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Rifle Scopes Athlon Midas BTR Gen 2?

Fret

Fret

USAF Retired
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 14, 2017
909
1,549
N Idaho
#1
I'm looking for a budget SFP scope for a new .223 AR15 upper which will be used for shooting paper targets at 100-200 yards. I have a Vortex GE on another upper and with my old eyes, the small .09 MOA center dot is getting hard to see so I'm looking for a decent budget scope with a little larger center dot. The 4.5-27 Midas BTR Gen 2 mil version has a .1 mil center dot which would be a lot easier to see but still be reasonably small and the 27X should be more than enough. Anyone have experience with this scope and is it a reasonably decent cheap scope? I guess another choice would be a Sightron SIII which costs a bit more which has one reticle choice with a .25 MOA center dot.

Thanks!
 
#3
Mooseknuckles said:
I would take a look at the athlon area btr 2.5-15 that Doug has on sale at cameralandny.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip but I think I need a bit more top end than 15X for the targets I shoot. I have a Razor HD LH 3-15X that I tried before. It's a nice scope but I was wishing for more power when I was using it for shooting these targets.
 
#4
I’d still give Doug a call and see what he can do for you. He’s fantastic to work with. I’ve heard the same about the other Hide vendors, just haven’t worked with them yet. It might also be worth swinging through whatever your local gun store with the biggest selection of glass is - maybe a Cabela’s? - and just seeing how well the different reticles work for you.

As far as quality is concerned, I have an Athlon Midas TAC 4-16 and Cronus BTR 4.5-29, and both have been excellent scopes. I can’t speak to the ones that are more budget-minded than the TAC but the Midas BTR2 should be comparable.
 
#5
Cheap, high-mag scopes generally aren’t great choices. Even SWFA’s 20x fixes power suffers some degradation in IQ over the lower power models.

I have the gen 1 Midas btr 2.5-15. It’s a good scope for the money, but I would doubt if the higher power model could hold up to the same quality. Maybe I’m wrong...
 
#7
patriot07 said:
Cheap, high-mag scopes generally aren’t great choices. Even SWFA’s 20x fixes power suffers some degradation in IQ over the lower power models.

I have the gen 1 Midas btr 2.5-15. It’s a good scope for the money, but I would doubt if the higher power model could hold up to the same quality. Maybe I’m wrong...
Click to expand...

Maybe I've been under a rock for the last 15 years, but could you please explain the term "IQ" as it relates to optics? Haven't seen that acronym before used for optics...
 
#8
gnochi said:
I’d still give Doug a call and see what he can do for you. He’s fantastic to work with. I’ve heard the same about the other Hide vendors, just haven’t worked with them yet. It might also be worth swinging through whatever your local gun store with the biggest selection of glass is - maybe a Cabela’s? - and just seeing how well the different reticles work for you.

As far as quality is concerned, I have an Athlon Midas TAC 4-16 and Cronus BTR 4.5-29, and both have been excellent scopes. I can’t speak to the ones that are more budget-minded than the TAC but the Midas BTR2 should be comparable.
Click to expand...

Yeah, got a P4Xi 1-4 from Doug not too long ago. Good guy to deal with. I don't think the local Cabelas carries Athlon though.
patriot07 said:
Cheap, high-mag scopes generally aren’t great choices. Even SWFA’s 20x fixes power suffers some degradation in IQ over the lower power models.

I have the gen 1 Midas btr 2.5-15. It’s a good scope for the money, but I would doubt if the higher power model could hold up to the same quality. Maybe I’m wrong...
Click to expand...

Maybe Doug could give his honest opinion?

littlepod said:
I heard there's a sale coming for Memorial day on the Ares BTR 4.5-27x, $250 off... if you have the patience to wait.
Click to expand...

That would be great. I'm in no rush since I have other guns to shoot.

Subwrx300 said:
Maybe I've been under a rock for the last 15 years, but could you please explain the term "IQ" as it relates to optics? Haven't seen that acronym before used for optics...
Click to expand...

I would guess it means Image Quality.

Thanks guys!
 
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#10
Subwrx300 said:
Maybe I've been under a rock for the last 15 years, but could you please explain the term "IQ" as it relates to optics? Haven't seen that acronym before used for optics...
Click to expand...
Guess I'm cross-talking between photography world (where IQ stands for image quality) and the rifle world. Sorry - I was mainly speaking of general optical quality (resolution, contrast, colors, clarity, CA, etc.)
 
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#13
Fret - Based on my experience with Ares BTR & Midas TAC 6-24x50 scopes, I don't think you've got anything to worry about when it comes to using the Midas Gen 2 at 27x. I'd think that the new Midas would be an excellent choice, especially if you're used to mils, as it's available with a mil reticle & mil clicks on the turrets. As you mentioned, the reticle is quite suitable for your stated use, and at least to me, it looks a lot nicer than anything I've seen on Meopta's website for the Optika 6. Plus the Midas has a true zero stop. At the price, and with Athlon's warranty, I doubt you're going to find anything else in the price range that offers more. I'm looking at one of these scopes to replace an older Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 I have on a CZ457 American that I've just re-barreled with a Shilen select match ratchet rifled #5 blank - it's a hammer, and I'm wanting a scope good enough to make the most of the new bbl's accuracy.
 
#14
flatland1 said:
Fret - Based on my experience with Ares BTR & Midas TAC 6-24x50 scopes, I don't think you've got anything to worry about when it comes to using the Midas Gen 2 at 27x. I'd think that the new Midas would be an excellent choice, especially if you're used to mils, as it's available with a mil reticle & mil clicks on the turrets. As you mentioned, the reticle is quite suitable for your stated use, and at least to me, it looks a lot nicer than anything I've seen on Meopta's website for the Optika 6. Plus the Midas has a true zero stop. At the price, and with Athlon's warranty, I doubt you're going to find anything else in the price range that offers more. I'm looking at one of these scopes to replace an older Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 I have on a CZ457 American that I've just re-barreled with a Shilen select match ratchet rifled #5 blank - it's a hammer, and I'm wanting a scope good enough to make the most of the new bbl's accuracy.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the great info. I know you really like the Midas Tacs on your Vudoos. I started collecting AR 15s this year and haven't had too much time to spend with my Vudoo and Annies but will most likely get back to shooting them soon. I just got an AR put together and got back from the range this afternoon. Went to try 8 different .223 ammo I had to see what this barrel likes and to break the barrel in. I forgot to label them so I probably will have to redo this. LOL Anyway I think I will take your advice and get the Midas BTR for the upper that I'm putting together now. Hope Doug will put them on sale soon like the Ares BTR.

5 shot groups at 100 yards using a bipod . I'm still trying to get used to shooting these guns. A bit different from the bolt action Vudoo and Annies.

 
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#17
The Midas BTR Gen 2 is the best scope I own. It is much better than the Optika6, which I also used to own. The Midas is the SFP version of the Ares, which costs at least 200 more for FFP. I prefer the SFP. In fact, I am ready to order my second Midas BTR Gen 2. It is amazing glass for the cost. Yeah, it is made in China. At this point, I don't care.
Also, I prefer the Midas over the Ares because I want a 30 mm tube.
 
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#22
army_eod said:
The Midas BTR Gen 2 is the best scope I own. It is much better than the Optika6, which I also used to own. The Midas is the SFP version of the Ares, which costs at least 200 more for FFP. I prefer the SFP. In fact, I am ready to order my second Midas BTR Gen 2. It is amazing glass for the cost. Yeah, it is made in China. At this point, I don't care.
Also, I prefer the Midas over the Ares because I want a 30 mm tube.
Click to expand...

Just to clarify in case of confusion.

It's the ETR 4.5-30x56, the TAC 5-25, and the Cronus 4.5-29x56 that are the 34mm tube higher mag scopes.

The Ares BTR's are 30mm tube scopes.
 
#23
Ordered the Athlon Optics Ares BTR GEN2 4.5-27x50 - APLR3 FFP IR MOA HD (212008 today.
Seems to get good reviews and the price is OK, even better with the 10% discount and free shipping.
Good work Doug!
Now how much is the Leica Reporter?
 
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