Athlon helos 2-12 alternative

SquarePizza

SquarePizza

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#1
Tl;dr: Looking for an alternative go fast reticle/scope to the Athlon 2-12

I was settled on an Athlon helo 2-12 for a dmr scope for gun runs, dmr and a few PRs matches but all the mil versions are out of stock everywhere with estimated replacement of Oct 25.

It looks like a gen 3 razor 1-10 has a similar reticle but at 3x the price and I’m worried about FOV during PRS. There is a Leupy mk 4hd 2-10 in the classifieds with a good price but tmr reticle.

NF nx8 line can be had reasonable, but again lacking that useful reticle at low magnification.

Any thoughts at around $1500 or less?
 
#2
Leupold Mark 4HD 2.5-10x42 M5C3 FFP TMR
Custom Dial Compatible Yes
Daylight Bright Illumination No
Custom Dial System (CDS) No
Elevation Adjustment Type M5C3
Electronic Reticle Level No
Guard-ion Lens Coating No
Illuminated No
Locking Dial Yes
Magnification Type Variable
Nightvision Compatible Illumination No
Revolution Indicator Yes
Reticle FFP TMR
Reticle Type First Focal Plane
Adjustable Objective No
Windage Adjustment Type Capped
Weight (oz) 21
Elevation Adjustment Value per Click 0.1Mil
Elevation Adjustment Range (MOA) 85
Elevation Adjustment Range (MIL) 24.7
Elevation Adjustment Range (cm @ 100m) 247
Elevation Adjustment Per Revolution 10 MIL
Elevation Dial Travel Limit 30MIL
Windage Adjustment Value per Click 0.1Mil
Windage Adjustment Range (MOA) 85
Windage Adjustment Range (MIL) 24.7
Windage Adjustment Range (cm @ 100m) 247
Windage Adjustment
 
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#3
All available in Mil Versions:

Trijicon Credo 2-10x42mm
Steiner H6Xi 2-12x42mm #8782
Vortex PST Gen II 2-10x32mm
Swampfox Kentucky Long 2-12x44mm
Swampfox Warhawk 2-10x44mm

There may be others from smaller, more obscure makers. My personal experience is with the Helos 2-12 and Trijicon 2-10. Both are exellent.
 
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#4
SquarePizza said:
Tl;dr: Looking for an alternative go fast reticle/scope to the Athlon 2-12

I was settled on an Athlon helo 2-12 for a dmr scope for gun runs, dmr and a few PRs matches but all the mil versions are out of stock everywhere with estimated replacement of Oct 25.

It looks like a gen 3 razor 1-10 has a similar reticle but at 3x the price and I’m worried about FOV during PRS. There is a Leupy mk 4hd 2-10 in the classifieds with a good price but tmr reticle.

NF nx8 line can be had reasonable, but again lacking that useful reticle at low magnification.

Any thoughts at around $1500 or less?
Click to expand...
They have the MIL version on Walmart.com for 449. Just thought I'd let ya know.
 
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#9
SquarePizza said:
Tl;dr: Looking for an alternative go fast reticle/scope to the Athlon 2-12

I was settled on an Athlon helo 2-12 for a dmr scope for gun runs, dmr and a few PRs matches but all the mil versions are out of stock everywhere with estimated replacement of Oct 25.

It looks like a gen 3 razor 1-10 has a similar reticle but at 3x the price and I’m worried about FOV during PRS. There is a Leupy mk 4hd 2-10 in the classifieds with a good price but tmr reticle.

NF nx8 line can be had reasonable, but again lacking that useful reticle at low magnification.

Any thoughts at around $1500 or less?
Click to expand...
Based on your intended use, I'm guessing that you're concerned about being able to hold for wind and elevation. If you're looking to dial for elevation and hold for wind, the 2.5-10 Leupold Mark 4 is a heck of a scope. It does a good job of pulling off a useful reticle at 2x, without illum, while providing a very fine center aiming dot.

I'm really not a Leupold fan, and honestly, bought mine one night on a whim while drunk shopping. It's turned out to be my favorite 2-10. The glass and coatings are very good and the depth of field is excellent. I don't miss having the parallax adjustment at all.

If the Leupold doesn't get it for you, the Credo is the logical alternative.
 
#10
Was in the market for the same scope (Athlon Helos 2-12) and just ordered one from WalMart! Was in a bind with the back orders as well, but who knew WalMart would have em. Appreciate the help!

I did own a Credo 2-10 years back and posted a pretty lengthy review on here if you’d like to check it out. My only issue with that scope was wanting adjustable parallax. Always felt like my eye was fighting between a crisp reticle or crisp picture. I’ve since sold it but otherwise it’s a fantastic optic.
 
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#11
I wanted to do the Leopoldo mk4hd. My old mk4 fixed 10x was the easiest eyebox to quickly obtain out of all of my scopes. And the one in the classifieds for $900 was a nice price.

But that same $900 got me the athlon plus cash set aside to stick a red dot on my gun run pistol.
 
#12
DedicatedShooter said:
Was in the market for the same scope (Athlon Helos 2-12) and just ordered one from WalMart! Was in a bind with the back orders as well, but who knew WalMart would have em. Appreciate the help!

I did own a Credo 2-10 years back and posted a pretty lengthy review on here if you’d like to check it out. My only issue with that scope was wanting adjustable parallax. Always felt like my eye was fighting between a crisp reticle or crisp picture. I’ve since sold it but otherwise it’s a fantastic optic.
Click to expand...
It's funny that you mention it. I have and use a Athlon Helos 2-12 on a 6.5 Hunting rifle because I wanted adjustable parallax and a illuminated largish reticle for use on game, when lighting is dim.

On the other hand I bought a Trijicon 2-10x36mm for my AR 18" barreled MK12ish Clone for both it's finer reticle (for daylight use) and lack of parallax adjustment.

My rational is that the AR is for quick deploy and shoot targets (In the best of traditional SHTF fantasies) when you don't want to waste time fiddling with side parallax on a potentially a dangerous moving target.

Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it....
 
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#13
DedicatedShooter said:
Was in the market for the same scope (Athlon Helos 2-12) and just ordered one from WalMart! Was in a bind with the back orders as well, but who knew WalMart would have em. Appreciate the help!

I did own a Credo 2-10 years back and posted a pretty lengthy review on here if you’d like to check it out. My only issue with that scope was wanting adjustable parallax. Always felt like my eye was fighting between a crisp reticle or crisp picture. I’ve since sold it but otherwise it’s a fantastic optic.
Click to expand...
Precisely why I preferred the Mark 4HD over the Credo. I really can't explain it. The Mark 4 has, at best, a workable reticle. Using the illum is a PITA, the turrets are a bit on the mushy side, but man .... the GLASS!! There's some sort of voodoo going on with the glass/coatings. Until I got the Mark 4, the PST 2-10 Gen 2 was my favorite 10x to get behind. But, the PST is a heavy pig and the turrets are exposed and don't lock.

Really, I had it in my head for a while that I wanted a Mark 5, but after weighing the pros and cons, I decided to stick with the Mark 4.

If you're interested in the Mark 4, grab one. I've heard from more than one reviewer that Leupold has plans to change the glass in the Mark 4. I can only guess that the change will create more of a distance between the mark 4 and 5.
 
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#14
DedicatedShooter said:
Was in the market for the same scope (Athlon Helos 2-12) and just ordered one from WalMart! Was in a bind with the back orders as well, but who knew WalMart would have em. Appreciate the help!

I did own a Credo 2-10 years back and posted a pretty lengthy review on here if you’d like to check it out. My only issue with that scope was wanting adjustable parallax. Always felt like my eye was fighting between a crisp reticle or crisp picture. I’ve since sold it but otherwise it’s a fantastic optic.
Click to expand...
Your Welcome
 
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#16
Shoreglide said:
I was going to grab another Helos w/mil reticle since Walmart.com had them for $449. Showed 8 left when I added to cart, and OOS when I tried to check out 2-3 minutes later.
Click to expand...
I just tried the same thing, but it said 8 in stock. I didn't hit the purchase button because I already have one coming but you may wanna try again just in case it was a glitch...
 
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