the time, 22x is a pretty good general purpose magnification.

If money is no object, Hensoldt 15-45x72 is still the best for shooting sports. It is not clear whether it is still imported and I am not itching to spend that much money on a spotter.

Out in the field, I use binoculars a lot. Even at the range, if I am spotting or looking for trace, I am generally more likely to use binoculars since using both eyes gives me fatigue. I predominantly use three binoculars:

Kowa 6.5x32 for general purpose use where wide FOV and moderate magnification make a big difference https://bit.ly/3J4XjcU

Vortex Razor UHD 10x50 for hunting https://bit.ly/3qH6Gcc

Tract Toric 15x56 for spotting and long distance hunting observation https://tractoptics.com/all-products/toric-uhd-15x56-schott-ht-spotting-binoculars

Unfortunately, none of these have reticles and, since I am not a birder, I could use one. The holy grail would be a binocular that has a reticle and LRF. Steiner porro 10x50 got close, but it did not have an inclinometer in the LRF module which is a deal killer for me. I need equivalent horizontal distance.

Given that I live where there is a lot of open space, the first one to start with would be a 10x50. If I lived in a more wooded area, it would be an 8x42. For a general purpose binocular that will be used in a variety of lighting conditions, a 5mm exit pupil is about right and I do not want it to be an an ultra light. A little bit of weight helps stability and cuts down on fatigue.
If I could afford it, I would still own a Leica Noctivid 8x42. It is the best image quality I have ever seen. https://bit.ly/43vWe69 If Leica made a 10x50 version, I probably would not be able to resist myself and splurged.
However, they do not.

In the meantime, Vortex Razor UHD 10x50 does everything I want it to and I would probably stick with it again. If you want to stay on a bit more of a budget Tract Toric 10x50 is a very good choice.

Some people around here prefer 12x50, but 10x is about as high as I can comfortably handhold since I do not always spot off of a tripod.

The big question is whether to get a binocular with integrated LRF or two standalone optics. If you are looking to simplify things, an integrated unit is clearly better. In the past, you had to get Leica/Swarovski/Zeiss for the binocular to be good. Now, there are more affordable options like the Delta 9x45 I mentioned above. Meopta Optika LR 10x42 is likely made in the same factory in China and it is also very good. I just happened to prefer the 9x45 configuration.

On the high end, it is between Leica Geovid Pro, Zeiss Victory RF and Swarovski EL Range. For the same configuration, Leica agrees with my eyes better. However, I really prefer larger objectives and heavier binoculars when I also have to range with them, so I want a larger than 42mm objective here, so it is between Leica Geovid PRO 8x56 https://bit.ly/3MYiH4H and Zeiss Victory RF 10x54. https://bit.ly/43BE7M3 Out here, I'd probably get the 10x54 Zeiss. Pick the magnification you like.

Either one of these is closer to $4k than I am comfortable with, so for now I am sticking with separate binocular and LRF units.

I have two standalone LRFs that I use: Leica Rangemaster 3500.com https://bit.ly/3aRrmXB and Vortex Razor 4000 GB (note that the GB model is new and it talks to the Geoballistics app). https://bit.ly/3X2yWSP

One of the reasons I like standalone LRF is that they make for pretty decent monoculars. That's the reason why you do not see Sig LRFs or LRF binoculars listed here. They are great rangefinders, but image quality suffers.

The new Razor is a better bang for the buck. Image quality is quite good. App integration is very good. It gets very good distances, especially in tripod mounted ELR mode. There is a 1/4-20 mounting point on it which I really like.

Leica has better optics and it is smaller and more pocketable. It is also more money.

I really do not know which way to go with this one.

Both will pair with Kestrel. If you shoot long range, you need a windmeter. I use Kestrel 5700 Elite and it is very capable. Leica LRF is paired to it and I am happy with how well it all works.

That having been said, Kestrel has AB model in it and does ton of things. That you may or may not need. It is also expensive.

GeoBallistics app that I use and that pairs with the Vortex Razor 4000 GB also works with the much less expensive WeatherFlow windmeter. I have one on the way to investigate is as a less expensive alternative.

In the meantime, I can comfortably recommend Leica Rangemaster 3500.com with Kestrel 5700 Elite https://bit.ly/3oNQzJD

I just have not used too many standalone LRFs, but I will rectify that. Whether Razor 4000 GB with WeatherFlow works well enough to be recommended remains to be seen. It is definitely a much more wallet friendly option (by about a grand at regular prices).

Thermals keep on changing. If I were looking for one general purpose device, I would want something with a 640x480 (VGA) core, 35mm lens if 12um pixel pitch or 50mm lens if 17um pixel pitch. I would also want it to have scope and clip-on modes.

Accufire announced their Incendis Pro during SHOT, but I have not yet seen these in the wild. It promises to be the Swiss Army knife of thermals.
https://www.accufiretech.com/product/incendis-pro-thermal/

If you are not keen on clip-ons and just want a thermal scope, the best bang for the buck is probably with Bering Optics Super Yoter R 35mm (or N-Vision Nox35 if you want to go higher end. https://bit.ly/3qyFTiz)

However, this is one of those situations where I would splurge and spend the money on iRay Rico Pro that offers variable optic with switchable 25/50mm optic. That, to me, is a gamechanger. https://bit.ly/3P4QiNc

With budget thermals... look for products getting discontinued. That's where the deals are and they changed all the time. I use the original lower resoluton Accufire Incendis https://bit.ly/3CAuCRM
and Burris BTC-50 with rail mount adapter.
https://bit.ly/3NmDm3W
https://bit.ly/3CjeN1c

After spending that much money on a thermal, I would take a long break before buying anything else.

With night vision, I use Photonis PD Pro 16M and I have nothing but good things to say about it. It is a lot of money though and less important for me than the thermal. Talk to Brooks Precision if you are interested in it.

SiOnyx OPSIN is under $3k and while not as good as the Photonis in low light offers a lot of interesting capabilities. For helmet use well under $3k, I would be very tempted by it. https://bit.ly/45SKhJg

A few words on tripods, shooting mats, bags, etc are to come at a later point.