Straight or angled eyepiece spotting scope

[kineticmedic]

I'm likely going to pull the trigger on a spotting scope soon. The top of the list for my price range right now is the Vortex Razor HD 20-60x85. I can't decide which configuration would benefit me more. I can make a case to go either way, but with the right tripod I can pretty much overcome most issues. I'm likely going with the Monfroto 190XB and 322FC2. I chose the 190XB as it will get low and it will also be small enough to store in a Pelican 1600 case with the spotter, of which I have a few of those cases and I really don't want to buy a larger one to accommodate a different tripod.

I'm thinking when bench shooting with the tripod at a taller height the angled eye piece would be better, however I think in prone the straight would be better, but again I think I can overcome that with the tripod and head.

What is everyone else's opinion?

 

[Pat M]

Re: Straight or angled eyepiece spotting scope

straight - no question at all

 

[fireEMT5]

Re: Straight or angled eyepiece spotting scope

I have to vote for the angled, as long as the spotter body can rotate in it's mount like the Razor can. I do own the angled Razor by the way

In my opinion I find the angled version more appealing if:

1. more than one person is going to look through it. Such as at the range or even your back yard spotting wild life. People of various heights from a tall adult to smaller child can just bend at the waist to look through without adjusting the tripod.

2. At the range - either on a bench, beside the bench or low to the ground with the angled, I can set up so that I can just take my eyes off my scope, turn my head and look through my spotter. I don't have to adjust body position to get behind the spotter. I can just turn my head and maybe have to lean over towards the spotter a bit.

To each their own. There are supporters in both camps. You'll have to decide the best for you. Try before you buy and see what agrees with you would be your best bet. Good luck!

 

[inspectorpacket]

Re: Straight or angled eyepiece spotting scope

I am also considering the angled versus straight -

@mp15 I was thinking similar with the angled I should be able to simply shift my head left off the scope to see through spotter.

@pat M - are there specific use cases that would lend themselves better to the straight?

 

[Timo Turl]

Re: Straight or angled eyepiece spotting scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pat M</div><div class="ubbcode-body">straight - no question at all </div></div>

Why do you say that ? I have a straight and find it hard to get behind when prone.

 

[Pat M]

Re: Straight or angled eyepiece spotting scope

I find the straight is easier & much faster for me to acquire targets, and finding and getting on steel targets during matches. (in line just like a rifle scope)

If you are shooting at static targets from a prone position and plotting your own shots and watching the mirage for wind estimation, as in NRA matches, the angled eyepiece is a lot easier on the neck. Also, you will need a target shooter's single column scope stand, a photo tripod is just not suitable.

 

[Takashi]

Re: Straight or angled eyepiece spotting scope

I'd vote straight. I have a hard time using my angled for prone, for standing it would be a wash because the tripod can get wicked high, and sitting again it's easier to set the tripod up to just look through it. Also, I find myself having a difficult time manipulating the 922rc2's trigger handle and look through an angled scope at the same time. It is significantly easier with a straight scope, having one hand on the scope body up to your eye and then the other hand on the trigger.

I don't have any issues with my scope stand for prone shooting, the manfrottos can do some crazy stuff to get low to the ground.

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

Re: Straight or angled eyepiece spotting scope

I find that straight is a little more intuitive sighting down the line. Also, if you're spotting from an elevated position (from a ridgeline, etc.) it's easier to use the straight to look downward. Of course, if you're sheep or mtn goat hunting the opposite is true as the angled lens is more comfortable when sighting elevated. Quite a bit of value in the spotter is related to your comfort when using it, especially over long periods. Overall the straight eyepiece matches my needs better than the angled. YMMV

 

[david777]

Re: Straight or angled eyepiece spotting scope

I have both. The straight is simple, point it and what you need to see is right there. The angled is for me a bit of a pain in the ass to get it on target, but for prone it is the best option I have found. But everyone does things a bit different to find there comfort spot as the diverse opinions above illustrate .

 

[david777]

Re: Straight or angled eyepiece spotting scope

BTW, one of my spotters is the Razor HD and it is an excellent spotter.

 

[inspectorpacket]

Re: Straight or angled eyepiece spotting scope

Thanks for all the info, this helps me with the decision.

 

[kombayotch]

Re: Straight or angled eyepiece spotting scope

Put it on a Manfrotto pistol head and you will have no problem aiming the angled spotter.

 

[kineticmedic]

Re: Straight or angled eyepiece spotting scope

Thanks for all the feedback, I picked one up today that was for sale here on the hide for a great deal. It's angled, so I'll figure out how to work with it.

 

[cloudt]

Re: Straight or angled eyepiece spotting scope

angled for me. We use spotter for archery too. So the angled version is more versatile for our use