With a straight-body spotting scope, youd have to trade places with your buddy in order for them to see the deer. ), here are some great resources to help you buy a scope: Cheap vs. Founded in the United States in 1907, it has been family owned and operated for five generations, an incredible feat for any company. The SX-2 Alpine HD spotting scope is a must have for all serious hunters or shooters who are looking to add HD performance to their optics kit. 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. But the magnification range, zooming from 9x up to 27x, gives this little unit more range and a surprisingly nice image. Not everyone can afford a Zeiss. You are using an out of date browser. In those cases, you want a scope that will withstand the abuses of the field. Is it to assess distant animals in the first and last light of the day? free shipping & returns. 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 . However, it can be hard to get your scope on target with an angled eyepiece because the 45-degree angle means the eyepiece isnt pointing at your target, like a straight-body spotter, so target acquisition occurs much faster. 6 Best FFP Scopes. Athlon Optics Argos BTR and Helos BTR scopes - Made in China to Athlon specifications. An exception might occur if you are going to be looking through glasses first and then your spotter. 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. Dec 12, 2019. brushandbay. much better than the Athlon and Vortex and on a close out sale now. Vortex Razor HD G2 VS. Leupold Mark 5 HD. But I will say, that no matter what I did, I could not get my eye comfortable behind the glass. But if you want to make it easy, the winner from all this testing and analysis (as of March 2023) is the. The MIDAS uses what appears to be night and day difference SUPERIOR GLASS. +1-800-504-5920 Live Chat Contact Us Check Order Status. If you like shooting, ESPECIALLY at distance, you really need a decent Spotting Scope. But we also assign a Price/Value score to each submission. For this particular, how does it perform? 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. The focus, magnification ring, and retractable sunshade all move with silky precision. Maven RS.4 5-30x56 FFP - Best Under $2000. 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. The Vortex Optics Diamondback is the best spotting scope for 300 dollars as it has 20x-60x magnification and a 60mm lens diameter. Its a testament to the Hawkes spotter that it adequately handles all that magnification. Ask yourself when youre most likely to use the optic. Leupolds flagship spotting scope delivers a quality image at pretty much every magnification. QUICK LIST: Best First Focal Plane Scopes in 2022. 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. New. The best brightness and image quality will be at 20X, but the image will be smallest at that magnification. 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. This series comes in three sizes: 11-33x50mm, 22-48x65mm, and 27-60x85mm. And the wide-angle eyepiece provides a constant 66-degree field of view throughout the entire magnification range. Is it going to be aimed permanently at the stars? 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. Thx, Colice "There are no dangerous weapons. Again thanks for everyones input, truthfully I had been leaning towards the Diamondback but the Athlon supporters swayed my decision. This is a list of rifle scopes with at least 24X magnification that cost less than $750. 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. They also allow most of their products to be fully customized, so you can even get them in the exact color you want! Because our test doesnt intentionally punish submissions until they break, the durability question is necessarily unanswered. 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. As youll see in the two Athlon scopes in this years test, better-quality glass can double the price of a spotter. They sent me a prepaid label without a fight. A good spotter can help you see your shots from where you are shooting, eliminating the need to go down range as often. Though its the same size and about the same in terms of zoom power, the money is spent on the quality of glass. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Weve seen this design before, most recently from Celestron (with its similarly sized Hummingbird). It has extra low dispersion glass, a key in the world of high end optics. $399.99. The second number is the size of the objective lens in millimeters. -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 $139.99 - $169.99. 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. The Nature-Trek has some nice appointments, including the responsive center-barrel focus and the comfortable eyecups. Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scopes. And while their telescopes are awesome for picking out constellations, their spotting scopes give you some flexibility to use in different situations. 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. When looking through a scope with ED glass compared to another without it, there is a massive difference. It can be had with three different sizes of objective lenses, so you can choose just how big your scope is going to be. As expected, the Nikon 5 8x42 is clearer and brighter than the under $200 non-ED glass Vortex Diamondback. Youll definitely want something sturdy though, and weight will again be a factor if you are carrying it on your back. 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. 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. 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. $199.99. Just attach your camera and youll be taking clear photos from far away. Vortex is a well-known manufacturer of optical material such as binoculars, spotting scopes and rifle scopes. We test spotting scopes the way you use themby subjecting them to the rigors and insults of the field. Most amazingly, some of their highest end products are even assembled in the United States, a rarity in this industry. Glass was pretty good for the price. Ive been using spotting scopes for years and have used dozens of them in testing and in the field. The mid-barrel focus wheel is tight and precise. Maybe, but maybe not. Spotting Scope Review - 24hourcampfire It'll give you some intel on Athlon . One example is hitting the coldbore shots on steel often out to 1122Y. A full-size spotter that retails for under $400 should get wide attention, and careful handling. Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scopes - Top Pick. You should see a set of numbers either in the products title or right away in its specifications that look something like 20-60x60mm. 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. Some users like angled eyepieces because of their versatility. The importance of the exit pupil diameter directly relates to how our eyes function. Free shipping for many products! Maven is a very unique company in the sporting optics world. The Bushnell Elite Tactical LMSS2 is the perfect companion for precision rifle shooting. 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. I've checked the specs and features of both and there are things I like about each. 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. 10 MIL turrets. Put it on a tripod, point it at the sky, and youll be opened up to a whole new world(s)! 1. Theres several companies using that mechanism successfully. A more compact scope from a newer, fantastic brand, the Maven S.2 12-27x56mm means business. That means you need to think about what you want and need a spotter to do. Thats our opinion of how much of a bargain or a rip-off each binocular is. 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. Nikons Monarch Fieldscope 82ED-A W/MEP-20-60 is a fantastic one to consider for someone who has a larger budget. The Hawke AirMAx is THE ONLY scope that has survived my Diana 34 springer. 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). And if youre really a beast and can pack it in, youll be rewarded with great images. 3 reviews. I have access to a 1,200 yd range now and want to get into long range. 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. 1.8 #8) Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope. From our reviews, you can see that 2 of the Vortex models recommended come with Armortek coating. Argos and The Midas Tac is a $700 scope so if going that high then look at the Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25. Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x50 AO Riflescope with Dead Hold BDC Reticle (MOA). Meopta is said to be on higher tier than vortex razor. 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. They even have a spotting scope eyepiece that functions as a binocular, with two eyepieces! Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A. Learn more about their long, family owned history here. Likewise, the triply more expensive Vortex Viper is optically superior to the Vortex Diamondback. For example, the Athlon Argos we recommend has a field of view of 48-102 feet at 1000 yards. 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. The downside: Youre stuck with the 15-45-power zoom. I would leave the range with headaches from it. How versatile do you want your scope to be? The Argos mechanism has proven to track and is robust. The bigger the lens, the bigger and heavier the scope. The rubber is extremely grippy, and the mid-barrel focus allows users to make fine adjustments even while wearing gloves. Whether you choose an angled or a straight-body spotting scope is largely a matter of personal preference. The 45-degree angled eyepiece is also a nice touch, as it allows for users to use it in a number of different stances. The first two, in the above case 20-60, are the zoom. 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. Vortex viper hst is the nicest scope I have had. Delivery. 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. While zoom is described by the initial range of all important numbers on spotting scope specs, objective lens size finishes it out. Athlon Optics . The integrated reticle allows spotters to communicate to their shooting partner specific holds and call shots with precision and clarity. If youve got a little more money to spend, its hard not to recommend the Vortex Razor series for you. I have had a couple of Argos's in the past with excellent tracking and good-enough glass. The Argos HD 20-60x85mm falls into the perfect category of spotting scopes for high power use. No one buys a spotting scope just because it looked cool in a store. They just offer the absolute best performance you can possibly get out of a tube filled with glass. Also, they are generous with the hash marks on their mil dot. Any feedback on these two scopes? Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. Absolutely not, in fact some of the best scopes around carry the HD label. Many buyers are looking for a scope to take to the range to verify hits on distant targets, whether paper bullseyes or steel plates. Hunters dont want to have to haul around the most massive scope, but it needs to be substantially more powerful than their binoculars. Oftentimes they dont even end up helping you see better at long distances. 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. 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. Budget is a very firm $500 or preferably less. It's a 20-60x80 only weighting about 33ozs. If you're money-concience (i am too for the same reason! Which begs the question: Why arent more bird hunters using them? The first instance stands for high-definition while the second is ultra-high-definition. Theres still no rigor around those terms, but the HD model was measurably darker and muddier than the UHD model. Or is it to view in the bright light of midday? I think youade the right choice. . Bird watching is one of the most popular and fast growing hobbies world wide. 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 A handsome, versatile, and rugged spotting scope, the OSCAR8 has a sensibly restrained magnification range that zooms from 27 to 55-power. 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. The viper has better glass, but I am able to see .22 holes in paper In the shade at 350yds with the Argos. They're both fairly equal when comparing in the same price range, but I will support Vortex always for their customer service and unmatched warranty. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. With an 80mm objective lens, its big enough to handle pretty much any task you throw at it. 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. Athlon Argos BTR 6-2450 Gen2 APLR2 FFP MOA reticle. But maybe you want a spotter to mount on a tripod and use from a vantage point. I honestly would be fine with a 65mm but they only offer this one. You can learn more about them here. Lastly, full-sized spotters are designed to be mounted on a tripod, so consider the mounting hardware. This is not a particularly exciting year for spotting scopes. Say you have a 20- to 60-power eyepiece on an 80mm spotter. About Us Policies. You can learn more about them at VortexOptics.com. Maven has a few great spotting scope options (all of which are customizable if you order through their website). Make sure that the companys return policy and either repair or replacement will cover your purchase. The build boosts the durability of this spotter and gives it a stiffer and more sure-footed feel. Its a solid scope that is large and powerful, is available in angled and straight body options, and will get the job done. This dot is what is often called the exit pupil, and refers to the actual dot of light that gets transmitted to your eyes through the lenses. They are still honoring their warrantee but have made some changes and dont have the no fault warrantee any longer. Thread starter Kyle Wheeler; Start date Nov 11, 2020; Nov 11, 2020 #1 Kyle Wheeler Well Known Rokslider. Apart from its compact design, it is also ergonomic. Unlike some of the scopes that are out there, this one is available in both reticle styles. 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. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Athlon 214061 Argos BTR 6-2450 Riflescope APMR FFP MIL at the best online prices at eBay! 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. 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. While the best binoculars for hunting have close focus of about 6 to 8 feet, spotting scopes can only focus to about 12 feet. The image delivered by the 23-70-power eyepiece is stunning, and the amount of light delivered to the eye through the 95mm objective lens makes even low-light glassing a pleasure. 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. Its a pattern weve seen play out over two decades of the Outdoor Life optics test. The spotter with the highest overall score wins our Editors Choice awardthis year it went to Mavens CS.1. 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. Athlon sells their own rings and mounts, which obviously mesh well when used in tandem with their scope . There are some spring airgunners that swear by the Hawke Sidewinder. I'm an optics snob and all my rifles sport Vortex Razors, AMG, Nightforce NSX, Swarovski and Zeiss. I just believe you get what you pay for. Length, weight, eye relief, and FOV are similar. You shouldnt overlook a scope just because it doesnt have that name, or give extra consideration to one that does. 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. Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Spotting Scopes. It is used solely as a marketing hook by companies to make their optics seem very high quality. Another great option depending on your uses is a car window mount. Jan 20, 2020 #1 ; Hi, looking for a new scope for my 22lr. Theres limited utility for a spotting scope with an objective lens better suited to a full-sized binocular. In all, the Meopta compares favorably to premium spotters from Swarovski, Leica, and Zeiss at a lower price. Having to go down and check your target every few shots means you can only get in so many practice shots per round. The scope tracks as well if not better than my Vortex Diamondback tactical which cost . Here are the specs that matter most: You should seriously consider this combo, check the price here. 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. Deploy MIL First Focal Plane reticle. Field of view is a measurement of how wide of a picture you will see when you are looking through a scope. Scopes are generally sold either with a straight body or with the eyepiece angled up 45 degrees. The average user who uses them primarily during the day wont have an issue with almost any scope sold on the market, since the exit pupil will be large enough to work effectively during full light conditions. You wont be counting antler tines on a bull three miles away with this thing, but it will at least get you closer than your naked eye. The other half appreciated the Endurance EDs talents for a backcountry spotter. 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. You can buy it here.
Phoenix Group Wythall,
What Is Peter Liang Doing Now,
Wayne Gretzky Signing Events 2021,
Articles A
