Angled Vs Straight Spotting Scope

If you are a hunter, you will agree with us that each person has a specific preference for choosing the right gear for the job. We all have diverse requirements, and whatever you find suitable might not be convenient for the other person. Some people prefer using brand A while others feel comfortable with brand B and so on. It is good to understand about angled vs straight spotting scope.

On the other hand, when choosing between spotting scopes, over and beyond your preferred brand, you are required to choose between angled and straight. Your decision should mainly be focused on your uses and the terrain.

However, considering that scopes are among the most expensive gears, getting the right one for the job is quite essential.

With so many angled and straight scopes on the market, you don’t have to second guess on which to choose.

In this blog, you will learn the advantages of both straight and angled scopes as a way of enhancing your decision-making.

Angled Vs Straight  Spotting Scope Difference at A Glance

When you look at both scopes at a glance, the obvious difference hence deriving their names is that the angled one has the eyepiece set 45-90 degrees angle from the objective lens while the straight one has the eyepiece in line with the objective lens.

That being said, here is a quick review of both scopes to ease the process of choosing one that meets your needs.

Video on Angled Vs Straight Spotting Scope

Advantages of an Angled Spotting Scope

Suitable For Group Use

When you are in a group, but you only have one scope, choosing an angled design comes in handy. It can be set as a classic telescope by mounting it on a tripod and align the eyepiece upwards.

This will facilitate comfort for all the users and will not require moving the scope.

Therefore, the quality of your viewing will not be compromised, and you will not have to keep adjusting its setting due to height differences among uses.

Additionally, with an angled scope, the height at which you set it doesn’t compromise your viewing quality.

The only adjustment that you will require to see through the optics is in how you bend and not the scope position.

This guarantees that you will maintain the same view for both tall and short users throughout the session.

In other words, if you are using the scope for bird watching or astronomic view, the image you get will remain the same.

However, with a straight scope, you cannot get a neutral position where all users are comfortable. Instead, you will see everyone trying to adjust the scope to fit their expectations.

Don’t Require To Be Mounted As High

When you have an angled scope, you can comfortably use a small tripod and still enjoy quality observation. The angled design makes it possible for the scope to view upwards.

Therefore, you will not necessarily need to mount it on a high tripod to facilitate high viewing, as it happens with straight scopes.

The smaller your tripod, the lesser the weight and ease of packaging, hence making it flexible. This makes the scope convenient if you are on a hiking mission. It makes movement simple and convenient as the small tripod can almost fit in any pack.

Ease Scope to Rifle Switch

If you are a long-range shooter switching between a spotting scope to rifle scope can be quite a challenge. However, when you are using an angled scope, this process is not only simplified but also straightforward.

While still in your shooting position, with a simple move of your head, you can effectively look at the scope to see the wind direction and move back to your rifle eyepiece to release the trigger.

This ensures that you will have a perfect aim without having to compromise your shooting position. With an angled scope, it is also easy to synchronize the rifle and the scope for enhanced uses for competitive shooting.

Comfortable For Prolonged Uses

If you intend to spend quality time looking through the scope, then having an angled one is profitable. With this type of scope, you can either prone or sit to get a perfect view.

This gives you the freedom to adjust yourself to a place where you are more comfortable without having to move the scope from its primary position.

On the other hand, the straight scope will require you to do neck-craning before getting a convenient position. A simple switch or body adjustment will require you to start over again in setting the scope to find the same view.

Therefore, you will spend more time adjusting yourself, and the scope hence misses essential opportunities to view through the lens.

Suitable For Astronomical Uses

Angles scopes make upward viewing comfortable and natural. Therefore, if you want to view objects that are placed at an elevated position like in the sky or uphill, an angled scope will fit perfectly.

If you get a scope with the right magnification, you can easily use it to view the moons of Jupiter, just like when using a telescope. Interestingly, you will not have to adjust yourself to face upward to get such a view.

Advantage of Straight Scopes

Fast Target Acquisition

Using a straight scope is more intuitive when you are trying t find something at a distance. Your sense of direction works perfectly when you aim for a target placed within the same line as you.

For this reason, acquiring your target or even tracking its movement becomes easy when using a straight scope, unlike with an angled one.

To enhance its usability, you and also double up target acquisition by looking up the scope to use naked eyes and switch back almost immediately.

The fact that you are always looking in the same direction makes it even more comfortable and effective.

Secure Eyepiece

A straight scope ensures that the eyepiece is sheltered from natural elements that may lead to damaging the lenses. The angled design in angles scopes exposes the eyepiece to elements such as rain, snow, dust, and debris, among others.

This makes the scope more prone to damage.

However, with a straight scope, this will not be your fear.

Since the scope is not likely to collect any elements that may damage the lens and compromise your usage, you can effectively continue using the scope even when the weather is not as friendly.

Easier To Pack

Packing a straight scope is as simple as its design. It perfectly fits into any packaging you have, and you will not be worried about compromising its usage.

Most hunter’s packs have sleeves, and straight scopes fit in the sleeves easily.

Additionally, you can also fit the scope in your pocket in case you miss a space in your pack and still be sure that it will be secure with all the lenses protected.

Maintains Similar Tripod Height Form Binos to Scope

From time to time, you will want to use binoculars to clear the landscape and get an idea of which direction to place your scope, then switch to scope for a closer view.

When you are using an angled scope, the experience will not be the same.

You will need to adjust the tripod either upwards or downwards to get the perfect view and acquire the same target.

However, with a straight scope, your tripod can be in line with your height, which is the same height as the binoculars. Therefore, you will not switch between lenses hence maintain the same observation.

Suitable For Downward Viewing

The same way an angled scope is convenient for an upward view when it comes to looking downwards, the straight scope is the best.

A simple twist of the head will automatically guarantee that the scope’s objective lens will be pointing downward, hence guaranteeing that you will have a better view.

Which One Is The Best -Angled vs straight spotting scope.?

With so many applications where you can use scopes, you will find that each one has its strengths for specific uses over the other. Therefore, you cannot restrict yourself to one particular scope to fit all your expectations.

For Birding

Editor’s Choice – angled

If you are looking for a scope that will make it easy for you o view birds as they fly, getting one that feels comfortable for the UP view shouldn’t be optional.

Although you can still get the same view with a straight scope, an angled one is the perfect one for the job.

This is because it makes upward viewing comfortable even for a prolonged duration.

For Hunting

Editor’s Choice -straight scope

When you are out for a hunting adventure, you will need to get a scope that gives you an easy, fast, and reliable target acquisition. One for example can use the best spotting scope under $200.

Considering that your target is on a constant movement, you don’t want to use a scope that will second guess the position of the target.

Therefore, using a straight scope will guarantee that you have your eyes on your target and can comfortably monitor its movement.

Additionally, when you are using a straight scope, switching between binoculars to the scope is easy as you will also maintain the same tripod height.

Looking through a straight scope also guarantees that you maintain the same position as you view through the lens.

This ensures that you don’t compromise your location hence increases your chances of getting a perfect shot.

Target Shooting

Editor’s Choice – Angled scope

There is a significant difference between target shooting and hunting.

In target shooting, you will require to shot on objects placed at a specified distance, while with hunting, you focus more on targets that are on the move.

For hunting, the switch is often from binoculars to scope, while in target shooting, the switch is from scope to rifle.

Therefore, you want to find a scope that will give you a fast and switch with minimal needs to adjust anything when it comes to shooting targets.

An angled scope can be set in a way that switching from scope to rifle is straightforward.

When you set both the scope and the rifle right, a simple move or turn of the head will guarantee that you can observe from one lens to the other.

Therefore, it will be easy for you to make your calculations where necessary for an assurance that you will hit your target.

Car Mount

Editor’s Choice –straight scope

This specifically depends on the type and size of your car.

For instance, if you will require to keep adjusting your position to perfectly see through the window, then going doe an angled scope can work best.

However, you have to ensure that it has an adjustable eyepiece to guarantee that you have the flexibility you need in viewing in specified directions.

On the other hand, if you have a perfect spot where you don’t have to stretch out to reach the window, getting a straight scope can be effective.

It will allow you to perfectly see along the same line and get a clear vision of your targets without having to stop the car.

 

Therefore, even as you move, you are sure that you will get the same quality view and get to see as much from the same spot.

Disadvantages of Angles Scopes

  • Have more features that complicate usability. To effectively use angled scopes and be perfect at them, you will require to have advanced experience in spotting scopes. Mastering the art of adjustment, among other features, is not something that you run overnight. Therefore, unlike with straight scopes, this will require you to invest more time into learning before becoming an expert.
  • Quite expensive. Comparing between straight and angled scopes, you will have to spend quite more on angled scopes. However, even as you pay more, it doesn’t have as much significance when you compare it with most straight scopes.
  • Exposed eyepiece. Since its eyepiece is designed to point upwards, its exposure to various elements might damage its operations.

Disadvantages of Straight Scopes

  • Not suitable for group use. Whether you are out as a group using a straight scope limits the number of people who can use it simultaneously. Therefore, unless you share it with a person that is a perfect much of you, don’t even try sharing.
  • Uncomfortable for high viewing. S straight scope is designed for viewing along the same line. This indicates that you will have to incline your head upwards to get your view if you want to use it for an upward view. In return, this will strain your neck hence making you uncomfortable.
  • Compromise tripod stability. When you are using a straight scope, you will require to adjust the tripod to fit your specified height. In most cases, you will want the tripod to come along the way up to your height for you to achieve a particular view. However, the more you increase the tripod height, it also decreases stability.

Final Thoughts on Angled Vs Straight Spotting Scope

To answer, which is the best scope between the two strictly depends on you and your expectations from the scope.

If you are an outdoor enthusiast person and you have the means, getting both can be suitable.

This is because you can use them interchangeably to get a particular view where the other doesn’t fit as much.

However, if you can’t buy both, you should choose one suitable for you.

Considering that both scopes are designed with the same specifications, including size, magnification, and optics, then whichever you choose should be based on your preference of use.

This will give the best explanation on Angled Vs Straight Spotting Scope.

It is also essential to put the price into consideration when making your choice. You don’t necessarily need to pay more if you can get the same features at an affordable price range.

Lastly, if you are new in the scopes world and don’t know which one will work best, you can always ask for recommendations from people who have advanced knowledge of scopes.

This way, it will be easy for you to get the right product that will specifically meet your needs.

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