Jan 20, 2020 #1 ; Hi, looking for a new scope for my 22lr. They are heavy to carry into the field, but the work is worth it if it can save you from stalking an animal that you dont want to harvest thanks to being able to identify it from so far away. Burris Fullfield II or Vortex Diamondback: . This dot is what is often called the exit pupil, and refers to the actual dot of light that gets transmitted to your eyes through the lenses. The first is the magnification, which generally refers to a range between the lowest and highest magnification. If youre in the market for pretty much any optic and dont have a budget thats in the stratosphere, they have good options. How versatile do you want your scope to be? Also, they are generous with the hash marks on their mil dot. +1-800-504-5920 Live Chat Contact Us Check Order Status. The Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 & the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50. Meopta is said to be on higher tier than vortex razor. Don't let the fact that it's cheaper than the Viper and Razor deter you, this thing provides stellar optics and is backed by their excellent lifetime warranty program. Most importantly, they have a solid warranty and a great reputation for taking care of their customers. If the exit pupil diameter of your scope is smaller than your eyes pupil, the image you see through them will appear darker than it does with the naked eye. Check them out at Bushnell.com. Its hard to label a single scope as the best available since they are so personalized to different uses. Here are the main positives of each: Many scopes, particularly the higher end ones, are sold with the option of getting either straight or angled, so youll get to choose what works best for you. It is dramatically more affordable than the other optics were recommending here for bird watchers. Can the tripod adapter be used with a wide variety of tripod models and heads? The Argos gives excellent images for a scope in this price range, is large enough to be seriously powerful, and has intuitive, solid controls. The bigger the objective lens, the more light will be allowed into the scope. 1.5 #5) Leupold SX-2 Alpine HD 20-60x60mm. Maybe, but maybe not. 4 models Vortex Diamondback HD 20-60x85mm Spotting Scopes As Low As $498.49 Save Up to 17%. Deploy MIL First Focal Plane reticle. Scopes are generally sold either with a straight body or with the eyepiece angled up 45 degrees. They have come to dominate those segments of the market. While they have specialized in cameras, all of the knowledge theyve accumulated in building camera optics has transferred over into some incredible sporting optics. I'm an optics snob and all my rifles sport Vortex Razors, AMG, Nightforce NSX, Swarovski and Zeiss. Spotter-Vortex Viper vs. Athlon Ares. Thats our opinion of how much of a bargain or a rip-off each binocular is. I have an argos, I replaced it after less than a year. Learn more about it here. If you want to be counting antler points on mule deer from a few miles away youre going to have to have perfect conditions and a very high end scope, regardless of the zoom power. We bought and tested binoculars from Vortex, Athlon, Nikon, Leica, Swarovski, and others to help you find the best. The Harpia 95 has a little sister, the Harpia 85, thats a little more portable and only slightly more affordable. It has extra low dispersion glass, a key in the world of high end optics. All three sizes can also be had in either an angled or straight body. This spotter makes an excellent choice for a hunter who wants a versatile spotting scope without paying a months wages. That brings us to the Vortex Diamondback 20-60x80mm straight eyepiece spotting . Field of view is obviously heavily influenced by the magnification power of your scope. The Athlon reticle does offer a more dynamic design with a crosshair that has tons of hash marks for range and windage estimation. Hunters dont want to have to haul around the most massive scope, but it needs to be substantially more powerful than their binoculars. At 40 to 55x, the scope has enough magnification to enable users to count points on a distant buck without making the image maddeningly dark. Athlon over the years has been talked fairly highly with budget long range rifle builds and I see they have a really price friendly spotter with the entry model Talos. They especially are a good choice for astronomy if you need your optics to be compact and/or you want to use them for more than just stargazing. Or is it to view in the bright light of midday? Athlon Argos BTR is $280-$370ish, depending on the model. 1.7 #7) Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope. In those cases, you want a scope that will withstand the abuses of the field. Argos and The Midas Tac is a $700 scope so if going that high then look at the Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25. The eyecups and sunshade move with snappy precision. If you are buying a lower-mid range scope, the odds of it coming from Bushnell in one form or another are very high. You must log in or register to reply here. It's a 20-60x80 only weighting about 33ozs. https://athlonoptics.com/product/rifle-scope-argos-6-24x50/, Looking for the best budget optic for my sniper rifle. For this particular, how does it perform? I'm curious about the eye box / eye relief difference in these scopes. 1.8 #8) Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope. Their HD-ATS-80 body is awesomely powerful when paired with a 20-60 power eyepiece. Here are my top recommendations: If youre a serious bird watcher and want to see every detail of the birds youre looking at from a long way away, Swarovski is probably going to be your go to brand. Founded by Frank Galli in 2000, Snipers Hide has been offering informational videos, podcasts, and other support to its users in one location. In normal bright conditions, your pupil will usually be open about 2mm. Snipers Hide is a community of Snipers of all kinds, focusing on long range shooting, accuracy, and ballistics. Dielectric-Coated Porro Prism. $170.00. Thread starter idahohikker; Start date Apr 21, 2018; Apr 21, 2018 #1 I. . So a 20-6080 spotter has a 20- to 60-power eyepiece and an 80mm objective lens. Astronomy is usually thought to be done with a big telescope setup, but a spotting scope can also work well for a hobbyist. And its ultra-compact size means youll take this optic more places than a larger spotter or a big-boned binocular. Athlon Optics Argos BTR and Helos BTR scopes - Made in China to Athlon specifications. Hunters may have a bit of a trade off here. Maven RS.4 5-30x56 FFP - Best Under $2000. You can buy it here. Its a pattern weve seen play out over two decades of the Outdoor Life optics test. You probably dont want to be lugging around a 100mm Celestron that weighs 4.5 pounds even without the tripod if youre going deep into elk country. Nikon is one of the most well known optics brands in the world. Carefully consider exactly how youre going to use it. . They just work as advertised. Not everyone can afford a Zeiss. Demerits include the slippery, non-textured armor and the underwhelming glass, which makes images above about 45-power pretty dark and grainy with some distorted edge detail. German Precision Optics ED Binoculars. While theres no shortage of angled-body spotting scopes, its rare to find a premium straight-body-design like the MeoStar S2, and its ability to trade out eyepieces makes it extremely versatile. We later measure the scopes optical resolution, or how finely they render details. If you have the budget, Celestrons Regal is a huge optical upgrade over the Ultima. Athlon Optics / RIFLE SCOPES / ARGOS BTR GEN2 / ARGOS BTR GEN2 6-2450 APMR FFP IR MIL. -Vortex diamondback tactical 6-24x50 EBR -2C MRAD -Bushnell match pro 6-24x50 DEPLOY MIL -Bushnell nitro 6-24x50 -Bushnel forge 4.5-24x50 DEPLOY MIL -Athlon argos btr 6-24x50 gen2 APMR MIL -Athlon midas tac 6-24x50 APRS3 MIL -Athlon ares btr gen2 4.5-27x50 APRS5 MIL -Athlon helos btr 6-24x50 APMR MIL The Athlon Talos 20-60x80 Spotting Scope is a long-range spotting scope with a 45-degree eyepiece angle. They also allow most of their products to be fully customized, so you can even get them in the exact color you want! athlon leupold spotting scope vortex Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum Become a supporting member. You are using an out of date browser. These scopes have features normally only found on high-end scopes. Especially in low-light conditions, those extreme ranges are rarely usable. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links . Thread starter Kyle Wheeler; Start date Nov 11, 2020; Nov 11, 2020 #1 Kyle Wheeler Well Known Rokslider. Athlon Argos BTR 6-2450 Gen2 APLR2 FFP MOA reticle. This is the optic I have been testing for the last few weeks, and I can finally give you guys the full specs: 6-24 magnification, 50mm front lens. I would highly avoid getting a true budget scope (one that costs less than $200). Like we mentioned above, the HD-ATS-80 HD is a fantastic scope body that you wont be disappointed by, and when coupled with their 20-60x eyepiece makes for a powerful spotting scope. Find Athlon Optics Cronus Gen II 20-60x86mm UHD Spotting Scopes-311004 with New Product and 20% Off today at Rangefinders.com +1-800-504-5995 Live Chat Contact Us Check Order Status. There are a whole lot of Nikon rifle optics out there and they cant just stop servicing their products. And if youre really a beast and can pack it in, youll be rewarded with great images. Youll definitely want something sturdy though, and weight will again be a factor if you are carrying it on your back. You wont be counting antler tines on a bull three miles away with this thing, but it will at least get you closer than your naked eye. Makes sense. Thats too bad, because its durable and well-balanced for just about any tripod work. A handsome, versatile, and rugged spotting scope, the OSCAR8 has a sensibly restrained magnification range that zooms from 27 to 55-power. Bino Expert is a member of the Amazon Associates affiliate program. Vortex is a well-known manufacturer of optical material such as binoculars, spotting scopes and rifle scopes. Would love to hear any pros or cons or comparisons. At a fraction of that price, this Vortex delivers an adequate image in a durable, versatile package. They sell their products directly to consumers similarly to Upland Optics, but they are at the higher end of the price/quality spectrum. Maven has a direct to consumer business model, so you can get it customized if you want, and you know that no retailer is taking a huge cut of the price you pay. Spotting Scope, Soft sided case, Lens caps, Cleaning Cloth: Spotting scope^hard case^soft case^instructions^tripod: Athlon Optics 315001: 20-60X80 Spotter: Soft Carrying Case, 20-60x zoom Eyepiece, Spotting Scope, Soft sided case, Lens caps, Cleaning Cloth Item Dimensions: 16.9 x 4 x 4.5 inches: 18.25 x 6.5 x 9.5 inches: 16.5 x 3.75 x 6 inches The two-speed focus control allows you to riff from close-in to far-distant targets with a single revolution, and then feather the focus for precision. Maven CS.1 15-45X65mm Spotting Scope Gray/Orange ED Lens. 20-60x. However, at 4.5 pounds, this is a beast to pack, which makes it a better choice for a back deck or base camp optic. Apart from its compact design, it is also ergonomic. If you spend a few hundred dollars, youre going to get something that will definitely improve on your naked eyes vision and help you be successful at whatever activity you are doing. While the best binoculars for hunting have close focus of about 6 to 8 feet, spotting scopes can only focus to about 12 feet. The downside: Youre stuck with the 15-45-power zoom. That and it was $120 less.. Precision rifle shooters will appreciate the fixed 22-power lens that contains a milling PRS reticle, which allows users to make precise calls when spotting for a long-distance shooter. But the magnification range, zooming from 9x up to 27x, gives this little unit more range and a surprisingly nice image. Athlon BTR vs Vortex Diamondback. in your price range I would look at this. Budget is a very firm $500 or preferably less. 60mm scopes are popular with hunters, although they definitely dont have the image quality of an 85mm. The Gosky 20-6060 HD Spotting Scope is a top seller in that price range, and gets decent reviews from its many users. At 60-power, the image will be largest, but because of the laws of optics, it also appears darkest and grainiest. They offer solid products at affordable prices, as well as higher end options. But of course all else isnt equal, and there is a trade off. They offer a wide range of sporting optics, and I use their 85mm spotting scope as my go to when Im not packing in too deep. It can be had with three different sizes of objective lenses, so you can choose just how big your scope is going to be. Anyone have more details on that? I just believe you get what you pay for. And we were a little disappointed in the relatively narrow field of view. Far less expensive than the other scopes on this list, it doesnt offer the same kind of glass or build quality as the more expensive scopes. Check the price here. They are quick and easy to use when you are based out of your vehicle. Some users like angled eyepieces because of their versatility. But even more approachable scopes will set you back around $1,000. Weve seen this design before, most recently from Celestron (with its similarly sized Hummingbird). They are going to stop rifle optics but Nikon isnt going anywhere. This scope gives some of the crispest images around. That glass is good, but its not quite as bright and sharp as that Japanese S-series glass. 10 MIL turrets. They offer some of the clearest scopes on the market, and while you definitely pay a premium, they have a very loyal customer base among bird watchers. That makes a great combination for hardscrabble backcountry hunters who dont want to sacrifice optical performance, knowing that seeing long distances can save them many miles and thousands of feet of elevation in their boots. Select which one you want here. At first sight, the Argos 10x42 is quite a compact binocular. ArmorTek Technology: The build quality is as expected top-notch. Hunters who want a mini optic to pack into the high country, or travelers who want a little more reach than a smaller binocular should consider this little spotting scope. Purpose-built as an aid to precision rifle shooters, the integrated reticle in the LMSS2 allows spotters to effectively call shots for their teammates on rifle. You can learn more about them here. Whether you choose an angled or a straight-body spotting scope is largely a matter of personal preference. Athlon Midas BTR, Midas HMR, Midas TAC scopes - Also made in China to Athlon's specific specifications. Since some of the most prime hunting hours are during low light dawn/dusk conditions, it can be tempting to get a scope with a larger exit pupil. The bigger the lens, the bigger and heavier the scope. I honestly would be fine with a 65mm but they only offer this one. Lastly, full-sized spotters are designed to be mounted on a tripod, so consider the mounting hardware. Or look at even smaller scopes, like the 9-2756 Hawke in this years test. The downside is that in order to do so, you will have to either sacrifice zoom power, or get much larger objective lenses (and therefore increase weight). Athlon Cronus is up to 60 power but still have a reasonable size. As youll see in the two Athlon scopes in this years test, better-quality glass can double the price of a spotter. Nikons Monarch Fieldscope 82ED-A W/MEP-20-60, Fully Multicoated, Excellent Image Quality, Field of view: 108 to 60 feet @ 1,000 yards. When budget isnt a limitation, I tend to recommend Swarovski. I mention this because you are likely to get more use out of a spotter with a 20-45-power range than one that claims it goes to 60-power. They are well known for supplying many of the high end scopes used by military snipers and special operations units. And with $500, I would definitely buy the Diamondback 20-60x85mm. Show More. Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 FFP EBR-2C MRAD - Best FFP Scope Under $1500. Shop Athlon Optics Argos BTR 6-24x50mm Side Focus Rifle Scope | 4.4 Star Rating on 92 Reviews for Athlon Optics Argos BTR 6-24x50mm Side Focus Rifle Scope + Free Shipping over $49. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Maven RS.1 2.5-15X44 - Best FFP Scope for Hunting. If the former, you might consider investing in models with excellent glass and mirage-taming coatings. But for someone on a budget, it will do the job. The spotter with the highest overall score wins our Editors Choice awardthis year it went to Mavens CS.1. If youve got a little more money to spend, its hard not to recommend the Vortex Razor series for you. The Athlon warranty is every bit equal to the warranty provided by Leupold and Vortex, which is saying something. Here are some excellent scopes for that purpose: Zeiss makes premium optics, and this scope is no exception. And the wide-angle eyepiece provides a constant 66-degree field of view throughout the entire magnification range. Andrew McKean is Outdoor Lifes hunting and conservation editor, drilling into issues that affect wildlife, wildlands, and the people who care about them. So much so that it won our Great Buy award as the best bargain spotting scope. I got ahold of Athlon's entry level ARGOS to compare to their higher . While zoom is described by the initial range of all important numbers on spotting scope specs, objective lens size finishes it out. Athlon sells their own rings and mounts, which obviously mesh well when used in tandem with their scope . Its more than up to the task at picking out bullet holes from long range, saving you a lot of walking. Dec 9, 2019 123 56. I am a fan of vortex but the diamond back not so much . It is worth a trip to your local sporting goods store to look through some scopes and make sure that your glasses do not interfere with the normal eye relief on models you are considering. free shipping & returns. I use the binoculars to cover wide swaths of ground, and then use my scope to get really zoomed in on an animal that Ive found. There are some spring airgunners that swear by the Hawke Sidewinder. Absolutely not, in fact some of the best scopes around carry the HD label. If you cant spend over a hundred dollars, your options are limited to discount providers. Vortex diamondback tactical 6-24x Vs Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x I'm looking at either the new vortex dback 6-24x tactical or athlon Argos BTR 6-24x to get into long range shooting. 30mm main tube. 0 B bdzjlz Member Can be easier on the neck, particularly if looking up at something above you. There is a massive difference between HD and regular definition television, and everyone has seen it. The Vortex Viper is a great choice. . Brands make a big deal out of the upper end of the magnification range for their spotters, but that doesnt mean those higher powers are very useful. There is no easy answer on which is best as there are tradeoffs. Oftentimes they dont even end up helping you see better at long distances. They sent me a prepaid label without a fight. These describe the zoom and the objective lens size. With an 80mm objective lens, its big enough to handle pretty much any task you throw at it. Easier to switch between binos and spotting scope. At almost 4.3 pounds this spotter feels like a tank, which means its a better base-camp scope than a walk-about optic. There are different scope models that are designed specifically for all these purposes. Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope - 45 Degree, Green/Black Customer reviews Customer reviews 4.4 out of 5 174 global ratings Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope - 45 Degree, Green/Black by Size: 45 Degree Change How customer reviews and ratings work Top positive review Jack Holcomb Great spotting scope Not my choice but I dont want to be sleeping on couch for the rest of life. What is the rep of the Athlon Argos 2-10x40 BDC 600? ), then I'd go vortex. The first two, in the above case 20-60, are the zoom. A nice feature it has that I wish more scopes would include (especially angled scopes) is a sighting line to help you line up with what youre trying to look at. And if youre shooting at really long ranges, an afternoon trip to the range can feel more like a lengthy hike. Length, weight, eye relief, and FOV are similar. The Vortex Optics Diamondback is the best spotting scope for 300 dollars as it has 20x-60x magnification and a 60mm lens diameter.