angle vs. straight eye piece on spotting scope?

[Demi]

Just purchased Cabela's euro HD series 20-70X82 spotting scope. Absolutely love the clarity, F.O.V., etc. I really thought I would like the angled eye piece, but as I use it more I think I would like the straight eye piece more. Anyone else have these dilemmas?

It seems like the angled eye piece is harder to line up objects for viewing....any thoughts?

 

[laxwyo]

I'm a straight eyepiece guy. Looking uphill can be hard but if your tripod goes high enough, it's ok. In a vehicle a straight is a must but some guys say the turning the angle sideways makes it doable

 

[ando_31]

The only real pitfall I can see with the angled eyepiece is lining up the target and that can be overcome with practice or a peep sight. I prefer angled but I can understand that lining up targets can be quite frustrating if you don't use the spotter enough to become proficient with the angle. I learned to estimate the line of sight by trying to line up the obj lens with my target and then using a landmark to further help line up my view.

 

[PointsHunter]

I'm an angle fan. Takes some getting used to getting direct on target, but after you get it - you get it.

 

[atrietch]

Straight eye piece for me. I'm sure I could get used to an angled.

 

[dead river]

i found angled to be awesome when sitting on the ground and a pain in the vehicle. I am planning on covering that with a backpacking weight angled and keep the 80mm class straight. depends on where you think you will use it the most.

Mostly, the angled seems easier to set up on the tripod at a height that multiple users can look through to check out something that primary uses spots.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Straight for me too. I seem to be able to locate what I'm looking at easier with the straight then the angled.

 

[shootbrownelk]

Straight for me as well. Tried a buddy's angled and didn't like it.

 

[buckbull]

I prefer angled, it is more comfortable on my neck. I usually glass with binos from the truck, but I can see how angled would be a PITA hanging on a truck window.

 

[CrossCreeks]

I am a straight eye piece guy, probably more because that's what I started with!. "Demi " let us know if you have any problems with the HD I have been "eyeing " one for a while (no pun intended ) I have the Euros Binos and love them. Thinking about the same in the Spotting Scope.

 

[TimberJunkie]

This is perhaps one of my biggest decisions ever when purchasing optics. Or any hunting gear. I do a lot of pack in hunting and thats when the angked eye piece comes in handy for me. Just way more cmfortable when sitting for hours and looking at game. However.....i also do a lot od spotting frm a truck for Montana mulies and antelope. Thats when the straight eye piece is key. Makes the window mount in cold weather way easier to manipulate. . I cant even begin to tell you how difficult it is to put the angled scope in the window and try to get tall enough to look through it.

I now have two scopes. The truck scope is not as high quality but still is a gold ring leupold. I say do whtever is most cmfortable.

 

[RANGER619]

I have an angled and wish I had a straight. I glass with my binos on a tripod and have to mess around adjusting the tripod when I want to change to the scope. The straight would line up real close with the height of the binos on the tripod. I also think the straight would slide in the pocket on my backpack better.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Here is my standard response to this question:

Typically the arguments go like this:

Straight:

1. Easier to get on target.
2. Easier to glass from above.
3. Easier to glass from a vehicle.

Angled:

1. Easier on the neck.
2. Easier to glass up.
3. Easier to use with multiple people of different sizes.
4. You can use a shorter/lighter tripod.
5. Supports a digiscoping setup better.

I use angled, because most angled scopes have a rotating color that more or less evens the field with the straight, except about getting on target easier. After some practice, though getting on target with an angled scope is second nature, at least for me.

 

[go_deep]

I sold my straight and went to an angled and will never look back. I rarely use mine out of a vehicle, if the main use was out of a vehicle window I'd say go straight.

 

[NE69]

I have small straight and big angled spotter. Angled works good from the vehicle as it rotates to a downward angle and keeps the spotter at the top of the window opening and out of the way. It's really what an individual prefers. Both get the job done.

 

[In God We Trust]

I grew up on straight eye pieces so that is what I prefer

 

[sdriverbottom]

I use straight. It was more natural from the start. I had a heck of a time finding the intended target with an angled one.

 

[provoflyfisher]

I have had both types of spotters and will only use an angled spotter. Bitterroot bulls summed it up very nicely. The rotating collar on the angled spotter makes glassing very comfortable in any situation. Glass an hour a day for a few weeks and you will be able to line up your target very quickly.

 

[7shot]

It sounds like 50/50 for and against angled. I have had a straight and just purchased a new angled last fall. I love the rotating collar on the angled so I can just pan across and then rotate the scope and not have to move much. I also love to take photos and digiscope with my angled and others can easily view the image. I know for lining it up, Swarovski has a sight or guide and it is great for getting close. Here is pic of my 65 mm backpack scope - looking for bears the other day. You can see the sight on the front of the scope, it looks like two raised ridges and really helps. Good luck with your choice.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Demi, here is a recent thread on tripods, I am sure there are others in the optics section too.

http://www.eastmans.com/forum/showthread.php/10264-lightweight-tripod-recomendation-for-backpack-hunt