Kowa 554 or 553 spotting scope

[Farmeromus]

I'm looking to buy a Kowa TSN 554 or 553. I have used a straight spotting scope . I want a spotting scope I can take with me in a backpack, and to always have in vehicle. I'm interested in comments on straight vs angled scopes.

 

[savagelh]

Depends where you're hunting and if you're alone or not. Angled is always nice for glassing up hills and for sharing with a partner so you can take turns looking without adjusting the height of the tripod. Straight models are nicer for viewing from a vehicle and also it's easier to find the subject in the lens. I prefer angled for what I do so I can use a shorter tripod therefore a lighter tripod.

 

[Markus]

I find angled to be better in a truck since I can roll the scope sideways and not have to twist my neck and back around as much to see as with a straight scope. However it's tricky to find what your looking for with an angled scope. In the field it is nice to be able to get comfortable behind an angled scope. Straight scopes tend to need to be mounted higher up which makes me nervous about bumping them over or wind blowing them down.

I really think it's 6 of one, half dozen of the other.