Its hard to label a single scope as the best available since they are so personalized to different uses. This spotter makes an excellent choice for a hunter who wants a versatile spotting scope without paying a months wages. -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 xugz0212 New Member. The largest, most powerful spotting scopes are among the most expensive sports optics on the market. You can learn about them at Leupold.com. Nikons Monarch Fieldscope 82ED-A W/MEP-20-60 is a fantastic one to consider for someone who has a larger budget. Emarth 20-60x60AE Angled Spotting Scope (Spotting Scope Under $100) Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope. Check it out on Amazon. You are using an out of date browser. The Hawke AirMAx is THE ONLY scope that has survived my Diana 34 springer. Hi, looking for a new scope for my 22lr. If you got sick of reading about scopes (or, lets be honest, you saw there was video and skipped ahead! Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-2450 FFP EBR-2C MOA reticle diagram. They just offer the absolute best performance you can possibly get out of a tube filled with glass. 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. 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. 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. And then, we perform a low-light test on several evenings. The best brightness and image quality will be at 20X, but the image will be smallest at that magnification. Athlon Optics Argos BTR and Helos BTR scopes - Made in China to Athlon specifications. 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. Just $1 per month , We tested the best spotting scopes from premium glass to dependable budget options, We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. If we have a ding, its the tripod foot, which seems slightly undersized for the frame. If youre a hunter who packs in deep its worth serious consideration, as its lightweight frame makes it easy to carry into the backcountry. Reply Report edosan Member Apr 30, 2018 1,926 54 What about 600 or even futher? 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? The Gosky 20-6060 HD Spotting Scope is a top seller in that price range, and gets decent reviews from its many users. Vortex Razor HD G2 VS. Leupold Mark 5 HD. 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. Bushnell is owned today by Vista Outdoor, a large conglomerate of outdoor products companies. This scope gives some of the crispest images around. I built a 6.5 Creedmoor for my son in law.he wanted the mid level Athlon. A full-size spotter that retails for under $400 should get wide attention, and careful handling. Can the tripod adapter be used with a wide variety of tripod models and heads? 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. Vortex diamondback vs viper. (Argos 6-24x50, Talos 4-14x44) Last weekend I mounted both of these . Maven has a few great spotting scope options (all of which are customizable if you order through their website). I got ahold of Athlon's entry level ARGOS to compare to their higher . 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. 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. 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). Testers had some concerns over durability based on how the controls loosened over our testing. $199.99. 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. 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. And the rubber armor is as grippy as it is protective. I have had a couple of Argos's in the past with excellent tracking and good-enough glass. . 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. 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. I honestly don't have experience with either model, but do with others of both brands. Apr 23, 2018 #13 M. . But it could be perfect scope if you are setting it up on your back porch to stargaze with. Some users like angled eyepieces because of their versatility. Another great option depending on your uses is a car window mount. 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. Most spotting scopes have whats called a variable zoom, meaning you can adjust how close you are zoomed into what you are looking at. You can learn more about them at VortexOptics.com. Leupold is one of the oldest names in the sporting optics world. 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! The Maven has especially good manners. But we also assign a Price/Value score to each submission. The reticle is etched but also illuminated for eye-catching ease. Select Options. 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. However, with Vortexs best-in-class warranty, youll never have to worry if it fails to perform. You can read more about them here. $249.99. 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. 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. Fully multi-coated lenses increase light transmission and a silver-coated K9 glass prism . It has extra low dispersion glass, a key in the world of high end optics. Observation & Sighting Devices . Athlon BTR vs Vortex Diamondback. Not my choice but I dont want to be sleeping on couch for the rest of life. The most hard-wearing models have oversized controls that can be used with gloved hands, and they are double-sealed against dust, grit, and moisture. I had a Diamondback FFP and I sold it immediately. And we conclude that the priceyou should be able to find this retailing for around $650was fair for the performance. 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. 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 . Would love to hear any pros or cons or comparisons. 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. 1.5 #5) Leupold SX-2 Alpine HD 20-60x60mm. 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. Anything you point this scope at, youre going to get a clear view of. 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. 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. Athlon Midas BTR, Midas HMR, Midas TAC scopes - Also made in China to Athlon's specific specifications. If you're money-concience (i am too for the same reason! You can buy it here. Its a testament to the Hawkes spotter that it adequately handles all that magnification. That brings us to the Vortex Diamondback 20-60x80mm straight eyepiece spotting . Videos for related products. But generally, the sweet spot between magnification and image quality is somewhere in the middle of the power range. Their Ultima is a great scope for bird watchers. 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. Vortex diamondback FFP scope also comes with elevated finger-adjustable turrets. Has anyone out there got first hand experience with this scope? Key Features. 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. Celestron shows up in a lot of places on this list, particularly when looking for affordable quality. I just got the argos for my 22. How you use your scope will impact the type of scope body you get. A spotting scope is sort of a low-power telescope, while also offering better magnification than a set of binoculars. I'm not going to claim that they track perfectly, and I did have reposition the parallax knob on 6-24, but for sub-$200, even sub-$150, they are the best thing I've run across and the glass smokes vortex crossfire. Click to play video. Make sure that the companys return policy and either repair or replacement will cover your purchase. Weve rarely seen this much glass and optical horsepower for under $400. You can learn more about them here. The Vortex Viper is a great choice. Carefully consider exactly how youre going to use it. Note that the price varies widely on these different models of Razors, with the smallest scope costing half as much as the biggest. Theres limited utility for a spotting scope with an objective lens better suited to a full-sized binocular. These coatings help the scope transmit and gather light better, thus increasing the quality and clarity of the image it delivers. Argos and The Midas Tac is a $700 scope so if going that high then look at the Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25. 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. ), here are some great resources to help you buy a scope: Cheap vs. This can be important depending on what youll use your scope for. Gwine Well-Known Member Joined Mar 3, 2013 Messages 423 Location Southern Oregon Jul 3, 2020 #3 Welcome to the forum. Or look at even smaller scopes, like the 9-2756 Hawke in this years test. Especially in low-light conditions, those extreme ranges are rarely usable. 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. They produce quality optics that are simple and straightforward, and they stand by them 100% with their lifetime warranty. The question for the market: Is this spotter twice as good as the Argos HD, and is it worth double the cost? On this review we are going to be using the Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 as the benchmark. Vortex Diamondback Spotting Scopes Vortex's least expensive spotter series, the Diamondback is a top seller with great reviews. Glass was pretty good for the price. Should the spotter ever fail, its fully backed by SIGs excellent five-year warranty. The size of that beam of light is directly derived from two of the factors mentioned above: zoom and objective lens size. 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. I noticed the gen 2 Argos is out now and it mentions upgraded turrets. Hunters dont want to have to haul around the most massive scope, but it needs to be substantially more powerful than their binoculars. 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. There is a range of designations that manufacturers use, and unfortunately there isnt much standardization. I honestly would be fine with a 65mm but they only offer this one. . 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. It is dramatically more affordable than the other optics were recommending here for bird watchers. There is no such standard in the world of sporting optics, and the term is essentially meaningless. 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. 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. The bigger the objective lens, the more light will be allowed into the scope. 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. Get as much zoom power as you need, but keep in mind the more you zoom in, especially with a cheap scope, the more clarity you will lose. W. Wrencoforge Sergeant of the Hide. Rifle Scopes Athlon Argos vs Vortex Diamondback. Pros. Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 174-81 feet, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 234-108 feet, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 102-48 feet, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 108-60 feet, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 176.4-58.5 feet, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 105-73 feet, Ships with dust-resistant neoprene jacket, Interchangeable 22-power eyepiece with MRAD PRS reticle available, Removable eyepiece design can allow dust and grit to enter body, Angled eyepiece and rotating tripod collar enables multiple viewing angles, Removable eyepiece can be traded out for other variable or fixed-power eyepieces, Center-barrel control is hard to finely focus, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 250-50 feet, Eyepiece contains Horus H-32 milling reticle, Multiple attachment points for Picatinny rails, Reticle matches those in precision riflescopes, Throw lever makes magnification changes fast, Slender build easily fits in backpack sleeve, Utilizes Bushnells best glass and coatings, Excessively heavy for a 60mm walk-about spotter, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 144.36-68.9 feet, Oversized center-barrel focus easy to turn with gloves, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 110-52 feet, Angled eyepiece and tripod rotation enable wide range of viewing options. 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. There are a whole lot of Nikon rifle optics out there and they cant just stop servicing their products. But maybe you want a spotter to mount on a tripod and use from a vantage point. I use the binoculars to cover wide swaths of ground, and then use my scope to get really zoomed in on an animal that Ive found. The inexpensive Argos BTR and less expensive Talos BTR work surprisingly well for the price. By Max Mutter and Benjamin Hickok. Are you going to pack it deep into the backcountry? Consider the durability of a spotter. New. 1. But if you want to make it easy, the winner from all this testing and analysis (as of March 2023) is the. You must log in or register to reply here. 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.