Rifle Scopes Spotting Scope

[m1a convert]

I have a bushnell 15-45 X 60 spotting scope. It has a straight tube.

What should I be looking for in a spotting scope for field use? Straight vs angled, magnafication, objective size, weight etc. this will not be a range spotter.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Spotting Scope

Depends, I bought a angled one when I shot F-Class, now I don't shoot F anymore and I want a straight spotter with a reticle, the Bushnell FFP is in my future, I looked thru one at Rifles Only this last weekend and for the money I'm impressed.

 

[m1a convert]

Re: Spotting Scope

What is the pro and con to an angled eyepiece?

What size and weight should I be looking at for a scope used under field conditions?

 

[Aries64]

Re: Spotting Scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: m1a convert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is the pro and con to an angled eyepiece?</div></div>
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Pro:</span></span>

(1) Very comfortable to use while shooting prone because you can adjust the tripod so that you look "down" to view. Because of this an angled spotter is often recommended to extended viewing. You can also pivot the spotter so that you are looking sort of to the side (45 degree angle). You typically don't have to "scrunch" your neck to view high angle targets as you might have to do when using a straight-through spotter. Because of this an angled spotter is often recommended to extended viewing.

(2) Very comfortable to use while spotting seated and standing. Because of this an angled spotter is often recommended to extended viewing. Also, as long as the height differential isn't extreme, observers of different heights can use the spotter without adjusting the tripod/stand height.

(3) Because the spotter is below the eye level, binoculars can be used to scan the field to locate game or targets, then switch to the spotter for high magnification observation (with a straight-through design spotter you have to stand to one side to scan with binoculars instead of directly behind the spotter).

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Con:</span></span>

(1) A little slower to "find" the target than with a straight-through design (with a straight-through design you "aim" the barrel at the target and look through the eyepiece, and you can usually find the target pretty easily, whereas an angled spotter is less intuitive. Hope that makes sense.

(2) Eyepiece is slightly more exposed to rain, snow, ect due to "upward" angle

(3) Clumsy to use off a bench or window mount

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: m1a convert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What size and weight should I be looking at for a scope used under field conditions? </div></div>
Whatever you feel you are willing to pack around - your pain, your choice. I could see packing a 65mm scope, but typically the weight and bulk of anything larger seems like sato-masochism to me.

I probably missed something in the "Pro" and "Con" answer, but more people will chime-in if I did.

Keith