Athlon Argos Gen 1 vs. Gen 2

jeremydc

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Minuteman
Sep 1, 2021
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Guam
Hi everyone, I feel I have narrowed down my search to the Athlon Argos BTR over the Vortex Diamondback Tactical for my CZ457 AT-ONE. However, are there any suggestions or recommendations for the scopes? On Amazon the BTR Gen 1 is $257 and the Gen 2 is $359. Does the Gen 2 justify the $100 difference?
 

A little more money but a lot better scope. IMO.
 
I had a gen 1 argos btr 6x24x50 I put it on a ruger precision rimfire . the parallax screwed up and I sent it back . they replaced it and that lasted about 2 months so I sent it back and athlon sent me a gen 2 argos 6x24x50 . after the last 3 outings it appears this one is about to go the way of the dodo bird . I cannot speak for the higher end athlon optics as I have had no interaction with them But I can tell you right now the argos btr sucks . spend a little more money and get something better .
 
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I have a gen 1 and a gen 2 Argos. The gen one absolutely didn't have a elevation stop. Gen two does. Both are fairly clear, until you crank the magnification up. I normally don't run mine much above 12. The eye box gets super small above 14.

The turrets have been very repeatable, and pass the Box test quite well. I have had no problems with either of my scopes, but they are not on super hard recoil rifles. One is on a .357 caliber air rifle, the other is on a Creedmoor with a muzzle brake. The zeroes stay well set, and I don't feel the need to adjust them when I go back to the range (no creep).

Below is a picture of the Air Rifle which has it; it is the Gen one. It has a Snail added to it. I like the Gen two a bit more.
 

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I like my argos 8-34 on my bergara b14r but it's lacking in elevation to get past 250 without holdover on a 20moa rail.

For a few extra dollars I'd look at a midas tac or God forbid I suggest an arken 🤣
 
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I have both scopes you referenced. I have a Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-16x40 on my .223 Ruger American and an Athlon Argos BTR Gen 2 6-24x50 on my Bergara B-14 HMR in .308 Winchester.

The Vortex (and Ruger American) were what I got when I got back into shooting (I'd shot previously, but only 22 LR). The Athlon was the next scope that I bought and originally it topped my Remington 700 PRC in 6.5 CM. Both are great scopes, but between the 2 the Athlon is better. Glass quality is about the same, however I like the turrets MUCH better on the Athlon. Also, having a zero stop has become a must for me, which the Vortex doesn't have. The Diamondback is probably pretty similar to the Gen 1 Argos from what I've heard (no zero stop, mushier turrets). The Athlon Argos also has an illuminated reticle, if you care about that (I really don't). Speaking of reticles, I prefer the EBR-2C on my Diamondback over the APLR2 that is in the Argos. That being said, both are more than usable and it really just comes down to preference.

I've taken the Diamondback out to about 600 yards on the 223 (I'm sure I could get more out of it), and have shot at 1000 yards with the Argos (both on the 6.5 CM that it previously topped as well as the 308 it's currently on).
 
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