The Problem With Athlon Optics....

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Rob_in_NC

Rob_in_NC

Member
Jan 3, 2020
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1,502
Barnardsville, North Carolina
They make you want more! Yes, clickbait title... 

I am not a scope snob. I imagine 'real' snobs might poo poo the Athlon scopes. I have a bevy of inexpensive scopes and have been just fine with them. Recently, I wanted to build up a long range shooter and found an Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 on the classifieds. Threw it on a 6.5Cmoor and later went shooting long range out to 750 yards with a buddy who had a Nightforce. While the Argos held it's own, there was a definite clarity difference past a few hundred yards, as well as a general brightness difference. But all in all, I was really impressed with the Athlon.

To further make me a fledgling fan boy, after I had bought two more (Gen 1's as I didnt know the difference at the time), I found that the Gen1's didnt have the zero stop. A call to Athlon and in the mail, I had some washers headed my way. Another call regarding scope caps, which was missing on one of my scopes... and... sent to me by Athlon was scope caps! No questions... I had just called them to find out where to buy them. "Nope, just give me your address" was the answer I got. Cant beat that kind of service.

So when it was time to want to upgrade the Argos, I found a Midas Tac on the classifieds. Snagged it.. grudgingly because I'd never spent this amount on a scope... it came in and I mounted it up today on a .22 ELR trainer. This scope is the cats ass. I cant speak for tracking or anything like that, but there are numerous vids and reviews to speak to that. My impressions of the scope is quality and VERY clear glass. I love the reticle and love the audible clicks on the turrets. I've not taken it out to compare with the NF yet, but I imagine it will fare VERY well against it. I'll definitely be looking for another Midas Tac now for the 6.5Cmoor. 

I think I'm now spoiled to the point where that I'll slowly start replacing scopes with other Athlons. For the price, I dont see an equal for them in quality and service from the company. 


 
I have become an Athlon convert also—-trying out their new Ares 3x18 now. I first purchased a Midas Tac off one of the top competitive shooters here and certainly have no regrets! They are doing something right! They seem to listen to their customers regarding reticles and features and make it all happen at an awesome price point! One day I shall acquire a Cronus! 
 
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How do they compare to Vortex?
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Comparing my Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 to my Vortex Diamondback Tactical FFP.

Athlon has the better turrets and eye box by a long shot. The reticle is better, IMO, but that's personal preference. The glass is about the same in clarity and brightness.
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Awesome info, I’ll check them out! I really like my Vortex Crossfire 2 on my airgun and was looking to get another for a new rimfire I’m picking up... maybe I’ll make the switch 👍
 
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I was running one of the Element Helix scopes and switched over to the Athlon Helos 2nd Gen with a 34mm tube; what a great scope and deal. Reading all the information and the comments from folks I had to try one.

The turret clicks, tracking, zero stop and moa travel is awesome and not to mention the clarity. I definitely understand wanting to change out your glass on your other rifles...


 
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The turrets and eye box has been mentioned a couple times here and I think I can quantify the eye box in a way that makes it meaningful.

My wife is not a shooter... not by a long shot. 

I had two guns out yesterday as a test. One with a 'decent' scope and one with the Midas Tac. I set both scopes to 14x power. Without instruction, I asked her to look through the first scope as though she was going to shoot. She tried and kept moving her head all over trying to get a good picture and finally got it after several seconds. Then she picked up the gun with the Midas Tac... her first words was 'wow! that was easy to see the picture' The eye box is that good. We've all seen a new shooter struggle with trying to look through a scope. Of course we here arent 'new shooters', but a forgiving eye box makes for better mounting options and a more comfortable shooting session for sure. 


 
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TD805, here is one to check out for your rimfire rifle...its the Athlon Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 AHMR2 FFP IR MIL. Check it out here: https://athlonoptics.com/product/helos-btr-gen2-2-12x42-dmr-scope/ - I had one of these and loved it but sold it to a friend who just "had to have it"! Check out this reticle! 

AHMR2-FFP-IR-MIL-212PWR.1626878979.png


Page 15 of the Reticle Handbook PDF shows how to use the "Distance Ranging Reticle" at the bottom of the regular reticle which can be used for ranging a deer out to 600 yards! - https://athlonoptics.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Athlon-AHMR2-FFP-IR-MIL-Reticle-Manual-Helos-BTR-GEN2.pdf

20210721_105424.1626879571.jpg


I think this scope is perfect for a rimfire rifle!


 
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I have become an Athlon convert also—-trying out their new Ares 3x18 now. I first purchased a Midas Tac off one of the top competitive shooters here and certainly have no regrets! They are doing something right! They seem to listen to their customers regarding reticles and features and make it all happen at an awesome price point! One day I shall acquire a Cronus!
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For that kind of dough (Cronus), I would also check out Tract Optics.
 
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TD805, here is another great option for your rimfire rifle - Argos BTR GEN2 1-8×24 ATSR5 SFP IR MOA - I actually own two of these - one for my Wildcat .25 Original & one for my Impact .30...I absolutely love these scopes for shooting my rifles standing offhand out to 60 yards! I have bought & sold a lot of scopes over the years but these two are here to stay! Check out the reticle in this baby...and by the way the parallax is fixed at 50 yards. For a "point and shoot" or "acquire & fire" scope you can't beat this one!

ATSR5-SFP-IR-MOA-768x768.1626882274.png



 
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How do they compare to Vortex?
Click to expand...

Comparing my Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 to my Vortex Diamondback Tactical FFP.

Athlon has the better turrets and eye box by a long shot. The reticle is better, IMO, but that's personal preference. The glass is about the same in clarity and brightness.
Click to expand...

Awesome info, I’ll check them out! I really like my Vortex Crossfire 2 on my airgun and was looking to get another for a new rimfire I’m picking up... maybe I’ll make the switch
1f44d.svg
Click to expand...

I don't think you'll regret it!
 
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I think there are a couple scopes that are as good as the Athlon BTR or ETR series. Meopta Optika6 is equally good for about the same cost. I think the Hawke Frontier (only frontier) series is also equally as good and lighter at 22oz. I think the Riton X3 Conquer is a really great scope in all their offering for magnification, other than their reticle is a little wide at max. 

Vortex is ok as well as the USO line of US Optics, but not as good as these others in my opinion. I would say the Meopta, the Hawke Frontier are better than even the nightforce SHV series. With the availability issues of Athlon these other scopes are a must see to compare.

If one is on a budget I really think you can't beat the Primary Arms stuff or the Discovery VT-3 stuff. Not sure how long the turrets will last, but for $225 they are better than the Hawke Sidewinder turrets by a mile at twice the price. 
 
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The ETR is quite a step up compared to the G2 Ares BTR, just sayin. If it weren't for the awesome .2 mil reticle in the Ares BTR I'd go for the Midas TAC 5-25 or the ETR.

IMHO there's nothing that will out do a G2 Cronus this year for the money, it's just too good. Nearly a perfect scope even though it's less than half the price of the Tier 1's! I have a brand new one that hasn't been mounted yet that'll go on something eventually. Probably sell the G2 Ares BTR.
 
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