$329.99 - $399.99. Hunters may have a bit of a trade off here. 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. 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. The test team was divided on the merits of the relatively light weight. If you like shooting, ESPECIALLY at distance, you really need a decent Spotting Scope. 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. They are known to provide some of the best mid-range optics. I had a minor issue one time and called them about it. So much so that it won our Great Buy award as the best bargain spotting scope. 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. Its more than up to the task at picking out bullet holes from long range, saving you a lot of walking. Its their higher end scope offering, but is still affordable. Can be easier on the neck, particularly if looking up at something above you. Moreover, weighing 24.6 ounces it is one of the lightest offerings from Athlon. The spotter with the highest overall score wins our Editors Choice awardthis year it went to Mavens CS.1. 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. 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. From our reviews, you can see that 2 of the Vortex models recommended come with Armortek coating. 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. With an 80mm objective lens, its big enough to handle pretty much any task you throw at it. 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. Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scopes. The CS.1 is built around the same mid-level class of glass that Maven uses in its C Series binoculars. A dual focus knob is also great for fine tuning in on far away celestial bodies. . 1.5 #5) Leupold SX-2 Alpine HD 20-60x60mm. They have been used and recommended by a lot of the most influential people in the industry, like Steven Rinella from Netflixs Meat Eater. But of course all else isnt equal, and there is a trade off. Jan 25, 2022. And its ultra-compact size means youll take this optic more places than a larger spotter or a big-boned binocular. And at nearly $4,000, most of us arent willing to subject the Harpia to the indignities and dings of the field. Another great option depending on your uses is a car window mount. The best magnification for a spotting scope depends on how you plan to use it. 6 Best FFP Scopes. Snipers Hide is a community of Snipers of all kinds, focusing on long range shooting, accuracy, and ballistics. Not everyone can afford a Zeiss. Put it on a tripod, point it at the sky, and youll be opened up to a whole new world(s)! 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. Their HD-ATS-80 body is awesomely powerful when paired with a 20-60 power eyepiece. Along with size, price varies dramatically. Get the Bushnell Match Pro over either. The Vortex DB HD 10x42 are by volume the most sold pair of binoculars in . Its affordable and the glass is super high quality. Spotting scopes work best from mid to far distances. W. Wrencoforge Sergeant of the Hide. There are some spring airgunners that swear by the Hawke Sidewinder. Therefore it stands to reason that you want the spotter labeled HD, right? Thread starter Wrencoforge; Start date Jan 20, 2020; Forums. 1.6 #6) BARSKA 30-90100 WP Gladiator Spotting Scope. 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. 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. This spotter makes an excellent choice for a hunter who wants a versatile spotting scope without paying a months wages. These fit with the maxim 'you get . Vortex got mentioned above a lot, and there are good reasons. thanks! Which tripod to buy deserves its own article, as again there are a wide range of options. SKU: 214063. Check it out on Amazon. But if its the latter, than less expensive glass might be fine. Field of view is a measurement of how wide of a picture you will see when you are looking through a scope. Vortex Optics Diamondback Tactical FFP Riflescope 6-24x50, EBR-2C MRAD DBK-10029. You shouldnt overlook a scope just because it doesnt have that name, or give extra consideration to one that does. In fact, those factors increase substantially as you go up in objective sizes. For a first scope in this FFP arena, it was fine, I did not miss, even at 1k+ because of my argos. 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. The Vortex Optics Diamondback is the best spotting scope for 300 dollars as it has 20x-60x magnification and a 60mm lens diameter. 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. Dec 12, 2019. brushandbay. 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. 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. Similarly, if you live anywhere with a lot of wildlife activity, it can be a fun thing to have a spotting scope set up on your back porch, trained on your local ecosystem. They have come to dominate those segments of the market. The 10MIL locking turrets on the Match Pro alone make it worth going to the top end of your budget range. 0 B bdzjlz Member This lets you choose the size of scope that is perfect for the way youre using it. Springers abuse the crap out of scopes. I am looking at the ballistic reticle scopes in the 3-9x40 and 4/4.5-12x40/42 range in both product lines. Is it going to be aimed permanently at the stars? Founded in the United States in 1907, it has been family owned and operated for five generations, an incredible feat for any company. Sold two to a friend(bought Athlon Ares and Tacticle). If youre just casually looking at wildlife and dont want to spend the dollars on a premium scope, then this Gosky model will fill your needs. Once you look through Zeisss Harpia spotter, no other scope will quite satisfy you. But you wont be tempted to compare the image delivered by the Maven to that of a Swarovski or Leica. They also allow most of their products to be fully customized, so you can even get them in the exact color you want! Its not quite as spendy as the higher end Razor we recommended for hunting above, which shooters who would rather spend their hard earned money on ammo will definitely appreciate. The size of that beam of light is directly derived from two of the factors mentioned above: zoom and objective lens size. While the best binoculars for hunting have close focus of about 6 to 8 feet, spotting scopes can only focus to about 12 feet. We've rarely seen this much glass and optical horsepower for under $400. They sent me a prepaid label without a fight. Itll cost you, but man does it make scopes easier to use. 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. This pricey, indulgent, magnum-sized optic is the last spotting scope youll own, and it parses details like no other spotter in this category. I would leave the range with headaches from it. Updated: October 2, 2020, 79 optics, 152 reticles. I'm looking at 6-24 versions and they seem similar. The Vortex strike eagle 5-25x56 FFP The Athlon Midas TAC 5-25x56 FFP Are there people who have been able to compare these 2 scopes? The Mavens eyepiece is fixed, which means you wont be able to swap out eyepieces for different magnifications. Easier to switch between binos and spotting scope. The optic with the highest Price/Value score wins our Great Buy award. Learn more about their long, family owned history here. He already had a high end Vortex ($1,000). . Free shipping for many products! 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. 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. 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. 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. Spotting Scope Review after Testing. 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. The scope tracks as well if not better than my Vortex Diamondback tactical which cost . They have a similar long eye relief, but the eyebox isn't as fast to focus as the Vortex. At 60-power, the image will be largest, but because of the laws of optics, it also appears darkest and grainiest. $249.99. The Hawke AirMAx is THE ONLY scope that has survived my Diana 34 springer. And the wide-angle eyepiece provides a constant 66-degree field of view throughout the entire magnification range. The Harpia 95 has a little sister, the Harpia 85, thats a little more portable and only slightly more affordable. Rifle Scopes Athlon Argos vs Vortex Diamondback. 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. 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. Vortex Diamondback Tactical VS Athlon Argos Gen 2. If we have a ding, its the tripod foot, which seems slightly undersized for the frame. CF2-31023. Though its the same size and about the same in terms of zoom power, the money is spent on the quality of glass. Check the classifieds on here for something in the next tier up. The downside is that in order to do so, you will have to either sacrifice zoom power, or get much larger objective lenses (and therefore increase weight). Spotting scopes are measured with two numbers. Athlon Argos Spotting Scope 20-60x85. 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 got sick of reading about scopes (or, lets be honest, you saw there was video and skipped ahead! 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. Oftentimes they dont even end up helping you see better at long distances. I have had both and still have the Athlon. So got the Argos in mail last night and got it mounted this afternoon. 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. Check its price right now by clicking here. They tend to give mediocre images at best and quality is low. 5 Best Spotting Scope Under $500 {Expert's Choice} Best Bushnell Spotting Scope {Our Top Pickup} . Leupolds flagship spotting scope delivers a quality image at pretty much every magnification. Superdoo. These coatings help the scope transmit and gather light better, thus increasing the quality and clarity of the image it delivers. For example, the Athlon Argos we recommend has a field of view of 48-102 feet at 1000 yards. Its virtually impossible to hold a powerful scope still enough to use effectively. Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm . If youre spending close to (or upwards of) $1,000 for a spotter, make sure it has either ED (extra-low dispersion) glass. We've also streamlined the exterior for a sleeker, snag-free profile, building in a helical focus wheel. 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. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. But I have had several of the midway BSAs, one primary arms, they all tracked well. That and it was $120 less.. (Argos 6-24x50, Talos 4-14x44) Last weekend I mounted both of these . 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. The ED glass works pretty well, but the real appeal here is the Horus reticle inside and tactical bling on the exterior. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links . However, astronomers might consider this as one of their primary things to look for given their viewing happens always in low light conditions. Vortex Diamondback Spotting Scopes Vortex's least expensive spotter series, the Diamondback is a top seller with great reviews. 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. But I will say, that no matter what I did, I could not get my eye comfortable behind the glass. We bought and tested binoculars from Vortex, Athlon, Nikon, Leica, Swarovski, and others to help you find the best. And with $500, I would definitely buy the Diamondback 20-60x85mm. The focus, magnification ring, and retractable sunshade all move with silky precision. Its a testament to the Hawkes spotter that it adequately handles all that magnification. The other differentiation from the Argos HD model: the aluminum-alloy chassis of the Ares UHD. 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. Delivery. As expected, the Nikon 5 8x42 is clearer and brighter than the under $200 non-ED glass Vortex Diamondback. 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. Very few other manufacturers give you that kind of choice with their high end scope options. quigley257; Mar 17, 2020; Replies 6 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. If you have the budget, Celestrons Regal is a huge optical upgrade over the Ultima. 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. First focal plane reticle stays valid at all power settings allowing you to fully utilize the specially designed reticle that shrinks or grows along with your target as you zoom in or out. The UHDit stands for ultra-high-definitionglass also boosts its performance. Many buyers are looking for a scope to take to the range to verify hits on distant targets, whether paper bullseyes or steel plates. I'm curious about the eye box / eye relief difference in these scopes. When looking through a scope with ED glass compared to another without it, there is a massive difference. This means that objects will appear between 20 and 60 times closer than they actually are, depending on how you have it set. It is used solely as a marketing hook by companies to make their optics seem very high quality. Most amazingly, some of their highest end products are even assembled in the United States, a rarity in this industry. New. And if youre really a beast and can pack it in, youll be rewarded with great images. The Athlon HELOS uses what appears to be ARGOS GLASS if that matters to you at all. Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A. Again thanks for everyones input, truthfully I had been leaning towards the Diamondback but the Athlon supporters swayed my decision. The largest, most powerful spotting scopes are among the most expensive sports optics on the market. 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. At middle distances, like 50 to 400 yards, you can usually zoom in to see precise details of your target. These describe the zoom and the objective lens size. If you divide the objective size by the zoom, you get the exact diameter of the exit pupil. 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. 45 Angled Viewing. By Max Mutter and Benjamin Hickok. You should see a set of numbers either in the products title or right away in its specifications that look something like 20-60x60mm. Like most scopes, the Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 does not come with a mount and rings included. 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. If youre a hunter who packs in deep its worth serious consideration, as its lightweight frame makes it easy to carry into the backcountry. Another great option that is even more affordable, this scope from Vanguard will give you everything you need as a target shooter. 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. Any feedback on these two scopes? What about 600 or even futher? If you cant spend over a hundred dollars, your options are limited to discount providers. Vortex diamondback FFP scope also comes with elevated finger-adjustable turrets. A spotting scope is sort of a low-power telescope, while also offering better magnification than a set of binoculars. 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. Athlon Optics Ares ETR UHD 4.5-3056 First Focal Plane Riflescopes Not everyone prefers the same type of reticle. 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 . Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Hi, looking for a new scope for my 22lr. 30mm main tube. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The Athlon warranty is every bit equal to the warranty provided by Leupold and Vortex, which is saying something. Thats our opinion of how much of a bargain or a rip-off each binocular is. Their scopes are very high quality and Id definitely recommend them. They sell their products directly to consumers similarly to Upland Optics, but they are at the higher end of the price/quality spectrum. Just picked up an Argos 6-24 for $249 and am very pleased. 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 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 is no such standard in the world of sporting optics, and the term is essentially meaningless. Hunters dont want to have to haul around the most massive scope, but it needs to be substantially more powerful than their binoculars. Which makes it a perfect option for hunters. xugz0212 New Member. A full-size spotter that retails for under $400 should get wide attention, and careful handling. Vortex Razor HD G2 VS. Leupold Mark 5 HD. You can learn about them at Leupold.com. The bigger the lens, the bigger and heavier the scope. The Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 & the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50. The other half appreciated the Endurance EDs talents for a backcountry spotter. Youll definitely want something sturdy though, and weight will again be a factor if you are carrying it on your back. But only barely, and only because they are more established and I have had good experiences directly with them in the past. 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. athlon leupold spotting scope vortex Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum Become a supporting member. Reply Report edosan Member Apr 30, 2018 1,926 54 +1-800-504-5920 Live Chat Contact Us Check Order Status. 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? 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. Thread starter idahohikker; Start date Apr 21, 2018; Apr 21, 2018 #1 I. . Athlon Optics Spotting Scopes. Still, if you use this scope in daylight and dont max out its magnification, its a worthy companion for most hunting situations or first-time buyers. I'll be honest I wasn't looking forward to reviewing Athlon optics. Thats because the glass and controls of the Argos HD are slightly disappointing. Maven RS.4 5-30x56 FFP - Best Under $2000. In case you want to know about the scopes, in brief, this comparison table below is tailor . 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. And the Celestron Trailseeker ED has better optical performance than the under $150 Celestron Nature DX. So a 20-6080 spotter has a 20- to 60-power eyepiece and an 80mm objective lens. They are young, and seem hungry to make a dent in the industry. You wont be counting antler tines on a bull three miles away with this thing, but it will at least get you closer than your naked eye. 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! A spotting scope helps you get crystal clear, up close views of birds, and can also help you take pictures of them. I'm an optics snob and all my rifles sport Vortex Razors, AMG, Nightforce NSX, Swarovski and Zeiss. The first spotter from this direct-to-consumer is a versatile powerhouse. The downside is that the scopes I have are all SFP, but they do make an FFP model. What the CS.1 delivers, though, is rugged performance. Put it on a 40-50 MOA base and you can dial a .22 out past 500 yards. 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. Maven has a direct to consumer business model, so you can get it customized if you want, and you know that no retailer is taking a huge cut of the price you pay. Models that have both designs typically have identical glass, magnification ranges, and components, so theyll likely deliver an identical image. Select which one you want here. Videos for related products. They are well known for supplying many of the high end scopes used by military snipers and special operations units. Athlon BTR vs Vortex Diamondback. The integrated reticle allows spotters to communicate to their shooting partner specific holds and call shots with precision and clarity. The Argos mechanism has proven to track and is robust. Athlon Argos BTR 6-2450 Gen2 APLR2 FFP MOA reticle. Here are some great options to consider: This scope, which gets our number one overall recommendation right now, is a shockingly good value. The Athlon reticle does offer a more dynamic design with a crosshair that has tons of hash marks for range and windage estimation. While they have specialized in cameras, all of the knowledge theyve accumulated in building camera optics has transferred over into some incredible sporting optics. 1.8 #8) Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope. The rubber is extremely grippy, and the mid-barrel focus allows users to make fine adjustments even while wearing gloves. . They even have a spotting scope eyepiece that functions as a binocular, with two eyepieces! They are heavy to carry into the field, but the work is worth it if it can save you from stalking an animal that you dont want to harvest thanks to being able to identify it from so far away. While the use and need of a good spotting scope extends well beyond those needs, it still is hard to bump it up the priority list, hence the need for affordable alternatives to the exceptional high end spotters available on the market that cost well over $2000 USD. $170.00. All three sizes can also be had in either an angled or straight body. About Us Policies. Length, weight, eye relief, and FOV are similar. If you have the money and want to get top performance, you definitely have that option. When budget isnt a limitation, I tend to recommend Swarovski. 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. And if youre shooting at really long ranges, an afternoon trip to the range can feel more like a lengthy hike. 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 One example is hitting the coldbore shots on steel often out to 1122Y. It can be had with three different sizes of objective lenses, so you can choose just how big your scope is going to be. And you might be a little disappointed at how dark and grainy it gets above about 38-power. Unsurprisingly, letting more light in is what you want. 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. 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. Long Island. Full Member. HobieH3; Mar 26, 2019; 2 3 4. But we also assign a Price/Value score to each submission. Much faster target acquisition (angled scopes can be intuitive to find what youre trying to look at because of the angle). . Field of view is obviously heavily influenced by the magnification power of your scope. 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.