Yes, Vortex Tactical line is part of their upper tier level. 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. Carefully consider exactly how youre going to use it. . There is no easy answer on which is best as there are tradeoffs. The Gosky 20-6060 HD Spotting Scope is a top seller in that price range, and gets decent reviews from its many users. Its glass is protected by double-walled armor that resists scratching. Here are the specs that matter most: You should seriously consider this combo, check the price here. Budget is a very firm $500 or preferably less. Hi, looking for a new scope for my 22lr. And we were a little disappointed in the relatively narrow field of view. Its more than up to the task at picking out bullet holes from long range, saving you a lot of walking.
Opinion on athlon scopes. | Shooters' Forum There is no such standard in the world of sporting optics, and the term is essentially meaningless. The 27 to 55-power is the sweet spot for combining magnification with a reasonably bright image. This Hawke is classified as a mid-sized unit, with its 68mm objective lens diameter, though it has a magnification range more in keeping with 80 and 85mm scopes. 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. But most commonly, you will see ED (Extra-low Dispersion) used, and that is what you want. Fully multi-coated lenses increase light transmission and a silver-coated K9 glass prism . CF2-31023. The bigger the objective lens, the more light will be allowed into the scope. I'm an optics snob and all my rifles sport Vortex Razors, AMG, Nightforce NSX, Swarovski and Zeiss. Andrew McKean is Outdoor Lifes hunting and conservation editor, drilling into issues that affect wildlife, wildlands, and the people who care about them.
The very best birding binoculars under $500 - What birds are in my Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60x85 Spotting You should see a set of numbers either in the products title or right away in its specifications that look something like 20-60x60mm. Half felt it implied a lack of durability. 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. 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. Minuteman. Athlon Optics , Argos BTR, Riflescope, 6-24 x 50 First Focal Plane (FFP) 30 mm Tube, Illuminated APMR MIL Reticle, Black. But I will say, that no matter what I did, I could not get my eye comfortable behind the glass. Big, grippy, and durable, the Santiam is a no-nonsense full-sized spotter that feels a little heavy for a walk-about optic but will give years of service as a base-camp, shooting-range, or pickup scope. On this review we are going to be using the Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 as the benchmark. Springers abuse the crap out of scopes.
Athlon BTR vs Vortex Diamondback - Long Range Hunting Forum Ok, folks - here it is: The Bushnell Match Pro Riflescope. Pros. 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 UHDit stands for ultra-high-definitionglass also boosts its performance. From our reviews, you can see that 2 of the Vortex models recommended come with Armortek coating. 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. Check the classifieds on here for something in the next tier up. In all, the Meopta compares favorably to premium spotters from Swarovski, Leica, and Zeiss at a lower price. 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. A cheerful little spotter that splits the difference between a binocular and a full-sized scope, this optic fits in a coat pocket and would make a great travel companion. Apart from its compact design, it is also ergonomic. A good spotter can help you see your shots from where you are shooting, eliminating the need to go down range as often. If youre spending close to (or upwards of) $1,000 for a spotter, make sure it has either ED (extra-low dispersion) glass. They even have a spotting scope eyepiece that functions as a binocular, with two eyepieces! You can read more about them here. This lets you choose the size of scope that is perfect for the way youre using it. This pricey, indulgent, magnum-sized optic is the last spotting scope youll own, and it parses details like no other spotter in this category. But if you want to make it easy, the winner from all this testing and analysis (as of March 2023) is the. $139.99 - $169.99. Spotting scopes are good from fairly close to nearly infinity. Sold two to a friend(bought Athlon Ares and Tacticle). quigley257; Mar 17, 2020; Replies 6 Athlon sells their own rings and mounts, which obviously mesh well when used in tandem with their scope . . This spotter makes an excellent choice for a hunter who wants a versatile spotting scope without paying a months wages. Gosky Newest 20-6080 Dual Focusing Spotting Scope. I have a Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 on a Diana 240, and a Hawke Vantage SF 6-24x44 on a Savage Mark 2 22LR. All else being equal, you want the biggest lens possible. 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. A handsome, versatile, and rugged spotting scope, the OSCAR8 has a sensibly restrained magnification range that zooms from 27 to 55-power. The question for the market: Is this spotter twice as good as the Argos HD, and is it worth double the cost? Vortex diamondback vs viper. Its hard to label a single scope as the best available since they are so personalized to different uses. By Max Mutter and Benjamin Hickok. These describe the zoom and the objective lens size. We glass near and far targets in all light conditions. 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. Absolutely not, in fact some of the best scopes around carry the HD label. A full-size spotter that retails for under $400 should get wide attention, and careful handling. High end manufacturers like Swarovski and Zeiss charge thousands of dollars for their scopes, and will give you crystal clear images that are hard to beat.
VORTEX DIAMONDBACK 20-60X80MM SPOTTING SCOPE - Sniper Central Maybe, but maybe not. All three sizes can also be had in either an angled or straight body. If youre a hunter who packs in deep its worth serious consideration, as its lightweight frame makes it easy to carry into the backcountry. Most amazingly, some of their highest end products are even assembled in the United States, a rarity in this industry. Which tripod to buy deserves its own article, as again there are a wide range of options. Meopta is said to be on higher tier than vortex razor. 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. I just got the argos for my 22. Note that the price varies widely on these different models of Razors, with the smallest scope costing half as much as the biggest. As youll see in the two Athlon scopes in this years test, better-quality glass can double the price of a spotter. There is a range of designations that manufacturers use, and unfortunately there isnt much standardization. 1.8 #8) Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope. It has an 82mm objective lens, boasts ED glass for amazing image clarity, and has a field flattener lens system for crisp images all the way to the periphery. I built a 6.5 Creedmoor for my son in law.he wanted the mid level Athlon. 20-60x. And if anything happens to it, Leupolds lifetime transferable warranty will keep you covered. It is dramatically more affordable than the other optics were recommending here for bird watchers. Select Options. A dual focus knob is also great for fine tuning in on far away celestial bodies. Clear glass combined with an oversized eyepiece and a rugged design will help you tag out season after season. 3 reviews. xugz0212 New Member. Optically, its a solid performer, but its image is like the rest of the spotter, sort of middling. Its optical shortcomings are evident in low light conditions, but thats to be expected at this bargain price. In case you want to know about the scopes, in brief, this comparison table below is tailor . If youre sitting beside a buddy, you can frame a distant deer, and by simply rotating the barrel, turn the eyepiece to your buddy so they can view the deer. Though its the same size and about the same in terms of zoom power, the money is spent on the quality of glass.
Athlon vs Vortex Scopes - Which Is Better? (ANSWERED) This direct-to-consumer brand delivers bright ED glass and quality Japanese build at a relatively accessible price.
Athlon vs. Vortex Riflescopes - Which One is Best? But of course all else isnt equal, and there is a trade off. 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. 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. That would mean that the scope has an adjustable zoom range of 20 to 60. We've rarely seen this much glass and optical horsepower for under $400. Length, weight, eye relief, and FOV are similar. They offer some of the clearest scopes on the market, and while you definitely pay a premium, they have a very loyal customer base among bird watchers. Another great option that is even more affordable, this scope from Vanguard will give you everything you need as a target shooter. There are different scope models that are designed specifically for all these purposes. Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 FFP EBR-2C MRAD - Best FFP Scope Under $1500. I haven't had a chance to mount and shoot it yet, but construction feels solid. 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. +1-800-504-5920 Live Chat Contact Us Check Order Status. Has anyone out there got first hand experience with this scope? The downside: Youre stuck with the 15-45-power zoom. Their HD-ATS-80 body is awesomely powerful when paired with a 20-60 power eyepiece. Spotting scopes work best from mid to far distances. These seamless connections will give you crystal clear images. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Its affordable and the glass is super high quality. I just believe you get what you pay for. Thread starter idahohikker; Start date Apr 21, 2018; Apr 21, 2018 #1 I. . The Athlon Argos BTR is an excellent mid to long-range choice. thanks! The Maven has especially good manners. 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 largest, most powerful spotting scopes are among the most expensive sports optics on the market. Big 80 and 85mm scopes from premium brands can cost upwards of $3,000. Moreover, weighing 24.6 ounces it is one of the lightest offerings from Athlon. Click to play video. Its eyecup turns as though on ball bearings, and instead of locking into pre-determined detents, it is infinitely adjustable. They offer solid products at affordable prices, as well as higher end options. The Argos mechanism has proven to track and is robust. It also has ArmorTek technology that prevents the body from scratches. So much so that it won our Great Buy award as the best bargain spotting scope. I regularly shoot out to 300 yds with my ar and have shot to 1k with a friends equipment. Anyone know the low end focus on the Argos? But if its the latter, than less expensive glass might be fine. 1.4 #4) Swarovski ATS 80 20-60x Spotting Scope. I've checked the specs and features of both and there are things I like about each.
5 Best Spotting Scope Under $500 {Expert's Choice} Most spotting scopes that zoom up to 60-power get so dark and grainy at that magnification that theyre really only useful up to about 50-power. Put it on a 40-50 MOA base and you can dial a .22 out past 500 yards. 2 Best Spotting Scopes for Elk Hunting Buying Guide & FAQs.
Best Spotting Scopes of 2023 | Outdoor Life A spotting scope helps you get crystal clear, up close views of birds, and can also help you take pictures of them. 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! Check it out on Amazon. Reply Report edosan Member Apr 30, 2018 1,926 54 Hunters may have a bit of a trade off here. This means that objects will appear between 20 and 60 times closer than they actually are, depending on how you have it set. Maven RS.4 5-30x56 FFP - Best Under $2000. I have an argos, I replaced it after less than a year. Select which one you want here. If you want clear views, you want to minimize dispersion. That glass is good, but its not quite as bright and sharp as that Japanese S-series glass. Objective Lens Diameter. Spotting scopes are measured with two numbers. Are you going to pack it deep into the backcountry? Therefore it stands to reason that you want the spotter labeled HD, right? These scopes have features normally only found on high-end scopes. The Argos HD 20-60x85mm falls into the perfect category of spotting scopes for high power use. Ive been using spotting scopes for years and have used dozens of them in testing and in the field. They produce quality optics that are simple and straightforward, and they stand by them 100% with their lifetime warranty. At middle distances, like 50 to 400 yards, you can usually zoom in to see precise details of your target. The more powerful it is, the narrower the field of view. Scopes are generally sold either with a straight body or with the eyepiece angled up 45 degrees. Or look at even smaller scopes, like the 9-2756 Hawke in this years test. Mil Dot Hunting Rifle Scopes, 50 Loft 6-Iron Golf Clubs . The Diamondback HD spotter makes an accessible, extremely usable optic for any number of well-lighted conditions. 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.