Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Straight or angled?

I didn't want to hijack the Leica/Kowa thread but in it, it seems the overwhelming preference is for straight scopes.
I was on the verge of ordering an angled body scope but want to get opinions on the two.
If you prefer the straight body, are you doing most of your spotting while sitting?
Seems to me an angled body with a rotating collar would be more versatile???
Thanks for the help.

80% of the spotters we sell are angled

Angled is easier to use on a tripod. Straight is easier to use on a window mount.

straight body to spot and find quickly, angled to glass areas. I don't normally glass with a spotter. I use it to see how big animals I have spotted with my binoculars are. so for me its straight.

After using an angled spotter, I'll never ever own another straight spotter.

Site down the side for fast alignment

Angled is more versatile and comfortable from certain positions, but straight is faster and more intuitive for locating objects/critters. Straight is also more compact and packable. Having used both a fair bit, my last few spotters have all been straight.

I live in The Real World,replete with Gravity and Moisture. Angled is far too many concessions,for ZERO "gain". Hint.




Just sayin'................

This for the most part.

I have both partly for these reasons. Another reason I have both is based on the features of the range I am using. Two of the ranges have you firing down a tunnel of one sort or another and it is more comfortable to position an angled eyepiece to stand and lean over to look down range than to squat down with a straight if one is limited to one station. The others are wide open with ambidextrous benches so it is no problem to adjust the stand for ease off use with a straight eyepiece. The next time I upgrade I'll look at getting a single scope with interchangeable eyepieces.

Angled for me. I have two spotting scopes and both are angled. I find them easier and more comfortable to use, both in the field and on the range.

After using both, stayed with angle.

To me, it boils down to how you use it. If you glass with binoculars from a tripod, and use a spotting scope for a closer look, angled makes no sense at all IMO. I’m always a bit confused when people claim the angled is more comfortable to use, but glass for hours with binoculars from a tripod. Usually when switching from binoculars to a straight spotting scope, all I have to do is scoot back a little, and maybe a slight adjustment in vertical depending on the spotting scope and/or binocular mount.

Switching from binoculars to angled involves either completely readjusting the tripod or rolling the barrel and moving.

If using at the range, glassing off your knees, then going to a spotter, multiple people using the same spotter, or a lot of use looking up steep slopes, the angled wins.

I like digiscoping better with an angled, but it’s not worth the negatives to me.

Angled for me for sure. The scoliosis in my back and neck dictates that - it's just more comfortable. Growing old sucks.....

Mine is straight. It really only gets used at the range. I've looked through the angled when people have had them at the range, I still prefer straight. If I was sitting on the side of the mountain in Alaska or whatnot, with it on a tripod that's lower down than my legs, I may prefer the angled but I think I'd struggle with lining up on objects.

If you are going to use binos and a spotter off the same tripod at the same time it's no brainer to use a straight spotter. I can go between binos and straight spotter in less than 15 seconds and be damn near the exact same eye height. Try that with an angled spotter and let me know how long it takes you to get back on your target!

I could agree with this, straight is the only was to go

From whatever position I'm shooting from the spotting scope is set up next to me so the eyepiece has to be angled - this is whenever I have a fixed position set up to shoot from, range or field. I use binoculars for walkabout conditions when hunting,

I think the only time a straight eyepiece has made sense was when the spotter was on a tall tripod and used standing, like when on white pointer patrol at the beachside.

I've got both. I like the angled better for a couple reasons.

First, it can be used on a lower tripod, that's an advantage in the wind.

Second, It's easy to adjust the scope to see a very wide lateral field without needing to adjust the tripod position or your position.

There is nothing about you that is straight, but I heard you enjoy scooting back ‘a little’ and doubly so when some vertical movement is thrown in. Don’t play us for a fool.


OP, I use an angled but am planning to go straight when I get a new spotter at some point. Wait, that didn’t sound right….

I still glass with binos by bracing my elbows on my knees, as opposed to having the binos on the tripod. That means readjusting the tripod height when getting on the spotter isn’t an issue for me with my angled. Definitely ups and downs to them, depending on your use, preference, etc.

Straight. We spend hours in the same spot for days. Set up the scope properly on a good tripod and use a good seat to keep your mind on what you are looking for.

Will never happen.