The upside: Its especially weather- and moisture-proof. Optically, its a solid performer, but its image is like the rest of the spotter, sort of middling. Whether you choose an angled or a straight-body spotting scope is largely a matter of personal preference. This same middle-is-best trade-off applies to every magnification range, from 9-27-power spotters to 20-60-power eyepieces. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. This Japanese scope uses pure fluorite crystal lenses, which is unique in the industry and gives them excellent optical clarity. A more compact scope from a newer, fantastic brand, the Maven S.2 12-27x56mm means business. The unit defaults to a 20-70x eyepiece, which you have to purchase separately from the body, but the wide-angle 30-60x eyepiece may have even more utility. Would love to hear any pros or cons or comparisons. Hi, looking for a new scope for my 22lr. You are using an out of date browser. 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. Its a tough trade off, and has to be made based on your hunting style. But maybe you want a spotter to mount on a tripod and use from a vantage point. Dielectric-Coated Porro Prism. Its positioned just right between the companys big, bright, and spendy S.1 series and its big-boned B.5 binoculars, which sport 56mm objective lenses and magnifications from 10- to 18-power. 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. Eye relief is the range of distances from the lens within which you wont get any black rings and missed images from your scope. 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 This lets you choose the size of scope that is perfect for the way youre using it. Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scopes. Many consumers are understandably confused about the designations that optics companies use to describe the quality of glass in their products, but the Athlon spotters are useful to differentiate between HD and UHD glass. 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? 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 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. We later measure the scopes optical resolution, or how finely they render details. 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. xugz0212 New Member. Or look at even smaller scopes, like the 9-2756 Hawke in this years test. While they have specialized in cameras, all of the knowledge theyve accumulated in building camera optics has transferred over into some incredible sporting optics. 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. It is dramatically more affordable than the other optics were recommending here for bird watchers. These describe the zoom and the objective lens size. Ask yourself when youre most likely to use the optic. Perhaps the highest end brand in the optics world, Swarovski caters to those who want the absolute clearest glass and the best quality images. Thread starter Wrencoforge; Start date Jan 20, 2020; Forums. Thread starter idahohikker; Start date Apr 21, 2018; Apr 21, 2018 #1 I. . This is probably unsurprising given their name. The downside is that the scopes I have are all SFP, but they do make an FFP model. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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 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. ), here are some great resources to help you buy a scope: Cheap vs. 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. Learn More . They just offer the absolute best performance you can possibly get out of a tube filled with glass. Hook it up to your camera with Zeisss extensive catalog of accessories and youll be taking pictures you never thought possible. Shop Athlon Optics Argos BTR 6-24x50mm Side Focus Rifle Scope | 4.4 Star Rating on 92 Reviews for Athlon Optics Argos BTR 6-24x50mm Side Focus Rifle Scope + Free Shipping over $49. You shouldnt overlook a scope just because it doesnt have that name, or give extra consideration to one that does. It can be had with three different sizes of objective lenses, so you can choose just how big your scope is going to be. Check the classifieds on here for something in the next tier up. Youll notice the images starts to get dark and grainy at about 45-power, and our low-light test confirmed that, compared with its UHD brother, the Argos HD will wink out several minutes before its peers. I had a minor issue one time and called them about it. Apart from its compact design, it is also ergonomic. I just got the argos for my 22. One of the lesser known technical specs that you may need to account for is eye relief. Most spotting scopes have whats called a variable zoom, meaning you can adjust how close you are zoomed into what you are looking at. So much so that it won our Great Buy award as the best bargain spotting scope. 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. 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. 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. 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. Clear glass combined with an oversized eyepiece and a rugged design will help you tag out season after season. Athlon Midas BTR, Midas HMR, Midas TAC scopes - Also made in China to Athlon's specific specifications. Its optical shortcomings are evident in low light conditions, but thats to be expected at this bargain price. Founded in the United States in 1907, it has been family owned and operated for five generations, an incredible feat for any company. It has extra low dispersion glass, a key in the world of high end optics. The Hide Armory. This scope has one function: To get you close eyes on a subject far, far away. Most amazingly, some of their highest end products are even assembled in the United States, a rarity in this industry. I have had both and still have the Athlon. Anything you point this scope at, youre going to get a clear view of. The 27 to 55-power is the sweet spot for combining magnification with a reasonably bright image. At middle distances, like 50 to 400 yards, you can usually zoom in to see precise details of your target. Theres limited utility for a spotting scope with an objective lens better suited to a full-sized binocular. Budget is a very firm $500 or preferably less. Vortex diamondback FFP scope also comes with elevated finger-adjustable turrets. At about 40 ounces, it isnt the lightest scope, but it gives you an excellent performance to portability ratio. 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. They are still honoring their warrantee but have made some changes and dont have the no fault warrantee any longer. 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. Moreover, weighing 24.6 ounces it is one of the lightest offerings from Athlon. Athlon Argos Spotting Scope 20-60x85. We bought and tested binoculars from Vortex, Athlon, Nikon, Leica, Swarovski, and others to help you find the best. Rifle Scopes Athlon Argos vs Vortex Diamondback. 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. In case you want to know about the scopes, in brief, this comparison table below is tailor . Check it out here. 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. Is it going to be used from your vehicle? The straight-style tactical spotter is built like a tank, with double-tough armor and attachment points for Picatinny rails, so you can add accessories like thermals or lights to the optic. 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 Vortex DB HD 10x42 are by volume the most sold pair of binoculars in . Maven RS.4 5-30x56 FFP - Best Under $2000. Bird watching is one of the most popular and fast growing hobbies world wide. Lastly, full-sized spotters are designed to be mounted on a tripod, so consider the mounting hardware. Athlon Cronus is up to 60 power but still have a reasonable size. It may not have their optical clarity, but it is more than good enough for the vast majority of bird watchers. Leupolds flagship spotting scope delivers a quality image at pretty much every magnification. If you like shooting, ESPECIALLY at distance, you really need a decent Spotting Scope. Specifications. There are a whole lot of Nikon rifle optics out there and they cant just stop servicing their products. Nikons Monarch Fieldscope 82ED-A W/MEP-20-60, Fully Multicoated, Excellent Image Quality, Field of view: 108 to 60 feet @ 1,000 yards. +1-800-504-5920 Live Chat Contact Us Check Order Status. Its not quite as spendy as the higher end Razor we recommended for hunting above, which shooters who would rather spend their hard earned money on ammo will definitely appreciate. However, astronomers might consider this as one of their primary things to look for given their viewing happens always in low light conditions. This pricey, indulgent, magnum-sized optic is the last spotting scope youll own, and it parses details like no other spotter in this category. Hes also OLs optics editor, helping readers to make informed buying decisions. The Athlon Talos 20-60x80 Spotting Scope is a long-range spotting scope with a 45-degree eyepiece angle. And if youre shooting at really long ranges, an afternoon trip to the range can feel more like a lengthy hike. If you are buying a lower-mid range scope, the odds of it coming from Bushnell in one form or another are very high. Weve rarely seen this much glass and optical horsepower for under $400. I regularly shoot out to 300 yds with my ar and have shot to 1k with a friends equipment. (130) Compare Product. Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 FFP EBR-2C MRAD - Best FFP Scope Under $1500. 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). 30mm main tube. One example is hitting the coldbore shots on steel often out to 1122Y. 1.4 #4) Swarovski ATS 80 20-60x Spotting Scope. The integrated reticle allows spotters to communicate to their shooting partner specific holds and call shots with precision and clarity. 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. 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. 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. I have an argos, I replaced it after less than a year. 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. 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. . The 10MIL locking turrets on the Match Pro alone make it worth going to the top end of your budget range. Most importantly, they have a solid warranty and a great reputation for taking care of their customers. But you wont be tempted to compare the image delivered by the Maven to that of a Swarovski or Leica. Joined Jan 16, 2018 . What the CS.1 delivers, though, is rugged performance. Features: FFP, Illuminated, Lowlight-visible, CR2032, . Weve seen this design before, most recently from Celestron (with its similarly sized Hummingbird). 20-60x. And with $500, I would definitely buy the Diamondback 20-60x85mm. I am a fan of vortex but the diamond back not so much . It also has a dual focus knob, one of our favorite features on any scope that allows you to focus it both quickly and precisely. Its a solid scope that is large and powerful, is available in angled and straight body options, and will get the job done. But for hunters who aspire to own the best optics on the planet, this line of Zeiss spotters justifies the significant investment. The Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 & the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50. 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. They are known to provide some of the best mid-range optics. The Hawke AirMAx is THE ONLY scope that has survived my Diana 34 springer. Another is I won State overall in Field Target air rifle in 2016 and my division last year. Spotting scopes are measured with two numbers. The more powerful it is, the narrower the field of view. There is no such standard in the world of sporting optics, and the term is essentially meaningless. ArmorTek Technology: The build quality is as expected top-notch. Very few other manufacturers give you that kind of choice with their high end scope options. If youre spending close to (or upwards of) $1,000 for a spotter, make sure it has either ED (extra-low dispersion) glass. Thats because the glass and controls of the Argos HD are slightly disappointing. Much faster target acquisition (angled scopes can be intuitive to find what youre trying to look at because of the angle). Free shipping for many products! The Harpia 95 has a little sister, the Harpia 85, thats a little more portable and only slightly more affordable. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links . Here are some excellent scopes for that purpose: Zeiss makes premium optics, and this scope is no exception. You probably dont want to be lugging around a 100mm Celestron that weighs 4.5 pounds even without the tripod if youre going deep into elk country. Athlon Argos BTR is $280-$370ish, depending on the model. While the best binoculars for hunting have close focus of about 6 to 8 feet, spotting scopes can only focus to about 12 feet. You should see a set of numbers either in the products title or right away in its specifications that look something like 20-60x60mm. 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 Ultima is a fairly affordable but still massive and powerful scope that works great for astronomy and stargazing. It is used solely as a marketing hook by companies to make their optics seem very high quality. Field of view is a measurement of how wide of a picture you will see when you are looking through a scope. Oftentimes they dont even end up helping you see better at long distances. . 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. So much so that it won our Great Buy award as the best bargain spotting scope. Jan 20, 2020 #1 ; Hi, looking for a new scope for my 22lr. If youre a hunter who packs in deep its worth serious consideration, as its lightweight frame makes it easy to carry into the backcountry. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Testers had some concerns over durability based on how the controls loosened over our testing. Updated: October 2, 2020, 79 optics, 152 reticles. Still, the new spotters for 2022 offer plenty of choice and talent for hunters, shooters, and anyone who likes to see wildlife up close. 6 Best FFP Scopes. HobieH3; Mar 26, 2019; 2 3 4. . The Athlon Argos BTR is an excellent mid to long-range choice. The viper has better glass, but I am able to see .22 holes in paper In the shade at 350yds with the Argos. ! That brings us to the Vortex Diamondback 20-60x80mm straight eyepiece spotting . ), then I'd go vortex. 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. They offer a wide range of sporting optics, and I use their 85mm spotting scope as my go to when Im not packing in too deep. But I have had several of the midway BSAs, one primary arms, they all tracked well. 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. Note that the price varies widely on these different models of Razors, with the smallest scope costing half as much as the biggest. 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. Its a testament to the Hawkes spotter that it adequately handles all that magnification. 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. (Argos 6-24x50, Talos 4-14x44) Last weekend I mounted both of these . 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. The question for the market: Is this spotter twice as good as the Argos HD, and is it worth double the cost? I shoot spring airgun and 22LR, and Hawke is on ALL of them. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. The quality in these scopes could be better but for the price.!! 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 largest, most powerful spotting scopes are among the most expensive sports optics on the market. The downside: Youre stuck with the 15-45-power zoom. The Ares G2 placed second in our low-light rankings and turned in very good resolution scores. 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. $139.99 - $169.99. Athlon Argos BTR 6-2450 Gen2 APLR2 FFP MOA reticle. They produce quality optics that are simple and straightforward, and they stand by them 100% with their lifetime warranty. Hunters may have a bit of a trade off here. And at nearly $4,000, most of us arent willing to subject the Harpia to the indignities and dings of the field. 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. All in, theres a lot of scope here for $800, a price that represents the savings possible from the direct-to-consumer optics brand. Thread starter Kyle Wheeler; Start date Nov 11, 2020; Nov 11, 2020 #1 Kyle Wheeler Well Known Rokslider. If you cant spend over a hundred dollars, your options are limited to discount providers. While this is likely the first spotter that a hunter or shooter may buyowing to the approachable priceit wont be the last. . Because our test doesnt intentionally punish submissions until they break, the durability question is necessarily unanswered. Hunters dont want to have to haul around the most massive scope, but it needs to be substantially more powerful than their binoculars. Its on the larger side for a hunting scope, and you may not want to pack it in if youve already got a heavy pack and are going in deep. They are young, and seem hungry to make a dent in the industry. Skis are easily the most efficient way to cover snowy ground on foot in winter. If youve ever been to a rifle range, you know youre in for some walking. 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. They even have a spotting scope eyepiece that functions as a binocular, with two eyepieces! Pros. They are quick and easy to use when you are based out of your vehicle. Select which one you want here. In short: IGNORE THE TERM HD. I have both and would buy another Athlon. $329.99 - $399.99. 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. Athlon Optics . 20-60x Zoom Eyepiece. Bushnell is one of the older players in the sporting optics world, having been founded in 1948. If you want clear views, you want to minimize dispersion. 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. Field of view is obviously heavily influenced by the magnification power of your scope. Theres several companies using that mechanism successfully. 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. These fit with the maxim 'you get . These seamless connections will give you crystal clear images. Its hard to label a single scope as the best available since they are so personalized to different uses. This is not a particularly exciting year for spotting scopes. Because the best spotting scopes represent a significant investment in money, durability and warranties are both prime considerations. While zoom is described by the initial range of all important numbers on spotting scope specs, objective lens size finishes it out. 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. Itll cost you, but man does it make scopes easier to use. . But of course all else isnt equal, and there is a trade off. 60mm scopes are popular with hunters, although they definitely dont have the image quality of an 85mm. Maven CS.1 15-45X65mm Spotting Scope Gray/Orange ED Lens. 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 . Many buyers are looking for a scope to take to the range to verify hits on distant targets, whether paper bullseyes or steel plates. In that price range, you're not getting something that is top tier. That means dusty days in a pickup and all sorts of conditions mounted to a tripod. 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. When looking through a scope with ED glass compared to another without it, there is a massive difference. Anything further out than that will not be visible. An exception might occur if you are going to be looking through glasses first and then your spotter. 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. Now if youre using your scope from a fixed position and dont have to carry it around, this wont be a problem. 3 reviews. Dec 12, 2019. brushandbay. It offers very impressive light transmission and gives unbelievable image quality to its viewer. $199.99. 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. 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. Vortex Diamondback 10x42 As you can see from in the table above where I have included the stats and features of both the older (2014) model and the latest 2016 versions, Vortex really have made much more than cosmetic changes to the Diamondback. Vanguard is a smaller, more specialized company than many on this list, and they deserve your consideration for their quality products. Free Shipping & Free Returns* FREE SHIPPING on Over 250,000 Products. You can get monsters with objective lenses over 100mm designed for leaving in place, or get something portable. I had a Diamondback FFP and I sold it immediately. Has anyone out there got first hand experience with this scope? Mil Dot Hunting Rifle Scopes, 50 Loft 6-Iron Golf Clubs . . The build boosts the durability of this spotter and gives it a stiffer and more sure-footed feel. . The optical quality, overall . The test team was divided on the merits of the relatively light weight. This can be important depending on what youll use your scope for. I'm an optics snob and all my rifles sport Vortex Razors, AMG, Nightforce NSX, Swarovski and Zeiss. 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. We may receive a sales commission if you purchase any products after using one of our links. 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. 1.8 #8) Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope. 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. Maven has a few great spotting scope options (all of which are customizable if you order through their website). If you got sick of reading about scopes (or, lets be honest, you saw there was video and skipped ahead! 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. Their HD-ATS-80 body is awesomely powerful when paired with a 20-60 power eyepiece.
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