Not all hunters need a spotting scope, but for those who want to get a detailed look at their quarry before taking a shot, its a lifesaver. Vortex got mentioned above a lot, and there are good reasons. Athlon sells their own rings and mounts, which obviously mesh well when used in tandem with their scope . Springers abuse the crap out of scopes. Like most scopes, the Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 does not come with a mount and rings included. The test team was divided on the merits of the relatively light weight. I'm curious about the eye box / eye relief difference in these scopes. Long Island. Glass was pretty good for the price. The Harpia 95 has a little sister, the Harpia 85, thats a little more portable and only slightly more affordable. At longer distances, from 400 yards to infinity, you lose resolution in the magnified image, but youll still be able to see details that you could never see with your naked eye or even a binocular. Most spotting scopes that zoom up to 60-power get so dark and grainy at that magnification that theyre really only useful up to about 50-power. It's a 20-60x80 only weighting about 33ozs. Nikon is one of the most well known optics brands in the world. Athlon vs Vortex - Part 1 18,034 views Mar 29, 2019 93 Dislike Share Blue Line Optics 627 subscribers Two extremely good optics companies who market themselves fairly comparatively - high. At almost 4.3 pounds this spotter feels like a tank, which means its a better base-camp scope than a walk-about optic. We found the usable magnification range extended to about 54-power, which is higher than many of its peers. An ideal companion for long-range shooters and hunters, the angled viewing Vortex Optics Viper HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope delivers bright and sharp high-contrast images with true-to-life color and crisp clarity at all . It also has ArmorTek technology that prevents the body from scratches. Thats our opinion of how much of a bargain or a rip-off each binocular is. As you have seen in our list of recommendations, both Vortex and Athlon offer multicoated optics. Athlon vs Vortex Scopes - Which Is Better? (ANSWERED) Its angled body, with rotating tripod ring, allows for infinite adjustment, and the Arca-Swiss compatible tripod system mates up with any number of mounting options. The spotter with the highest overall score wins our Editors Choice awardthis year it went to Mavens CS.1. Binoculars & Spotting Scopes | Costco Its a pattern weve seen play out over two decades of the Outdoor Life optics test. You could try using it freehand or leaning it against something, but trust me when I tell you this will significantly hamper your viewing. Thoughts on Athlon Talos Spotting Scope. 20-60x80. Burris Fullfield II or Vortex Diamondback: . Bino Expert is a member of the Amazon Associates affiliate program. You must log in or register to reply here. 1.4 #4) Swarovski ATS 80 20-60x Spotting Scope. The Maven has especially good manners. Vortex diamondback vs viper. Most of the above options will work just as well for any kind of wildlife viewing, but here are a few more options just in case you want them: Vortexs least expensive spotter series, the Diamondback is a top seller with great reviews. I have both and would buy another Athlon. That would mean that the scope has an adjustable zoom range of 20 to 60. From reviews and videos I've seen it tracks well. Its not quite as spendy as the higher end Razor we recommended for hunting above, which shooters who would rather spend their hard earned money on ammo will definitely appreciate. A 20-60x60mm scope at the lowest 20 power setting has an exit pupil diameter of 6020, or 3mm. 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. If youre a hobbyist photographer who doesnt care about squeezing the maximum amount of performance possible from a scope, give the Celestron Regal a look. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Vortex diamondback FFP scope also comes with elevated finger-adjustable turrets. So got the Argos in mail last night and got it mounted this afternoon. 8 Best Spotting Scopes for Elk Hunting - opticsrelated.com 10 Best Spotting Scopes February 2023 - MSN Its virtually impossible to hold a powerful scope still enough to use effectively. You can get monsters with objective lenses over 100mm designed for leaving in place, or get something portable. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. tlav21; Nov 5, 2021; Optics; Replies 5 Views 2K. Celestron shows up in a lot of places on this list, particularly when looking for affordable quality. Another very high end scope from an excellent optics company, the Kowa TSN-883 Prominar is a great option for bird watchers trying to get the best. I regularly shoot out to 300 yds with my ar and have shot to 1k with a friends equipment. Spotter-Vortex Viper vs. Athlon Ares. The angled eyepiece and rotating tripod mount increase its versatility, and the controls are relatively tight and precise, especially for the at around $400. I have a Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 on a Diana 240, and a Hawke Vantage SF 6-24x44 on a Savage Mark 2 22LR. 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. But if its the latter, than less expensive glass might be fine. A handsome, versatile, and rugged spotting scope, the OSCAR8 has a sensibly restrained magnification range that zooms from 27 to 55-power. A spotting scope is sort of a low-power telescope, while also offering better magnification than a set of binoculars. Maven has a few great spotting scope options (all of which are customizable if you order through their website). Check it out on Amazon. Athlon Optics Argos BTR and Helos BTR scopes - Made in China to Athlon specifications. Athlon BTR vs Vortex Diamondback. The point is..if you buy a Vortex, you have to check if the reticles are wire or not. Free Shipping & Free Returns* FREE SHIPPING on Over 250,000 Products. I shoot spring airgun and 22LR, and Hawke is on ALL of them. The upside: Its especially weather- and moisture-proof. Here are some good picks: You dont necessarily need a scope youre going to use for target shooting to be portable, so you may as well get something with a beefy objective lens. The Vortex Optics Diamondback is the best spotting scope for 300 dollars as it has 20x-60x magnification and a 60mm lens diameter. What about 600 or even futher? It can be had with three different sizes of objective lenses, so you can choose just how big your scope is going to be. But generally, the sweet spot between magnification and image quality is somewhere in the middle of the power range. Its more than up to the task at picking out bullet holes from long range, saving you a lot of walking. Is the foot large and strong enough to stabilize the optic? Athlon Midas BTR, Midas HMR, Midas TAC scopes - Also made in China to Athlon's specific specifications. I noticed the gen 2 Argos is out now and it mentions upgraded turrets. Delivery. Spotting Scope Review - 24hourcampfire It'll give you some intel on Athlon . You can learn more about them at VortexOptics.com. However, it can be hard to get your scope on target with an angled eyepiece because the 45-degree angle means the eyepiece isnt pointing at your target, like a straight-body spotter, so target acquisition occurs much faster. The 65mm size is just about right for most backpack pockets, and it pairs nicely with mid-sized tripods. Moreover, weighing 24.6 ounces it is one of the lightest offerings from Athlon. Vortex diamondback tactical 6-24x Vs Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x Updated: October 2, 2020, 79 optics, 152 reticles. Spotter-Vortex Viper vs. Athlon Ares | Rokslide Forum The redesigned Diamondback HD spotting scopes have all the horsepower the long-distance hunter needs, and they excel in lowlightright when you need it most. In fact, those factors increase substantially as you go up in objective sizes. . Athlon Optics Cronus Gen II 20-60x86mm UHD Spotting Scopes FREE S&H Many consumers are understandably confused about the designations that optics companies use to describe the quality of glass in their products, but the Athlon spotters are useful to differentiate between HD and UHD glass. Nikons Monarch Fieldscope 82ED-A W/MEP-20-60, Fully Multicoated, Excellent Image Quality, Field of view: 108 to 60 feet @ 1,000 yards. Brands that might introduce a new binocular or riflescope every year are on a 2- or even 3-year cycle with spotting scope introductions. Put it on a tripod, point it at the sky, and youll be opened up to a whole new world(s)! Nikons Monarch Fieldscope 82ED-A W/MEP-20-60 is a fantastic one to consider for someone who has a larger budget. The Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 & the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50. A 15-4565 unit has 15- to 45-power magnification behind a 65mm objective lens. The Diamondback HD has decent high-definition glass in the objective lens, but experienced hunters may be disappointed with the clarity and brightness of the image. That glass is good, but its not quite as bright and sharp as that Japanese S-series glass. This is a list of rifle scopes with at least 24X magnification that cost less than $750. Astronomy is usually thought to be done with a big telescope setup, but a spotting scope can also work well for a hobbyist. Its optical shortcomings are evident in low light conditions, but thats to be expected at this bargain price. Here are some great options to consider: This scope, which gets our number one overall recommendation right now, is a shockingly good value. Youll notice the images starts to get dark and grainy at about 45-power, and our low-light test confirmed that, compared with its UHD brother, the Argos HD will wink out several minutes before its peers. Theres several companies using that mechanism successfully. Just attach your camera and youll be taking clear photos from far away. But for someone on a budget, it will do the job. Pros. quigley257; Mar 17, 2020; Replies 6 Vortex Diamondback HD vs Athlon Argos G2 UHD Binoculars 1. Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope Review And its ultra-compact size means youll take this optic more places than a larger spotter or a big-boned binocular. 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. The Gosky 20-6060 HD Spotting Scope is a top seller in that price range, and gets decent reviews from its many users. The glass itself in the lenses of your scope is what will determine how much dispersion is happening, and getting glass with lower dispersion is one of the primary differences in cost between different brands and models. The most hard-wearing models have oversized controls that can be used with gloved hands, and they are double-sealed against dust, grit, and moisture. It offers very impressive light transmission and gives unbelievable image quality to its viewer. Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Spotting Scopes. This is coming from someone who has never used either. Side By Side Review Athlon NEOS 10x42 vs. Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 Binoculars Home ADVENTURES Store About Updates Contact MIL/LEO Custom Shop Group Buy Polices UPDATE STATION . 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. The Hide Armory. ArmorTek Technology: The build quality is as expected top-notch. But it could be perfect scope if you are setting it up on your back porch to stargaze with. 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. 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. If you divide the objective size by the zoom, you get the exact diameter of the exit pupil. Its on the larger side for a hunting scope, and you may not want to pack it in if youve already got a heavy pack and are going in deep. . Itll cost you, but man does it make scopes easier to use. I'm an optics snob and all my rifles sport Vortex Razors, AMG, Nightforce NSX, Swarovski and Zeiss. Reply Report edosan Member Apr 30, 2018 1,926 54 Which makes it a perfect option for hunters. Eye relief is the range of distances from the lens within which you wont get any black rings and missed images from your scope. We've also streamlined the exterior for a sleeker, snag-free profile, building in a helical focus wheel. As youll see in the two Athlon scopes in this years test, better-quality glass can double the price of a spotter. Most are designed to be held directly up near your eyes and therefore have a short eye relief, and this works perfectly for most situations. Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 Review - Sharp Shooter Optics So for a brief period of time, I had both the Athlon Talos 20x60x80 and this Athlon Argos 20x60x85 side by side for a detailed comparison. They are still honoring their warrantee but have made some changes and dont have the no fault warrantee any longer. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links . Free shipping for many products! We rate the tightness and precision of their controls, how comfortably the scopes fit our hands and eyes, and then assess their style, versatility, and durability. If you cant spend over a hundred dollars, your options are limited to discount providers. It has an 82mm objective lens, boasts ED glass for amazing image clarity, and has a field flattener lens system for crisp images all the way to the periphery. Spotting scopes are good from fairly close to nearly infinity. I got ahold of Athlon's entry level ARGOS to compare to their higher . The Hawke AirMAx is THE ONLY scope that has survived my Diana 34 springer. Because our test doesnt intentionally punish submissions until they break, the durability question is necessarily unanswered. $199.99. Spotting scopes are usually used on a tripod, so you dont need to worry about your hands shaking and distorting high zoom images like you do with binoculars. . SX-2 Alpine HD 20-60x60mm Angled. 10 MIL turrets. $139.99 - $169.99. The downside is that the scopes I have are all SFP, but they do make an FFP model. On this review we are going to be using the Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 as the benchmark. The focus, magnification ring, and retractable sunshade all move with silky precision. They sell their products directly to consumers similarly to Upland Optics, but they are at the higher end of the price/quality spectrum. 6 Best Focal Plane FFP Scopes to Buy - ScopeExpert.com I am looking at the ballistic reticle scopes in the 3-9x40 and 4/4.5-12x40/42 range in both product lines. I just got the argos for my 22. Thx, Colice "There are no dangerous weapons. Specifications. Dec 9, 2019 123 56. Opinions about between Athlon Helos and Vortex Diamondback Tactical This means that objects will appear between 20 and 60 times closer than they actually are, depending on how you have it set. From our reviews, you can see that 2 of the Vortex models recommended come with Armortek coating. Many buyers are looking for a scope to take to the range to verify hits on distant targets, whether paper bullseyes or steel plates. For a first scope in this FFP arena, it was fine, I did not miss, even at 1k+ because of my argos. 5 Best Spotting Scope Under $500 {Expert's Choice} Definitions aside, if youre in the market for a full-sized spotter and have limited funds, consider the Argos HD. 20-60x. Another great option depending on your uses is a car window mount. The ED glass works pretty well, but the real appeal here is the Horus reticle inside and tactical bling on the exterior. $399.99. Make sure that the companys return policy and either repair or replacement will cover your purchase. A smaller company than some others on this list, Athlon continually impresses me with their quality mid range products. Founded in the United States in 1907, it has been family owned and operated for five generations, an incredible feat for any company. I haven't had a chance to mount and shoot it yet, but construction feels solid. For example, the Athlon Argos we recommend has a field of view of 48-102 feet at 1000 yards. This scope gives some of the crispest images around. I built a 6.5 Creedmoor for my son in law.he wanted the mid level Athlon. Bushnell is one of the older players in the sporting optics world, having been founded in 1948. That brings us to the Vortex Diamondback 20-60x80mm straight eyepiece spotting . Is it going to be aimed permanently at the stars? And at nearly $4,000, most of us arent willing to subject the Harpia to the indignities and dings of the field. I chose these based on features and because the retail price is low enough to keep the rifle in NRL22 base class. I am a fan of vortex but the diamond back not so much . 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. They tend to give mediocre images at best and quality is low. For this particular, how does it perform? Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scopes - Top Pick. They produce quality optics that are simple and straightforward, and they stand by them 100% with their lifetime warranty. 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. Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25X56 - Best for Long Range. Rifle Scopes - Athlon Argos vs Vortex Diamondback The 45-degree angled eyepiece is also a nice touch, as it allows for users to use it in a number of different stances. Wednesday December 7, 2022. Hi, looking for a new scope for my 22lr. The average user who uses them primarily during the day wont have an issue with almost any scope sold on the market, since the exit pupil will be large enough to work effectively during full light conditions.