Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Spotting scope-straight or angled version?

I would have agreed with you before I got my angled. Once I familiarized myself with the angled, I find it just as fast for me and much more comfortable to use

After hundreds of instances where others could not find a critter in their angled scope, yet immediately found it in a straight scope I have to see it the other way. I personally know of more than a few guys that bought angled and swapped to straight but none off the top of my head that went the other way.

I agree angled is more comfortable, and the way to go at the range, but the average guy glassimg and trying to find a specific animal is going to be far faster with a straight scope.

Angled outsells straight by a bunch. They probably get range time before hunting time and being able to point it at the target first and leave it there makes it seem reasonable.

the straight vs angled debate makes sense to me on the straight being more intuitive like throwing a rifle up or binocs where the straight would reign supreme. but, since i only use mine for sighting in on a bench i prefer angled personally. i get the argument for both tho........
Big Ed

I have used both and I prefer the straight. I don't find it easy to find what I am looking for or comfortable to view with the angled.

This is pretty much my situation as well along with the occasional sheep hunt. I'm pretty good at spotting game with the straight spotter and probably should stick with that as I ain't getting any younger. The main reason for the question was because I had found a spotter on sale that was only offered in the angled version at a very good price but as of now I am leaning heavily towards the straight spotter.

Have had both. Prefer angled. Here's my take on it,

Straight is a bit faster for a quick orientation on a distant point.

With a rotating angled eyepiece you can pan and tilt an enormous distance without the need to shift your tripod, or your position. Angled also allows a lower tripod, and easier uphill viewing.

Angled for me and I have used both extensively.

Then you must love to bend over.....
You ever do time?

I have both. I use an angled now but have been thinking about going straight (shut up you pervs).

It can be an issue to find a critter with an angled but a guy gets used to it and can get quick. I also spend maybe 1/100th of the time looking through it vs binos, so it taking longer to find a critter generally isn't an issue for me, and neither is neck fatigue.

Ain’t no way you’d ever go straight.

I prefer straight. Use binos way more as well and straight makes switching much easier.

Straight...

There's quite a few optics in that photo. Where you there to keep an eye on the turbines?

At 6'4" I switched to angled spotters years ago and it is much better, if I was using it with a window mount I would get a straight body scope..

Really? You seem to have the experience...

Use a real tripod and real men do not have to bend over.

While mentioning tripods... the head makes a HUGE difference in user-friendliness. From Doug I have gotten several different fluid-drive pan heads and the difference is incredible. SIRUI VH-10 is the bigger one I use now and really like it. I use the next size down in the same line for smaller scopes. I also have two different sizes of Manfroto pan heads and really like them just fine, but the SIRUI line is cheaper.

Here is a link to the head I like best at Cameraland.

https://cameralandny.com/shop/sirui...0136-2997-00163ecd2826?variation=1967752

With the Vortex Razor UHD 18x56 Bino on this head it is incredible how effectively a mountain can be glassed!

https://vortexoptics.com/razor-uhd-18x56-binocular.html

I’ve owned and used both, and prefer angled. Most of my spotting scope use is in mountains hunting Stone sheep, goats, caribou and the angled for me is more versatile in body positioning and comfort. It can be a little trickier to get on target, but a non issue in my experience. For me the versatility easily outweighs any difference.
If I was in flat terrain all the time, then maybe the angled wouldn’t have the advantage of versatility and straight may be a better choice for me.

I will add that one disadvantage I see in angled for backpacking is in the shape. In a full backpack, I find it easier to pack an angled spotter with the eyepiece removed.
When hunting with partial pack load, it’s no issue.

Straight for me quicker and easier especially if someone wants to look and moves it. Often you have one good look to determine if you go after game. Anxious to try out my Phone Scope adapter this year.

Same here.