https://athlonoptics.com/product/rifle-scope-argos-6-24x50/, Looking for the best budget optic for my sniper rifle. Not everyone can afford a Zeiss. Its eyecup turns as though on ball bearings, and instead of locking into pre-determined detents, it is infinitely adjustable. The 45-degree angled eyepiece is also a nice touch, as it allows for users to use it in a number of different stances. 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. If youve got a little more money to spend, its hard not to recommend the Vortex Razor series for you. Vortex Optics Diamondback Tactical FFP Riflescope 6-24x50, EBR-2C MRAD DBK-10029. The quality in these scopes could be better but for the price.!! The Diamondback Tactical2 has much better glass than the ARGOS/HELOS at a cheaper price but the MIDAS has a slight overall edge in clarity image quality overall. Athlon BTR vs Vortex Diamondback - Long Range Hunting Forum We bought and tested binoculars from Vortex, Athlon, Nikon, Leica, Swarovski, and others to help you find the best. Strike Eagle has a ton of elevation and nice features. 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. But generally, the sweet spot between magnification and image quality is somewhere in the middle of the power range. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Athlon 214061 Argos BTR 6-2450 Riflescope APMR FFP MIL at the best online prices at eBay! Anything further out than that will not be visible. Spotting scopes are measured with two numbers. A full-size spotter that retails for under $400 should get wide attention, and careful handling. Gosky Newest 20-6080 Dual Focusing Spotting Scope. 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. Check it out here. In short: IGNORE THE TERM HD. The test team was divided on the merits of the relatively light weight. As youll see in the two Athlon scopes in this years test, better-quality glass can double the price of a spotter. Big 80 and 85mm scopes from premium brands can cost upwards of $3,000. 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. All the money is going straight into the glass. What the CS.1 delivers, though, is rugged performance. A spotting scope helps you get crystal clear, up close views of birds, and can also help you take pictures of them. 1:24 . $249.99. Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope Review 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 integrated reticle allows spotters to communicate to their shooting partner specific holds and call shots with precision and clarity. A smaller company than some others on this list, Athlon continually impresses me with their quality mid range products. Athlon Optics . They even have a spotting scope eyepiece that functions as a binocular, with two eyepieces! But even more approachable scopes will set you back around $1,000. I am looking at the ballistic reticle scopes in the 3-9x40 and 4/4.5-12x40/42 range in both product lines. Athlon Ares Spotting Scope VS. Vortex Razor Spotting Scope Review We may receive a sales commission if you purchase any products after using one of our links. Vortex Diamondback vs Hawke Endurance ED vs Vanguard Endeavor ED And the 27-55-power zoom range covers most hunting scenarios, while the 80mm objective lensmade with extra-low dispersion glasslets in plenty of light. This series comes in three sizes: 11-33x50mm, 22-48x65mm, and 27-60x85mm. I've checked the specs and features of both and there are things I like about each. The downside: Youre stuck with the 15-45-power zoom. 1.8 #8) Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope. 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. The Hawke AirMAx is THE ONLY scope that has survived my Diana 34 springer. So a 20-6080 spotter has a 20- to 60-power eyepiece and an 80mm objective lens. For example, the Athlon Argos we recommend has a field of view of 48-102 feet at 1000 yards. While this is likely the first spotter that a hunter or shooter may buyowing to the approachable priceit wont be the last. 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. . With an 80mm objective lens, its big enough to handle pretty much any task you throw at it. They are going to stop rifle optics but Nikon isnt going anywhere. Hook it up to your camera with Zeisss extensive catalog of accessories and youll be taking pictures you never thought possible. CF2-31023. It is dramatically more affordable than the other optics were recommending here for bird watchers. You can learn more about them at VortexOptics.com. A product-line extension following Meoptas successful angled MeoStar S2, this 82mm spotter has the optical horsepower for just about any hunting situation, and the straight-barrel design makes it easy to slide into a backpack sleeve. 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 . If youre a hunter who packs in deep its worth serious consideration, as its lightweight frame makes it easy to carry into the backcountry. Thoughts on Athlon Talos Spotting Scope. 20-60x80. Its a very solid scope with exceptionally high quality glass. About Us Policies. ArmorTek Technology: The build quality is as expected top-notch. And while their telescopes are awesome for picking out constellations, their spotting scopes give you some flexibility to use in different situations. 10 Best Spotting Scopes February 2023 - MSN While they have specialized in cameras, all of the knowledge theyve accumulated in building camera optics has transferred over into some incredible sporting optics. In a category with multiple $1,500-and-higher submissions, the Vanguard VEO HD costs less than $400 but will deliver years of service. Many buyers are looking for a scope to take to the range to verify hits on distant targets, whether paper bullseyes or steel plates. 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. On the other hand, the image delivered by the UHD glass was bright and free of flares and distortion, and the balance and heft of the chassis are both satisfyingly substantial. But I have had several of the midway BSAs, one primary arms, they all tracked well. 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. Key Features. So I've narrowed it down to two scopes. The Argos mechanism has proven to track and is robust. 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. 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. Athlon Argos BTR is $280-$370ish, depending on the model. Ive been using spotting scopes for years and have used dozens of them in testing and in the field. Vanguard is a smaller, more specialized company than many on this list, and they deserve your consideration for their quality products. 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. Another great option depending on your uses is a car window mount. W. Wrencoforge Sergeant of the Hide. 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. This is a list of rifle scopes with at least 24X magnification that cost less than $750. The importance of the exit pupil diameter directly relates to how our eyes function. While the best binoculars for hunting have close focus of about 6 to 8 feet, spotting scopes can only focus to about 12 feet. You should see a set of numbers either in the products title or right away in its specifications that look something like 20-60x60mm. 1.7 #7) Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope. They just work as advertised. Show Out of Stock Items. The build boosts the durability of this spotter and gives it a stiffer and more sure-footed feel. $399.99. The 65mm size is just about right for most backpack pockets, and it pairs nicely with mid-sized tripods. 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 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. Did a quick sight in using a snow bank ( makes things so quick and easy being able to see impact as it happens), and was able to start hitting some targets. You can get monsters with objective lenses over 100mm designed for leaving in place, or get something portable. But most commonly, you will see ED (Extra-low Dispersion) used, and that is what you want. The image delivered by the 23-70-power eyepiece is stunning, and the amount of light delivered to the eye through the 95mm objective lens makes even low-light glassing a pleasure. The straight-barrel design will appeal to viewers who want to make quick target acquisition, instead of the hunting-and-pecking sometimes required with angled eyepieces. We did notice a fair amount of slop in the threaded eyepiece adapter and would rather see a bayonet mount rather than the threaded ring. At lower powers, you can get by without a stabilizing tripod. Spotting Scope Review after Testing. If you have the money and want to get top performance, you definitely have that option. 7 Best Spotting Scopes Under 300 Dollars in 2023 - FixThePhoto.com It may not display this or other websites correctly. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. They sell their products directly to consumers similarly to Upland Optics, but they are at the higher end of the price/quality spectrum. The ED glass delivers a bright image that showed only minor color fringing and slight deformity on the very edge of the image at lower powers. The first spotter from this direct-to-consumer is a versatile powerhouse. At middle distances, like 50 to 400 yards, you can usually zoom in to see precise details of your target. 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 inexpensive Argos BTR and less expensive Talos BTR work surprisingly well for the price. Budget is a very firm $500 or preferably less. 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. I'm looking at 6-24 versions and they seem similar. Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x50 AO Riflescope with Dead Hold BDC Reticle (MOA). What about 600 or even futher? 9 Best First Focal Plane Scopes (FFP) in 2023 - ALL BUDGETS - Target Tamers 4 models Vortex Diamondback HD 20-60x85mm Spotting Scopes As Low As $498.49 Save Up to 17%. Superdoo. 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). 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. The Nature-Trek has some nice appointments, including the responsive center-barrel focus and the comfortable eyecups. 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. There is a massive difference between HD and regular definition television, and everyone has seen it. Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm . This isnt the spotter for everyone, but for buyers on a budget who want decent performance and all the reach that a 60-power can deliver, its a very good choice. 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 . Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scopes - Top Pick. The unit defaults to a 20-70x eyepiece, which you have to purchase separately from the body, but the wide-angle 30-60x eyepiece may have even more utility. Its more than up to the task at picking out bullet holes from long range, saving you a lot of walking. 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. Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-2450 FFP EBR-2C MOA reticle diagram. 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. Best Spotting Scopes of 2023 | Outdoor Life The Vortex Optics Diamondback is the best spotting scope for 300 dollars as it has 20x-60x magnification and a 60mm lens diameter. Since you're talking 22LR and not sure if you'll shoot competitive, I'm going to throw out Hawke here. Is it going to be used from your vehicle? Maven RS.1 2.5-15X44 - Best FFP Scope for Hunting. Meopta is said to be on higher tier than vortex razor. One example is hitting the coldbore shots on steel often out to 1122Y. I am a fan of vortex but the diamond back not so much . I got ahold of Athlon's entry level ARGOS to compare to their higher . Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50 Review (2023): Worth the Money? - Scopes Field Joined Jun 19, 2019 Messages 1,412 Just picked up an Argos 6-24 for $249 and am very pleased. The more powerful it is, the narrower the field of view. Makes sense. Shop Athlon Optics Argos BTR Gen II 6-24X50mm APLR2 Rifle Scope | $20.00 Off 4 Star Rating on 14 Reviews for Athlon Optics Argos BTR Gen II 6-24X50mm APLR2 Rifle Scope Free Gift + Free Shipping over $49. Thats because the glass and controls of the Argos HD are slightly disappointing. The spotter with the highest overall score wins our Editors Choice awardthis year it went to Mavens CS.1. I personally used it this last year when hunting pronghorn in Idaho extensively, and it helped me pick out minute details on horns from absurdly far away! Optically, its a solid performer, but its image is like the rest of the spotter, sort of middling. Delivery. quigley257; Mar 17, 2020; Replies 6 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. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. At first sight, the Argos 10x42 is quite a compact binocular. There are only dangerous men." Doug asked me to review two Athlon scopes for him. But we also assign a Price/Value score to each submission. The optic with the highest Price/Value score wins our Great Buy award. Most of their consumer scopes are affordable, and are great options. Also, is 40 or 48 power enough to spot holes at 500 yards? I'm curious about the eye box / eye relief difference in these scopes. The other half appreciated the Endurance EDs talents for a backcountry spotter. Illuminated reticle probably isn't critical for your application. Bird watching is one of the most popular and fast growing hobbies world wide. 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. 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. If youve ever been to a rifle range, you know youre in for some walking. The Maven has especially good manners. Thread starter idahohikker; Start date Apr 21, 2018; Apr 21, 2018 #1 I. . The Bushnell Elite Tactical LMSS2 is the perfect companion for precision rifle shooting. In this test, we mount all scopes on tripods, set their magnification to 20-power, and then measure how long they can see into the dark, averaging the results to assess performance. Hunters may have a bit of a trade off here. Leupold is one of the oldest names in the sporting optics world. Gwine Well-Known Member Joined Mar 3, 2013 Messages 423 Location Southern Oregon Jul 3, 2020 #3 Welcome to the forum. 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. Learn More . Athlon Optics 314001: 20-60X85 Spotter - 45 - Amazon.ca Vortex Diamondback Tactical vs Athlon Argos BTR 6-24 I have both and would buy another Athlon. I have had both and still have the Athlon. Its a solid scope that is large and powerful, is available in angled and straight body options, and will get the job done. HobieH3; Mar 26, 2019; 2 3 4. If youre a bird watcher that likes to photograph your quarry, youll be happy to know this scope has a ton of available accessories for connecting to cameras of all sorts. But if you made me choose, I would have to pick the Athlon Argos 20-60x85mm. Is it going to be aimed permanently at the stars? Athlon BTR vs Vortex Diamondback. All three sizes can also be had in either an angled or straight body. 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. Athlon vs. Vortex Riflescopes - Which One is Best? 30mm main tube. You can buy it here. 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. Snipers Hide is a community of Snipers of all kinds, focusing on long range shooting, accuracy, and ballistics. Note that the price varies widely on these different models of Razors, with the smallest scope costing half as much as the biggest. Theres nothing particularly ground-breaking in this introduction from Athlon, just a sized-up version of its very good 65mm Ares G2 UHD model. Athlon Midas BTR, Midas HMR, Midas TAC scopes - Also made in China to Athlon's specific specifications.