The inexpensive Argos BTR and less expensive Talos BTR work surprisingly well for the price. Check its price right now by clicking here. $329.99 - $399.99. I don't really want more than 3-4 x on the low end at least around here MDs are putting targets close and starting at 6x makes things tricky. I shoot spring airgun and 22LR, and Hawke is on ALL of them. So should you avoid scopes labeled as HD? But I will say, that no matter what I did, I could not get my eye comfortable behind the glass. We were able to arrive at a consensus on the optical talents of this spotter. I have a Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 on a Diana 240, and a Hawke Vantage SF 6-24x44 on a Savage Mark 2 22LR. 1.8 #8) Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope. 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. They also have several subsidiaries underneath them, including names you might recognize like Tasco, Browning Sport Optics, and Simmons. I have access to a 1,200 yd range now and want to get into long range. The Argos HD is one of the best spotting scopes under 300 dollars that has a robust 20-60x magnification, 85mm objective, and is perfect for . And if youre shooting at really long ranges, an afternoon trip to the range can feel more like a lengthy hike. Apart from its compact design, it is also ergonomic. Vortex Optics Diamondback Tactical FFP Riflescope 6-24x50, EBR-2C MRAD DBK-10029. So I've narrowed it down to two scopes. The second number is the size of the objective lens in millimeters. $399.99. In normal bright conditions, your pupil will usually be open about 2mm. I have purchased 3 Athlon Argos BTR scopes, and zero issues with any of them. 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. I haven't had a chance to mount and shoot it yet, but construction feels solid. We've also streamlined the exterior for a sleeker, snag-free profile, building in a helical focus wheel. Anyone know the low end focus on the Argos? I'm curious about the eye box / eye relief difference in these scopes. 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. Length, weight, eye relief, and FOV are similar. 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. Theres nothing particularly ground-breaking in this introduction from Athlon, just a sized-up version of its very good 65mm Ares G2 UHD model. But for scouting use its perfect, or for spotting from the road. xugz0212 New Member. Athlon Optics , Argos BTR, Riflescope, 6-24 x 50 First Focal Plane (FFP) 30 mm Tube, Illuminated APMR MIL Reticle, Black. This means that objects will appear between 20 and 60 times closer than they actually are, depending on how you have it set. I just got the argos for my 22. Getting up close images is the entire point of a spotting scope, so obviously zoom power is one of the most important things to know about the scope you are going to buy. Its a tough trade off, and has to be made based on your hunting style. Many buyers are looking for a scope to take to the range to verify hits on distant targets, whether paper bullseyes or steel plates. Athlon Ares Spotting Scope VS. Vortex Razor Spotting Scope Review 73,201 views Mar 13, 2016 263 Dislike Share Save Backcountry Brotherhood 8.15K subscribers Watch as we review the new. 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? I think youade the right choice. The MIDAS uses what appears to be night and day difference SUPERIOR GLASS. Note that the price varies widely on these different models of Razors, with the smallest scope costing half as much as the biggest. There are some spring airgunners that swear by the Hawke Sidewinder. Alternatively, the rails allow you to mount the LMSS2 on either rails or a traditional tripod. 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. Maven RS.4 5-30x56 FFP - Best Under $2000. With an 80mm objective lens, its big enough to handle pretty much any task you throw at it. Athlon Optics Argos BTR 6-24x50mm FFP Rifle Scope; Table of Contents. But at magnifications above about 18, youre going to want to mount this, because the shakes introduced by your hands, or an improvised support, blur the image. 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. Here are the scopes Id recommend for the budding astronomer: Celestron is kind of the specialist when it comes to astronomy equipment in the sporting optics world. Learn more about their long, family owned history here. But for hunters who aspire to own the best optics on the planet, this line of Zeiss spotters justifies the significant investment. For a first scope in this FFP arena, it was fine, I did not miss, even at 1k+ because of my argos. Oftentimes they dont even end up helping you see better at long distances. 1.6 #6) BARSKA 30-90100 WP Gladiator Spotting Scope. 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. Jan 25, 2022. I have an argos, I replaced it after less than a year. 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. The Vortex DB HD 10x42 are by volume the most sold pair of binoculars in . 0 B bdzjlz Member In those cases, you want a scope that will withstand the abuses of the field. A big, serious spotter with very good glass and responsive controls, the Ares UHD is the big brother to Athlons excellent 65mm Argos introduced a couple of years ago. After consulting with other experts I compiled this guide that includes information about spotting scopes, how to choose the best one, and reviews of our favorites on the market right now. Not my choice but I dont want to be sleeping on couch for the rest of life. The controls are tight, and we especially liked the two-speed focus and the fingertip sensitivity of the fine-focus knob. While the use and need of a good spotting scope extends well beyond those needs, it still is hard to bump it up the priority list, hence the need for affordable alternatives to the exceptional high end spotters available on the market that cost well over $2000 USD. Snipers Hide is a community of Snipers of all kinds, focusing on long range shooting, accuracy, and ballistics. The CS.1 is built around the same mid-level class of glass that Maven uses in its C Series binoculars. 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. 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. The size of that beam of light is directly derived from two of the factors mentioned above: zoom and objective lens size. The extra low-dispersion glass in this model and the oversized objective lens make this a good choice for mid-range field work. 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. Field of view is a measurement of how wide of a picture you will see when you are looking through a scope. But even more approachable scopes will set you back around $1,000. Athlon Argos BTR is $280-$370ish, depending on the model. 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. So much so that it won our Great Buy award as the best bargain spotting scope. And the rubber armor is as grippy as it is protective. Vortex Diamondback Tactical VS Athlon Argos Gen 2. The bigger the objective lens, the more light will be allowed into the scope. It can be had with three different sizes of objective lenses, so you can choose just how big your scope is going to be. Ok, folks - here it is: The Bushnell Match Pro Riflescope. If you got sick of reading about scopes (or, lets be honest, you saw there was video and skipped ahead! 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. 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. Athlon Optics Ares ETR UHD 4.5-3056 First Focal Plane Riflescopes Not everyone prefers the same type of reticle. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. All in, theres a lot of scope here for $800, a price that represents the savings possible from the direct-to-consumer optics brand. The 5 Best Binoculars of 2023. Put it on a 40-50 MOA base and you can dial a .22 out past 500 yards. As you have seen in our list of recommendations, both Vortex and Athlon offer multicoated optics. Carefully consider exactly how youre going to use it. But if you made me choose, I would have to pick the Athlon Argos 20-60x85mm. All else being equal, you want the biggest lens possible. A spotting scope helps you get crystal clear, up close views of birds, and can also help you take pictures of them. I honestly don't have experience with either model, but do with others of both brands. Updated: October 2, 2020, 79 optics, 152 reticles. Observation & Sighting Devices . So a 20-6080 spotter has a 20- to 60-power eyepiece and an 80mm objective lens. New. Eye relief is the range of distances from the lens within which you wont get any black rings and missed images from your scope. Spotting scopes work best from mid to far distances. At a fraction of that price, this Vortex delivers an adequate image in a durable, versatile package. Is it going to be aimed permanently at the stars? Theres limited utility for a spotting scope with an objective lens better suited to a full-sized binocular. 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. However, astronomers might consider this as one of their primary things to look for given their viewing happens always in low light conditions. Put it on a tripod, point it at the sky, and youll be opened up to a whole new world(s)! The Vortex Viper is a great choice. ), here are some great resources to help you buy a scope: Cheap vs. 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. In case you want to know about the scopes, in brief, this comparison table below is tailor . 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. Dec 9, 2019 123 56. In fact, those factors increase substantially as you go up in objective sizes. JavaScript is disabled. 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. Astronomy is usually thought to be done with a big telescope setup, but a spotting scope can also work well for a hobbyist. $170.00. The upside: Its especially weather- and moisture-proof. Dec 12, 2019. brushandbay. Vortex diamondback FFP scope also comes with elevated finger-adjustable turrets. It may not have their optical clarity, but it is more than good enough for the vast majority of bird watchers. When looking through a scope with ED glass compared to another without it, there is a massive difference. Spotting Scope Review after Testing. Moreover, weighing 24.6 ounces it is one of the lightest offerings from Athlon. Anything further out than that will not be visible. 3 reviews. While this Argos was very well built (and very similar in style and quality to the Vortex Diamondback which is a much higher-priced scope I've used in the past), I found the optical quality to not be as good . in your price range I would look at this. Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scopes. 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. 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. Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25X56 - Best for Long Range. 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. Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x50 AO Riflescope with Dead Hold BDC Reticle (MOA). Anything you point this scope at, youre going to get a clear view of. Thread starter Wrencoforge; Start date Jan 20, 2020; Forums. A spotting scope is sort of a low-power telescope, while also offering better magnification than a set of binoculars. Dont let the fact that its cheaper than the Viper and Razor deter you, this thing provides stellar optics and is backed by their excellent lifetime warranty program. I just believe you get what you pay for. . Perhaps the highest end brand in the optics world, Swarovski caters to those who want the absolute clearest glass and the best quality images. While some scopes fall into the trap of giving more magnification while sacrificing clarity, this scope hits it perfectly at the max end of its range. A cheerful little spotter that splits the difference between a binocular and a full-sized scope, this optic fits in a coat pocket and would make a great travel companion. It has extra low dispersion glass, a key in the world of high end optics. You can think of it like the limits of your peripheral vision. . Founded in the United States in 1907, it has been family owned and operated for five generations, an incredible feat for any company. Weve seen this design before, most recently from Celestron (with its similarly sized Hummingbird). QUICK LIST: Best First Focal Plane Scopes in 2022. You could try using it freehand or leaning it against something, but trust me when I tell you this will significantly hamper your viewing. Only you can make the decision on whether the extra ounces and sacrificed zoom power are worth it for some extra low light visibility on opening morning. He already had a high end Vortex ($1,000). $199.99. 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. I built a 6.5 Creedmoor for my son in law.he wanted the mid level Athlon. 30mm main tube. 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. If you hold any kind of magnified optic up to a light source and at least a foot away from your eyes, you will see a white dot in the middle of the lens. Nikons Monarch Fieldscope 82ED-A W/MEP-20-60 is a fantastic one to consider for someone who has a larger budget. Vortex got mentioned above a lot, and there are good reasons. The viper has better glass, but I am able to see .22 holes in paper In the shade at 350yds with the Argos. Ive been using spotting scopes for years and have used dozens of them in testing and in the field. They just offer the absolute best performance you can possibly get out of a tube filled with glass. At middle distances, like 50 to 400 yards, you can usually zoom in to see precise details of your target. We found the usable magnification range extended to about 54-power, which is higher than many of its peers. If you're money-concience (i am too for the same reason! Also, they are generous with the hash marks on their mil dot. You can learn more about them at VortexOptics.com. It also has a dual focus knob, one of our favorite features on any scope that allows you to focus it both quickly and precisely. Doug asked me to review two Athlon scopes for him. They offer solid products at affordable prices, as well as higher end options. Check it out on Amazon. Nikon BLACK FX1000 Riflescope 6-24x50SF Matte IL FX-MRAD FFP 16516, Ive had my hands on both scopes, I still havent used the illuminated reticle, I personally liked the Argos better than the diamondback.. but I feel if your taking a step above diamondback then I would go vortex .. but since you want ffp I think Argos would be a bit better imo. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. With televisions, High Definition has a technical definition that sets a standard of pixels a display has to have in order to earn the HD distinction. They also allow most of their products to be fully customized, so you can even get them in the exact color you want! Also, is 40 or 48 power enough to spot holes at 500 yards? But if its the latter, than less expensive glass might be fine. The Athlon Talos 20-60x80 Spotting Scope is a long-range spotting scope with a 45-degree eyepiece angle. It's big and heavy, so you probably will mostly use it from your vehicle or a camp, but the power behind a scope this big is something awesome to behold. That means dusty days in a pickup and all sorts of conditions mounted to a tripod. Maybe, but maybe not. Usually works better from a vehicle window mount. Athlon Optics Argos BTR and Helos BTR scopes - Made in China to Athlon specifications. Minuteman. The bigger the lens, the bigger and heavier the scope. Maven applied the Goldilocks Rule to this versatile spotter. Andrew McKean is Outdoor Lifes hunting and conservation editor, drilling into issues that affect wildlife, wildlands, and the people who care about them. But if youre going to be hiking with that scope on your back (and all kinds of other gear), suddenly the idea of a five pound scope isnt so appealing. Expensive Spotting Scope Comparison, Ive been using spotting scopes for years and have used dozens of them in testing and in the field. German Precision Optics ED Binoculars. They have been used and recommended by a lot of the most influential people in the industry, like Steven Rinella from Netflixs Meat Eater. 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). If youre a hunter who packs in deep its worth serious consideration, as its lightweight frame makes it easy to carry into the backcountry. Vortex viper hst is the nicest scope I have had. Its more than up to the task at picking out bullet holes from long range, saving you a lot of walking. Bird watching is one of the most popular and fast growing hobbies world wide. Get the Bushnell Match Pro over either. High end manufacturers like Swarovski and Zeiss charge thousands of dollars for their scopes, and will give you crystal clear images that are hard to beat. 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. 1.4 #4) Swarovski ATS 80 20-60x Spotting Scope. 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. 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). Most importantly, they have a solid warranty and a great reputation for taking care of their customers. 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. Athlon Argos Spotting Scope 20-60x85. What is the rep of the Athlon Argos 2-10x40 BDC 600? Athlon sells their own rings and mounts, which obviously mesh well when used in tandem with their scope . How you use your scope will impact the type of scope body you get. They are quick and easy to use when you are based out of your vehicle. 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. 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. Show More. Has anyone out there got first hand experience with this scope? Unsurprisingly, letting more light in is what you want. If you have the budget, Celestrons Regal is a huge optical upgrade over the Ultima. One of the lesser known technical specs that you may need to account for is eye relief. And we were a little disappointed in the relatively narrow field of view. The rubber is extremely grippy, and the mid-barrel focus allows users to make fine adjustments even while wearing gloves. I am a fan of vortex but the diamond back not so much . Easier to switch between binos and spotting scope. View Quote. The other half appreciated the Endurance EDs talents for a backcountry spotter. You can learn more about them here. 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. Youll definitely want something sturdy though, and weight will again be a factor if you are carrying it on your back. Check them out at Bushnell.com. It is dramatically more affordable than the other optics were recommending here for bird watchers. It may not display this or other websites correctly. free shipping & returns. So much so that it won our Great Buy award as the best bargain spotting scope. At low magnifications, the SIG has a bright image and wide field of view. 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. That glass is good, but its not quite as bright and sharp as that Japanese S-series glass. You can check the price today and see if its the right fit for you. While zoom is described by the initial range of all important numbers on spotting scope specs, objective lens size finishes it out. Show Out of Stock Items. 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.
March 11, 2023