A handsome, versatile, and rugged spotting scope, the OSCAR8 has a sensibly restrained magnification range that zooms from 27 to 55-power. Therefore it stands to reason that you want the spotter labeled HD, right? At almost 4.3 pounds this spotter feels like a tank, which means its a better base-camp scope than a walk-about optic. It offers very impressive light transmission and gives unbelievable image quality to its viewer. Moreover, weighing 24.6 ounces it is one of the lightest offerings from Athlon. Features: FFP, Illuminated, Lowlight-visible, CR2032, . Is it to assess distant animals in the first and last light of the day? 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. In all, the Meopta compares favorably to premium spotters from Swarovski, Leica, and Zeiss at a lower price. But we also assign a Price/Value score to each submission. Most amazingly, some of their highest end products are even assembled in the United States, a rarity in this industry. There are some spring airgunners that swear by the Hawke Sidewinder. Budget is a very firm $500 or preferably less. Now if youre using your scope from a fixed position and dont have to carry it around, this wont be a problem. Maven RS.4 5-30x56 FFP - Best Under $2000.
Vortex, Athlon or Element? | Airgun Forum - Airgun Nation Vortex diamondback tactical 6-24x Vs Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x It is dramatically more affordable than the other optics were recommending here for bird watchers. I have had a couple of Argos's in the past with excellent tracking and good-enough glass. 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. 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. 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. 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. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Athlon Optics . The point is..if you buy a Vortex, you have to check if the reticles are wire or not.
Athlon vs. Vortex Riflescopes - Which One is Best? 2.1 Choosing the Best Spotting .
Athlon Optics Cronus Gen II 20-60x86mm UHD Spotting Scopes FREE S&H I have access to a 1,200 yd range now and want to get into long range. They also have several subsidiaries underneath them, including names you might recognize like Tasco, Browning Sport Optics, and Simmons. Magnification. Since you're talking 22LR and not sure if you'll shoot competitive, I'm going to throw out Hawke here. 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 Replies 44 Views 30K. As youll see in the two Athlon scopes in this years test, better-quality glass can double the price of a spotter. All the money is going straight into the glass. You can learn more about them at VortexOptics.com. At 40 to 55x, the scope has enough magnification to enable users to count points on a distant buck without making the image maddeningly dark. At lower powers, you can get by without a stabilizing tripod. The ED glass works pretty well, but the real appeal here is the Horus reticle inside and tactical bling on the exterior. F FlatCat Member A nice feature it has that I wish more scopes would include (especially angled scopes) is a sighting line to help you line up with what youre trying to look at. And you might be a little disappointed at how dark and grainy it gets above about 38-power. Yes, Vortex Tactical line is part of their upper tier level. I didnt think the turrets, lack of zero-stop, and mediocre glass would bother me.
Spotting scope (leipold, vortex, athlon, vanguard, pentax, ?) I had a minor issue one time and called them about it. 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. Key Features. Check the classifieds on here for something in the next tier up. $199.99. Athlon Optics Ares ETR UHD 4.5-3056 First Focal Plane Riflescopes Not everyone prefers the same type of reticle. 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. Minuteman. This Japanese scope uses pure fluorite crystal lenses, which is unique in the industry and gives them excellent optical clarity. If youve got a little more money to spend, its hard not to recommend the Vortex Razor series for you. 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).
Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope - Amazon.com You should see a set of numbers either in the products title or right away in its specifications that look something like 20-60x60mm. An exception might occur if you are going to be looking through glasses first and then your spotter. The mid-barrel focus wheel is tight and precise. Full Member. Observation & Sighting Devices . Is it going to be used from your vehicle? We test spotting scopes the way you use themby subjecting them to the rigors and insults of the field. There is no such standard in the world of sporting optics, and the term is essentially meaningless. Thread starter Kyle Wheeler; Start date Nov 11, 2020; Nov 11, 2020 #1 Kyle Wheeler Well Known Rokslider. I am a fan of vortex but the diamond back not so much . I had a Diamondback FFP and I sold it immediately. Learn more about their long, family owned history here. Vortex Diamondback Tactical VS Athlon Argos Gen 2. Bushnell is owned today by Vista Outdoor, a large conglomerate of outdoor products companies. 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 would highly avoid getting a true budget scope (one that costs less than $200). In that price range, you're not getting something that is top tier. If you cant spend over a hundred dollars, your options are limited to discount providers. Having to go down and check your target every few shots means you can only get in so many practice shots per round. We may receive a sales commission if you purchase any products after using one of our links.
Athlon Optics 314001: 20-60X85 Spotter - 45 - Amazon.ca The test team was divided on the merits of the relatively light weight. But maybe you want a spotter to mount on a tripod and use from a vantage point.
Diamondback HD 20-60x85 (Angled) - Vortex Optics Easier to switch between binos and spotting scope. Length, weight, eye relief, and FOV are similar. The 65mm size is just about right for most backpack pockets, and it pairs nicely with mid-sized tripods. When budget isnt a limitation, I tend to recommend Swarovski. Long Island.
Athlon Optics Cronus Gen II 20-60x86mm UHD Spotting Scopes 311004 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. The rubber is extremely grippy, and the mid-barrel focus allows users to make fine adjustments even while wearing gloves. That means dusty days in a pickup and all sorts of conditions mounted to a tripod. Updated: October 2, 2020, 79 optics, 152 reticles. I haven't had a chance to mount and shoot it yet, but construction feels solid. Select which one you want here. The 27 to 55-power is the sweet spot for combining magnification with a reasonably bright image. . Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm . Testers had some concerns over durability based on how the controls loosened over our testing. The Gosky 20-6060 HD Spotting Scope is a top seller in that price range, and gets decent reviews from its many users. 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. Maven is a very unique company in the sporting optics world. And if youre really a beast and can pack it in, youll be rewarded with great images. They have been used and recommended by a lot of the most influential people in the industry, like Steven Rinella from Netflixs Meat Eater. Eye relief is the range of distances from the lens within which you wont get any black rings and missed images from your scope. Vortex Diamondback Spotting Scopes Vortex's least expensive spotter series, the Diamondback is a top seller with great reviews.
6 Best Focal Plane FFP Scopes to Buy - ScopeExpert.com Vortex Diamondback Tactical vs Athlon Argos BTR 6-24 Don't let the fact that it's cheaper than the Viper and Razor deter you, this thing provides stellar optics and is backed by their excellent lifetime warranty program. The first is the magnification, which generally refers to a range between the lowest and highest magnification. Joined Jan 16, 2018 . xugz0212 New Member. Athlon vs Vortex - Part 1 18,034 views Mar 29, 2019 93 Dislike Share Blue Line Optics 627 subscribers Two extremely good optics companies who market themselves fairly comparatively - high. Here are the specs that matter most: You should seriously consider this combo, check the price here. Its a solid scope that is large and powerful, is available in angled and straight body options, and will get the job done.
Ahtlon vs Vortex (just glass perspective) - Long Range Hunting Forum Likewise, the triply more expensive Vortex Viper is optically superior to the Vortex Diamondback. 1.8 #8) Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope. Much faster target acquisition (angled scopes can be intuitive to find what youre trying to look at because of the angle). The Argos gives excellent images for a scope in this price range, is large enough to be seriously powerful, and has intuitive, solid controls. This year that nod goes to Athlons Argos HD. Hunters dont want to have to haul around the most massive scope, but it needs to be substantially more powerful than their binoculars. So much so that it won our Great Buy award as the best bargain spotting scope. Doug asked me to review two Athlon scopes for him. Strike Eagle has a ton of elevation and nice features. Most of their consumer scopes are affordable, and are great options. Check it out on Amazon. The viper has better glass, but I am able to see .22 holes in paper In the shade at 350yds with the Argos. This lets you choose the size of scope that is perfect for the way youre using it. These seamless connections will give you crystal clear images. By Max Mutter and Benjamin Hickok. If you like shooting, ESPECIALLY at distance, you really need a decent Spotting Scope. 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. Objective Lens Diameter. You can read more about them here. You can buy it here. You can check the price today and see if its the right fit for you. So got the Argos in mail last night and got it mounted this afternoon. This scope has extra low dispersion glass, and is one of the least expensive options that has that critical spec. And the wide-angle eyepiece provides a constant 66-degree field of view throughout the entire magnification range. And with $500, I would definitely buy the Diamondback 20-60x85mm.
Still, the new spotters for 2022 offer plenty of choice and talent for hunters, shooters, and anyone who likes to see wildlife up close. HobieH3; Mar 26, 2019; 2 3 4. This can be important depending on what youll use your scope for. Definitions aside, if youre in the market for a full-sized spotter and have limited funds, consider the Argos HD. The MIDAS uses what appears to be night and day difference SUPERIOR GLASS.
Leupold GR Vs Vortex Razor HD Vs Athlon Ares? It may not have their optical clarity, but it is more than good enough for the vast majority of bird watchers. Hes also OLs optics editor, helping readers to make informed buying decisions. Thread starter Wrencoforge; Start date Jan 20, 2020; Forums. 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. 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 The reticle is etched but also illuminated for eye-catching ease. The Bushnell Elite Tactical LMSS2 is the perfect companion for precision rifle shooting. Illuminated reticle probably isn't critical for your application. 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. From our reviews, you can see that 2 of the Vortex models recommended come with Armortek coating. These fit with the maxim 'you get . And if anything happens to it, Leupolds lifetime transferable warranty will keep you covered. At longer distances, from 400 yards to infinity, you lose resolution in the magnified image, but youll still be able to see details that you could never see with your naked eye or even a binocular. Which begs the question: Why arent more bird hunters using them? Ive been using spotting scopes for years and have used dozens of them in testing and in the field. 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. Ok, folks - here it is: The Bushnell Match Pro Riflescope. Bresser Pirsch Compact Binoculars. And then, we perform a low-light test on several evenings. Spotter-Vortex Viper vs. Athlon Ares. But for hunters who aspire to own the best optics on the planet, this line of Zeiss spotters justifies the significant investment.