Would love to hear any pros or cons or comparisons. They even have a spotting scope eyepiece that functions as a binocular, with two eyepieces! The question for the market: Is this spotter twice as good as the Argos HD, and is it worth double the cost? 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. Also, they are generous with the hash marks on their mil dot. 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. 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. I have had both and still have the Athlon. 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. Spotter-Vortex Viper vs. Athlon Ares. The eyecups and sunshade move with snappy precision. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. The size of that beam of light is directly derived from two of the factors mentioned above: zoom and objective lens size. If youre in the market for pretty much any optic and dont have a budget thats in the stratosphere, they have good options. Not sure how good it is but the cronus rifle scope line has a good reputation. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links . 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. I got ahold of Athlon's entry level ARGOS to compare to their higher . Most amazingly, some of their highest end products are even assembled in the United States, a rarity in this industry. Thread starter Kyle Wheeler; Start date Nov 11, 2020; Nov 11, 2020 #1 Kyle Wheeler Well Known Rokslider. 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. But maybe you want a spotter to mount on a tripod and use from a vantage point. Which tripod to buy deserves its own article, as again there are a wide range of options. Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm . This lets you choose the size of scope that is perfect for the way youre using it. All the money is going straight into the glass. The test team was divided on the merits of the relatively light weight. Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scopes - Top Pick. Models that have both designs typically have identical glass, magnification ranges, and components, so theyll likely deliver an identical image. 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. However in dark conditions, your pupil will open to allow more light in, and can get up to 7mm in diameter. If you have the budget, Celestrons Regal is a huge optical upgrade over the Ultima. 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. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. F FlatCat Member 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. Gosky Newest 20-6080 Dual Focusing Spotting Scope. What is the rep of the Athlon Argos 2-10x40 BDC 600? I would highly avoid getting a true budget scope (one that costs less than $200). Mil Dot Hunting Rifle Scopes, 50 Loft 6-Iron Golf Clubs . Argos and The Midas Tac is a $700 scope so if going that high then look at the Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25. When budget isnt a limitation, I tend to recommend Swarovski. 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. Alternatively, the rails allow you to mount the LMSS2 on either rails or a traditional tripod. I've checked the specs and features of both and there are things I like about each. Glass was pretty good for the price. At lower powers, you can get by without a stabilizing tripod. A full-size spotter that retails for under $400 should get wide attention, and careful handling. They are going to stop rifle optics but Nikon isnt going anywhere. Get the Bushnell Match Pro over either. 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. The Mavens eyepiece is fixed, which means you wont be able to swap out eyepieces for different magnifications. 0 B bdzjlz Member They tend to give mediocre images at best and quality is low. Most importantly, they have a solid warranty and a great reputation for taking care of their customers. Its an expensive scope, but its worth a look. But if you made me choose, I would have to pick the Athlon Argos 20-60x85mm. Budget is a very firm $500 or preferably less. If you divide the objective size by the zoom, you get the exact diameter of the exit pupil. Click to play video. The 5 Best Binoculars of 2023. Emarth 20-60x60AE Angled Spotting Scope (Spotting Scope Under $100) Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope. Expensive Spotting Scope Comparison, Ive been using spotting scopes for years and have used dozens of them in testing and in the field. But generally, the sweet spot between magnification and image quality is somewhere in the middle of the power range. The Hide Armory. Vortex Razor HD G2 VS. Leupold Mark 5 HD. However, with Vortexs best-in-class warranty, youll never have to worry if it fails to perform. 1.6 #6) BARSKA 30-90100 WP Gladiator Spotting Scope. 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. While this Argos was very well built (and very similar in style and quality to the Vortex Diamondback which is a much higher-priced scope I've used in the past), I found the optical quality to not be as good . This same middle-is-best trade-off applies to every magnification range, from 9-27-power spotters to 20-60-power eyepieces. So a 20-6080 spotter has a 20- to 60-power eyepiece and an 80mm objective lens. But if its the latter, than less expensive glass might be fine. The Ultima 80 is the definition of the intersection between quality and affordability. Vortex is a well-known manufacturer of optical material such as binoculars, spotting scopes and rifle scopes. In fact, those factors increase substantially as you go up in objective sizes. Select which one you want here. -Vortex diamondback tactical 6-24x50 EBR -2C MRAD -Bushnell match pro 6-24x50 DEPLOY MIL -Bushnell nitro 6-24x50 -Bushnel forge 4.5-24x50 DEPLOY MIL -Athlon argos btr 6-24x50 gen2 APMR MIL -Athlon midas tac 6-24x50 APRS3 MIL -Athlon ares btr gen2 4.5-27x50 APRS5 MIL -Athlon helos btr 6-24x50 APMR MIL 4 models Vortex Diamondback HD 20-60x85mm Spotting Scopes As Low As $498.49 Save Up to 17%. Which makes it a perfect option for hunters. Sold two to a friend(bought Athlon Ares and Tacticle). 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. Vortex got mentioned above a lot, and there are good reasons. 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. 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. It also has ArmorTek technology that prevents the body from scratches. 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. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. 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. 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. I shoot spring airgun and 22LR, and Hawke is on ALL of them. The spotter with the highest overall score wins our Editors Choice awardthis year it went to Mavens CS.1. 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. Products ( 2) Sort By. Vortex Optics Diamondback Tactical FFP Riflescope 6-24x50, EBR-2C MRAD DBK-10029. Athlon Optics / RIFLE SCOPES / ARGOS BTR GEN2 / ARGOS BTR GEN2 6-2450 APMR FFP IR MIL. 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. Doug asked me to review two Athlon scopes for him. The angled eyepiece and rotating tripod mount increase its versatility, and the controls are relatively tight and precise, especially for the at around $400. 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 These fit with the maxim 'you get . 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. Makes sense. 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. Vortex diamondback FFP scope also comes with elevated finger-adjustable turrets. CF2-31023. This means that objects will appear between 20 and 60 times closer than they actually are, depending on how you have it set. They are well known for supplying many of the high end scopes used by military snipers and special operations units. For this particular, how does it perform? Theres several companies using that mechanism successfully. Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Spotting Scopes. Apr 23, 2018 #13 M. . Vortex has become a staple in the optics world recently, and for good reason. There are a whole lot of Nikon rifle optics out there and they cant just stop servicing their products. But you wont be tempted to compare the image delivered by the Maven to that of a Swarovski or Leica. The Vortex Optics Diamondback is the best spotting scope for 300 dollars as it has 20x-60x magnification and a 60mm lens diameter. QUICK LIST: Best First Focal Plane Scopes in 2022. And while their telescopes are awesome for picking out constellations, their spotting scopes give you some flexibility to use in different situations. They offer solid products at affordable prices, as well as higher end options. The Athlon warranty is every bit equal to the warranty provided by Leupold and Vortex, which is saying something. Their Ultima is a great scope for bird watchers. 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. It's a 20-60x80 only weighting about 33ozs. Theres limited utility for a spotting scope with an objective lens better suited to a full-sized binocular. And the wide-angle eyepiece provides a constant 66-degree field of view throughout the entire magnification range. Can be easier on the neck, particularly if looking up at something above you. Spotting scopes are good from fairly close to nearly infinity. I had a Diamondback FFP and I sold it immediately. Here are the specs that matter most: You should seriously consider this combo, check the price here. Nikons Monarch Fieldscope 82ED-A W/MEP-20-60 is a fantastic one to consider for someone who has a larger budget. The lenses are also fully multicoated, meaning better light transmission and clearer looks at the night sky. There is no easy answer on which is best as there are tradeoffs. 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. 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. Getting up close images is the entire point of a spotting scope, so obviously zoom power is one of the most important things to know about the scope you are going to buy. I'll be honest I wasn't looking forward to reviewing Athlon optics. Field of view is obviously heavily influenced by the magnification power of your scope. 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. They also have several subsidiaries underneath them, including names you might recognize like Tasco, Browning Sport Optics, and Simmons. A 20-60x60mm scope at the lowest 20 power setting has an exit pupil diameter of 6020, or 3mm. These coatings help the scope transmit and gather light better, thus increasing the quality and clarity of the image it delivers. Spotting Scope Review after Testing. in your price range I would look at this. The first spotter from this direct-to-consumer is a versatile powerhouse. The upside: Its especially weather- and moisture-proof. I have had a couple of Argos's in the past with excellent tracking and good-enough glass. I didnt think the turrets, lack of zero-stop, and mediocre glass would bother me. Magnification. Athlon sells their own rings and mounts, which obviously mesh well when used in tandem with their scope . In that price range, you're not getting something that is top tier. Its eyecup turns as though on ball bearings, and instead of locking into pre-determined detents, it is infinitely adjustable. 1:24 . Its glass is protected by double-walled armor that resists scratching. That glass is good, but its not quite as bright and sharp as that Japanese S-series glass. If you got sick of reading about scopes (or, lets be honest, you saw there was video and skipped ahead! It's big and heavy, so you probably will mostly use it from your vehicle or a camp, but the power behind a scope this big is something awesome to behold. 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. . The reticle is etched but also illuminated for eye-catching ease. Its affordable and the glass is super high quality. It has extra low dispersion glass, a key in the world of high end optics. 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. Other labels you might see that all communicate the same thing are LD (low dispersion), SLD (special low dispersion), ELD (extraordinary low dispersion), and ULD (ultra-low dispersion). Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25X56 - Best for Long Range. JavaScript is disabled. However, astronomers might consider this as one of their primary things to look for given their viewing happens always in low light conditions. Much faster target acquisition (angled scopes can be intuitive to find what youre trying to look at because of the angle). Big 80 and 85mm scopes from premium brands can cost upwards of $3,000. The Diamondback HD has decent high-definition glass in the objective lens, but experienced hunters may be disappointed with the clarity and brightness of the image. Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-2450 FFP EBR-2C MOA reticle diagram. 1.5 #5) Leupold SX-2 Alpine HD 20-60x60mm. Bushnell is one of the older players in the sporting optics world, having been founded in 1948. All else being equal, you want the biggest lens possible. And then, we perform a low-light test on several evenings. 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. 20-60x. $249.99. 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? Joined Jan 16, 2018 . 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. Another great option depending on your uses is a car window mount. Some users like angled eyepieces because of their versatility. 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 focus, magnification ring, and retractable sunshade all move with silky precision. 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 There is a range of designations that manufacturers use, and unfortunately there isnt much standardization. Astronomy is usually thought to be done with a big telescope setup, but a spotting scope can also work well for a hobbyist. I hunted with this scope during Montanas elk season, and it took in stride all the temperature changes, bumps and drops, and dust the hunts dealt it. 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. 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! The rubber is extremely grippy, and the mid-barrel focus allows users to make fine adjustments even while wearing gloves. Its a very solid scope with exceptionally high quality glass. . What this means is that if you look at a hill that is 1000 yards away, you will see an image that is between 48 and 102 feet wide based on how zoomed in you are. Vortex Diamondback Spotting Scopes Vortex's least expensive spotter series, the Diamondback is a top seller with great reviews. 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. And if youre shooting at really long ranges, an afternoon trip to the range can feel more like a lengthy hike. 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. 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. With televisions, High Definition has a technical definition that sets a standard of pixels a display has to have in order to earn the HD distinction. 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 . 3 reviews. So much so that it won our Great Buy award as the best bargain spotting scope. I just got the argos for my 22. 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. I am looking at the ballistic reticle scopes in the 3-9x40 and 4/4.5-12x40/42 range in both product lines. Consider the durability of a spotter. Weve seen this design before, most recently from Celestron (with its similarly sized Hummingbird). It offers very impressive light transmission and gives unbelievable image quality to its viewer. They offer some of the clearest scopes on the market, and while you definitely pay a premium, they have a very loyal customer base among bird watchers. Get as big of a scope as is practical for your use. Bushnell is owned today by Vista Outdoor, a large conglomerate of outdoor products companies. 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 . Anything you point this scope at, youre going to get a clear view of. Athlon Argos Spotting Scope 20-60x85. With a straight-body spotting scope, youd have to trade places with your buddy in order for them to see the deer. Can the tripod adapter be used with a wide variety of tripod models and heads? Snipers Hide is a community of Snipers of all kinds, focusing on long range shooting, accuracy, and ballistics. Superdoo. Anything further out than that will not be visible. Their scopes are very high quality and Id definitely recommend them. The Athlon Talos 20-60x80 Spotting Scope is a long-range spotting scope with a 45-degree eyepiece angle. . Is it going to be used from your vehicle? Anyone know the low end focus on the Argos? Perhaps the highest end brand in the optics world, Swarovski caters to those who want the absolute clearest glass and the best quality images. . And if youre really a beast and can pack it in, youll be rewarded with great images. As you have seen in our list of recommendations, both Vortex and Athlon offer multicoated optics. Range spotters often have a reticle in the eyepiece that allows you to call shots for a buddy. Having to go down and check your target every few shots means you can only get in so many practice shots per round. Vortex Diamondback Tactical VS Athlon Argos Gen 2. 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. But only barely, and only because they are more established and I have had good experiences directly with them in the past. The Athlon Argos BTR is an excellent mid to long-range choice. In all, the Meopta compares favorably to premium spotters from Swarovski, Leica, and Zeiss at a lower price. 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. If we have a ding, its the tripod foot, which seems slightly undersized for the frame. Maven applied the Goldilocks Rule to this versatile spotter. Anyone have more details on that? If you like shooting, ESPECIALLY at distance, you really need a decent Spotting Scope. Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 FFP EBR-2C MRAD - Best FFP Scope Under $1500. +1-800-504-5920 Live Chat Contact Us Check Order Status. How versatile do you want your scope to be? In case you want to know about the scopes, in brief, this comparison table below is tailor . These seamless connections will give you crystal clear images. Now if youre using your scope from a fixed position and dont have to carry it around, this wont be a problem. Absolutely not, in fact some of the best scopes around carry the HD label. 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. This pricey, indulgent, magnum-sized optic is the last spotting scope youll own, and it parses details like no other spotter in this category. 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. $170.00. The first is the magnification, which generally refers to a range between the lowest and highest magnification. But the magnification range, zooming from 9x up to 27x, gives this little unit more range and a surprisingly nice image. The Ares G2 placed second in our low-light rankings and turned in very good resolution scores. 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. The Ultima is a fairly affordable but still massive and powerful scope that works great for astronomy and stargazing. 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. Deploy MIL First Focal Plane reticle. Again thanks for everyones input, truthfully I had been leaning towards the Diamondback but the Athlon supporters swayed my decision. 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. Very few other manufacturers give you that kind of choice with their high end scope options. Athlon Argos BTR is $280-$370ish, depending on the model. The 10MIL locking turrets on the Match Pro alone make it worth going to the top end of your budget range. If youre sitting beside a buddy, you can frame a distant deer, and by simply rotating the barrel, turn the eyepiece to your buddy so they can view the deer. $199.99. tlav21; Nov 5, 2021; Optics; Replies 5 Views 2K. (130) Compare Product. 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. There are only dangerous men." 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.