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. Vortex has become a staple in the optics world recently, and for good reason. From our reviews, you can see that 2 of the Vortex models recommended come with Armortek coating. And its ultra-compact size means youll take this optic more places than a larger spotter or a big-boned binocular. It offers very impressive light transmission and gives unbelievable image quality to its viewer. There is a massive difference between HD and regular definition television, and everyone has seen it. Not my choice but I dont want to be sleeping on couch for the rest of life. Whether you choose an angled or a straight-body spotting scope is largely a matter of personal preference. If you divide the objective size by the zoom, you get the exact diameter of the exit pupil. There are only dangerous men." Observation & Sighting Devices . much better than the Athlon and Vortex and on a close out sale now. 1.4 #4) Swarovski ATS 80 20-60x Spotting Scope. The downside: Youre stuck with the 15-45-power zoom. And we conclude that the priceyou should be able to find this retailing for around $650was fair for the performance. Or look at even smaller scopes, like the 9-2756 Hawke in this years test. Half felt it implied a lack of durability. 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 build boosts the durability of this spotter and gives it a stiffer and more sure-footed feel. This year that nod goes to Athlons Argos HD. I noticed the gen 2 Argos is out now and it mentions upgraded turrets. 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. I have a Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 on a Diana 240, and a Hawke Vantage SF 6-24x44 on a Savage Mark 2 22LR. Put it on a 40-50 MOA base and you can dial a .22 out past 500 yards. You are using an out of date browser. Definitions aside, if youre in the market for a full-sized spotter and have limited funds, consider the Argos HD. The integrated reticle allows spotters to communicate to their shooting partner specific holds and call shots with precision and clarity. 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. I would highly avoid getting a true budget scope (one that costs less than $200). 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. Still, the new spotters for 2022 offer plenty of choice and talent for hunters, shooters, and anyone who likes to see wildlife up close. As you have seen in our list of recommendations, both Vortex and Athlon offer multicoated optics. $399.99. Specifications. On this review we are going to be using the Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 as the benchmark. 1. I have had both and still have the Athlon. 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. Yes, Vortex Tactical line is part of their upper tier level. It is dramatically more affordable than the other optics were recommending here for bird watchers. Its a solid scope that is large and powerful, is available in angled and straight body options, and will get the job done. While this is likely the first spotter that a hunter or shooter may buyowing to the approachable priceit wont be the last. You can read more about them here. Argos and The Midas Tac is a $700 scope so if going that high then look at the Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25. 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. Learn more about their long, family owned history here. I think youade the right choice. 6 Best FFP Scopes. Its eyecup turns as though on ball bearings, and instead of locking into pre-determined detents, it is infinitely adjustable. How you use your scope will impact the type of scope body you get. Expensive Spotting Scope Comparison, Ive been using spotting scopes for years and have used dozens of them in testing and in the field. Burris Fullfield II or Vortex Diamondback: . By Max Mutter and Benjamin Hickok. 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. Many buyers are looking for a scope to take to the range to verify hits on distant targets, whether paper bullseyes or steel plates. Likewise, the triply more expensive Vortex Viper is optically superior to the Vortex Diamondback. Vortex viper hst is the nicest scope I have had. The Vortex DB HD 10x42 are by volume the most sold pair of binoculars in . I'll be honest I wasn't looking forward to reviewing Athlon optics. Thread starter Kyle Wheeler; Start date Nov 11, 2020; Nov 11, 2020 #1 Kyle Wheeler Well Known Rokslider. Its more than up to the task at picking out bullet holes from long range, saving you a lot of walking. Just picked up an Argos 6-24 for $249 and am very pleased. Deploy MIL First Focal Plane reticle. . This is probably unsurprising given their name. Having to go down and check your target every few shots means you can only get in so many practice shots per round. The controls are tight, and we especially liked the two-speed focus and the fingertip sensitivity of the fine-focus knob. 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. As youll see in the two Athlon scopes in this years test, better-quality glass can double the price of a spotter. +1-800-504-5920 Live Chat Contact Us Check Order Status. . . 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. 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. Ive been using spotting scopes for years and have used dozens of them in testing and in the field. Oftentimes they dont even end up helping you see better at long distances. However, astronomers might consider this as one of their primary things to look for given their viewing happens always in low light conditions. Nikons Monarch Fieldscope 82ED-A W/MEP-20-60, Fully Multicoated, Excellent Image Quality, Field of view: 108 to 60 feet @ 1,000 yards. However, with Vortexs best-in-class warranty, youll never have to worry if it fails to perform. Show Out of Stock Items. 5 Best Spotting Scope Under $500 {Expert's Choice} Best Bushnell Spotting Scope {Our Top Pickup} . This is coming from someone who has never used either. And with $500, I would definitely buy the Diamondback 20-60x85mm. View Quote. 1.6 #6) BARSKA 30-90100 WP Gladiator Spotting Scope. 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. Click to play video. Learn More . 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. $249.99. 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. Budget is a very firm $500 or preferably less. Learn more about it here. It has extra low dispersion glass, a key in the world of high end optics. Apart from its compact design, it is also ergonomic. I'm looking at 6-24 versions and they seem similar. Moreover, weighing 24.6 ounces it is one of the lightest offerings from Athlon. If you want a spotter to carry into the field to help you assess distant game, then consider a mid-sized scope, generally 20-50-power built behind a 65mm objective lens. Delivery. Bird watching is one of the most popular and fast growing hobbies world wide. All these attributes make it an ideal budget option for hunters. And while their telescopes are awesome for picking out constellations, their spotting scopes give you some flexibility to use in different situations. Very few other manufacturers give you that kind of choice with their high end scope options. Products ( 2) Sort By. Objective Lens Diameter. Are you going to pack it deep into the backcountry? Doug asked me to review two Athlon scopes for him. free shipping & returns. They have been used and recommended by a lot of the most influential people in the industry, like Steven Rinella from Netflixs Meat Eater. Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x50 AO Riflescope with Dead Hold BDC Reticle (MOA). They also allow most of their products to be fully customized, so you can even get them in the exact color you want! 20-60x. SX-2 Alpine HD 20-60x60mm Angled. 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. 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. Illuminated reticle probably isn't critical for your application. 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. 2 models Athlon Optics Argos 20-60x85mm HD Spotting Scopes $487.49 $389.99 Save 20% Best Rated. HobieH3; Mar 26, 2019; 2 3 4. Athlon Ares Spotting Scope VS. Vortex Razor Spotting Scope Review 73,201 views Mar 13, 2016 263 Dislike Share Save Backcountry Brotherhood 8.15K subscribers Watch as we review the new. These describe the zoom and the objective lens size. 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. 45 Angled Viewing. But I have had several of the midway BSAs, one primary arms, they all tracked well. Athlon sells their own rings and mounts, which obviously mesh well when used in tandem with their scope . A good spotter can help you see your shots from where you are shooting, eliminating the need to go down range as often. Get as big of a scope as is practical for your use. 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. Because the best spotting scopes represent a significant investment in money, durability and warranties are both prime considerations. I've checked the specs and features of both and there are things I like about each. ), here are some great resources to help you buy a scope: Cheap vs. The Gosky 20-6060 HD Spotting Scope is a top seller in that price range, and gets decent reviews from its many users. 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. Not everyone can afford a Zeiss. F FlatCat Member That would mean that the scope has an adjustable zoom range of 20 to 60. 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 . 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. The Athlon Talos 20-60x80 Spotting Scope is a long-range spotting scope with a 45-degree eyepiece angle. Updated: October 2, 2020, 79 optics, 152 reticles. 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. Jan 20, 2020 #1 ; Hi, looking for a new scope for my 22lr. Vortex is a well-known manufacturer of optical material such as binoculars, spotting scopes and rifle scopes. . 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. 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. 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. The Athlon warranty is every bit equal to the warranty provided by Leupold and Vortex, which is saying something. If you have the money and want to get top performance, you definitely have that option. Scopes are generally sold either with a straight body or with the eyepiece angled up 45 degrees. 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. Athlon Midas BTR, Midas HMR, Midas TAC scopes - Also made in China to Athlon's specific specifications. Dec 9, 2019 123 56. Glass was pretty good for the price. Carefully consider exactly how youre going to use it. The largest, most powerful spotting scopes are among the most expensive sports optics on the market. The Athlon Argos BTR is an excellent mid to long-range choice. No one buys a spotting scope just because it looked cool in a store. This scope is offered in either an angled or straight body, and either way you can get a 16-48x65mm or a 20-60x85mm for viewing far off wildlife. Which tripod to buy deserves its own article, as again there are a wide range of options. But for hunters who aspire to own the best optics on the planet, this line of Zeiss spotters justifies the significant investment. Astronomy is usually thought to be done with a big telescope setup, but a spotting scope can also work well for a hobbyist. Make sure that the companys return policy and either repair or replacement will cover your purchase. Which begs the question: Why arent more bird hunters using them? They produce quality optics that are simple and straightforward, and they stand by them 100% with their lifetime warranty. There are different scope models that are designed specifically for all these purposes. 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. Much faster target acquisition (angled scopes can be intuitive to find what youre trying to look at because of the angle). In this test, we mount all scopes on tripods, set their magnification to 20-power, and then measure how long they can see into the dark, averaging the results to assess performance. 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. While the best binoculars for hunting have close focus of about 6 to 8 feet, spotting scopes can only focus to about 12 feet. Apr 23, 2018 #13 M. . The Maven has especially good manners. JavaScript is disabled. Founded by Frank Galli in 2000, Snipers Hide has been offering informational videos, podcasts, and other support to its users in one location. Thats our opinion of how much of a bargain or a rip-off each binocular is. There are a whole lot of Nikon rifle optics out there and they cant just stop servicing their products. So I've narrowed it down to two scopes. Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scopes - Top Pick. Large 85mm Objective Lens. This Japanese scope uses pure fluorite crystal lenses, which is unique in the industry and gives them excellent optical clarity. While they have specialized in cameras, all of the knowledge theyve accumulated in building camera optics has transferred over into some incredible sporting optics. They have many scopes under 500$ that comes in both straight and angled version. But for scouting use its perfect, or for spotting from the road. It may not display this or other websites correctly. With a straight-body spotting scope, youd have to trade places with your buddy in order for them to see the deer. So for a brief period of time, I had both the Athlon Talos 20x60x80 and this Athlon Argos 20x60x85 side by side for a detailed comparison. But it could be perfect scope if you are setting it up on your back porch to stargaze with. 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. From reviews and videos I've seen it tracks well. Nikon is one of the most well known optics brands in the world. 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. Its a pattern weve seen play out over two decades of the Outdoor Life optics test. Athlon Optics Spotting Scopes. Spotting scopes are measured with two numbers. They have come to dominate those segments of the market. Wednesday December 7, 2022. If youre in the market for pretty much any optic and dont have a budget thats in the stratosphere, they have good options. Strike Eagle has a ton of elevation and nice features. I use the binoculars to cover wide swaths of ground, and then use my scope to get really zoomed in on an animal that Ive found. Also, they are generous with the hash marks on their mil dot. Because our test doesnt intentionally punish submissions until they break, the durability question is necessarily unanswered. This family of rifle scopes featuring FFP and SFP models, True Precision Zero Stop, Fully Multi-coated Lenses, Direct Dial Elevation & Windage Turrets (Capped in 1-8x24), Illuminated Reticle, 30mm Tube. In case you want to know about the scopes, in brief, this comparison table below is tailor . The first two, in the above case 20-60, are the zoom. This means that objects will appear between 20 and 60 times closer than they actually are, depending on how you have it set. While any scope will meet most peoples needs, it makes sense to get the optimal one. They are quick and easy to use when you are based out of your vehicle. Check the price here. I will test and be able to give better feedback as soon as I get to the range. quigley257; Mar 17, 2020; Replies 6 The second number is the size of the objective lens in millimeters. You can learn about them at Leupold.com. All three sizes can also be had in either an angled or straight body. But I will say, that no matter what I did, I could not get my eye comfortable behind the glass. Leupold is one of the oldest names in the sporting optics world. Its angled body, with rotating tripod ring, allows for infinite adjustment, and the Arca-Swiss compatible tripod system mates up with any number of mounting options. We glass near and far targets in all light conditions. If youve ever been to a rifle range, you know youre in for some walking. In those cases, you want a scope that will withstand the abuses of the field. The Vortex Viper is a great choice. 10 MIL turrets. We found the usable magnification range extended to about 54-power, which is higher than many of its peers. If you want clear views, you want to minimize dispersion. A full-size spotter that retails for under $400 should get wide attention, and careful handling. Vortex diamondback FFP scope also comes with elevated finger-adjustable turrets. The question for the market: Is this spotter twice as good as the Argos HD, and is it worth double the cost? And then, we perform a low-light test on several evenings. Free Shipping & Free Returns* FREE SHIPPING on Over 250,000 Products. They are young, and seem hungry to make a dent in the industry. Its affordable and the glass is super high quality. I personally used it this last year when hunting pronghorn in Idaho extensively, and it helped me pick out minute details on horns from absurdly far away! ArmorTek Technology: The build quality is as expected top-notch. Another very high end scope from an excellent optics company, the Kowa TSN-883 Prominar is a great option for bird watchers trying to get the best.