Angled or Straight Spotter

[Code_red]

Alright peeps, I’m looking to get my first spotter and am having a hard time deciding between a straight or angled body. What do y’all think?


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[jhm2023]

If most of your glassing will be done sitting behind a tripod especially in mountainous terrain, than I would go with an angled. If you'll mostly be glassing from a pickup using a window mount then a straight spotter is better.

 

[5 shot group]

If most of your glassing will be done sitting behind a tripod especially in mountainous terrain, than I would go with an angled. If you'll mostly be glassing from a pickup using a window mount then a straight spotter is better

This ^

It is very much a personal thing and based mostly on your intended use.

I do believe more angled spotters are sold then are straight...

 

[wannakillabigbull]

If you do most of your glassing with binos on a tripod, then switch to the spotter to get a better look at something, straight is the way to go. Otherwise angled. GoHunt did a video on this not too long ago.

 

[BluMtn]

If you are glassing from the top of the mountain looking down an angled spotter is hard to use. I have a hard time getting on what I am looking for with an angled also. I prefer the straight for glassing out of a pickup and glassing on the mountain, plus it packs easier.

 

[Code_red]

Man thanks so much for all of the awesome responses. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with Kowa spotters?


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[Code_red]

Man thanks so much for all of the awesome responses. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with Kowa spotters?


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Mostly because I’m looking at the smaller 50mm due to the size and weight.


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[Northernpiker]

The Kowa TSN 553/554 are Very good spotters for the size and weight. If your not in a hurry they go on sale sometimes for $1250-$1400.

 

[Code_red]

The Kowa TSN 553/554 are Very good spotters for the size and weight. If your not in a hurry they go on sale sometimes for $1250-$1400.

Does the prominar glass make a big difference between the 553 and say the 501?


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[dirtytough]

I vote angled. The only 2 benefits I have seen with a straight spotter is if you use a window mount most of the time or if swapping from spotter to binos constantly.

 

[couesbitten]

There's been some great discussions about angled/straight and the quality of Kowa spotters over in the optics forum. I would encourage you to head over there and use the search function to find additional info regarding your questions.
I prefer angled spotters and although I own Swarovski optics, I wouldn't hesitate to buy Kowa. I'm actually having a real internal struggle trying to resist the urge to purchase the 553.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We sell probably 6 or 8 to 1 Angled vs Straight if that helps out at all.

It's our pleasure to discuss a spotter with you. If you have a few minutes please feel free to give us a call, 516-217-1000
Have a great day
Doug

 

[skierhs]

You want to go angled. The bend in the optic allows for many more various positions while glass from a rock, ground, looking up, looking down etc. the other nice perk is the spotter should be able to rotate if it’s an angled so the ease of looking anywhere is even easier ontop of that.

 

[Code_red]

We sell probably 6 or 8 to 1 Angled vs Straight if that helps out at all.

It's our pleasure to discuss a spotter with you. If you have a few minutes please feel free to give us a call, 516-217-1000
Have a great day
Doug

Thank you sir. I sent you a PM


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[go4thegusto]

If most of your glassing will be done sitting behind a tripod especially in mountainous terrain, than I would go with an angled. If you'll mostly be glassing from a pickup using a window mount then a straight spotter is better.

If the body swivels, the angled can even excel in a vehicle. You can rotate it towards you and not sit so side-saddle in the seat.

 

[Becca]

Another plus to the angled spotter is its easier to share between viewers of multiple heights. I am 5'3, and nearly always hunt with folks taller than me. I can get an animal in an angled spotter and taller viewers can look down into an angled spotter to see...straight spotter makes it much harder for people of varying heights to share.

 

[Tod osier]

You want to go angled. The bend in the optic allows for many more various positions while glass from a rock, ground, looking up, looking down etc. the other nice perk is the spotter should be able to rotate if it’s an angled so the ease of looking anywhere is even easier ontop of that.

Yes on these comments of the pros with the angled. I didn’t expect I’d like one so much after owning a straight for nearly 30 years. Using the angled with unconventional eyepiece positions is really nice and unexpected (for example, tilting sideways to look down or over without having to move the tripod or get up). May be harder to aim, but the benefits are there in abundance. Also if kids (or shorter wives, etc...) are in the mix the angled is superior because you can set it up for them much more easily (this goes for nature viewing as well). Pro, pro, pro for me.

 

[Tod osier]

Another plus to the angled spotter is its easier to share between viewers of multiple heights. I am 5'3, and nearly always hunt with folks taller than me. I can get an animal in an angled spotter and taller viewers can look down into an angled spotter to see...straight spotter makes it much harder for people of varying heights to share.

That is funny, you posted that while I was making the same point. I’ve taught ornithology for 20 years and it was always a struggle to accommodate the range of heights with straight. With angled, it is seamless.

 

[stevevan]

That is funny, you posted that while I was making the same point. I’ve taught ornithology for 20 years and it was always a struggle to accommodate the range of heights with straight. With angled, it is seamless.

I guess it's what you get used to. Myself I prefer straight. I can get on target quicker and it gets used from a vehicle window. Those are important to me.

 

[Becca]

That is funny, you posted that while I was making the same point. I’ve taught ornithology for 20 years and it was always a struggle to accommodate the range of heights with straight. With angled, it is seamless.

Yep. Trust me, when you are a short person it makes a big difference! The key is to adjust the tripod for the shortest viewer from the get go, even the tallest can look down into an angled spotter without much trouble. Adjust it too tall and the shortest won't be able to see and you end up having to start over and risk losing sight of the critter you spotted. Ask me how I know