I think youade the right choice. You'll find a spotting scope useful for outdoors activities such as. It can be had with three different sizes of objective lenses, so you can choose just how big your scope is going to be. The CS.1 is built around the same mid-level class of glass that Maven uses in its C Series binoculars. Founded in the United States in 1907, it has been family owned and operated for five generations, an incredible feat for any company. As expected, the Nikon 5 8x42 is clearer and brighter than the under $200 non-ED glass Vortex Diamondback. At a fraction of that price, this Vortex delivers an adequate image in a durable, versatile package. I have purchased 3 Athlon Argos BTR scopes, and zero issues with any of them. The Vortex Optics Diamondback is the best spotting scope for 300 dollars as it has 20x-60x magnification and a 60mm lens diameter. +1-800-504-5920 Live Chat Contact Us Check Order Status. They are quick and easy to use when you are based out of your vehicle. These seamless connections will give you crystal clear images. 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. Put it on a 40-50 MOA base and you can dial a .22 out past 500 yards. So much so that it won our Great Buy award as the best bargain spotting scope. The controls are tight, and we especially liked the two-speed focus and the fingertip sensitivity of the fine-focus knob. 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. 2 Best Spotting Scopes for Elk Hunting Buying Guide & FAQs. Ive been using spotting scopes for years and have used dozens of them in testing and in the field. This means that objects will appear between 20 and 60 times closer than they actually are, depending on how you have it set. Theres limited utility for a spotting scope with an objective lens better suited to a full-sized binocular. Andrew McKean is Outdoor Lifes hunting and conservation editor, drilling into issues that affect wildlife, wildlands, and the people who care about them. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. They are going to stop rifle optics but Nikon isnt going anywhere. Also, they are generous with the hash marks on their mil dot. Learn more about it here. Hunters who want a mini optic to pack into the high country, or travelers who want a little more reach than a smaller binocular should consider this little spotting scope. Updated: October 2, 2020, 79 optics, 152 reticles. They have been used and recommended by a lot of the most influential people in the industry, like Steven Rinella from Netflixs Meat Eater. Show Out of Stock Items. And we were a little disappointed in the relatively narrow field of view. 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. The inexpensive Argos BTR and less expensive Talos BTR work surprisingly well for the price. And at nearly $4,000, most of us arent willing to subject the Harpia to the indignities and dings of the field. $329.99 - $399.99. The Athlon reticle does offer a more dynamic design with a crosshair that has tons of hash marks for range and windage estimation. They just offer the absolute best performance you can possibly get out of a tube filled with glass. Its a tough trade off, and has to be made based on your hunting style. That brings us to the Vortex Diamondback 20-60x80mm straight eyepiece spotting . But maybe you want a spotter to mount on a tripod and use from a vantage point. The other differentiation from the Argos HD model: the aluminum-alloy chassis of the Ares UHD. Spotting scopes come in a very wide selection of sizes, more so than any other kind of optic. Its glass is protected by double-walled armor that resists scratching. And its ultra-compact size means youll take this optic more places than a larger spotter or a big-boned binocular. A dual focus knob is also great for fine tuning in on far away celestial bodies. They tend to give mediocre images at best and quality is low. Athlon Optics . It may not display this or other websites correctly. Show More. If you want to take your photography game to the next level, particularly if photographing animals you dont want to disturb or things that are dangerous to get to close to, a spotting scope with a digiscoping setup can make all the difference. You shouldnt overlook a scope just because it doesnt have that name, or give extra consideration to one that does. Weve rarely seen this much glass and optical horsepower for under $400. We measure and record the optical attributesfield of view, eye relief, weight, and other specificationsand mount every submission on a tripod suitable for that particular size and weight. Here are some great options to consider: This scope, which gets our number one overall recommendation right now, is a shockingly good value. And the wide-angle eyepiece provides a constant 66-degree field of view throughout the entire magnification range. 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. 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. A 20-60x60mm scope at the lowest 20 power setting has an exit pupil diameter of 6020, or 3mm. 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:. tlav21; Nov 5, 2021; Optics; Replies 5 Views 2K. This scope has one function: To get you close eyes on a subject far, far away. 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. In those cases, you want a scope that will withstand the abuses of the field. Astronomy is usually thought to be done with a big telescope setup, but a spotting scope can also work well for a hobbyist. Athlon Optics / RIFLE SCOPES / ARGOS BTR GEN2 / ARGOS BTR GEN2 6-2450 APMR FFP IR MIL. 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. But generally, the sweet spot between magnification and image quality is somewhere in the middle of the power range. Athlon Optics Argos BTR and Helos BTR scopes - Made in China to Athlon specifications. 30mm main tube. They also have several subsidiaries underneath them, including names you might recognize like Tasco, Browning Sport Optics, and Simmons. 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. . Its hard to label a single scope as the best available since they are so personalized to different uses. Athlon Midas BTR, Midas HMR, Midas TAC scopes - Also made in China to Athlon's specific specifications. Put it on a tripod, point it at the sky, and youll be opened up to a whole new world(s)! However in dark conditions, your pupil will open to allow more light in, and can get up to 7mm in diameter. Thread starter Wrencoforge; Start date Jan 20, 2020; Forums. The Ultima 80 is the definition of the intersection between quality and affordability. 1:24 . This pricey, indulgent, magnum-sized optic is the last spotting scope youll own, and it parses details like no other spotter in this category. 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 test team was divided on the merits of the relatively light weight. But for someone on a budget, it will do the job. They also allow most of their products to be fully customized, so you can even get them in the exact color you want! 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. If youve ever been to a rifle range, you know youre in for some walking. While the best binoculars for hunting have close focus of about 6 to 8 feet, spotting scopes can only focus to about 12 feet. Vortex got mentioned above a lot, and there are good reasons. A smaller company than some others on this list, Athlon continually impresses me with their quality mid range products. The bigger the objective lens, the more light will be allowed into the scope. Leupold is one of the oldest names in the sporting optics world. 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? 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. JavaScript is disabled. I haven't had a chance to mount and shoot it yet, but construction feels solid. This is coming from someone who has never used either. If youre a hobbyist photographer who doesnt care about squeezing the maximum amount of performance possible from a scope, give the Celestron Regal a look. 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. Jan 25, 2022. Thats because the glass and controls of the Argos HD are slightly disappointing. Select Options. Snipers Hide is a community of Snipers of all kinds, focusing on long range shooting, accuracy, and ballistics. . Perhaps the highest end brand in the optics world, Swarovski caters to those who want the absolute clearest glass and the best quality images. Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x50 AO Riflescope with Dead Hold BDC Reticle (MOA). When you see 20-60x85mm, that means that the objective lens (the one that points out towards whatever you are viewing) is 85mm in diameter. Their scopes are very high quality and Id definitely recommend them. But only barely, and only because they are more established and I have had good experiences directly with them in the past. I'm looking at 6-24 versions and they seem similar. 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. 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. Eye relief is the range of distances from the lens within which you wont get any black rings and missed images from your scope. I honestly don't have experience with either model, but do with others of both brands. Videos for related products. The Bushnell Elite Tactical LMSS2 is the perfect companion for precision rifle shooting. They are well known for supplying many of the high end scopes used by military snipers and special operations units. If the former, you might consider investing in models with excellent glass and mirage-taming coatings. Most of their consumer scopes are affordable, and are great options. Anything you point this scope at, youre going to get a clear view of. Hunters may have a bit of a trade off here. This scope gives some of the crispest images around. 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. It's a 20-60x80 only weighting about 33ozs. 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. 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. 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. But for scouting use its perfect, or for spotting from the road. Spotting scopes are usually used on a tripod, so you dont need to worry about your hands shaking and distorting high zoom images like you do with binoculars. The 5 Best Binoculars of 2023. The question for the market: Is this spotter twice as good as the Argos HD, and is it worth double the cost? Should the spotter ever fail, its fully backed by SIGs excellent five-year warranty. Vortex Diamondback Tactical VS Athlon Argos Gen 2. Did a quick sight in using a snow bank ( makes things so quick and easy being able to see impact as it happens), and was able to start hitting some targets. These describe the zoom and the objective lens size. But of course all else isnt equal, and there is a trade off. Spotting Scope Accessories Thermal Imaging Thermal Imaging Monoculars . Emarth 20-60x60AE Angled Spotting Scope (Spotting Scope Under $100) Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope. They produce quality optics that are simple and straightforward, and they stand by them 100% with their lifetime warranty. I am looking at the ballistic reticle scopes in the 3-9x40 and 4/4.5-12x40/42 range in both product lines. 1. They sent me a prepaid label without a fight. Anyone know the low end focus on the Argos? You are using an out of date browser. Absolutely not, in fact some of the best scopes around carry the HD label. The largest, most powerful spotting scopes are among the most expensive sports optics on the market. Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Spotting Scopes. thanks! Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Maybe, but maybe not. The downside is that the scopes I have are all SFP, but they do make an FFP model. 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. Its a solid scope that is large and powerful, is available in angled and straight body options, and will get the job done. A big, serious spotter with very good glass and responsive controls, the Ares UHD is the big brother to Athlons excellent 65mm Argos introduced a couple of years ago. He already had a high end Vortex ($1,000). If you're money-concience (i am too for the same reason! They have a similar long eye relief, but the eyebox isn't as fast to focus as the Vortex. Since you're talking 22LR and not sure if you'll shoot competitive, I'm going to throw out Hawke here. Anything further out than that will not be visible. Some users like angled eyepieces because of their versatility. I'll be honest I wasn't looking forward to reviewing Athlon optics. Likewise, the triply more expensive Vortex Viper is optically superior to the Vortex Diamondback. 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. There is a massive difference between HD and regular definition television, and everyone has seen it. Budget is a very firm $500 or preferably less. 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. The first is the magnification, which generally refers to a range between the lowest and highest magnification. The Harpia 95 has a little sister, the Harpia 85, thats a little more portable and only slightly more affordable. I am a fan of vortex but the diamond back not so much . Field of view is a measurement of how wide of a picture you will see when you are looking through a scope. Lastly, full-sized spotters are designed to be mounted on a tripod, so consider the mounting hardware. 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. The Athlon Argos BTR is an excellent mid to long-range choice. 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. The bigger the lens, the bigger and heavier the scope. Another great option that is even more affordable, this scope from Vanguard will give you everything you need as a target shooter. The lenses are also fully multicoated, meaning better light transmission and clearer looks at the night sky. The optic with the highest Price/Value score wins our Great Buy award. I just got the argos for my 22. quigley257; Mar 17, 2020; Replies 6 Easier to switch between binos and spotting scope. Therefore it stands to reason that you want the spotter labeled HD, right? Thats our opinion of how much of a bargain or a rip-off each binocular is. You could try using it freehand or leaning it against something, but trust me when I tell you this will significantly hamper your viewing. Check them out at Bushnell.com. 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 got ahold of Athlon's entry level ARGOS to compare to their higher . (130) Compare Product. 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. Makes sense. Select which one you want here. Apr 23, 2018 #13 M. . Athlon Argos Spotting Scope 20-60x85. Maven has a few great spotting scope options (all of which are customizable if you order through their website). Hi, looking for a new scope for my 22lr. I honestly would be fine with a 65mm but they only offer this one. Bushnell is owned today by Vista Outdoor, a large conglomerate of outdoor products companies. 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. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Vortex has become a staple in the optics world recently, and for good reason. Its more than up to the task at picking out bullet holes from long range, saving you a lot of walking. Specifications. Whether you choose an angled or a straight-body spotting scope is largely a matter of personal preference. They are known to provide some of the best mid-range optics. 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 You must log in or register to reply here. The two-speed focus control allows you to riff from close-in to far-distant targets with a single revolution, and then feather the focus for precision. This year that nod goes to Athlons Argos HD. 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. Vanguard is a smaller, more specialized company than many on this list, and they deserve your consideration for their quality products. No one buys a spotting scope just because it looked cool in a store. That despite an 80mm lens (many of its peers have 85mm objectives). Ask yourself when youre most likely to use the optic. Dielectric-Coated Porro Prism. I have a Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 on a Diana 240, and a Hawke Vantage SF 6-24x44 on a Savage Mark 2 22LR. This direct-to-consumer brand delivers bright ED glass and quality Japanese build at a relatively accessible price. F FlatCat Member 1.8 #8) Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope. It is used solely as a marketing hook by companies to make their optics seem very high quality. I had a minor issue one time and called them about it. 60mm scopes are popular with hunters, although they definitely dont have the image quality of an 85mm. If you have the money and want to get top performance, you definitely have that option. Alternatively, the rails allow you to mount the LMSS2 on either rails or a traditional tripod. 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. Deploy MIL First Focal Plane reticle. Their HD-ATS-80 body is awesomely powerful when paired with a 20-60 power eyepiece. The 27 to 55-power is the sweet spot for combining magnification with a reasonably bright image. Here are some excellent scopes for that purpose: Zeiss makes premium optics, and this scope is no exception. There is no such standard in the world of sporting optics, and the term is essentially meaningless. 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. 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. You can think of it like the limits of your peripheral vision. The quality in these scopes could be better but for the price.!! 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. Glass was pretty good 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. The Vortex Viper is a great choice. 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 About Us Policies. $170.00. The Argos mechanism has proven to track and is robust. 2.1 Choosing the Best Spotting . I noticed the gen 2 Argos is out now and it mentions upgraded turrets. Like most scopes, the Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 does not come with a mount and rings included. But I will say, that no matter what I did, I could not get my eye comfortable behind the glass. If you have the budget, Celestrons Regal is a huge optical upgrade over the Ultima. We bought and tested binoculars from Vortex, Athlon, Nikon, Leica, Swarovski, and others to help you find the best. 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! From reviews and videos I've seen it tracks well. Reply Report edosan Member Apr 30, 2018 1,926 54 The mid-barrel focus wheel is tight and precise. The redesigned Diamondback HD spotting scopes have all the horsepower the long-distance hunter needs, and they excel in lowlightright when you need it most. 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. 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. 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. 5 Best Spotting Scope Under $500 {Expert's Choice} Best Bushnell Spotting Scope {Our Top Pickup} . With a straight-body spotting scope, youd have to trade places with your buddy in order for them to see the deer. Thread starter Kyle Wheeler; Start date Nov 11, 2020; Nov 11, 2020 #1 Kyle Wheeler Well Known Rokslider. 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 . Most importantly, they have a solid warranty and a great reputation for taking care of their customers. We test spotting scopes the way you use themby subjecting them to the rigors and insults of the field. Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 174-81 feet, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 234-108 feet, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 102-48 feet, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 108-60 feet, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 176.4-58.5 feet, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 105-73 feet, Ships with dust-resistant neoprene jacket, Interchangeable 22-power eyepiece with MRAD PRS reticle available, Removable eyepiece design can allow dust and grit to enter body, Angled eyepiece and rotating tripod collar enables multiple viewing angles, Removable eyepiece can be traded out for other variable or fixed-power eyepieces, Center-barrel control is hard to finely focus, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 250-50 feet, Eyepiece contains Horus H-32 milling reticle, Multiple attachment points for Picatinny rails, Reticle matches those in precision riflescopes, Throw lever makes magnification changes fast, Slender build easily fits in backpack sleeve, Utilizes Bushnells best glass and coatings, Excessively heavy for a 60mm walk-about spotter, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 144.36-68.9 feet, Oversized center-barrel focus easy to turn with gloves, Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 110-52 feet, Angled eyepiece and tripod rotation enable wide range of viewing options. Thats too bad, because its durable and well-balanced for just about any tripod work. There are different scope models that are designed specifically for all these purposes. 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. The angled eyepiece and rotating tripod mount increase its versatility, and the controls are relatively tight and precise, especially for the at around $400. Bresser Pirsch Compact Binoculars. But if you want to make it easy, the winner from all this testing and analysis (as of March 2023) is the. Full Member. 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. Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 FFP EBR-2C MRAD - Best FFP Scope Under $1500. Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A. Its a testament to the Hawkes spotter that it adequately handles all that magnification. 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. 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. 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 . Learn More . . On the other hand, the image delivered by the UHD glass was bright and free of flares and distortion, and the balance and heft of the chassis are both satisfyingly substantial. And you might be a little disappointed at how dark and grainy it gets above about 38-power. German Precision Optics ED Binoculars. The Diamondback HD spotter makes an accessible, extremely usable optic for any number of well-lighted conditions. I chose these based on features and because the retail price is low enough to keep the rifle in NRL22 base class. This Hawke is classified as a mid-sized unit, with its 68mm objective lens diameter, though it has a magnification range more in keeping with 80 and 85mm scopes. $199.99. 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. Strike Eagle has a ton of elevation and nice features. Has anyone out there got first hand experience with this scope? Vortex Razor HD G2 VS. Leupold Mark 5 HD. The best magnification for a spotting scope depends on how you plan to use it. Having to go down and check your target every few shots means you can only get in so many practice shots per round. Now if youre using your scope from a fixed position and dont have to carry it around, this wont be a problem.

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