Subject: Straight vs 45 degree angled scopes
Date: Nov 15 06:43:41 1999
From: Jack Stephens - Jsteph02 at sprynet.com


This topic is covered in the Optics for Birding web page at
http://www.optics4birding.com/ . I believe the major advantages of the
angled eyepiece are:
1) it is easier for other's to look through your scope
2) it is much easier to look up at birds perched on cliffs, in trees, etc.
3) you need less tripod height for the same view (especially for overhead
birds).
The major disadvantages are:
1) it is harder to locate birds in your field of view than with a straight
scope
2) the eyepiece is more exposed to rain, dust etc since it is angled up.

I much prefer the angled eyepiece, a minority position in the USA but the
majority position I am told in the UK. I have delt with disadvantage #1 but
securing a small section of tubing about the size of a pencil to the
outside of the scope. It is adjusted so that when I look through the tube at
a bird, the scope will be on the target. This takes about 10 minutes to set
up. Not an elegant solution, but it works very well, and is especially
helpful on open water or sandy beaches when there are no visual cues as to
where you are looking.

BTW, you are planning on getting the setup I have; Nikon 60 mm Fieldscope on
a Bogen 3205 tripod and quick release fluid head. I have been very pleased
with it, I think you are giving up little compared to the big 70-80mm
Swarovskis, Leica's, Kowas, etc.

Jack Stephens
jsteph02 at sprynet.com
Edmonds, WA