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. 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. Its a solid scope that is large and powerful, is available in angled and straight body options, and will get the job done. All these attributes make it an ideal budget option for hunters. This pricey, indulgent, magnum-sized optic is the last spotting scope youll own, and it parses details like no other spotter in this category. Very few other manufacturers give you that kind of choice with their high end scope options. Vortex Diamondback Tactical VS Athlon Argos Gen 2. Is the foot large and strong enough to stabilize the optic? The largest, most powerful spotting scopes are among the most expensive sports optics on the market. From our reviews, you can see that 2 of the Vortex models recommended come with Armortek coating. For example, the Athlon Argos we recommend has a field of view of 48-102 feet at 1000 yards. The mid-barrel focus wheel is tight and precise. Ok, folks - here it is: The Bushnell Match Pro Riflescope. 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 Hide Armory. I honestly don't have experience with either model, but do with others of both brands. quigley257; Mar 17, 2020; Replies 6 At middle distances, like 50 to 400 yards, you can usually zoom in to see precise details of your target. 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. However in dark conditions, your pupil will open to allow more light in, and can get up to 7mm in diameter. A good spotter can help you see your shots from where you are shooting, eliminating the need to go down range as often. Should the spotter ever fail, its fully backed by SIGs excellent five-year warranty. HobieH3; Mar 26, 2019; 2 3 4. Athlon Midas BTR, Midas HMR, Midas TAC scopes - Also made in China to Athlon's specific specifications. However, with Vortexs best-in-class warranty, youll never have to worry if it fails to perform. Optically, its a solid performer, but its image is like the rest of the spotter, sort of middling. 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. . They are young, and seem hungry to make a dent in the industry. These scopes have features normally only found on high-end scopes. thanks! It's a 20-60x80 only weighting about 33ozs. 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. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. Anyone have more details on that? Because our test doesnt intentionally punish submissions until they break, the durability question is necessarily unanswered. If you have the budget, Celestrons Regal is a huge optical upgrade over the Ultima. I had a minor issue one time and called them about it. If you want clear views, you want to minimize dispersion. 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. In all, the Meopta compares favorably to premium spotters from Swarovski, Leica, and Zeiss at a lower price. With an 80mm objective lens, its big enough to handle pretty much any task you throw at it. Vortex viper hst is the nicest scope I have had. Bresser Pirsch Compact Binoculars. The first two, in the above case 20-60, are the zoom. 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. The second number is the size of the objective lens in millimeters. Vortex has become a staple in the optics world recently, and for good reason. ), then I'd go vortex. It offers very impressive light transmission and gives unbelievable image quality to its viewer. Gwine Well-Known Member Joined Mar 3, 2013 Messages 423 Location Southern Oregon Jul 3, 2020 #3 Welcome to the forum. If you divide the objective size by the zoom, you get the exact diameter of the exit pupil. Athlon sells their own rings and mounts, which obviously mesh well when used in tandem with their scope . If you like shooting, ESPECIALLY at distance, you really need a decent Spotting Scope. In case you want to know about the scopes, in brief, this comparison table below is tailor . And with $500, I would definitely buy the Diamondback 20-60x85mm. Mil Dot Hunting Rifle Scopes, 50 Loft 6-Iron Golf Clubs . This is probably unsurprising given their name. This is a list of rifle scopes with at least 24X magnification that cost less than $750. These seamless connections will give you crystal clear images. Youll notice the images starts to get dark and grainy at about 45-power, and our low-light test confirmed that, compared with its UHD brother, the Argos HD will wink out several minutes before its peers. $170.00. 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. Oftentimes they dont even end up helping you see better at long distances. Deploy MIL First Focal Plane reticle. 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. Superdoo. Spotting Scope Review after Testing. 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. We were able to arrive at a consensus on the optical talents of this spotter. 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. Learn More . Weighing a full pound less than its similarly sized peers, the Endurance ED would be a good choice for a backcountry hunter who insists on carrying a larger spotter. The downside: Youre stuck with the 15-45-power zoom. You will pay a pretty penny to get your hands on one of their scopes, but if you want the best there is no substitute. There is a massive difference between HD and regular definition television, and everyone has seen it. I chose these based on features and because the retail price is low enough to keep the rifle in NRL22 base class. At 60-power, the image will be largest, but because of the laws of optics, it also appears darkest and grainiest. 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. 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. You must log in or register to reply here. 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. But only barely, and only because they are more established and I have had good experiences directly with them in the past. Hes also OLs optics editor, helping readers to make informed buying decisions. . 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. 1.8 #8) Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope. Check it out on Amazon. Full Member. They were the company that made optics available to the masses for the first time by importing binoculars from manufacturers in Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Absolutely not, in fact some of the best scopes around carry the HD label. This Athlon spotting scope is nitrogen-purged to prevent internal fogging and is sealed for waterproofing, allowing the scope to be used in any weather. I would highly avoid getting a true budget scope (one that costs less than $200). Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x50 AO Riflescope with Dead Hold BDC Reticle (MOA). Definitions aside, if youre in the market for a full-sized spotter and have limited funds, consider the Argos HD. Its hard to label a single scope as the best available since they are so personalized to different uses. They are one of the largest and most popular companies in this space. These describe the zoom and the objective lens size. Updated: October 2, 2020, 79 optics, 152 reticles. 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! In those cases, you want a scope that will withstand the abuses of the field. Bushnell is one of the older players in the sporting optics world, having been founded in 1948. Dec 12, 2019. brushandbay. But if you made me choose, I would have to pick the Athlon Argos 20-60x85mm. Ive been using spotting scopes for years and have used dozens of them in testing and in the field. I have a Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 on a Diana 240, and a Hawke Vantage SF 6-24x44 on a Savage Mark 2 22LR. $249.99. Make sure that the companys return policy and either repair or replacement will cover your purchase. What about 600 or even futher? 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. In that case, weight and portability arent an issue; you should consider a full-sized scope, with magnification ranges from 20-60-power and an 85 or even 90mm objective lens. The 27 to 55-power is the sweet spot for combining magnification with a reasonably bright image. Big 80 and 85mm scopes from premium brands can cost upwards of $3,000. I got ahold of Athlon's entry level ARGOS to compare to their higher . You can check the price here. The angled eyepiece and rotating tripod mount increase its versatility, and the controls are relatively tight and precise, especially for the at around $400. . Alternatively, the rails allow you to mount the LMSS2 on either rails or a traditional tripod. Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Spotting Scopes. Magnification. Dispersion is an effect in glass that causes distortion as light travels through it, or actually with any kind of waves. I just believe you get what you pay for. The Gosky 20-6060 HD Spotting Scope is a top seller in that price range, and gets decent reviews from its many users. Reply Report edosan Member Apr 30, 2018 1,926 54 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. If youve ever been to a rifle range, you know youre in for some walking. Say you have a 20- to 60-power eyepiece on an 80mm spotter. Therefore it stands to reason that you want the spotter labeled HD, right? The straight-style tactical spotter is built like a tank, with double-tough armor and attachment points for Picatinny rails, so you can add accessories like thermals or lights to the optic. Also, is 40 or 48 power enough to spot holes at 500 yards? At almost 4.3 pounds this spotter feels like a tank, which means its a better base-camp scope than a walk-about optic. The SX-2 Alpine HD spotting scope is a must have for all serious hunters or shooters who are looking to add HD performance to their optics kit. (Argos 6-24x50, Talos 4-14x44) Last weekend I mounted both of these . I'm looking at 6-24 versions and they seem similar. But you wont be tempted to compare the image delivered by the Maven to that of a Swarovski or Leica. 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. And the wide-angle eyepiece provides a constant 66-degree field of view throughout the entire magnification range. Or look at even smaller scopes, like the 9-2756 Hawke in this years test. Athlon Argos Spotting Scope 20-60x85. 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. Side By Side Review Athlon NEOS 10x42 vs. Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 Binoculars Home ADVENTURES Store About Updates Contact MIL/LEO Custom Shop Group Buy Polices UPDATE STATION . The ED glass works pretty well, but the real appeal here is the Horus reticle inside and tactical bling on the exterior. The more powerful it is, the narrower the field of view. So much so that it won our Great Buy award as the best bargain spotting scope. Athlon Argos BTR 6-2450 Gen2 APLR2 FFP MOA reticle. 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. The scope tracks as well if not better than my Vortex Diamondback tactical which cost . Usually works better from a vehicle window mount. If we have a ding, its the tripod foot, which seems slightly undersized for the frame. Check the price here. 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. Full-sized spotting scopes can cost well over $2,000. 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. 1.6 #6) BARSKA 30-90100 WP Gladiator Spotting Scope. They offer solid products at affordable prices, as well as higher end options. 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. This lets you choose the size of scope that is perfect for the way youre using it. 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. I noticed the gen 2 Argos is out now and it mentions upgraded turrets. 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 can be important depending on what youll use your scope for. Minuteman. How versatile do you want your scope to be? -Vortex diamondback tactical 6-24x50 EBR -2C MRAD -Bushnell match pro 6-24x50 DEPLOY MIL -Bushnell nitro 6-24x50 -Bushnel forge 4.5-24x50 DEPLOY MIL -Athlon argos btr 6-24x50 gen2 APMR MIL -Athlon midas tac 6-24x50 APRS3 MIL -Athlon ares btr gen2 4.5-27x50 APRS5 MIL -Athlon helos btr 6-24x50 APMR MIL tlav21; Nov 5, 2021; Optics; Replies 5 Views 2K. 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. Emarth 20-60x60AE Angled Spotting Scope (Spotting Scope Under $100) Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope. Maven has a few great spotting scope options (all of which are customizable if you order through their website). I am a fan of vortex but the diamond back not so much . The eyecups and sunshade move with snappy precision. free shipping & returns. Can be easier on the neck, particularly if looking up at something above you. 1. Apr 23, 2018 #13 M. . And we conclude that the priceyou should be able to find this retailing for around $650was fair for the performance. So should you avoid scopes labeled as HD? On this review we are going to be using the Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 as the benchmark.