• If you are being asked to change your password, and unsure how to do it, follow these instructions. Click here

Spotting scope angled or straight?

Looking to get a new spotting scope for elk hunt. Will carry in backpack with tripod. Is angled or straight better?

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.
 
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.

??? Angled scopes rotate which actually give them every advantage of a straight and then some. Maybe some of the cheap junk scopes don't rotate, but good angled scopes always incorporate a rotating body ring.
 
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.
I use a straight scope, too. Same reasons.
 
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!
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Warning! This thread is more than 11 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.

Recent Posts

Top