Rifle Scopes Athlon Argos BTR6-24

[SanPatHogger]

So I've been looking at FFP scopes for my .243. This scope has is FFP, has MIL riticle and turrets.
I am wondering if anyone here has hands on experience with it?
How is the view through it?
Does it break and need to be sent back all the time?
Amazon has them for $249 right now, and The have a deal if you buy a $50 gift card you get a $15 gift car free.
I'm really thinking about getting it, just worried about cheap glass and broken crap. I'll hold out for a high end scope when I build a big gun.

Thanks

 

[Billl223]

I had one. Parallax knob broke and glass sucked. Sent it back and received a replacement which I sold.

 

[IowaGeologist]

I had one and as a beginner, it was serviceable. Tracking seemed to work, no mechanical problems, and glass was decent up to around 20x before getting a little dark. It was sitting on a rarely used AR meant for prairie dog shots from 100-300, so it worked. Sold it and picked up a Vortex Diamondback Tac 6-24 for just another $50-75 and was much more pleased with the Vortex. The reticle alone was worth the price difference. For as little time as I get behind that rifle, the glass does what I need it to.

 

[Alabusa]

I have one on my 22lr and am very pleased with it. I have had zero issues with tracking out to 400 yards.

I had a Vortex Diamondback Tactical before the Athlon and hated it. I returned the Vortex and bought the Athlon. I am very happy with that move.

 

[steve123]

I've had 4 of them, the 1st Gen that are on sale at various places, and have been around many more. These have been excellent scopes for the money. Only one of them had a problem with the revolution indicator slipping which was glued back into place and back into service in minutes.

In fact I've won my division the last 4 years in a row at state with the one mounted on my USFT.

All the scopes from all the Co's at this price range will have unit to unit variance and things about them pointing to a lesser quality scope appropriate to this price point so keep that in mind.

Usually when one states that their scope was screwy it basically comes down to that scope being broken in some way. That's often why someone will state they hated their scope. Or they are used to scopes costing up to 10 times more and hoped they'ed be satisfied.

 

[SanPatHogger]

Funny that One guy says the Athlon sucks, get a vortex, the other says vortex sucks get the Athlon.
Thank you for the hands on experiences. I know anything too good to be true wont be. The Amazon reviews are pretty good. The reviews on the 8-34 say the reticle falls off, and its more money.

 

[SanPatHogger]

I had one and as a beginner, it was serviceable. Tracking seemed to work, no mechanical problems, and glass was decent up to around 20x before getting a little dark. It was sitting on a rarely used AR meant for prairie dog shots from 100-300, so it worked. Sold it and picked up a Vortex Diamondback Tac 6-24 for just another $50-75 and was much more pleased with the Vortex. The reticle alone was worth the price difference. For as little time as I get behind that rifle, the glass does what I need it to.

The reticles look almost the same. Whats better about the Vortex?

First is the Athlon, from there website

Second is the vortex, From there website.

 

[Lesch]

Luke a friend of mine that owns a restaurant. One unhappy customer will tell 100 people how bad the place is, while one that is happy will tell 10. Some would cry if hung with a new rope....

 

[IowaGeologist]

The reticles look almost the same. Whats better about the Vortex?

View attachment 7314365First is the Athlon, from there website
View attachment 7314366Second is the vortex, From there website.

Not sure what Athlon is doing now for reticles, but the MOA version was different than the MIL on the gen 1 Argos BTR. I had the MIL since I wanted a Christmas tree reticle. No open center and I thought it was too thick at higher magnification. The EBR2C from Vortex is much more clean in my opinion.

 

[Ryridesmotox]

I have one. Its OK. I upgraded to a Bushnell XRS2 last year.

The glass isn't great, the turrets are mushy. But I didn't have problems hitting at 1k with my howa 308 and the argos

 

[knuckleballz]

For the price point you get a lot of features. I have 6 of them on guns I didn't want to spend a lot of money on glass but wanted ffp, ability to install shims for zero stop, reliable tracking, lifetime warranty, useable reticle for hold overs. I don't need to spend thousands of dollars on every scope. Sure, it won't hold up to scopes that cost 4 times as much....my friends and I have taken game out to 600 yards and dialed and shot all the way out to 1200 yards and back without any issues. Never had to use their warranty on any athlon scopes. The glass on the ares line is much better in low light conditions for hunting. And no I don't sell athlon products. I have picked up used cronus to replace some argos scopes as they get in the 900$ price range. It is great to have so many value priced options now days with lots of great features.

 

[Colorado S14]

I have one on a 22, it is decent for the money. The glass is not fantastic, but, given the cost of the scope I don’t know that you can expect a ton more. Mine tracks consistently but the turret feel is only so-so. Keep in mind that it is only five mils of elevation or windage per revolution, If you have anything that is 10 mills of elevation per revolution this is going to feel a little goofy. From what I can tell, based on reviews, I think you’d probably be better off with a Vortex Diamondback Tactical. I really think the Athlon is a good scope for the money but that Vortex is a full generation newer and appears to be a better optic all around.

If you have any specific questions or need me to take a video of anything in particular let me know.

 

[LeftyJason]

They have a gen2 available now. That is why alot of the gen 1's (like the OP is talking about) are cheaper these days.

ARGOS BTR GEN2 - Athlon Optics

If you’re looking for a top rated rifle scope, check out the Argos BTR GEN2. This scope family is great for those looking to get started in long range shooting disciplines. Featuring: Advanced Fully Multi-Coated, XPL Coating, Argon Purged, Precision Zero Stop, High Precision Erector System, Side...

athlonoptics.com

Considering getting a gen 2 for a 22lr rifle. Argos has to be better than my leupold mark ar 3-9x40 mismatched sfp POS is.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

The difference between the Gen 1 and Gen 2 is the Gen 2 has a Zero Stop

 

[Gohring65]

I don’t think you could get a better scope for 249$ right now. I trust the fixed swfa more, but the features of the Argos for 249$ is hard to beat. That particular scope design has been proven to track for multiple companies. If all you had was 250$ to spend on a scope, it would definitely be the Argos for me.

 

[SanPatHogger]

Yea, I noticed the gen 2 has zero stops. Are they that important? I guess it would be pretty nice to just crank to your 100 yard zero to have the same starting point at every different shot. They show the gen 2 with zero stop, throw lever and scope level for $399. not sure I need the extras yet.

 

[SanPatHogger]

If you buy a scope with a lifetime warranty and something goes bad 5 years from now... and they do not make the same model scope anymore is there a charge for the replacement in a newer model? I guess this question could be applied to the cheaper Vortex too.

 

[Gohring65]

If you buy a scope with a lifetime warranty and something goes bad 5 years from now... and they do not make the same model scope anymore is there a charge for the replacement in a newer model? I guess this question could be applied to the cheaper Vortex too.

They more than likely would upgrade you free of charge.

 

[steve123]

Too me the G2 is a notable improvement. More distinct feeling turrets that line up better, and the addition of a ZS.

 

[Ryridesmotox]

Yea, I noticed the gen 2 has zero stops. Are they that important? I guess it would be pretty nice to just crank to your 100 yard zero to have the same starting point at every different shot. They show the gen 2 with zero stop, throw lever and scope level for $399. not sure I need the extras yet.

Yes zero stops are very nice. Mine is a first gen and doesn't have them. The shims are dog shit.

 

[SanPatHogger]

Well I sold some fog lights today. Had the wife order up. Cross my fingers for a good one. Thank you guys.

 

[68sting]

I’ve been temped to buy one with the price drop also. I’m trying to resist....

 

[Southern Custom]

I’m very pleased with a first gen BTR on my Ruger RPR .22. Glass is acceptable at the price. Really amazing what that scope offers for $250. I’d buy it again. But, The shims in the box are crap. I ended up taking some 1mm thick or so thick brass and made a new set of shims from the dimensions of the originals. The result is a fairly hard zero stop. If you own a drill press, a decent file and a set of tin snips you can whip up a custom set in short order. The plastic ones create a mushy stop that will drop a full mil below zero. other than that, for your intended purpose I’d say you can’t go wrong. The reticle would be fine for hunting.
I liked it enough that I went with Athlon for my long range build and put an Ares BTR Gen 2 on my Bergara 6mm. Happy with that one as well so far. Is there better out there? Sure. But there’s always something better out there and there’s always going to be guys telling you to save another couple hundred for something better no matter what scope you buy until you get into the Cronus, Kahles, Night Force range.
Budget scopes have come a long way in the last decade.

 

[SanPatHogger]

I've had 4 of them, the 1st Gen that are on sale at various places, and have been around many more. These have been excellent scopes for the money. Only one of them had a problem with the revolution indicator slipping which was glued back into place and back into service in minutes.

In fact I've won my division the last 4 years in a row at state with the one mounted on my USFT.

All the scopes from all the Co's at this price range will have unit to unit variance and things about them pointing to a lesser quality scope appropriate to this price point so keep that in mind.

Usually when one states that their scope was screwy it basically comes down to that scope being broken in some way. That's often why someone will state they hated their scope. Or they are used to scopes costing up to 10 times more and hoped they'ed be satisfied.

When you say you won your division, what types of matches are you shooting? And what is USFT?

 

[SanPatHogger]

I’m very pleased with a first gen BTR on my Ruger RPR .22. Glass is acceptable at the price. Really amazing what that scope offers for $250. I’d buy it again. But, The shims in the box are crap. I ended up taking some 1mm thick or so thick brass and made a new set of shims from the dimensions of the originals. The result is a fairly hard zero stop. If you own a drill press, a decent file and a set of tin snips you can whip up a custom set in short order. The plastic ones create a mushy stop that will drop a full mil below zero. other than that, for your intended purpose I’d say you can’t go wrong. The reticle would be fine for hunting.
I liked it enough that I went with Athlon for my long range build and put an Ares BTR Gen 2 on my Bergara 6mm. Happy with that one as well so far. Is there better out there? Sure. But there’s always something better out there and there’s always going to be guys telling you to save another couple hundred for something better no matter what scope you buy until you get into the Cronus, Kahles, Night Force range.
Budget scopes have come a long way in the last decade.

I just watched a video where the guy stuck a washer under the turret. I'm sure with a few pieces of plastic, dial calipers and some time I could end up with a zero stop that lined up with the markings on the turret tower. And is that what it is called? The turret knob sits on top of the elevation adjustment "tower?"
Thanks for the tip

 

[steve123]

It was in Field Target air rifle matches and I shot in Freestyle division. I've dialed this Argos BTR 6-24 waaay more than any of my other scopes including my S&B's.

Mac1 USFT PCP is a semi custom match 20fpe rifle specifically made for FT. In calm conditions it'll put down sub 1/2" at 50Y.

Also have won our AZ state match 5 times with this rifle in open division, once using this scope.

I have S&B's on my go-to $3000+ match centerfires but have had Argos BTR's on my lesser rifles, but I have since gone to the Ares BTR 4.5-27x50 for them.

Here is my USFT rifle.

 

[SanPatHogger]

Scope showed up yesterday. Its pretty nice. Mounted it up this morning. Added a level and angle cosine indicator, just because it was cheap and if I ever do get to shoot from a tower I'll have it. It rained 2 inches last night so I wont be driving in the field for a few weeks. Maybe I can talk the wife into going to the range this evening or tomorrow.....

 

[Doctorwho1138]

I have one for my Ruger 10/22 and I like it for the money. Didn’t want to spend a lot for a 22 dedicated scope and not sure there is better for less than 300 bucks and it has a lifetime warranty.

 

[sparky702]

I am on my second gen1 . the first one the parallax had something going on you could adjust it and let go of the turret and it would get all blurry . I sent it back ( 15.00 to ship ) and they sent me a new one . the new one has started going south the illumination has got dim and I have tried new battery's , it's important to me because I use it on a ruger 10/22 and like to hunt early in the morning and late in the evening they said send it back so that would be another 15.00 to ship back . Im not really sure I want to spend any more money on it . I knew better but had to give it a try . I hope everybody else has better luck than I .

 

[SanPatHogger]

Shot it today. First shot at 25 yards was a couple inches low. Moved to 100, fired 1, adjusted up some and a hair left, shot up the 1in bulleye. Took the turret caps off and set them at zero. 3 clicks up, moved to 200 and was on. I need to improve my fundamentals but the scope seems to be good. I guess a real test would be to attempt shooting a 4 or 6 inch square at 100? Figure 2 shots in each corner? I've read about shooting the square but have never actually done it. That would basically show that my scope is or is not capable of tracking. I was thinking about a throw lever for the power ring, but looking at it I dont think it will clear my bolt handle... And that's something I can easily live without.

My buddy came out with me today. My mom ordered the new 5-25 Vortex Strike Eagle for him on her law enforcement discount. His glass looks about the same. The reticle is almost the same. The Strike Eagle turrets are way bigger and lock. The Athlon has slightly crisper clicks and the lines on the turret knob and body line up, the Strike Eagle is slightly mushy and the lines do not line up. The Athlon is mushy, the Strike Eagle is slightly more so. I like them both about the same.

Time and punishment will tell what the quality really is, but I try to be good to my equipment. Once the neighbors field dries up some I'll push it out further.

 

[whatsupdoc]

I have one that is two years old and has been on a few centerfire rifles, glass is reasonable the turrets are mushy and the marks do not line up exactly. Tracks fine been rock solid no issues.