I have never owned a spotting scope, but since I am moving to Wyoming, I thought it might be a good idea to pick one up this year.

What are the advantages/disadvantages between a straight tube and an angled tube?

I own a Kowa spotting scope and cannot recommend it highly enough.

But to your question. Which is better, the angled or straight eyepiece has to do with your usage.

I own the angled version and like it a lot. However, my biggest use of the thing is sitting in a chair and spotting for my buddies while shooting IHMSA competition. (Cannot be beat)

For nothing but hunting, a straight eye piece would probably be better.

Not that you cannot use an angeled eye piece for hunting. The last two years I have taken mine antelope hunting and the guide REALLY liked it. He got to the point that he would not even get his Leupold spotting scope out; he would just say "get your scope".

It's a matter of preference I guess. Personally, I cannot stand angled spotters.

When you get to Cheyenne we'll go out and look through a couple. My neighbor has an angled spotter and I have a straight spotter

For hunting I like the straight. There's a lot less movement when looking over animals.
Also, when you slip up on a ridge to look with a straight scope you don't have to get up above the scope to look at your animal. With an angled scope, you have to expose yourself.

Angled are difficult to use out of a vehicle window and are harder to line up. When at the range the straight is easier while sitting on the bench. I use and prefer straight.

Thanks for all the responses and advice. I'll take you up on your offer Drummond.

What do you think of the Kowa TSN 602 60mm? Cameraland has a sale going on them.

i have to agree with the straight scope guys.... i have a bushnell straight spotter and have done a lot spotting for friends shooting IHMSA too and like the straight scopes.... bushnell is probably the cheapest brand you want to get..... just my .02

PRAY FOR OBAMA PSALMS 109:9

quote:

Originally posted by Lhook7:
What do you think of the Kowa TSN 602 60mm? Cameraland has a sale going on them.

Can't go wrong with Kowa! Depending on what you are using it for you might want to consider going to an 80mm

I have a Leica Televid 62 and there are quite a few times I wish I had the extra 12x that the Televid 77 has.

Don't get this one

I have this one....it's OK to use if bullet holes at 100 are what you need to see and 200 is a stretch unless you use shoot-n-see targets.

Bottom line is it's not so good.

Get the straight eye piece for hunting. Much easier to line up and use in the truck!

I forgot to add, I have a Nikon 16-47x60 that has been great to use!

Here is a copy and paste from Cameraland's site.

Camo Model Package includes: TSN-602-Cam Spotting Scope with TE-9Z 20-60x Zoom Eyepiece & CNW-4 Case for only $699.99 Reduced from $1000.00!

I was not planning on buying one right now, but this seems like a very good deal.