Is an Angled or a Straight Spotting Scope Better for You?
A spotting scope is a very popular accessory of choice for hunters and shooters everywhere. It provides you with an opportunity to enhance your vision and increase your range of awareness by giving you a better understanding of your surroundings. If you want to improve your chances of success, it’s all about the amount of information you can take in!
There are two types of spotting scopes that hunters and shooters generally use — a straight or an angled spotting scope. If you aren’t familiar with spotting scopes and how they work, it can be intimidating to try and decide which one works best for you. Here’s your guide to help you choose between an angled vs a straight spotting scope!
Angled Spotting Scopes
An angled spotting scope features an eyepiece set at a 45-90 degree angle from the objective lens. You can’t usually adjust the angle of the eyepiece, but you can rotate the eyepiece around the scope. Doing this can offer you positional adaptability and versatility when you’re out in the field, which can sometimes benefit you greatly.
Advantages of Using an Angled Scope
Angled scopes are geared for comfort and stability. When you are using an angled scope, it’s a lot easier and more comfortable for you to look upwards and for prolonged periods of time. If you plan on looking at your target for a prolonged period of time, then you’ll want to give an angled scope serious consideration. It allows you with more of an opportunity to scout your area and gather more information without pain or discomfort.
When you are using a tripod (if you have to at all — it’s much easier to use an angled scope without a tripod than a straight scope) it will be lower to the ground, which also makes it more stable in the wind and gives you a better shot at a consistent, steady line of sight.
When to Use it
Because of the benefit of comfort, stability and ease of use in the long term angled spotting scopes are popular for use in these activities:
- Birding
- Shooting on the range (especially during long term practice sessions)
- Camping
- Hunting (when in sitting, stationary positions)
Straight Spotting Scope
As the name implies, straight spotting scopes are scopes where the eyepiece is in-line with the objective lens. It’s a tool that’s intuitive and works exactly as advertised — you look directly through it and get a magnified view of your target.
Advantages of Using a Straight Scope
Hunting and being in the field requires split-second decisions and movements. Because of this, you rely on your instincts to an incredible extent. If you’re looking for intuition, then a straight scope should be your choice. No matter how much you practice with an angled spotting scope, it’s always going to feel more natural to use a straight spotting scope.
This intuitive design is often the difference between slower and faster target acquisition. You’ll be quicker to the draw, which in turn will make tracking much easier. You’ll naturally be able to follow the path of an animal, especially if you’re looking downwards.
It’s also a more compact item, which makes it easier to pack and store. Oftentimes, hunters are working with limited storage space, so any inch spared can be crucial. Overall, if you plan on being mobile with your spotting scope, then a straight scope provides you with more options.
When to Use it
Mobility will also be benefited with a straight scope. But where else can you benefit? These activities are examples of when you would benefit from choosing a straight scope.
- Car window mounts
- Digiscoping
- Hunting (especially from a tree stand)
Which Is Better for You?
When it comes to deciding between an angled vs a straight spotting scope, the most important thing you need to think about is how mobile you will be. If you will be setting up shop and remaining stationary for a long period of time, then you’ll often want to go with an angled spotting scope. If you plan to be mobile, then you’ll likely benefit from a straight spotting scope.
Straight or Angled, You Decide What Will Get the Job Done!
Determining between an angled vs a straight spotting scope depends entirely on your personal preference and how you intend to use the scope. Are you looking for a guaranteed way to give yourself an advantage when shooting? Equip your weapon with a silencer from Silencer Central. Our selection of silencers and suppressors will help you to keep your ears safe, give you an advantage when hunting and help to narrow in on your accuracy. If you want to optimize your shooting experience, learn more about Silencer Central today!
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