Objective Lens Diameter. Its a solid scope that is large and powerful, is available in angled and straight body options, and will get the job done. And we conclude that the priceyou should be able to find this retailing for around $650was fair for the performance. This scope is perfect for someone: Who is looking for an all-in budget build of under $1,000 (gun and scope) A beginner long-range shooter who wants to stretch into those longer distances, but doesn't want to stretch their wallet Now, don't get me wrong, this scope is a high-quality scope Budget is a very firm $500 or preferably less. 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. Put it on a tripod, point it at the sky, and youll be opened up to a whole new world(s)! But generally, the sweet spot between magnification and image quality is somewhere in the middle of the power range. If youve got a little more money to spend, its hard not to recommend the Vortex Razor series for you. 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. 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. However in dark conditions, your pupil will open to allow more light in, and can get up to 7mm in diameter. It may not have the extra low dispersion glass and other high end features of more expensive scopes, but it does a great job considering how little it takes to get your hands on one. 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. Strike Eagle has a ton of elevation and nice features. Maven RS.1 2.5-15X44 - Best FFP Scope for Hunting. Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x50 AO Riflescope with Dead Hold BDC Reticle (MOA). Note that the price varies widely on these different models of Razors, with the smallest scope costing half as much as the biggest. There is a massive difference between HD and regular definition television, and everyone has seen it. The inexpensive Argos BTR and less expensive Talos BTR work surprisingly well for the price. The CS.1 is built around the same mid-level class of glass that Maven uses in its C Series binoculars. 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. Carefully consider exactly how youre going to use it. Athlon Argos BTR is $280-$370ish, depending on the model. Astronomy is usually thought to be done with a big telescope setup, but a spotting scope can also work well for a hobbyist. $199.99. tlav21; Nov 5, 2021; Optics; Replies 5 Views 2K. This scope gives some of the crispest images around. Similarly, if you live anywhere with a lot of wildlife activity, it can be a fun thing to have a spotting scope set up on your back porch, trained on your local ecosystem. Not sure how good it is but the cronus rifle scope line has a good reputation. Check them out at Bushnell.com. You can learn more about them here. New. 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. Delivery. The angled eyepiece and rotating tripod mount increase its versatility, and the controls are relatively tight and precise, especially for the at around $400. 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. That despite an 80mm lens (many of its peers have 85mm objectives). Bushnell is owned today by Vista Outdoor, a large conglomerate of outdoor products companies. But the magnification range, zooming from 9x up to 27x, gives this little unit more range and a surprisingly nice image. This is a list of rifle scopes with at least 24X magnification that cost less than $750. ! Athlon Argos BTR 6-2450 Gen2 APLR2 FFP MOA reticle. And if anything happens to it, Leupolds lifetime transferable warranty will keep you covered. The largest, most powerful spotting scopes are among the most expensive sports optics on the market. Check the classifieds on here for something in the next tier up. In all, the Meopta compares favorably to premium spotters from Swarovski, Leica, and Zeiss at a lower price. The Best Spotting Scopes in 2023 - Buyer's Guide - Bino Expert SX-2 Alpine HD Spotting Scopes | Leupold You can think of it like the limits of your peripheral vision. free shipping & returns. Click to play video. They sell their products directly to consumers similarly to Upland Optics, but they are at the higher end of the price/quality spectrum. About Us Policies. Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope Review They rapidly expanded into a full suite of optics products spanning the entirety of the price ranges, which they still are today, though they mostly focus on the lower/mid range. Get the Bushnell Match Pro over either. The Ares G2 placed second in our low-light rankings and turned in very good resolution scores. Its a very solid scope with exceptionally high quality glass. Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-2450 FFP EBR-2C MOA reticle diagram. You can read more about them here. The Argos gives excellent images for a scope in this price range, is large enough to be seriously powerful, and has intuitive, solid controls. You can check the price here. They're both fairly equal when comparing in the same price range, but I will support Vortex always for their customer service and unmatched warranty. A spotting scope is sort of a low-power telescope, while also offering better magnification than a set of binoculars. The MIDAS uses what appears to be night and day difference SUPERIOR GLASS. Spotting scopes are measured with two numbers. The Gosky 20-6060 HD Spotting Scope is a top seller in that price range, and gets decent reviews from its many users. Replies 44 Views 30K. 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. The Ultima is a fairly affordable but still massive and powerful scope that works great for astronomy and stargazing. I noticed the gen 2 Argos is out now and it mentions upgraded turrets. The Maven has especially good manners. 8 Best Spotting Scopes for Elk Hunting - opticsrelated.com I built a 6.5 Creedmoor for my son in law.he wanted the mid level Athlon. The very best birding binoculars under $500 - What birds are in my This is not a particularly exciting year for spotting scopes. Still, the new spotters for 2022 offer plenty of choice and talent for hunters, shooters, and anyone who likes to see wildlife up close. Athlon Optics Ares ETR UHD 4.5-3056 First Focal Plane Riflescopes Not everyone prefers the same type of reticle. I chose these based on features and because the retail price is low enough to keep the rifle in NRL22 base class. That glass is good, but its not quite as bright and sharp as that Japanese S-series glass. The test team was divided on the merits of the relatively light weight. The other half appreciated the Endurance EDs talents for a backcountry spotter. Can be easier on the neck, particularly if looking up at something above you. Athlon Optics , Argos BTR, Riflescope, 6-24 x 50 First Focal Plane (FFP) 30 mm Tube, Illuminated APMR MIL Reticle, Black. Experience/Opinions: Burris Fullfield II or Vortex Diamondback? These scopes have features normally only found on high-end scopes. If the former, you might consider investing in models with excellent glass and mirage-taming coatings. We measure and record the optical attributesfield of view, eye relief, weight, and other specificationsand mount every submission on a tripod suitable for that particular size and weight. The best brightness and image quality will be at 20X, but the image will be smallest at that magnification. While they have specialized in cameras, all of the knowledge theyve accumulated in building camera optics has transferred over into some incredible sporting optics. They are quick and easy to use when you are based out of your vehicle. SKU: 214063. Their Ultima is a great scope for bird watchers. Dielectric-Coated Porro Prism. 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 Athlon Midas BTR, Midas HMR, Midas TAC scopes - Also made in China to Athlon's specific specifications. Deploy MIL First Focal Plane reticle. While zoom is described by the initial range of all important numbers on spotting scope specs, objective lens size finishes it out. This is probably unsurprising given their name. If youre a hunter who packs in deep its worth serious consideration, as its lightweight frame makes it easy to carry into the backcountry. The CS.1 is a great option for a hunter looking for a scope they can take into the backcountry. This same middle-is-best trade-off applies to every magnification range, from 9-27-power spotters to 20-60-power eyepieces. Easier to switch between binos and spotting scope. The 65mm size is just about right for most backpack pockets, and it pairs nicely with mid-sized tripods. Just attach your camera and youll be taking clear photos from far away. 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 . What the CS.1 delivers, though, is rugged performance. Vortex, Athlon or Element? | Airgun Forum - Airgun Nation In that price range, you're not getting something that is top tier. 1:24 . No one buys a spotting scope just because it looked cool in a store. Opinions about between Athlon Helos and Vortex Diamondback Tactical In normal bright conditions, your pupil will usually be open about 2mm. . Moreover, weighing 24.6 ounces it is one of the lightest offerings from Athlon. The other differentiation from the Argos HD model: the aluminum-alloy chassis of the Ares UHD. Thread starter Wrencoforge; Start date Jan 20, 2020; Forums. We were able to arrive at a consensus on the optical talents of this spotter. Would love to hear any pros or cons or comparisons. Other labels you might see that all communicate the same thing are LD (low dispersion), SLD (special low dispersion), ELD (extraordinary low dispersion), and ULD (ultra-low dispersion). They even have a spotting scope eyepiece that functions as a binocular, with two eyepieces! Celestron shows up in a lot of places on this list, particularly when looking for affordable quality. So much so that it won our Great Buy award as the best bargain spotting scope. You must log in or register to reply here. The build boosts the durability of this spotter and gives it a stiffer and more sure-footed feel. Athlon Ares Spotting Scope VS. Vortex Razor Spotting Scope Review 2 Best Spotting Scopes for Elk Hunting Buying Guide & FAQs. 5 Best Spotting Scope Under $500 {Expert's Choice} HobieH3; Mar 26, 2019; 2 3 4. Vortex Diamondback vs Hawke Endurance ED vs Vanguard Endeavor ED NightForce ATACR 5-25X56 F1 - Best for Competition. Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Spotting Scopes. This scope has one function: To get you close eyes on a subject far, far away. I would highly avoid getting a true budget scope (one that costs less than $200). Makes sense. But if you want to make it easy, the winner from all this testing and analysis (as of March 2023) is the Athlon Argos HD 20-60x85mm the best scope for most uses. 45 Angled Viewing. Athlon BTR vs Vortex Diamondback - Long Range Hunting Forum Much faster target acquisition (angled scopes can be intuitive to find what youre trying to look at because of the angle). Is it to assess distant animals in the first and last light of the day? 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. You are using an out of date browser. German Precision Optics ED Binoculars. What about 600 or even futher? Glass was pretty good for the price. It's a 20-60x80 only weighting about 33ozs. athlon ares rifle scope tract optics Product Description ARGOS BTR GEN2 For those of you that are just getting started in the PRS or are looking to start, take a close look at the Argos BTR GEN2 family of scopes. I regularly shoot out to 300 yds with my ar and have shot to 1k with a friends equipment. This pricey, indulgent, magnum-sized optic is the last spotting scope youll own, and it parses details like no other spotter in this category. Their HD-ATS-80 body is awesomely powerful when paired with a 20-60 power eyepiece. $249.99. The downside is that the scopes I have are all SFP, but they do make an FFP model. That brings us to the Vortex Diamondback 20-60x80mm straight eyepiece spotting . Thats because the glass and controls of the Argos HD are slightly disappointing. I had a minor issue one time and called them about it. Spotting Scope Review - 24hourcampfire It'll give you some intel on Athlon . I'm looking at 6-24 versions and they seem similar. Weve rarely seen this much glass and optical horsepower for under $400. Vortex Diamondback Tactical vs Athlon Argos BTR 6-24 If you want to take your photography game to the next level, particularly if photographing animals you dont want to disturb or things that are dangerous to get to close to, a spotting scope with a digiscoping setup can make all the difference. Athlon submitted two full-sized spotters for this years test, but the Argos HD version (as opposed to the Argos G2 UHD) version represents the best combination of price and performance. 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. The mid-barrel focus wheel is tight and precise. Perhaps the highest end brand in the optics world, Swarovski caters to those who want the absolute clearest glass and the best quality images. Field of view is obviously heavily influenced by the magnification power of your scope. I'm not going to claim that they track perfectly, and I did have reposition the parallax knob on 6-24, but for sub-$200, even sub-$150, they are the best thing I've run across and the glass smokes vortex crossfire. And the Celestron Trailseeker ED has better optical performance than the under $150 Celestron Nature DX. Updated: October 2, 2020, 79 optics, 152 reticles. These are big, expensive optics for a fairly narrow segment of the market, and most hunters dont buy a new spotter every year or even more than a couple times in their careers. 30mm main tube. Unsurprisingly, letting more light in is what you want. Athlon Optics Argos BTR and Helos BTR scopes - Made in China to Athlon specifications. Alternatively, the rails allow you to mount the LMSS2 on either rails or a traditional tripod. You can learn about them at Leupold.com. 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. These coatings help the scope transmit and gather light better, thus increasing the quality and clarity of the image it delivers. The 45-degree angled eyepiece is also a nice touch, as it allows for users to use it in a number of different stances. . Consider the durability of a spotter. Any feedback on these two scopes? Especially in low-light conditions, those extreme ranges are rarely usable. The Argos HD 20-60x85mm falls into the perfect category of spotting scopes for high power use. First focal plane reticle stays valid at all power settings allowing you to fully utilize the specially designed reticle that shrinks or grows along with your target as you zoom in or out. A more compact scope from a newer, fantastic brand, the Maven S.2 12-27x56mm means business. 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. The Athlon HELOS uses what appears to be ARGOS GLASS if that matters to you at all. With an 80mm objective lens, its big enough to handle pretty much any task you throw at it. Learn more about it here. I hunted with this scope during Montanas elk season, and it took in stride all the temperature changes, bumps and drops, and dust the hunts dealt it. What is the rep of the Athlon Argos 2-10x40 BDC 600? The Mavens eyepiece is fixed, which means you wont be able to swap out eyepieces for different magnifications. You can get monsters with objective lenses over 100mm designed for leaving in place, or get something portable. The focus, magnification ring, and retractable sunshade all move with silky precision. The size of that beam of light is directly derived from two of the factors mentioned above: zoom and objective lens size. 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. This durable one-piece design keeps dust out of the innards but also prevents users from trading out the variable-power eyepiece for a different zoom range or a fixed-power alternative. The Harpia 95 has a little sister, the Harpia 85, thats a little more portable and only slightly more affordable. It requires little equipment, can often be done from your home, and offers unlimited opportunities for expanding on the hobby with trips to see exotic birds. Therefore it stands to reason that you want the spotter labeled HD, right? While the best binoculars for hunting have close focus of about 6 to 8 feet, spotting scopes can only focus to about 12 feet. A 20-60x60mm scope at the lowest 20 power setting has an exit pupil diameter of 6020, or 3mm. A dual focus knob is also great for fine tuning in on far away celestial bodies. Now if youre using your scope from a fixed position and dont have to carry it around, this wont be a problem. But I have had several of the midway BSAs, one primary arms, they all tracked well. He already had a high end Vortex ($1,000). As youll see in the two Athlon scopes in this years test, better-quality glass can double the price of a spotter. And then, we perform a low-light test on several evenings. Best Spotting Scope - Top 10 in 2023 [Guide & Top Picks] - Target Chaser If you divide the objective size by the zoom, you get the exact diameter of the exit pupil. They also have several subsidiaries underneath them, including names you might recognize like Tasco, Browning Sport Optics, and Simmons. Ask yourself when youre most likely to use the optic. ATHLON Review thanks to Doug!!! - 24hourcampfire Absolutely not, in fact some of the best scopes around carry the HD label. There are a whole lot of Nikon rifle optics out there and they cant just stop servicing their products. Athlon Optics Spotting Scopes - ARGOS vs. ARES - YouTube A great all-around spotter, the SIG OSCAR8 has enough optical horsepower for most hunting situations and exterior styling that fits right at home on a rifle range. In short: IGNORE THE TERM HD. But it could be perfect scope if you are setting it up on your back porch to stargaze with. At a fraction of that price, this Vortex delivers an adequate image in a durable, versatile package. I didnt think the turrets, lack of zero-stop, and mediocre glass would bother me. Most amazingly, some of their highest end products are even assembled in the United States, a rarity in this industry. If you have the budget, Celestrons Regal is a huge optical upgrade over the Ultima. Large 85mm Objective Lens. The 5 Best Binoculars of 2023. The Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 & the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50. However, with Vortexs best-in-class warranty, youll never have to worry if it fails to perform. If you have the money and want to get top performance, you definitely have that option. Nikon is one of the most well known optics brands in the world. It may not have their optical clarity, but it is more than good enough for the vast majority of bird watchers. Also, they are generous with the hash marks on their mil dot. You can learn more about them at VortexOptics.com. With a straight-body spotting scope, youd have to trade places with your buddy in order for them to see the deer. Is it going to be used from your vehicle? Vanguard is a smaller, more specialized company than many on this list, and they deserve your consideration for their quality products. The Vortex strike eagle 5-25x56 FFP The Athlon Midas TAC 5-25x56 FFP Are there people who have been able to compare these 2 scopes? Show More. arken sh4 6 24x50 vs vortex db tactical vs athon argos btr gen2 - AR-15 $399.99. If you are buying a lower-mid range scope, the odds of it coming from Bushnell in one form or another are very high. The Athlon warranty is every bit equal to the warranty provided by Leupold and Vortex, which is saying something. Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 FFP EBR-2C MRAD - Best FFP Scope Under $1500. Rifle Scopes Athlon Argos vs Vortex Diamondback. This scope is offered in either an angled or straight body, and either way you can get a 16-48x65mm or a 20-60x85mm for viewing far off wildlife. Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 174-81 feet, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 234-108 feet, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 102-48 feet, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 108-60 feet, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 176.4-58.5 feet, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 105-73 feet, Ships with dust-resistant neoprene jacket, Interchangeable 22-power eyepiece with MRAD PRS reticle available, Removable eyepiece design can allow dust and grit to enter body, Angled eyepiece and rotating tripod collar enables multiple viewing angles, Removable eyepiece can be traded out for other variable or fixed-power eyepieces, Center-barrel control is hard to finely focus, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 250-50 feet, Eyepiece contains Horus H-32 milling reticle, Multiple attachment points for Picatinny rails, Reticle matches those in precision riflescopes, Throw lever makes magnification changes fast, Slender build easily fits in backpack sleeve, Utilizes Bushnells best glass and coatings, Excessively heavy for a 60mm walk-about spotter, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 144.36-68.9 feet, Oversized center-barrel focus easy to turn with gloves, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 110-52 feet, Angled eyepiece and tripod rotation enable wide range of viewing options. 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. . Built on a composite-carbon chassis, the Vanguard VEO HD runs lighter than its peers, which makes this 80mm spotter a good choice for backcountry hunting. 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. A handsome, versatile, and rugged spotting scope, the OSCAR8 has a sensibly restrained magnification range that zooms from 27 to 55-power. Put it on a 40-50 MOA base and you can dial a .22 out past 500 yards. Apart from its compact design, it is also ergonomic. Its hard to label a single scope as the best available since they are so personalized to different uses. Athlon submitted two full-sized spotters for this year's test, but the Argos HD version (as opposed to the Argos G2 UHD) version represents the best combination of price and performance. 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. The more powerful it is, the narrower the field of view. These fit with the maxim 'you get . Bushnell is one of the older players in the sporting optics world, having been founded in 1948. Mil Dot Hunting Rifle Scopes, 50 Loft 6-Iron Golf Clubs . . The first instance stands for high-definition while the second is ultra-high-definition. Theres still no rigor around those terms, but the HD model was measurably darker and muddier than the UHD model. Only a few optics brands have new models, and those that are new for the year are product-line extensions, essentially new magnifications and sizes for an existing model.