Spotting scopes - straight or angled eyepiece?

[Nortonics]

Looking into my first spotting scope ever and would like your opinion/suggestion as to the most accommodating style as used in bench rifle shooting - either a straight tube/eyepiece design or a angled eyepiece (usually 45 degree) design.

My initial thought is the straight design would the most accommodating so one can easily go from the rifle scope to the spotting scope while remaining seated with as little physical movement needed, whereas it seems to me that the 45 degree eyepiece would require the shooter to stand up.

Am I thing this out correctly? What's your preference?

 

[saltydog452]

For rifle, an angled eyepiece will allow you to spot your hits w/o changing your sling tension or position.

A straight eyepiece works better when it is attached to the door of a shooting box.

salty.

 

[ocabj]

I use an angled Kowa 661 with 25x LER eyepiece. Bought it for the occasional highpower style match.

Even if you don't shoot in highpower positions, the location of the scope stand with respects of your bench will make an angled eyepiece better for use.

 

[Matt-man]

Note that the angled scopes (at least, the Kowas that I am familiar with) will rotate to allow you to position the eyepiece. You aren't restricted to a straight-up angle. I usually use mine with the eyepiece angled up at the 2 o'clock position or so. With the scope set up like that, positioned to the left side of the rifle, I can just turn my head to the left to look into the scope.

 

[Malapai]

I voted angled scope. Gives me less eye fatigue for some reason. Also more times than not the angles unit works better in the field that a straight.

 

[Malapai]

I voted angled scope. Gives me less eye fatigue for some reason. Also more times than not the angles unit works better in the field that a straight.

 

[Malapai]

Sorry, Dont know why that posted twice...

 

[Rembrandt]

I prefer the straight, more compact and easier to view from when mounted on a vehicle window.

 

[arcticap]

Straight for Pistol Shooting

I shoot .22 bullseye and international air pistol and straight works best for me, particularly when I have it mounted on a higher tripod near eye level and go to sight it in. I can look right over the tube and quickly see that it's aligned on the target without having to hunt around all over. Plus it also allows a little extra needed pistol clearance while standing in some of the narrower shooting ports where I compete indoors, especially at some clubs.

 

[MNgoldenbear]

I use a Kowa 82 mm w/ angled eyepiece. Got it for highpower, but use it for everything. Seemed expensive, 'til I realized I use it just about every single time I shoot -- can't say that about any one of my guns.

BTW Rembrandt, since the Q was about a spotter for shooting, what are you shooting out of the vehicle window? (Actually, I have a straight zoom eyepiece to use for that same purpose.) Say, that's another idea, Nortonics. If you go with a somewhat higher-end scope, you can get different eyepieces for different purposes. They look expensive, but try out different scopes on the range if people will let you peek. (Most are happy to show off equipment.) You may not need the best optics, but in marginal viewing conditions, quality scopes blow others away -- no contest!

 

[Will Learn]

I've had good luck with my Leupold Green Ring Sequoia 15-45x60mm. Also, the price tag runs around $300 which isn't much considering the high cost of other optics such as Kowa, Swarovski etc.. At the same time I'm not suggesting that you penny pinch when it comes to optics but theres a happy-medium somewhere in there. Good luck.

 

[straightShot]

An angled scope works well.

Not having to move too much to peek and the ability to use the angled eyepiece in the standing, sitting, prone, and benchrest postions on a scope stand make the angled eyepiece scope a good idea.

straightShot