Spotting scopes: angled or straight -- and why?

[Exlibris]

Hi everyone -- in general, do you prefer angled or straight spotting scopes (if a manufacturer offers equivalent models in both syles) for use at the range? Why?

 

[BRvalley]

This will boil down mostly to personal preferences. Try to spend some time behind both styles before you drop big coin.

I found a straight eye piece is easier/quicker to line up on a target, angled takes a bit of getting used to (but once you have the learning curve down it's a non issue). Straight tends to work better if you have a window mount in the truck too, and downhill spotting. But for all other positions, angled was a more natural fit for me, so that's what I went with.

 

[Gunneegoogoo]

I went with straight for my first big coin scope - Pentax 100, and I regret it.

It works if your standing behind a tall tripod, or I suppose on a window mount.

I'd definitely get angled.

-J.

 

[Snapshot]

Agreed with BRvalley. For use in most range conditions I think the angled design is handier, for field use the straight might be better.

Also angled is a bit more awkward to pack/carry.

 

[doc25]

Angled is intended to be used prone with a bipod/tripod. Straight would be better suited to field conditions. I have both but my better one is angled. I think if I had one only it would be a straight one.

 

[AP]

if you are using it for shooting prone on a range ... you will very quickly get tired of the sore neck you will experience if you chose a straight scope! In fact there are many situations where a straight scope tube quickly becomes tiresome... consider how you will use your spotting scope before chosing.

 

[GunsNotPuns]

I've owned both, in fact just replaced an angled one with a straight one. I shoot from the bench so straight works for me.

 

[Gunneegoogoo]

Clear as mud, eh Exlibris

 

[Exlibris]

Clear as mud, eh Exlibris

Basically what I expected, yes.

 

[Gunneegoogoo]

Hahahah....sorry.

What are planned uses??

Hunting? Bench at the range? Prone at the range? Sightseeing? Long range photography (adapters are available)?

-J.

 

[Exlibris]

Hahahah....sorry.

What are planned uses??

Hunting? Bench at the range? Prone at the range? Sightseeing? Long range photography (adapters are available)?

-J.

Mostly used to see holes in paper, .223, .270 and various .30 calibers at up to 300 yards from both prone and bench.

 

[hawk-i]

When i buy my next spotting scope it will be an angled model....my neck gets sore with the straight eye piece model after a few hours of glassing. Glassing with your head slightly facing down is a more natural position. Its like the difference between riding a cruiser and a full on sportbike.

 

[257Wby]

Angled takes a lot of the neck strain out of extended spotting sessions.The angle allows for a variety of positions that the user can take to avoid neck strain as most have scope bodies that rotate as well as offering the angled eye piece.
With a window mount you can find a very comfortable position in a vehicle.
When spotting up hill , I find it very comfortable looking down into the angled eye piece , rather than up as I did with my straight spotting scope.
It takes a little time to get used to finding your target with the angled SS , however most have a sighting tube etc that can be used to point it in the right direction.

 

[.284]

Go with whatever comes up for sale first in the EE in your chosen brand. Save yourself some cash and be happy. Each one is better than the other in certain situations but at the end of the day it's really a first world problem.......

 

[Gunneegoogoo]

Mostly used to see holes in paper, .223, .270 and various .30 calibers at up to 300 yards from both prone and bench.

My opinion, and I know everyone has one....just like we all have @ssholes.... Would definitely be angled for that.

Something that I found very helpful was what's called a "gear head". Check out manfrotto 410, or 405 if you have extra cash. They'll help you smoothly and accurately pan to, and hold your field of view. A solid tripod is important too.

 

[Kevin M.]

For my purposes, which is mainly prone shooting, angled is the only way to go and what I will get whenever I pick up my next spotting scope.

 

[Hit 'r Miss]

I went with a rather expensive straight scope two years ago and have been banging my head on the wall ever since. I've got bad neck problems so this scope basically sits in the box. Go angled.

 

[maynard]

Angled all the way. Forget about camera tripods, google "spotting scope stand".

 

[Sqr]

I have used an angled scope for many years. It's easier to view through without a great deal of movement while bench rest shooting. It allows the shooter to just slightly lean while holding the firearm.

 

[ginseng503]

I use our spotter for bird and wildlife viewing as well as target shooting. I can sit in a chair and look all over the place with an angled spotter on tripod. Very relaxing.