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I am looking for a spotter and have never had one before. What is the advantages/disadvantages of the straight tube over the angled or vice verse? Is it just a personal preference or is there a real difference? Thanks

There are perks to each I guess.

Like being able to use a shorter tripod while standing with an angled and being easier for another person to look through without adjusting the scope.

Straight is well straight and might have some advantages with packing. They claim it is easier to look at something and then find it with the spotter. Using from the truck with a window mount seems to be another plus they offer.

All in all it comes down to personal preference IMO. Best thing to do is go to a sporting goods store and look through each at different positions. You'll find what you like best.

For me it's angled all the way. I'm often reminded how much I like it as I can't stand trying to look through my buddies straight scope.

Bit more of a learning/practice curve to find your subjects through an angled vs straight.
Optically, no difference.

Angled everytime for me. People say it is easier to find your target with a straight scope and that it is easier to look through a straight scope on a window mount.
Not for me.
An angled scope with a ring that rotates around the body allows an infinite number of adjustments to the scope instead of to your neck, head and back.
YMMV, get a good one.

Personal preference. For me it's a no-brainer for the reasons the guys mentioned. I go 100% straight.

You're not straight Jordan...You're not fooling anyone .


I like the angled myself, but I do worry about damage to the angled part of the eye piece in my pack, especially when packing quarters and the scope is jammed in the pack during the first trip out. I've never had a problem with it, but it is always in the back of my mind.

The angled eye pieces is easier on my neck, unless I am looking uphill...then it can be a pain at times.

You guys are talking to an old fart that not going to tote a spotter any further that to the bench from the truck at the range! LOL Thanks for all the information! Daniel

I'm in this camp.....

Same here.

Have used and owned both, but give the nod to the straight eyepiece.

It is generally slower to pick up critters with the angled. I thought the angled would be great when sitting in the pickup with the eyepiece turned 45 degrees, but it's not nearly as convenient as I imagined.

An angled doesn't fit into my pack as well as a straight, the angled seems to take more space. The straight eyepiece is a slicker package.

Full disclosure: When in the field, I use a monopod, and a straight eyepiece is easier to control--so that does influence my perception.

Casey

Another vote for straight.

For spotting hits from a bench or otherwise I prefer the angled.

angled for me. more viewing options.

After years of using straight spotters I traded my 65mm STM for a angled STS 65mm Swaroski Spotter, works great hunting and even better at the range.

Depends what you will be using if for the most. Here when using it in the mountains I wouldn't trade an angled for anything. To me it's much more comfortable for looking uphill, downhill, straight, etc. I personally do not like using the angled from a window mount though. It does work but its not my top pick. I normally use 12x binos on my window mount anyway. If your primarily going to use it from a vehicle or on a range straight may be the best. I would try to get your hands on one of each and see how you like using them.

I've had/used both and prefer the angled spotter. All personal preference though.

Straight

Yep, straight for me too.

Straight for me - I have a heck of a time finding what I'm looking for in angled spotters. Just does not seem natural for me to look down at an angle to look straight ahead.