jtaustin
Active Member
Looking to get a new spotting scope for elk hunt. Will carry in backpack with tripod. Is angled or straight better?
Spotting scope angled or straight?
- Thread starter jtaustin
- Start date
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In the mountains - Angled.
Plains - Straight.
For me - Angled no matter what.
Straight scopes do carry in backpacks much nicer. Angled scopes can carry nicely too, but you may have to remove the eyepiece to get the same convenience. I personally carry my scope strapped on the outside of my pack with the tripod attached so it is easily accessible when I need to look at something quickly. Sometimes I'll even extend the tripod legs and use it as a walking stick
I use a straight for the following reasons.
1. At the range it is easier to use on the bench. I can just lean over and see where I am hitting. An angled scope would require me to stand up.
2. It is easier for me to find a target with a straight scope. An angled scope takes some practice and I never got the hang of it.
3. Straight is easier if you are sitting on the ground or a stool.
An angled scope really has an advantage when looking up steep hills, or when standing because it is much more comfortable to look down into the lens. A straight scope has the advantage if you are looking down a steep grade.
1. At the range it is easier to use on the bench. I can just lean over and see where I am hitting. An angled scope would require me to stand up.
2. It is easier for me to find a target with a straight scope. An angled scope takes some practice and I never got the hang of it.
3. Straight is easier if you are sitting on the ground or a stool.
An angled scope really has an advantage when looking up steep hills, or when standing because it is much more comfortable to look down into the lens. A straight scope has the advantage if you are looking down a steep grade.
MudRunner2005
Well-Known Member
In the mountains - Angled.
Plains - Straight.
For me - Angled no matter what.
Straight scopes do carry in backpacks much nicer. Angled scopes can carry nicely too, but you may have to remove the eyepiece to get the same convenience. I personally carry my scope strapped on the outside of my pack with the tripod attached so it is easily accessible when I need to look at something quickly. Sometimes I'll even extend the tripod legs and use it as a walking stick
Same here!
davkrat
Well-Known Member
Just ordered a scope and went with an angled. Being rather tall I've had to fully extend tripods to avoid craining my neck over on straight scopes. Also seems angled from inside a car it will be better. Being able to sit and tilt forward to a scope beneath you seems so much more comfortable particularly when glassing uphill. They always seem to be uphill rather than downhill don't they.
Yeah, another big advantage of Angled scopes is that you can use shorter tripods to glass while standing. Shorter tripods are smaller and lighter which means less weight in your pack and more room for other things.
davkrat
Well-Known Member
And they're steadier. Also easier to keep out of the wind. Being able to set it up at kneeling height and have your kids look through it will help to.
totally agree with the comment about the angled spotting scope and hunting with kids. A lot of times you can just rotate the eye piece over and it is low enough for them to look through. Its actually the same when hunting with buddies. instead of having to move out from behind the scope, you just rotate the eye piece over and give them a little look. the angled are so much more versatile in my opinion. "Hate" is a very strong word, so I won't use it to describe my feelings about straight spotting scopes, so I'll just say, I really, really like angled scopes.
