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. It has extra low dispersion glass, a key in the world of high end optics. 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. Experience/Opinions: Burris Fullfield II or Vortex Diamondback? These scopes have features normally only found on high-end scopes. Products ( 2) Sort By. They sell their products directly to consumers similarly to Upland Optics, but they are at the higher end of the price/quality spectrum. 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. 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. Jan 25, 2022. 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. While the best binoculars for hunting have close focus of about 6 to 8 feet, spotting scopes can only focus to about 12 feet. 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. QUICK LIST: Best First Focal Plane Scopes in 2022. Vortex Diamondback Spotting Scopes Vortex's least expensive spotter series, the Diamondback is a top seller with great reviews. 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. Thoughts on Athlon Talos Spotting Scope. 20-60x80. Spotting scopes work best from mid to far distances. We were able to arrive at a consensus on the optical talents of this spotter. I've checked the specs and features of both and there are things I like about each. The Hide Armory. And while their telescopes are awesome for picking out constellations, their spotting scopes give you some flexibility to use in different situations. Moreover, weighing 24.6 ounces it is one of the lightest offerings from Athlon. Gosky Newest 20-6080 Dual Focusing Spotting Scope. Hunters may have a bit of a trade off here. NightForce ATACR 5-25X56 F1 - Best for Competition. Thats our opinion of how much of a bargain or a rip-off each binocular is. We glass near and far targets in all light conditions. Binoculars & Spotting Scopes | Costco Check it out here. While this is likely the first spotter that a hunter or shooter may buyowing to the approachable priceit wont be the last. 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 the classifieds on here for something in the next tier up. 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. Argos BTR 6-2450 APMR | Precision Rifle Scope - Athlon Optics 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. 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. The more powerful it is, the narrower the field of view. New. This Japanese scope uses pure fluorite crystal lenses, which is unique in the industry and gives them excellent optical clarity. Athlon vs Vortex Riflescope Comparison in March 2023 - ProReviewBuzz tlav21; Nov 5, 2021; Optics; Replies 5 Views 2K. Whale watching is a very popular activity along the coasts for both tourists and locals. While zoom is described by the initial range of all important numbers on spotting scope specs, objective lens size finishes it out. . The Athlon HELOS uses what appears to be ARGOS GLASS if that matters to you at all. Magnification. 10 Best Spotting Scopes February 2023 - MSN 1:24 . Vortex Viper HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing) V502 - B&H Photo When you do buy your scope, know that youre also going to need to budget for a tripod. Also, they are generous with the hash marks on their mil dot. 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. The 5 Best Binoculars of 2023 | Tested by GearLab In short: IGNORE THE TERM HD. Clear glass combined with an oversized eyepiece and a rugged design will help you tag out season after season. Still, the new spotters for 2022 offer plenty of choice and talent for hunters, shooters, and anyone who likes to see wildlife up close. Glass was pretty good for the price. Range spotters often have a reticle in the eyepiece that allows you to call shots for a buddy. The point is..if you buy a Vortex, you have to check if the reticles are wire or not. Observation & Sighting Devices . Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. I had a Diamondback FFP and I sold it immediately. 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). I have both and would buy another Athlon. There is no easy answer on which is best as there are tradeoffs. I honestly would be fine with a 65mm but they only offer this one. A spotting scope is sort of a low-power telescope, while also offering better magnification than a set of binoculars. Vortex Diamondback HD vs Athlon Argos G2 UHD Binoculars Bullets4Bucks 18.8K subscribers Join Subscribe 212 Share Save 16K views 2 years ago Buy Here: Athlon Optics Argos:. Maven CS.1 15-45X65mm Spotting Scope Gray/Orange ED Lens. +1-800-504-5920 Live Chat Contact Us Check Order Status. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. 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. It is worth a trip to your local sporting goods store to look through some scopes and make sure that your glasses do not interfere with the normal eye relief on models you are considering. It also has ArmorTek technology that prevents the body from scratches. The reticle is etched but also illuminated for eye-catching ease. 30mm main tube. View Quote. Nikons Monarch Fieldscope 82ED-A W/MEP-20-60 is a fantastic one to consider for someone who has a larger budget. Show More. 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. If you cant spend over a hundred dollars, your options are limited to discount providers. 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. On this review we are going to be using the Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 as the benchmark. Athlon Optics Cronus Gen II 20-60x86mm UHD Spotting Scopes FREE S&H Consider the durability of a 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 . Another is I won State overall in Field Target air rifle in 2016 and my division last year. Here are some excellent scopes for that purpose: Zeiss makes premium optics, and this scope is no exception. The build boosts the durability of this spotter and gives it a stiffer and more sure-footed feel. Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-2450 FFP EBR-2C MOA reticle diagram. 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. If you got sick of reading about scopes (or, lets be honest, you saw there was video and skipped ahead! Thats too bad, because its durable and well-balanced for just about any tripod work. xugz0212 New Member. They sent me a prepaid label without a fight. But of course all else isnt equal, and there is a trade off. This is a list of rifle scopes with at least 24X magnification that cost less than $750. 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. Which begs the question: Why arent more bird hunters using them? That would mean that the scope has an adjustable zoom range of 20 to 60. Its eyecup turns as though on ball bearings, and instead of locking into pre-determined detents, it is infinitely adjustable. ), then I'd go vortex. 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. The lenses are also fully multicoated, meaning better light transmission and clearer looks at the night sky. I will test and be able to give better feedback as soon as I get to the range. The 10MIL locking turrets on the Match Pro alone make it worth going to the top end of your budget range. Or should I wait until the Element optics Titan comes out? A good spotter can help you see your shots from where you are shooting, eliminating the need to go down range as often. If youve got a little more money to spend, its hard not to recommend the Vortex Razor series for you. If youve ever been to a rifle range, you know youre in for some walking. One of the lesser known technical specs that you may need to account for is eye relief. If you want clear views, you want to minimize dispersion. Ahtlon vs Vortex (just glass perspective) - Long Range Hunting Forum 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. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. The Vortex Optics Diamondback is the best spotting scope for 300 dollars as it has 20x-60x magnification and a 60mm lens diameter. They are well known for supplying many of the high end scopes used by military snipers and special operations units. Key Features. You must log in or register to reply here. Thats because any object you can see at 60x will only darken at 70x, so the additional magnification might not be worth the degradation in image. Joined Jun 19, 2019 Messages 1,412 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. The Ultima 80 is the definition of the intersection between quality and affordability. Field of view is obviously heavily influenced by the magnification power of your scope. I'm curious about the eye box / eye relief difference in these scopes. The best brightness and image quality will be at 20X, but the image will be smallest at that magnification. Its affordable and the glass is super high quality. And then, we perform a low-light test on several evenings. Free Shipping & Free Returns* FREE SHIPPING on Over 250,000 Products. The Ultima is a fairly affordable but still massive and powerful scope that works great for astronomy and stargazing. 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 . Vortex Diamondback Tactical VS Athlon Argos Gen 2 Leupold is one of the oldest names in the sporting optics world. They also allow most of their products to be fully customized, so you can even get them in the exact color you want! 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. The importance of the exit pupil diameter directly relates to how our eyes function. And the 27-55-power zoom range covers most hunting scenarios, while the 80mm objective lensmade with extra-low dispersion glasslets in plenty of light. The CS.1 won our low-light test, beating a handful of 80 and 85mm scopes, which is a testament to its good-quality glass. A more compact scope from a newer, fantastic brand, the Maven S.2 12-27x56mm means business. All in, theres a lot of scope here for $800, a price that represents the savings possible from the direct-to-consumer optics brand. Eye relief is the range of distances from the lens within which you wont get any black rings and missed images from your scope. We may receive a sales commission if you purchase any products after using one of our links. You could try using it freehand or leaning it against something, but trust me when I tell you this will significantly hamper your viewing. Another great option depending on your uses is a car window mount. For this particular, how does it perform? By Max Mutter and Benjamin Hickok. The Argos HD is one of the best spotting scopes under 300 dollars that has a robust 20-60x magnification, 85mm objective, and is perfect for . For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The question for the market: Is this spotter twice as good as the Argos HD, and is it worth double the cost? Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50 Review (2023): Worth the Money? - Scopes Field I didnt think the turrets, lack of zero-stop, and mediocre glass would bother me. 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. Oftentimes they dont even end up helping you see better at long distances. But we also assign a Price/Value score to each submission. Therefore it stands to reason that you want the spotter labeled HD, right? 8 Best Spotting Scopes for Elk Hunting - opticsrelated.com I honestly don't have experience with either model, but do with others of both brands. 5 Best Spotting Scope Under $500 {Expert's Choice} 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. All these attributes make it an ideal budget option for hunters. 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. . Athlon Optics Ares ETR UHD 4.5-3056 First Focal Plane Riflescopes Not everyone prefers the same type of reticle. Emarth 20-60x60AE Angled Spotting Scope (Spotting Scope Under $100) Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope. 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. Most of their consumer scopes are affordable, and are great options. Updated: October 2, 2020, 79 optics, 152 reticles. Here are the specs that matter most: You should seriously consider this combo, check the price here. The upside: Its especially weather- and moisture-proof. Again thanks for everyones input, truthfully I had been leaning towards the Diamondback but the Athlon supporters swayed my decision. trying to find the right scope (vortex, bushnell, athlon) | Airgun This is not a particularly exciting year for spotting scopes. That means dusty days in a pickup and all sorts of conditions mounted to a tripod. 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. Its virtually impossible to hold a powerful scope still enough to use effectively. Hunters dont want to have to haul around the most massive scope, but it needs to be substantially more powerful than their binoculars. 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. 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. Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm . And at nearly $4,000, most of us arent willing to subject the Harpia to the indignities and dings of the field. But most commonly, you will see ED (Extra-low Dispersion) used, and that is what you want. The Athlon Argos BTR is an excellent mid to long-range choice. That means clearer images day and night. I think youade the right choice. The Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 & the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50. The bigger the objective lens, the more light will be allowed into the scope. You can check the price here. Purpose-built as an aid to precision rifle shooters, the integrated reticle in the LMSS2 allows spotters to effectively call shots for their teammates on rifle. If you like shooting, ESPECIALLY at distance, you really need a decent Spotting Scope. The downside: Youre stuck with the 15-45-power zoom. HobieH3; Mar 26, 2019; 2 3 4. 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. 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. 6 Best Focal Plane FFP Scopes to Buy - ScopeExpert.com This scope gives some of the crispest images around. Its a solid scope that is large and powerful, is available in angled and straight body options, and will get the job done. $399.99. While any scope will meet most peoples needs, it makes sense to get the optimal one. Reviews & Ratings for Athlon Optics Argos BTR 6-24x50mm - OpticsPlanet Full Member. 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. Its hard to label a single scope as the best available since they are so personalized to different uses. Especially in low-light conditions, those extreme ranges are rarely usable. One example is hitting the coldbore shots on steel often out to 1122Y. The Vortex Viper is a great choice. 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. Replies 44 Views 30K. Nikons Monarch Fieldscope 82ED-A W/MEP-20-60, Fully Multicoated, Excellent Image Quality, Field of view: 108 to 60 feet @ 1,000 yards. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. These seamless connections will give you crystal clear images. 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. But if you want to make it easy, the winner from all this testing and analysis (as of March 2023) is the. $329.99 - $399.99. 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. He already had a high end Vortex ($1,000). JavaScript is disabled. Apart from its compact design, it is also ergonomic. Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 Review - Sharp Shooter Optics And with $500, I would definitely buy the Diamondback 20-60x85mm. 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 the rubber armor is as grippy as it is protective. . Spotting scopes come in a very wide selection of sizes, more so than any other kind of optic. 2.1 Choosing the Best Spotting . Apr 23, 2018 #13 M. . Athlon Argos Spotting Scope 20-60x85. Thx, Colice "There are no dangerous weapons. The inexpensive Argos BTR and less expensive Talos BTR work surprisingly well for the price. 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. There is a massive difference between HD and regular definition television, and everyone has seen it. 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. There are different scope models that are designed specifically for all these purposes. Spotter-Vortex Viper vs. Athlon Ares | Rokslide Forum 2 Best Spotting Scopes for Elk Hunting Buying Guide & FAQs. Burris Fullfield II or Vortex Diamondback: . If youre a bird watcher that likes to photograph your quarry, youll be happy to know this scope has a ton of available accessories for connecting to cameras of all sorts. But the magnification range, zooming from 9x up to 27x, gives this little unit more range and a surprisingly nice image. The controls are tight, and we especially liked the two-speed focus and the fingertip sensitivity of the fine-focus knob. Theres several companies using that mechanism successfully. Itll cost you, but man does it make scopes easier to use. Leupolds flagship spotting scope delivers a quality image at pretty much every magnification. Vortex is a well-known manufacturer of optical material such as binoculars, spotting scopes and rifle scopes. This series comes in three sizes: 11-33x50mm, 22-48x65mm, and 27-60x85mm. German Precision Optics ED Binoculars. Their HD-ATS-80 body is awesomely powerful when paired with a 20-60 power eyepiece. F FlatCat Member Learn more about it here. 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. The Vortex DB HD 10x42 are by volume the most sold pair of binoculars in . But maybe you want a spotter to mount on a tripod and use from a vantage point. Thread starter idahohikker; Start date Apr 21, 2018; Apr 21, 2018 #1 I. . The Diamondback Tactical2 has much better glass than the ARGOS/HELOS at a cheaper price but the MIDAS has a slight overall edge in clarity image quality overall. We've rarely seen this much glass and optical horsepower for under $400. 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. Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope Review 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. 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. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. What about 600 or even futher? For a first scope in this FFP arena, it was fine, I did not miss, even at 1k+ because of my argos. If you divide the objective size by the zoom, you get the exact diameter of the exit pupil. 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. It's a 20-60x80 only weighting about 33ozs. I regularly shoot out to 300 yds with my ar and have shot to 1k with a friends equipment. A full-size spotter that retails for under $400 should get wide attention, and careful handling. Models that have both designs typically have identical glass, magnification ranges, and components, so theyll likely deliver an identical image. Illuminated reticle probably isn't critical for your application. When looking through a scope with ED glass compared to another without it, there is a massive difference. In normal bright conditions, your pupil will usually be open about 2mm. Vortex Diamondback vs Hawke Endurance ED vs Vanguard Endeavor ED Learn more about it here. (130) Compare Product. But I have had several of the midway BSAs, one primary arms, they all tracked well. $139.99 - $169.99. You can think of it like the limits of your peripheral vision. 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. Spotting scopes are good from fairly close to nearly infinity. 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. Specifications. While they have specialized in cameras, all of the knowledge theyve accumulated in building camera optics has transferred over into some incredible sporting optics. Its a pattern weve seen play out over two decades of the Outdoor Life optics test. This isnt the spotter for everyone, but for buyers on a budget who want decent performance and all the reach that a 60-power can deliver, its a very good choice. Best Spotting Scopes of 2023 | Outdoor Life Select Options. Likewise, the triply more expensive Vortex Viper is optically superior to the Vortex Diamondback. Objective Lens Diameter. I have had both and still have the Athlon. 2 models Athlon Optics Argos 20-60x85mm HD Spotting Scopes $487.49 $389.99 Save 20% Best Rated. 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. Vortex Riflescopes | Buy Vortex Scopes - EuroOptic.com ), here are some great resources to help you buy a scope: Cheap vs. 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. Athlon vs Vortex Scopes - Which Is Better? (ANSWERED) Brands that might introduce a new binocular or riflescope every year are on a 2- or even 3-year cycle with spotting scope introductions. 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 Superdoo. . Most amazingly, some of their highest end products are even assembled in the United States, a rarity in this industry. Vortex viper hst is the nicest scope I have had. Has anyone out there got first hand experience with this scope? CF2-31023. Most spotting scopes have whats called a variable zoom, meaning you can adjust how close you are zoomed into what you are looking at.