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Scope Question....We need your input / experience
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We are thinking about getting a nice spotting scope before this year's birding/animal watching/photography vacation....
Need your input.
Straight scope?
or
45 Deg view angle?
and why?
Thanks in advance for the help
Eddy and Mary
Originally posted at 3:51PM, 26 April 2008 PDT
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ACreepingMalaise edited this topic 3 months ago.
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Angled, so you can have it on a lower tripod.
Posted 3 months ago.
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I've used both, first straight and now angled. When I was using a straight scope I found it really hard to get used to other people's angled scopes. It is easier to pick up birds in the scope if it's straight (so long as it's on a tall enough tripod so it's eye-level), but not much easier, and you do get used to picking things up with an angled scope quite quickly. There are one or two other advantages to straight scopes - some people find it less strain on the eye if you keep the other eye open when looking through the telescope (especially when looking through it for long periods, e.g. when seawatching). I find it easier to keep the other eye open when its looking in the same direction because I'm using a straight scope (and it's particularly beneficial when seawatching as sometimes birds come through quite close and go beneath your field of view).
Having said that, the last 2-3 scopes I've had have been angled and I'll probably stay that way - and most people are the same. As Buckeye says you can use it on a lower tripod which makes it more sturdy, and more comfortable if you're tall. It also means you can look at raptors and things flying almost overhead, which is practically impossible with a straight scope.
I would get one that allows you to rotate the scope though. I don't think they all do that but my Ziess has a little thing on the side that enables me to rotate it - this is really useful for me when I lead groups as I can rotate it down to let shorter people see without having to bring the tripod down. It's also useful if using a car window mount as in some cars the window can be uncomfortably high.
Posted 3 months ago.
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Another argument for angled is that in windy conditions it is helpful to drape an arm over the scope to dampen vibrations. This is less awkward with an angled scope. I've also found that it's more relaxing to look through an angled scope for extended periods than through a straight scope. One argument I've heard against angled is that with a straight scope you can see over fences/hedges/etc. more easily, but if your angled scope rotates you actually have an advantage in that you can raise the scope above eye level and look up into it.
Posted 3 months ago.
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thanks, your input...it changed our minds. we got the bendy one....She's very happy with it.
Eddy
Posted 3 months ago.
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