Its an expensive scope, but its worth a look. Theres several companies using that mechanism successfully. 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. Brands that might introduce a new binocular or riflescope every year are on a 2- or even 3-year cycle with spotting scope introductions. The reticle is etched but also illuminated for eye-catching ease. Vortex viper hst is the nicest scope I have had. But generally, the sweet spot between magnification and image quality is somewhere in the middle of the power range. I didnt think the turrets, lack of zero-stop, and mediocre glass would bother me. 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. This year that nod goes to Athlons Argos HD. Its optical shortcomings are evident in low light conditions, but thats to be expected at this bargain price. Hi, looking for a new scope for my 22lr. But for hunters who aspire to own the best optics on the planet, this line of Zeiss spotters justifies the significant investment. While this is likely the first spotter that a hunter or shooter may buyowing to the approachable priceit wont be the last. New. CF2-31023. Apr 23, 2018 #13 M. . Its glass is protected by double-walled armor that resists scratching. I'll be honest I wasn't looking forward to reviewing Athlon optics. I am a fan of vortex but the diamond back not so much . Itll cost you, but man does it make scopes easier to use. 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. You must log in or register to reply here. I haven't had a chance to mount and shoot it yet, but construction feels solid. The upside: Its especially weather- and moisture-proof. Here are some excellent scopes for that purpose: Zeiss makes premium optics, and this scope is no exception. So a 20-6080 spotter has a 20- to 60-power eyepiece and an 80mm objective lens. Well, Athlon kept that in mind, and that is why they brought out the Ares ETR in different reticle styles. Maybe, but maybe not. Strike Eagle has a ton of elevation and nice features. Since you're talking 22LR and not sure if you'll shoot competitive, I'm going to throw out Hawke here. The Ultima is a fairly affordable but still massive and powerful scope that works great for astronomy and stargazing. Springers abuse the crap out of scopes. 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. But we also assign a Price/Value score to each submission. 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. Superdoo. Unsurprisingly, letting more light in is what you want. But it could be perfect scope if you are setting it up on your back porch to stargaze with. At about 40 ounces, it isnt the lightest scope, but it gives you an excellent performance to portability ratio. Athlon Optics Argos BTR and Helos BTR scopes - Made in China to Athlon specifications. For a first scope in this FFP arena, it was fine, I did not miss, even at 1k+ because of my argos. Most importantly, they have a solid warranty and a great reputation for taking care of their customers. At 60-power, the image will be largest, but because of the laws of optics, it also appears darkest and grainiest. . 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. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. 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. 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. Dec 12, 2019. brushandbay. NightForce ATACR 5-25X56 F1 - Best for Competition. That and it was $120 less.. If youre spending close to (or upwards of) $1,000 for a spotter, make sure it has either ED (extra-low dispersion) glass. The more powerful it is, the narrower the field of view. 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. You can read more about them here. Darling of our best spotting scopes test is the new compact CS.1 from Maven, but we also like a couple of nicely priced full-sized spotters. 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. Leupold is one of the oldest names in the sporting optics world. And at nearly $4,000, most of us arent willing to subject the Harpia to the indignities and dings of the field. 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'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. Expensive Spotting Scope Comparison, Ive been using spotting scopes for years and have used dozens of them in testing and in the field. Athlon Optics Argos BTR 6-24x50mm FFP Rifle Scope; Table of Contents. They just offer the absolute best performance you can possibly get out of a tube filled with glass. So I've narrowed it down to two scopes. 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. The Gosky 20-6060 HD Spotting Scope is a top seller in that price range, and gets decent reviews from its many users. Gosky Newest 20-6080 Dual Focusing Spotting Scope. Can be easier on the neck, particularly if looking up at something above you. They have been used and recommended by a lot of the most influential people in the industry, like Steven Rinella from Netflixs Meat Eater. What about 600 or even futher? Its a pattern weve seen play out over two decades of the Outdoor Life optics test. 1.6 #6) BARSKA 30-90100 WP Gladiator Spotting Scope. Objective Lens Diameter. Maven is a very unique company in the sporting optics world. Thats too bad, because its durable and well-balanced for just about any tripod work. Athlon Argos BTR 6-2450 Gen2 APLR2 FFP MOA reticle. Check them out at Bushnell.com. 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. You could try using it freehand or leaning it against something, but trust me when I tell you this will significantly hamper your viewing. Vortex has become a staple in the optics world recently, and for good reason. Though its the same size and about the same in terms of zoom power, the money is spent on the quality of glass. The Vortex Optics Diamondback is the best spotting scope for 300 dollars as it has 20x-60x magnification and a 60mm lens diameter. Anything you point this scope at, youre going to get a clear view of. Hunters dont want to have to haul around the most massive scope, but it needs to be substantially more powerful than their binoculars. Another great option depending on your uses is a car window mount. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. The other half appreciated the Endurance EDs talents for a backcountry spotter. An ideal companion for long-range shooters and hunters, the angled viewing Vortex Optics Viper HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope delivers bright and sharp high-contrast images with true-to-life color and crisp clarity at all . You can learn more about them here. Say you have a 20- to 60-power eyepiece on an 80mm spotter. QUICK LIST: Best First Focal Plane Scopes in 2022. Here are the main positives of each: Many scopes, particularly the higher end ones, are sold with the option of getting either straight or angled, so youll get to choose what works best for you. And if youre really a beast and can pack it in, youll be rewarded with great images. The first spotter from this direct-to-consumer is a versatile powerhouse. Vortex is a well-known manufacturer of optical material such as binoculars, spotting scopes and rifle scopes. 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. 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. 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. The Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 & the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50. It also has ArmorTek technology that prevents the body from scratches. From our reviews, you can see that 2 of the Vortex models recommended come with Armortek coating. 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. Vortex diamondback vs viper. The lenses are also fully multicoated, meaning better light transmission and clearer looks at the night sky. Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope - 45 Degree, Green/Black Customer reviews Customer reviews 4.4 out of 5 174 global ratings Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope - 45 Degree, Green/Black by Size: 45 Degree Change How customer reviews and ratings work Top positive review Jack Holcomb Great spotting scope If the former, you might consider investing in models with excellent glass and mirage-taming coatings. Whale watching is a very popular activity along the coasts for both tourists and locals. Dec 9, 2019 123 56. 45 Angled Viewing. 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. HobieH3; Mar 26, 2019; 2 3 4. By Max Mutter and Benjamin Hickok. And its ultra-compact size means youll take this optic more places than a larger spotter or a big-boned binocular. 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. 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. 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. But if its the latter, than less expensive glass might be fine. 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. I think youade the right choice. There are a whole lot of Nikon rifle optics out there and they cant just stop servicing their products. While any scope will meet most peoples needs, it makes sense to get the optimal one. They just work as advertised. This same middle-is-best trade-off applies to every magnification range, from 9-27-power spotters to 20-60-power eyepieces. 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. It has extra low dispersion glass, a key in the world of high end optics. I don't really want more than 3-4 x on the low end at least around here MDs are putting targets close and starting at 6x makes things tricky. And the Celestron Trailseeker ED has better optical performance than the under $150 Celestron Nature DX. One example is hitting the coldbore shots on steel often out to 1122Y. Jan 25, 2022. They are young, and seem hungry to make a dent in the industry. And you might be a little disappointed at how dark and grainy it gets above about 38-power. But you wont be tempted to compare the image delivered by the Maven to that of a Swarovski or Leica. On this review we are going to be using the Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 as the benchmark. Its their higher end scope offering, but is still affordable. In case you want to know about the scopes, in brief, this comparison table below is tailor . All else being equal, you want the biggest lens possible. 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. They sent me a prepaid label without a fight. A spotting scope helps you get crystal clear, up close views of birds, and can also help you take pictures of them. Videos for related products. Show Out of Stock Items. Celestron may have started out targeting astronomers with their products, but theyve expanded into a full sporting optics line suitable to all sorts of activities. So much so that it won our Great Buy award as the best bargain spotting scope. 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. Bino Expert is a member of the Amazon Associates affiliate program. What the CS.1 delivers, though, is rugged performance. The UHDit stands for ultra-high-definitionglass also boosts its performance. 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. Click to play video. A handsome, versatile, and rugged spotting scope, the OSCAR8 has a sensibly restrained magnification range that zooms from 27 to 55-power. If you want to be counting antler points on mule deer from a few miles away youre going to have to have perfect conditions and a very high end scope, regardless of the zoom power. Oftentimes they dont even end up helping you see better at long distances. 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. I just believe you get what you pay for. 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. You can buy it here. Long Island. But most commonly, you will see ED (Extra-low Dispersion) used, and that is what you want. . View Quote. And if youre shooting at really long ranges, an afternoon trip to the range can feel more like a lengthy hike. 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. 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. Still, the new spotters for 2022 offer plenty of choice and talent for hunters, shooters, and anyone who likes to see wildlife up close. The test team was divided on the merits of the relatively light weight. Thread starter Wrencoforge; Start date Jan 20, 2020; Forums. If youre a hunter who packs in deep its worth serious consideration, as its lightweight frame makes it easy to carry into the backcountry. 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. Hunters may have a bit of a trade off here. A smaller company than some others on this list, Athlon continually impresses me with their quality mid range products. 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. If you divide the objective size by the zoom, you get the exact diameter of the exit pupil. Or should I wait until the Element optics Titan comes out? Observation & Sighting Devices . If you want clear views, you want to minimize dispersion. +1-800-504-5920 Live Chat Contact Us Check Order Status. A more compact scope from a newer, fantastic brand, the Maven S.2 12-27x56mm means business. You are using an out of date browser. Spotting Scope Accessories Thermal Imaging Thermal Imaging Monoculars . For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. And we conclude that the priceyou should be able to find this retailing for around $650was fair for the performance. ), then I'd go vortex. 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 . That brings us to the Vortex Diamondback 20-60x80mm straight eyepiece spotting . Joined Jun 19, 2019 Messages 1,412 You can learn more about them at VortexOptics.com. The Maven has especially good manners. They also have several subsidiaries underneath them, including names you might recognize like Tasco, Browning Sport Optics, and Simmons. What is the rep of the Athlon Argos 2-10x40 BDC 600? free shipping & returns. Learn more about it here. 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. The optical quality, overall . These fit with the maxim 'you get . However in dark conditions, your pupil will open to allow more light in, and can get up to 7mm in diameter. Bushnell is one of the older players in the sporting optics world, having been founded in 1948. 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. The quality in these scopes could be better but for the price.!! If youre in the market for pretty much any optic and dont have a budget thats in the stratosphere, they have good options. Check it out here. Glass was pretty good for the price. But maybe you want a spotter to mount on a tripod and use from a vantage point. Just attach your camera and youll be taking clear photos from far away. . In a category with multiple $1,500-and-higher submissions, the Vanguard VEO HD costs less than $400 but will deliver years of service. That would mean that the scope has an adjustable zoom range of 20 to 60. 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. The scope tracks as well if not better than my Vortex Diamondback tactical which cost . Precision rifle shooters will appreciate the fixed 22-power lens that contains a milling PRS reticle, which allows users to make precise calls when spotting for a long-distance shooter. 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. You can learn about them at Leupold.com. We were able to arrive at a consensus on the optical talents of this spotter. A dual focus knob is also great for fine tuning in on far away celestial bodies. If you cant spend over a hundred dollars, your options are limited to discount providers. This series comes in three sizes: 11-33x50mm, 22-48x65mm, and 27-60x85mm. Athlon Argos BTR is $280-$370ish, depending on the model. The first is the magnification, which generally refers to a range between the lowest and highest magnification. This spotter makes an excellent choice for a hunter who wants a versatile spotting scope without paying a months wages. Its a testament to the Hawkes spotter that it adequately handles all that magnification. 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. Spotting scopes are good from fairly close to nearly infinity. Here are the scopes Id recommend for the budding astronomer: Celestron is kind of the specialist when it comes to astronomy equipment in the sporting optics world. Athlon Optics . We only make money if you purchase a product through our links . Thread starter Kyle Wheeler; Start date Nov 11, 2020; Nov 11, 2020 #1 Kyle Wheeler Well Known Rokslider. The straight-barrel design will appeal to viewers who want to make quick target acquisition, instead of the hunting-and-pecking sometimes required with angled eyepieces. athlon leupold spotting scope vortex Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum Become a supporting member. Pros. Maven RS.1 2.5-15X44 - Best FFP Scope for Hunting. Show More. Range spotters often have a reticle in the eyepiece that allows you to call shots for a buddy. Ive been using spotting scopes for years and have used dozens of them in testing and in the field. The unit defaults to a 20-70x eyepiece, which you have to purchase separately from the body, but the wide-angle 30-60x eyepiece may have even more utility. Illuminated reticle probably isn't critical for your application. The Vortex Viper is a great choice. 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. Much faster target acquisition (angled scopes can be intuitive to find what youre trying to look at because of the angle). A 20-60x60mm scope at the lowest 20 power setting has an exit pupil diameter of 6020, or 3mm. 6 Best FFP Scopes. 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. The largest, most powerful spotting scopes are among the most expensive sports optics on the market. Ok, folks - here it is: The Bushnell Match Pro Riflescope. 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. Dielectric-Coated Porro Prism. Burris Fullfield II or Vortex Diamondback: . They have many scopes under 500$ that comes in both straight and angled version. thanks! If you like shooting, ESPECIALLY at distance, you really need a decent Spotting Scope. Features: FFP, Illuminated, Lowlight-visible, CR2032, . Athlon Cronus is up to 60 power but still have a reasonable size. In normal bright conditions, your pupil will usually be open about 2mm. Dispersion is an effect in glass that causes distortion as light travels through it, or actually with any kind of waves. If you have the money and want to get top performance, you definitely have that option. Athlon sells their own rings and mounts, which obviously mesh well when used in tandem with their scope . It may not have their optical clarity, but it is more than good enough for the vast majority of bird watchers. Would love to hear any pros or cons or comparisons. Vortex Diamondback Spotting Scopes Vortex's least expensive spotter series, the Diamondback is a top seller with great reviews. 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. 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. They also allow most of their products to be fully customized, so you can even get them in the exact color you want! There are some spring airgunners that swear by the Hawke Sidewinder. I have access to a 1,200 yd range now and want to get into long range. 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. 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. The Mavens eyepiece is fixed, which means you wont be able to swap out eyepieces for different magnifications. Its virtually impossible to hold a powerful scope still enough to use effectively. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. 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 Hawke AirMAx is THE ONLY scope that has survived my Diana 34 springer. We glass near and far targets in all light conditions. But only barely, and only because they are more established and I have had good experiences directly with them in the past. If youve got a little more money to spend, its hard not to recommend the Vortex Razor series for you. I have had a couple of Argos's in the past with excellent tracking and good-enough glass. The point is..if you buy a Vortex, you have to check if the reticles are wire or not. Their scopes are very high quality and Id definitely recommend them. Which begs the question: Why arent more bird hunters using them? Learn more about it here. 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. . But at magnifications above about 18, youre going to want to mount this, because the shakes introduced by your hands, or an improvised support, blur the image. Carefully consider exactly how youre going to use it. He already had a high end Vortex ($1,000). No one buys a spotting scope just because it looked cool in a store. The Athlon warranty is every bit equal to the warranty provided by Leupold and Vortex, which is saying something. The Hide Armory. Jan 20, 2020 #1 ; Hi, looking for a new scope for my 22lr. 0 B bdzjlz Member Field of view is a measurement of how wide of a picture you will see when you are looking through a scope. 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. This scope has extra low dispersion glass, and is one of the least expensive options that has that critical spec. You should see a set of numbers either in the products title or right away in its specifications that look something like 20-60x60mm. Snipers Hide is a community of Snipers of all kinds, focusing on long range shooting, accuracy, and ballistics. Makes sense. In that price range, you're not getting something that is top tier. (130) Compare Product. -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 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). Once you look through Zeisss Harpia spotter, no other scope will quite satisfy you. Here are the specs that matter most: You should seriously consider this combo, check the price here. 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.