Athlon Helos 6x24-50 APLR2 MOA inbound...

Jump to latest Follow Reply
L.Leon

L.Leon

Member
Aug 29, 2018
7,079
5,918
NY, Ulster County, United States
I had been running an Aztec Emerald FFP as my primary and had been very happy with it, and sung its praises often. I like the reticle and the illumination, and have had a lot of success with it in the field. But recently I had an illumination knob issue. Sent it back was told it needs to be replaced, but they are currently out of stock. So I’m on a indefinite wait for a replacement. So in looking for a replacement the Helos caught my eye. It looks like a really robust scope and gets good reviews. So I’m rolling the dice on what will be my second scope in the $500 price range. Prior to the Aztec I never spent above $200 for any of my previous scopes. Will post up my impressions vs. the Aztec when I have it mounted and sighted in.
 
L.Leon: I have been researching and leaning towards purchasing the same Aztec for a field target scope, sorry to hear it had an issue. Thinking I may need to look at something different now, what do you think?
Click to expand...

@aimright, it is a good scope, and Donnie Reed at Baker Airguns uses one on his personal FT rig. My only other issue with it is that it’s been at the distributor for two weeks now. And I still don’t know when I will receive a replacement. The scope is ready for prime time, the distributor/importer don’t seem to be. So I’m moving along, the bloom has come off that rose. When I get the Aztec back, I’ll put it on my Compatto.
 
Upvote 0
I'm a big ATHLON fan, however,you can have trouble with anything! If it isn't an ongoing or one after another thing, it isn't a reason to exclude an item.

IMHO
Click to expand...

Not excluding the Aztec FFP, it just won’t be my primary scope. It is a good scope, the Aztec line is fairly new in comparison to Athlon. Plus Athlon has a deep lineup of scopes. Being that the Emerald FFP is Aztecs’ only FFP makes it impossible for them to offer me an alternative other than... we’re “out of stock” don’t know when the next shipment arrives. I hadn’t considered the depth of an established product line before, but it will be a factor going forward.
 
Upvote 0
It is already ordered so...

But personally unless you need locking turrets I would either get the Argos BTR or step up to the TAC line of Athlon scopes. 

The TAC line is a huge uprade from both the Helos and the Argos.

I know it pains people to spend this kind of money for better scopes but in the case of the TAC's it is worth every penny more. You'd be amazed at the difference in build quality, it's like getting a $1000 scope in that regard.

Most other scopes just don't compare and as much as I like my Argos BTR's, which is an upgrade compared to most scopes in that price range as is, and BTW has served me very well, the TAC is 3 steps up. 
 
Upvote 0
@steve123, I hear you, on the Midas Tac, I really like the APLR4 MOA reticle, but the lack of illumination kills it for me. All my future scopes need illumination, for pesting in low light, or shooting early or late in the day it’s invaluable. Before I had a lit reticle I passed up a lot of shots on critters because I couldn’t see the black crosshairs on a dark background. The locking turrets and the illumination knob mid body on the Helos is a plus for me over the Argos.
 
Upvote 0
But personally unless you need locking turrets I would either get the Argos BTR or step up to the TAC line of Athlon scopes. 

The TAC line is a huge uprade from both the Helos and the Argos.
...
Click to expand...

The locking turrets on the Helos are something that I wanted. But the main reason I did not buy the Argos is because of the odd MOA rerticle. The MOA reticles on the Helos and Midas TAC are far superior.

The Argos and Helos glass are about the same. For better glass, get the Midas TAC.
 
Upvote 0
L.Leon: Well did you get it yet? Inquiring minds want to know lol ! I was looking at that Helos a bit more online and it looks very nice. When you get it dialed in I would be interested in your opinion on how it ranges in the field target ranges, between 10 and 55 yards, particularly if it does well down to ten, and between 40 and 55.
Click to expand...

It arrives on Thursday... will post up initial impressions by the weekend. I will check out the ranging at your suggested yardages and post up results.
 
Upvote 0
L.Leon: Well did you get it yet? Inquiring minds want to know lol ! I was looking at that Helos a bit more online and it looks very nice. When you get it dialed in I would be interested in your opinion on how it ranges in the field target ranges, between 10 and 55 yards, particularly if it does well down to ten, and between 40 and 55.
Click to expand...

I'll also answer that, from my experiences:

I have been using my Helos 6-24x50 MOA scope in FT for the last year. I have used it in the World match in England, the National match in Louisianan, and many western regional GP matches. It's good for Hunter at 16x. It's OK for Open at 24x, but not really good enough for WFTF (12fpe).

The sidewheel has about 180 degrees of rotation from 10yds to 55yds. About 20 degrees between 45yd and 55yds.

I prefer the MOA reticles at 16x and 24x, but If you are prefer a mil-reticle, and don't need the locking turrets, the Argos should do just as well.
 
Upvote 0
Thanks L.Leon, looking forward to your impressions. 


Also thanks for the info Scotchmo, I am planning on trying field target for the first time this year, and in search of a scope for hunter field target. The Argos would be a more workable price range for me, but a Helos would probably be in range if I bought used.


Apologies LLeon for hijacking your thread a few times😬


 
Upvote 0
Thanks L.Leon, looking forward to your impressions. 


Also thanks for the info Scotchmo, I am planning on trying field target for the first time this year, and in search of a scope for hunter field target. The Argos would be a more workable price range for me, but a Helos would probably be in range if I bought used.


Apologies LLeon for hijacking your thread a few times
1f62c.svg


Click to expand...

Your not “jacking” anything we are all sharing information... it’s all good.
 
Upvote 0
I have the Helos in 6-24x50, Moa reticle and turret. The illumination is great, locking turrets are good, but there is some backlash on the turret knobs where sometimes depending on the gearing teeth location you won’t get it to reset exactly at the zero hashmark. For some folks, it’s an eye sore. I’m ok with it. 

I had to send mine back after 3 months, as I learned that something was wrong with the parallax dial. If I aimed at an object 25 yards away, and starting from zero yards it would clear up at say, 28 yards. Ok. That’s normal for scopes, to get you within the ball park of distance. 

But if I dialed to an object 85 yards away and agjusted for that, then back to the 25 yard object, it would not clear up at the original 28 yard mark, but instead, it would be crystal clear at 40 yards. I found to get clarity at the 28 yard mark on the scope, I’d have to go all the way to zero, and start over. So what I explained to Athlon was maybe excessive back lash going on within the parallax gears inside? They just sent me a new replacement. All works now. Make sure and look up the billet throw lever from MK machining, as they make one for the Helos.



1573275462_7181167545dc64746934963.52066386_8F743766-2AD3-4A6D-B085-1FC435AD7CFB.jpeg
1573275462_16075382715dc64746e679e9.79481707_2F8A3A3B-F9D2-448B-BC19-5108E56BC9AD.jpeg

 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu