I went angled for a year and immediately went back to straight The transition from binoculars to spotting scope and re- acquiring the target again is so much faster.
I went from angled to straight for the following reasons: 1) Switching from binoculars to a straight scope is so much quicker and easier to acquire the target. I spend 85% of the time on my binoculars anyways. 2) I love the Vortex baby Razor, but in its angled configuration it doesn’t not rock side to side. 3) I find it much easier to use while mounted on your truck window. 50% of my hunts are via being in the truck adventuring around on farmland. 4) My baby Razor can even be used as a monocular in a pinch. Albeit, I rarely have used it that way in the few months I’ve owned it. 5) It’s a little easier to pack in your bag. I loved my Vortex Viper HD 15-45 x 65 but it was pretty big for packing around on backpacking trips. The baby Razor at 13-39 x 56 only has marginally less magnification but it’s half the weight! And the baby Razor has better glass than my Viper had.
I have the baby razor spotting scope for the following reasons: -It packs better -I don’t need it to cant/level side to side. The product in an angled doesn’t do that. -I find it much easier to find the animal going from my mounted binocs to scope. -I hunt on a lot of farmland in the prairies and utilize a car mount.
Great video. I really would like to know now why he like the 50 or 65 over the 85. I can guess the obvious of size and weight, but really on the edge on whether I would want the 65 or 85. Looking to buy soon and any info or other video's that might be available would be very helpful.
The 65's can cover the majority of what you'd need a spotter for. Extreme levels of magnification that you get from the large spotting scopes is rarely functional. You start to pick up all the atmospherics and it's just not as clear as you'd expect it to be. Usually the 65's are a little lower in magnification and you're not paying for features that most don't use. If you're not glassing extreme distances, then it's just up to you to ask yourself if you need all that scope. Having said that, high power binos and smaller spotters are becoming increasingly more popular.
It's straight all the way for me. If I see something in my binos and I want a closer look, it's much easier to get it lined up with a straight, of course. Also, straight can be used through a truck window much more easily. I understand how angled can be more ergonomic but being able to point the scope directly at what I'm looking at and have it already lined up is much more important for me.
Lots of excellent info on this topic guys. Great description of the situational advantages for each. Definitely helped me with my spotter dilemma moving forward.
I packed a 20-70x 82mm angled scope while accompanying a buddy on his mountain goat scouting/hunting trips. The experience convinced me to save my Cabela’s points for a Swarovski STC. The next time I (or someone in my family) draws a sheep tag, that will be in my pack.
I went straight (Dimondback HD 16-48 x 65, Father's Day gift from my son. Second Vortex dimondback itemhe bought me) for nesting. Long time lover of Vortex before any one really knew they existed.
I'm 6'6", and to use a straight spotter while standing, I would need to use an oversized tripod versus angled. So I bought / set up an oversized tripod. Works fine. Innorel has these options with their tripods.
Hrmm... now that they have the ability to rotate the Angled ones about the body of it... Meh, *may* help with some of the problems I run into in the field with the 11-33x50mm Razor Angled... and that is, if there is obstruction in front of you... where you can see the object you want to checkout as you're there and seated... but on the Tripod with that Angled eyepiece... in order to bring that eyepiece down low enough to where you can actually look into it... it ends up placing the objective too low sometimes to look over the brush or whatever that might be just down the slope in front of you that your eyes are easily just naturally are seeing over the top of at your natural sit height eye-level. And also... under pressure to acquire target rapidly... even when you're good about getting into the habit of committing to memory visual landmark objects near to the target you're interested in, to help guide you in... it's still gonna be slower because chances are you just took off the binos that were on the tripod a moment ago. So the tripod is up higher than you'd have it at with angled. But like I conceded to a moment ago the ability to rotate the body would help greatly with that. Seriously though... I've found I much more prefer looking thru 15x Binos when gridding that ridge over there, as opposed to looking thru that 11-33x50mm Razor. Right off the bat you're covering twice as much FOV! And the lil Razors image drops off dramatically after about 22x and above anyway. A lot of sharpness to the image is lost at the high end. And darkening of the image. Also it's Eye-Relief on the high-end REALLY drops off! I have to touch my glasses upon the glass of their lense in order see the image right in the eyepiece. The darkening sorta can't be escaped on the high end of the magnification range on most I imagine, since it changes the effective Exit Pupil by quite a bit. Since I now use the Outdoorsman's Bino Stud Adapter for easy quick changes of optics, I'm strongly considering making the next spotter be a Straight so it'd be a no-brainer to remain on target while switch between the Binos vs the Spotter so you don't take a chance on losing the target you want to inspect more thoroughly. Also a lot of times... realistically... because of the kinds of terrain and habitat I'm dealing with, for example Large Desert HIlls Mountains... being only able to go in there on foot most of the time here in KommieFornia... realistically if you spot something that's past a certain amount of distance away... lot of times you can't realistically expect to be able to get over there within the confines of a single span of daylight anyway due to the at least 2 steep and ginormous hillsides between them and you. Just picked up some used ZEISS Conquest 10x42 HD's... so now I'm spoiled by that image it presents me with! Especially compared to my Vortex Vultures 15's... because the depth of field the ZEISS has, it provides your brain with soo much more data within that FOV, and it's this noticeable degree of sharper too. More pronounced at greater distances. I swear to God when I first took both out for a side-by-side comparison... At first I could have sworn the ZEISS was giving me the same magnification as the Vultures. It wasn't.. but my brain perceived it to be that way because of the edge-to-edge clarity and much greater depth-of-field to the view. The vultures definitely did provide a slightly larger image... but since the image was a noticeable degree more clear on the ZEISS and it's full FOV being edge-to-edge clear and sharp, together with the Vultures lesser depth-of-field... it's like your brain CRAVES that better image quality since, as I said, it's providing soo much more data to process within it's FOV. The vultures had a noticeable "rim" of lesser focus around the outside edge of the FOV. And also with the lesser depth-of-field.. you find yourself spending a noticeable bit of more time fussing with the focus wheel on the Vultures because of how that more shallow depth-of-field limits how much of what is contained within that FOV is in the correct focus.
I use mine primarily in my truck. I got an angled one and I think I should’ve gotten the straight one. I’m using primarily for Whitetail scouting over crop fields. So, a lot from my truck. Do you agree that I may like a straight scope for that purpose? I just got it and have time to exchange.
I hunt whitetail in the midwest. I have never got a spotting scope and I am wanting to get one. I don't know what size is best and wether or not to get a straight or angled. I would be using it a little bit out of the truck but mostly out of my truck. What do you guys think?
Imagine that. I consult the youtubes to help me decide whether I want straight or angled spotting scope. I already have your Razor 11-33x50 angled spotting scope. Looking to upgrade to the Razor 27-60x85. However, therein lays a decision. Angled or straight? *edit/addition: As I get into the video, you mentioned about the 11-33x50 doesn't have the rotating collar. I've got a ball mount to make it work in my vehicle. However, that rotating collar is going to be a game changer.
"Straight-through scopes have the eyepiece and barrel in the same horizontal plane. Whilst with an angled scope, the eyepiece is at at an angle, usually 45 or 90 degrees from the barrel. Both have their advantages as well as disadvantages".
maybe a dumb question, but If I get an angled, mount it on a car window and turn it 90 degrees so I can easily look through, will the image be straight up and down or turned 90 degrees?
@@twinlakes8436 I purchased a straight vortex and after using for quite a while in the field, I prefer the angled. I think the angled is easier to stay in the glass for longer periods of time and better for phone scoping. I do recognize the straight has some advantages with target acquisition but I think the tradeoffs steer me to the angled version.
Great video, I find the new Viper HD line of spotting scope to be just phenomenal. The only con is we need a Mil ranging adapter like the Razor 85mm is capable of.
I like the idea of have both a straight and an angled scope. I see no advantage to either at the range which is where I mostly use the scope. I don’t want the scope too close to my shooting position. I want to get up and look at the scope after a shot and take a few minutes to study the shot. It also gives the rifle barrel time to cool a bit. I don’t shoot a lot at the range either. I like to take my time. Consider adjustments.etc. See how different ammo flies. The people I shoot with are my height so no need to adjust but mostly it’s just me. I do have both styles but really no preference.
Good day : apologies my english (i'm from Montreal Canada: so French Canadian) You make me sold my Nikon monarch 5 10x42 for some Monarch 7 8x42 and I thank you for that! I just bought a spotting scope : My question is this: Can a good spotting scope or binoculars are ok to go outside at temperture of -20 celcius (-4 Fahrenheit) ? I hesitated a lot and I'm scare of dammaging them. Thank you for your answer.
Hmmm I don't think I won't to have to pack in a spotting scope and wrestle a vision problem all day, I'll take my banuculars and should be plenty, if the games out that far to use a spotting scope No shot. But a great range tool and viewing nature. I would get a Vortex.
Vortex Nation Podcast If you guys could really dive into the difference/ pros and cons of the different sized spotters. Like the razors have a 60mm lens and an 85 mm lens as well as the really compact one. I'm just stuck between the 60 and 85. Like are there any cons to the larger spotter other than the weight
Absolutely can't stand the angled. All the reasons you said you liked them for i dislike them for lol. I've had at least 3 aquired on a trade or a deal of some kind couldn't wait to get rid of them. I even gave one away and he gave it back he didn't like it either so i sold it. But I've never had a high quality expensive one to compare so there's that. Always good to have choices though.
"looking up like through a telescope" :) Telescopes through which you look from the bottom (refractors, catadiopters) use an angled eyepiece so you don't squat and sprain you neck. :D
Whichever you prefer is fine, but don't try to use "bone structure" as a reason for angled. Seriously. Your bone structure is designed for you to "sit erect", so don't try to throw out vague medical references like "bone structure" to bolster your argument for angled. I find different uses for both angled and straight. I generally like angled for the range and uphill glassing and straight for most hunting, including downhill and level glassing.
@@VortexNation straight or angled!!people just need to use what they have. I have used both for years. I love both designs and have both. But I personally don't see any benefit from one or the other. The relaxed view from the angle doesn't over weigh the staright shot on target or animal. Like i said both are fantastic just no benefit to me. On a side note Vortex optics are fucking incredible for the price point.
I went angled for a year and immediately went back to straight
The transition from binoculars to spotting scope and re- acquiring the target again is so much faster.
I went from angled to straight for the following reasons:
1) Switching from binoculars to a straight scope is so much quicker and easier to acquire the target. I spend 85% of the time on my binoculars anyways.
2) I love the Vortex baby Razor, but in its angled configuration it doesn’t not rock side to side.
3) I find it much easier to use while mounted on your truck window. 50% of my hunts are via being in the truck adventuring around on farmland.
4) My baby Razor can even be used as a monocular in a pinch. Albeit, I rarely have used it that way in the few months I’ve owned it.
5) It’s a little easier to pack in your bag.
I loved my Vortex Viper HD 15-45 x 65 but it was pretty big for packing around on backpacking trips. The baby Razor at 13-39 x 56 only has marginally less magnification but it’s half the weight! And the baby Razor has better glass than my Viper had.
Great summary- thank you.
love the fact these guys are wearing full headsets like NFL coachs :D
haha
I have the baby razor spotting scope for the following reasons:
-It packs better
-I don’t need it to cant/level side to side. The product in an angled doesn’t do that.
-I find it much easier to find the animal going from my mounted binocs to scope.
-I hunt on a lot of farmland in the prairies and utilize a car mount.
Great video. I really would like to know now why he like the 50 or 65 over the 85. I can guess the obvious of size and weight, but really on the edge on whether I would want the 65 or 85. Looking to buy soon and any info or other video's that might be available would be very helpful.
The 65's can cover the majority of what you'd need a spotter for. Extreme levels of magnification that you get from the large spotting scopes is rarely functional. You start to pick up all the atmospherics and it's just not as clear as you'd expect it to be. Usually the 65's are a little lower in magnification and you're not paying for features that most don't use. If you're not glassing extreme distances, then it's just up to you to ask yourself if you need all that scope. Having said that, high power binos and smaller spotters are becoming increasingly more popular.
It's straight all the way for me. If I see something in my binos and I want a closer look, it's much easier to get it lined up with a straight, of course. Also, straight can be used through a truck window much more easily. I understand how angled can be more ergonomic but being able to point the scope directly at what I'm looking at and have it already lined up is much more important for me.
Lots of excellent info on this topic guys. Great description of the situational advantages for each. Definitely helped me with my spotter dilemma moving forward.
We all have a spotter dilemma from time to time ;)
I packed a 20-70x 82mm angled scope while accompanying a buddy on his mountain goat scouting/hunting trips. The experience convinced me to save my Cabela’s points for a Swarovski STC. The next time I (or someone in my family) draws a sheep tag, that will be in my pack.
I bought the Roxant authentic blackbird HD spotting scope after watching this 10 talk. Best quality for the money!
just starting to look into spotting scopes, thanks for this vid, really helped my process.
Glad we could help - thanks for watching!
It's just great to have a CHOICE!
Bought straight. Figure I can all ways smack it on a fence for an angle.
I went straight (Dimondback HD 16-48 x 65, Father's Day gift from my son. Second Vortex dimondback itemhe bought me) for nesting. Long time lover of Vortex before any one really knew they existed.
Looking at my first spotter… Beautiful work
I'm 6'6", and to use a straight spotter while standing, I would need to use an oversized tripod versus angled. So I bought / set up an oversized tripod. Works fine. Innorel has these options with their tripods.
Hrmm... now that they have the ability to rotate the Angled ones about the body of it... Meh, *may* help with some of the problems I run into in the field with the 11-33x50mm Razor Angled... and that is, if there is obstruction in front of you... where you can see the object you want to checkout as you're there and seated... but on the Tripod with that Angled eyepiece... in order to bring that eyepiece down low enough to where you can actually look into it... it ends up placing the objective too low sometimes to look over the brush or whatever that might be just down the slope in front of you that your eyes are easily just naturally are seeing over the top of at your natural sit height eye-level.
And also... under pressure to acquire target rapidly... even when you're good about getting into the habit of committing to memory visual landmark objects near to the target you're interested in, to help guide you in... it's still gonna be slower because chances are you just took off the binos that were on the tripod a moment ago. So the tripod is up higher than you'd have it at with angled. But like I conceded to a moment ago the ability to rotate the body would help greatly with that.
Seriously though... I've found I much more prefer looking thru 15x Binos when gridding that ridge over there, as opposed to looking thru that 11-33x50mm Razor. Right off the bat you're covering twice as much FOV! And the lil Razors image drops off dramatically after about 22x and above anyway. A lot of sharpness to the image is lost at the high end. And darkening of the image. Also it's Eye-Relief on the high-end REALLY drops off! I have to touch my glasses upon the glass of their lense in order see the image right in the eyepiece. The darkening sorta can't be escaped on the high end of the magnification range on most I imagine, since it changes the effective Exit Pupil by quite a bit.
Since I now use the Outdoorsman's Bino Stud Adapter for easy quick changes of optics, I'm strongly considering making the next spotter be a Straight so it'd be a no-brainer to remain on target while switch between the Binos vs the Spotter so you don't take a chance on losing the target you want to inspect more thoroughly. Also a lot of times... realistically... because of the kinds of terrain and habitat I'm dealing with, for example Large Desert HIlls Mountains... being only able to go in there on foot most of the time here in KommieFornia... realistically if you spot something that's past a certain amount of distance away... lot of times you can't realistically expect to be able to get over there within the confines of a single span of daylight anyway due to the at least 2 steep and ginormous hillsides between them and you.
Just picked up some used ZEISS Conquest 10x42 HD's... so now I'm spoiled by that image it presents me with! Especially compared to my Vortex Vultures 15's... because the depth of field the ZEISS has, it provides your brain with soo much more data within that FOV, and it's this noticeable degree of sharper too. More pronounced at greater distances. I swear to God when I first took both out for a side-by-side comparison... At first I could have sworn the ZEISS was giving me the same magnification as the Vultures. It wasn't.. but my brain perceived it to be that way because of the edge-to-edge clarity and much greater depth-of-field to the view. The vultures definitely did provide a slightly larger image... but since the image was a noticeable degree more clear on the ZEISS and it's full FOV being edge-to-edge clear and sharp, together with the Vultures lesser depth-of-field... it's like your brain CRAVES that better image quality since, as I said, it's providing soo much more data to process within it's FOV. The vultures had a noticeable "rim" of lesser focus around the outside edge of the FOV. And also with the lesser depth-of-field.. you find yourself spending a noticeable bit of more time fussing with the focus wheel on the Vultures because of how that more shallow depth-of-field limits how much of what is contained within that FOV is in the correct focus.
I use mine primarily in my truck. I got an angled one and I think I should’ve gotten the straight one. I’m using primarily for Whitetail scouting over crop fields. So, a lot from my truck.
Do you agree that I may like a straight scope for that purpose? I just got it and have time to exchange.
@Reel-Lentless No kidding. I tried that. It's not a good fit for using out of a truck window.
@@paulcrave9149 My question also. I glass from pickup 99% of the time. Was wondering same thing if angled would work very well.
Not alot of videos on spotters being used on window mount with the pros and cons of straight vs. angled for that situation.
@@ericfarstveet927 it didn’t for me.
I hunt whitetail in the midwest. I have never got a spotting scope and I am wanting to get one. I don't know what size is best and wether or not to get a straight or angled. I would be using it a little bit out of the truck but mostly out of my truck. What do you guys think?
It’s also easier to fall asleep behind an angled scope and not get caught by your hunting buddy. 😂
Imagine that. I consult the youtubes to help me decide whether I want straight or angled spotting scope. I already have your Razor 11-33x50 angled spotting scope. Looking to upgrade to the Razor 27-60x85. However, therein lays a decision. Angled or straight?
*edit/addition: As I get into the video, you mentioned about the 11-33x50 doesn't have the rotating collar. I've got a ball mount to make it work in my vehicle. However, that rotating collar is going to be a game changer.
"Straight-through scopes have the eyepiece and barrel in the same horizontal plane. Whilst with an angled scope, the eyepiece is at at an angle, usually 45 or 90 degrees from the barrel. Both have their advantages as well as disadvantages".
maybe a dumb question, but If I get an angled, mount it on a car window and turn it 90 degrees so I can easily look through, will the image be straight up and down or turned 90 degrees?
What you are looking at doesn’t turn with the glass.
Wish I would have watched this a week ago.........
What did you buy? Why are you regretting it?
@@twinlakes8436 I purchased a straight vortex and after using for quite a while in the field, I prefer the angled. I think the angled is easier to stay in the glass for longer periods of time and better for phone scoping. I do recognize the straight has some advantages with target acquisition but I think the tradeoffs steer me to the angled version.
Great video, I find the new Viper HD line of spotting scope to be just phenomenal.
The only con is we need a Mil ranging adapter like the Razor 85mm is capable of.
The 85mm one does.. MRAD..and MOA.
@@georgejoseph4164 If I'm not mistaken that is only on the Razor 85mm, not the 85mm Viper.
Take care
Try amazon, $199, Viper HD in MRAD or search ammoland all the best...👍
@@georgejoseph4164 Ok Vortex told me they only had the Razor with the mrad reticle accessory?...
I'll look to see if that changed.
Thanks
@@georgejoseph4164 Wow, the rep told me that they might come out with this, so cool!
Thanks
I like the idea of have both a straight and an angled scope. I see no advantage to either at the range which is where I mostly use the scope. I don’t want the scope too close to my shooting position. I want to get up and look at the scope after a shot and take a few minutes to study the shot. It also gives the rifle barrel time to cool a bit. I don’t shoot a lot at the range either. I like to take my time. Consider adjustments.etc. See how different ammo flies. The people I shoot with are my height so no need to adjust but mostly it’s just me. I do have both styles but really no preference.
The tripod can be adjusted to use an angled scope on a downward slope easily. Just something worth mentioning.
Great review! Super helpful.
Angled was hard to get used to but after having one ill never go back. So much better on your neck when glassing for hours
i dont know what it is but an angled spotting scope just throws me off, I like looking in the direction that the optic is facing
straight scopes need a higher tripod. angled let you lean your body into it, have both types and angled is much more comfortable
If he could only have one style between angle and straight, which would it be?
Good day : apologies my english (i'm from Montreal Canada: so French Canadian) You make me sold my Nikon monarch 5 10x42 for some Monarch 7 8x42 and I thank you for that! I just bought a spotting scope : My question is this: Can a good spotting scope or binoculars are ok to go outside at temperture of -20 celcius (-4 Fahrenheit) ? I hesitated a lot and I'm scare of dammaging them. Thank you for your answer.
Absolutely. Heat is much more detrimental. Leaving them in your truck or a hot garage is much more likely to cause damage than freezing temps.
Hmmm I don't think I won't to have to pack in a spotting scope and wrestle a vision problem all day, I'll take my banuculars and should be plenty, if the games out that far to use a spotting scope No shot. But a great range tool and viewing nature. I would get a Vortex.
They should make a angled scope that could be straight it out.
They covered this. Its the strangler.
Angled so you can sit or lie down with the angle.
Binos for standing
Would love to see a full video breaking down spotters. They are a big investment and the more information the better! Good video though
Any particular things that are tripping you up? Would love to do an episode like that!
Vortex Nation Podcast
If you guys could really dive into the difference/ pros and cons of the different sized spotters. Like the razors have a 60mm lens and an 85 mm lens as well as the really compact one. I'm just stuck between the 60 and 85. Like are there any cons to the larger spotter other than the weight
Angled Just like all the rest of comparisons. They sell scopes that you can fix the angle. Use like a periscope.
Imagine there’s a lot of pissed off pirates raging against your views.
I would have a tough time judging mule deer racks with an 11-33x50 spotting scope at any meaningful distance
I have a straight scope. Not good for planes or looking at stars. I think birders should have both types.
Absolutely can't stand the angled. All the reasons you said you liked them for i dislike them for lol. I've had at least 3 aquired on a trade or a deal of some kind couldn't wait to get rid of them. I even gave one away and he gave it back he didn't like it either so i sold it. But I've never had a high quality expensive one to compare so there's that. Always good to have choices though.
"looking up like through a telescope" :) Telescopes through which you look from the bottom (refractors, catadiopters) use an angled eyepiece so you don't squat and sprain you neck. :D
did you guys spin a wheel of fortune whether or not to have chairs? XD
if you need it laying down.........there is only one choice.
Without tripod straight it’s better every time
I love angled tho
Whichever you prefer is fine, but don't try to use "bone structure" as a reason for angled. Seriously. Your bone structure is designed for you to "sit erect", so don't try to throw out vague medical references like "bone structure" to bolster your argument for angled. I find different uses for both angled and straight. I generally like angled for the range and uphill glassing and straight for most hunting, including downhill and level glassing.
Two guys in the same room wearing tacticool headsets to talk to each other... gay. Use whichever scope that benefits you most. Done.
Can i get a free XXL Vortex Tee Shirt?
Literally no benefit.
No benefit to what?
@@VortexNation straight or angled!!people just need to use what they have. I have used both for years. I love both designs and have both. But I personally don't see any benefit from one or the other. The relaxed view from the angle doesn't over weigh the staright shot on target or animal. Like i said both are fantastic just no benefit to me. On a side note Vortex optics are fucking incredible for the price point.
@@drews.3794 good to know, does a person get used to the angled after some time?
Straight all day!