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 mid-barrel focus wheel is tight and precise. You can learn more about them here. 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. As youll see in the two Athlon scopes in this years test, better-quality glass can double the price of a spotter. In other words, will you use it just for hunting, or should you consider a model with removable eyepiece so you can trade out wide-angle eyepieces or ones with reticles? 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. By Max Mutter and Benjamin Hickok. An immensely capable mid-sized spotter, the CS.1 features decent glass in a rugged and lightweight alloy frame that handles mid-distance spotting chores with style and talent. 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. That means dusty days in a pickup and all sorts of conditions mounted to a tripod. Illuminated reticle probably isn't critical for your application. 0 B bdzjlz Member And at nearly $4,000, most of us arent willing to subject the Harpia to the indignities and dings of the field. Well, Athlon kept that in mind, and that is why they brought out the Ares ETR in different reticle styles. The largest, most powerful spotting scopes are among the most expensive sports optics on the market. Youll want to ensure that the warranty is up to snuff, but our expectation is that this capable spotter will give you years of adequate service. Anyone know the low end focus on the Argos? We may receive a sales commission if you purchase any products after using one of our links. Hunters may have a bit of a trade off here. There is no easy answer on which is best as there are tradeoffs. Theres nothing particularly ground-breaking in this introduction from Athlon, just a sized-up version of its very good 65mm Ares G2 UHD model. Hi, looking for a new scope for my 22lr. We've also streamlined the exterior for a sleeker, snag-free profile, building in a helical focus wheel. Big 80 and 85mm scopes from premium brands can cost upwards of $3,000. If you're money-concience (i am too for the same reason! The Hide Armory. We've rarely seen this much glass and optical horsepower for under $400. ), then I'd go vortex. The focus, magnification ring, and retractable sunshade all move with silky precision. Would love to hear any pros or cons or comparisons. And you might be a little disappointed at how dark and grainy it gets above about 38-power. Bushnell is owned today by Vista Outdoor, a large conglomerate of outdoor products companies. 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. Leupolds flagship spotting scope delivers a quality image at pretty much every magnification. Are you going to pack it deep into the backcountry? Full-sized spotting scopes can cost well over $2,000. Though its the same size and about the same in terms of zoom power, the money is spent on the quality of glass. If youve ever been to a rifle range, you know youre in for some walking. Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scopes - Top Pick. Dielectric-Coated Porro Prism. But we also assign a Price/Value score to each submission. Budget is a very firm $500 or preferably less. . It's a 20-60x80 only weighting about 33ozs. There are only dangerous men." The Athlon Argos BTR is an excellent mid to long-range choice. Most importantly, they have a solid warranty and a great reputation for taking care of their customers. They have a similar long eye relief, but the eyebox isn't as fast to focus as the Vortex. But for scouting use its perfect, or for spotting from the road. Magnification. The integrated reticle allows spotters to communicate to their shooting partner specific holds and call shots with precision and clarity. Nikons Monarch Fieldscope 82ED-A W/MEP-20-60 is a fantastic one to consider for someone who has a larger budget. You can buy it here. Is it going to be aimed permanently at the stars? SX-2 Alpine HD 20-60x60mm Angled. 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. 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 are young, and seem hungry to make a dent in the industry. +1-800-504-5920 Live Chat Contact Us Check Order Status. Range spotters often have a reticle in the eyepiece that allows you to call shots for a buddy. It may not have their optical clarity, but it is more than good enough for the vast majority of bird watchers. Athlon Optics , Argos BTR, Riflescope, 6-24 x 50 First Focal Plane (FFP) 30 mm Tube, Illuminated APMR MIL Reticle, Black. 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. They are going to stop rifle optics but Nikon isnt going anywhere. The Vortex Viper is a great choice. Maven applied the Goldilocks Rule to this versatile spotter. The controls are tight, and we especially liked the two-speed focus and the fingertip sensitivity of the fine-focus knob. Because our test doesnt intentionally punish submissions until they break, the durability question is necessarily unanswered. A dual focus knob is also great for fine tuning in on far away celestial bodies. Once you look through Zeisss Harpia spotter, no other scope will quite satisfy you. Also, is 40 or 48 power enough to spot holes at 500 yards? Its affordable and the glass is super high quality. Expensive Spotting Scope Comparison, Ive been using spotting scopes for years and have used dozens of them in testing and in the field. On this review we are going to be using the Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 as the benchmark. 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. What about 600 or even futher? Vortex is a well-known manufacturer of optical material such as binoculars, spotting scopes and rifle scopes. How versatile do you want your scope to be? If youre spending close to (or upwards of) $1,000 for a spotter, make sure it has either ED (extra-low dispersion) glass. I built a 6.5 Creedmoor for my son in law.he wanted the mid level Athlon. But for someone on a budget, it will do the job. Likewise, the triply more expensive Vortex Viper is optically superior to the Vortex Diamondback. Wednesday December 7, 2022. Glass was pretty good for the price. While some scopes fall into the trap of giving more magnification while sacrificing clarity, this scope hits it perfectly at the max end of its range. Most amazingly, some of their highest end products are even assembled in the United States, a rarity in this industry. Deploy MIL First Focal Plane reticle. We later measure the scopes optical resolution, or how finely they render details. Ok, folks - here it is: The Bushnell Match Pro Riflescope. You wont be counting antler tines on a bull three miles away with this thing, but it will at least get you closer than your naked eye. This isnt the spotter for everyone, but for buyers on a budget who want decent performance and all the reach that a 60-power can deliver, its a very good choice. Weve seen this design before, most recently from Celestron (with its similarly sized Hummingbird). Brands make a big deal out of the upper end of the magnification range for their spotters, but that doesnt mean those higher powers are very useful. They have many scopes under 500$ that comes in both straight and angled version. He already had a high end Vortex ($1,000). Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25X56 - Best for Long Range. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. The importance of the exit pupil diameter directly relates to how our eyes function. 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. 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. All else being equal, you want the biggest lens possible. So I've narrowed it down to two scopes. But if you want to make it easy, the winner from all this testing and analysis (as of March 2023) is the. . You could try using it freehand or leaning it against something, but trust me when I tell you this will significantly hamper your viewing. Products ( 2) Sort By. Updated: October 2, 2020, 79 optics, 152 reticles. At low magnifications, the SIG has a bright image and wide field of view. Get the Bushnell Match Pro over either. Get as big of a scope as is practical for your use. That despite an 80mm lens (many of its peers have 85mm objectives). If you divide the objective size by the zoom, you get the exact diameter of the exit pupil. Many buyers are looking for a scope to take to the range to verify hits on distant targets, whether paper bullseyes or steel plates. Spotting Scope Accessories Thermal Imaging Thermal Imaging Monoculars . Check the price here. I noticed the gen 2 Argos is out now and it mentions upgraded turrets. I think youade the right choice. Note that the price varies widely on these different models of Razors, with the smallest scope costing half as much as the biggest. 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. . 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. Or should I wait until the Element optics Titan comes out? Nikons Monarch Fieldscope 82ED-A W/MEP-20-60, Fully Multicoated, Excellent Image Quality, Field of view: 108 to 60 feet @ 1,000 yards. They also allow most of their products to be fully customized, so you can even get them in the exact color you want! An exception might occur if you are going to be looking through glasses first and then your spotter. 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! Put it on a tripod, point it at the sky, and youll be opened up to a whole new world(s)! Length, weight, eye relief, and FOV are similar. $329.99 - $399.99. There is no such standard in the world of sporting optics, and the term is essentially meaningless. The bigger the lens, the bigger and heavier the scope. Vortex Diamondback 10x42 As you can see from in the table above where I have included the stats and features of both the older (2014) model and the latest 2016 versions, Vortex really have made much more than cosmetic changes to the Diamondback. HobieH3; Mar 26, 2019; 2 3 4. The reticle is etched but also illuminated for eye-catching ease. I'll be honest I wasn't looking forward to reviewing Athlon optics. Bino Expert is a member of the Amazon Associates affiliate program. This spotter makes an excellent choice for a hunter who wants a versatile spotting scope without paying a months wages. 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. As expected, the Nikon 5 8x42 is clearer and brighter than the under $200 non-ED glass Vortex Diamondback. We test spotting scopes the way you use themby subjecting them to the rigors and insults of the field. Make sure that the companys return policy and either repair or replacement will cover your purchase. The Vortex DB HD 10x42 are by volume the most sold pair of binoculars in . And the rubber armor is as grippy as it is protective. 4 models Vortex Diamondback HD 20-60x85mm Spotting Scopes As Low As $498.49 Save Up to 17%. 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 question for the market: Is this spotter twice as good as the Argos HD, and is it worth double the cost? Argos and The Midas Tac is a $700 scope so if going that high then look at the Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25. 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. Ive been using spotting scopes for years and have used dozens of them in testing and in the field. The optical quality, overall . The Argos mechanism has proven to track and is robust. 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. You'll find a spotting scope useful for outdoors activities such as. 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. In normal bright conditions, your pupil will usually be open about 2mm. This family of rifle scopes featuring FFP and SFP models, True Precision Zero Stop, Fully Multi-coated Lenses, Direct Dial Elevation & Windage Turrets (Capped in 1-8x24), Illuminated Reticle, 30mm Tube. Athlon Optics Argos BTR 6-24x50mm FFP Rifle Scope; Table of Contents. Moreover, weighing 24.6 ounces it is one of the lightest offerings from Athlon. But I will say, that no matter what I did, I could not get my eye comfortable behind the glass. The inexpensive Argos BTR and less expensive Talos BTR work surprisingly well for the price. 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. Vanguard is a smaller, more specialized company than many on this list, and they deserve your consideration for their quality products. The first two, in the above case 20-60, are the zoom. Very few other manufacturers give you that kind of choice with their high end scope options. Compared with the HD model, which was also submitted to this years test, the UHD version has much better glass and produces an image thats on par with spotters costing significantly more. 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 second number is the size of the objective lens in millimeters. 5 Best Spotting Scope Under $500 {Expert's Choice} Best Bushnell Spotting Scope {Our Top Pickup} . . What the CS.1 delivers, though, is rugged performance. 2 Best Spotting Scopes for Elk Hunting Buying Guide & FAQs. 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. Their HD-ATS-80 body is awesomely powerful when paired with a 20-60 power eyepiece. At 60-power, the image will be largest, but because of the laws of optics, it also appears darkest and grainiest. Field of view is a measurement of how wide of a picture you will see when you are looking through a 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. Unsurprisingly, letting more light in is what you want. Show More. 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. Clear glass combined with an oversized eyepiece and a rugged design will help you tag out season after season. Anything further out than that will not be visible. When you see 20-60x85mm, that means that the objective lens (the one that points out towards whatever you are viewing) is 85mm in diameter. The Harpia 95 has a little sister, the Harpia 85, thats a little more portable and only slightly more affordable. Or look at even smaller scopes, like the 9-2756 Hawke in this years test. Athlon sells their own rings and mounts, which obviously mesh well when used in tandem with their scope . 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. 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. Doug asked me to review two Athlon scopes for him. Its eyecup turns as though on ball bearings, and instead of locking into pre-determined detents, it is infinitely adjustable. 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. I regularly shoot out to 300 yds with my ar and have shot to 1k with a friends equipment. Athlon Cronus is up to 60 power but still have a reasonable size. 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. Replies 44 Views 30K. You can read more about them here. ), here are some great resources to help you buy a scope: Cheap vs. If youre in the market for pretty much any optic and dont have a budget thats in the stratosphere, they have good options. $399.99. From reviews and videos I've seen it tracks well. Much faster target acquisition (angled scopes can be intuitive to find what youre trying to look at because of the angle). Which makes it a perfect option for hunters. QUICK LIST: Best First Focal Plane Scopes in 2022. Its positioned just right between the companys big, bright, and spendy S.1 series and its big-boned B.5 binoculars, which sport 56mm objective lenses and magnifications from 10- to 18-power. Anything you point this scope at, youre going to get a clear view of. 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. 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. The 65mm size is just about right for most backpack pockets, and it pairs nicely with mid-sized tripods. If you want a spotter to carry into the field to help you assess distant game, then consider a mid-sized scope, generally 20-50-power built behind a 65mm objective lens. Should the spotter ever fail, its fully backed by SIGs excellent five-year warranty. Not sure how good it is but the cronus rifle scope line has a good reputation. The eyecups and sunshade move with snappy precision. Can be easier on the neck, particularly if looking up at something above you. Maybe, but maybe not. Not my choice but I dont want to be sleeping on couch for the rest of life. But the magnification range, zooming from 9x up to 27x, gives this little unit more range and a surprisingly nice image. 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. I'm an optics snob and all my rifles sport Vortex Razors, AMG, Nightforce NSX, Swarovski and Zeiss. Spotting scopes are measured with two numbers. And we were a little disappointed in the relatively narrow field of view. Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x50 AO Riflescope with Dead Hold BDC Reticle (MOA). 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. Joined Jun 19, 2019 Messages 1,412 For a first scope in this FFP arena, it was fine, I did not miss, even at 1k+ because of my argos. But I have had several of the midway BSAs, one primary arms, they all tracked well. At a fraction of that price, this Vortex delivers an adequate image in a durable, versatile package. 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. A 20-60x60mm scope at the lowest 20 power setting has an exit pupil diameter of 6020, or 3mm. I honestly don't have experience with either model, but do with others of both brands. The Hawke AirMAx is THE ONLY scope that has survived my Diana 34 springer. 1.5 #5) Leupold SX-2 Alpine HD 20-60x60mm. $139.99 - $169.99. Hunters dont want to have to haul around the most massive scope, but it needs to be substantially more powerful than their binoculars. Gwine Well-Known Member Joined Mar 3, 2013 Messages 423 Location Southern Oregon Jul 3, 2020 #3 Welcome to the forum. They just work as advertised. Mil Dot Hunting Rifle Scopes, 50 Loft 6-Iron Golf Clubs . The build boosts the durability of this spotter and gives it a stiffer and more sure-footed feel. 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. 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. The ED glass works pretty well, but the real appeal here is the Horus reticle inside and tactical bling on the exterior. 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. 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. 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. These describe the zoom and the objective lens size. 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. Its more than up to the task at picking out bullet holes from long range, saving you a lot of walking. The other differentiation from the Argos HD model: the aluminum-alloy chassis of the Ares UHD. At middle distances, like 50 to 400 yards, you can usually zoom in to see precise details of your target. 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. Athlon Optics / RIFLE SCOPES / ARGOS BTR GEN2 / ARGOS BTR GEN2 6-2450 APMR FFP IR MIL. Athlon Argos BTR is $280-$370ish, depending on the model. Its a solid scope that is large and powerful, is available in angled and straight body options, and will get the job done. 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. Itll cost you, but man does it make scopes easier to use. Perhaps the highest end brand in the optics world, Swarovski caters to those who want the absolute clearest glass and the best quality images. This Japanese scope uses pure fluorite crystal lenses, which is unique in the industry and gives them excellent optical clarity. The Diamondback HD spotter makes an accessible, extremely usable optic for any number of well-lighted conditions. 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. About Us Policies. Most of their consumer scopes are affordable, and are great options. Minuteman. Thx, Colice "There are no dangerous weapons. Athlon Argos Spotting Scope 20-60x85. $170.00. Here are some great options to consider: This scope, which gets our number one overall recommendation right now, is a shockingly good value. Thats our opinion of how much of a bargain or a rip-off each binocular is. Rifle Scopes Athlon Argos vs Vortex Diamondback. 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 You are using an out of date browser. 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. Ask yourself when youre most likely to use the optic. 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. This series comes in three sizes: 11-33x50mm, 22-48x65mm, and 27-60x85mm. Consider the durability of a spotter. Optically, its a solid performer, but its image is like the rest of the spotter, sort of middling. 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. 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 . Is the foot large and strong enough to stabilize the optic? 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. Any feedback on these two scopes? These fit with the maxim 'you get . And its ultra-compact size means youll take this optic more places than a larger spotter or a big-boned binocular. 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. As a hunter who uses a spotting scope and binoculars in tandem, I dont worry too much about the field of view of my scope. In short: IGNORE THE TERM HD. Bresser Pirsch Compact Binoculars. Its a pattern weve seen play out over two decades of the Outdoor Life optics test. Celestron shows up in a lot of places on this list, particularly when looking for affordable quality. Athlon Optics . Its a testament to the Hawkes spotter that it adequately handles all that magnification. Founded in the United States in 1907, it has been family owned and operated for five generations, an incredible feat for any company. 45 Angled Viewing. They produce quality optics that are simple and straightforward, and they stand by them 100% with their lifetime warranty. And if youre shooting at really long ranges, an afternoon trip to the range can feel more like a lengthy hike. They are one of the largest and most popular companies in this space. 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. What this means is that if you look at a hill that is 1000 yards away, you will see an image that is between 48 and 102 feet wide based on how zoomed in you are. Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A. The best brightness and image quality will be at 20X, but the image will be smallest at that magnification. 1.8 #8) Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope. I didnt think the turrets, lack of zero-stop, and mediocre glass would bother me.