Athlon offers five spotting scopes divided into four categories. However, this is where changed course from what I fulley expected to purchase prior to walking through the sliding doors. The Nikon scope to examine in this category would be the Nikon Monarch 82ED-S (straight body) with the MEP-20-60 eyepiece. Celestron 52250 80mm Ultima Zoom Spotting Scope, Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scopes, Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope, BARSKA Benchmark Waterproof Straight Spotting Scope, Emarth Waterproof Angled Spotting Scope with Tripod, Authentic ROXANT Blackbird High Definition Spotting Scope, Redfield 114651 Rampage Angled Spotting Scope, BARSKA Waterproof Straight Spotting Scope with Tripod, Gosky 20-60X80 Porro Prism Spotting Scope, Visionking 25-75x70 Maksutov Spotting Scope, Bushnell 12-36x50mm Waterproof Ultra Compact Spotting Scope, Best Scope for .308 Rifles – Our {Top 8} Best of the Best Reviews, Best Ruger 10/22 Scopes & Optics – From High Magnification to Red Dots Review, Top 10 Best AR-15 Optics & Scopes: From Red Dots to Magnified Review, 1   Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope, 2   Celestron 52250 80mm Ultima Zoom Spotting Scope, 5   Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scopes, 6   Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scopes, 7   Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scopes, 8   Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope, 10   BARSKA Benchmark Waterproof Straight Spotting Scope, 11   Emarth Waterproof Angled Spotting Scope with Tripod, 12   Authentic ROXANT Blackbird High Definition Spotting Scope, 13   Redfield 114651 Rampage Angled Spotting Scope, 14   Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scopes, 15   BARSKA Waterproof Straight Spotting Scope with Tripod, 16   Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scopes, 17   Gosky 20-60X80 Porro Prism Spotting Scope, 18   Landove 20-60X 80 Prism Spotting Scope, 19   Visionking 25-75x70 Maksutov Spotting Scope, 20   Bushnell 12-36x50mm Waterproof Ultra Compact Spotting Scope, The tripod is one of the most important features, Best Rifle Scope – Best Scopes for All Types & Purpose Reviews, Best Scope for AK 47 – { 10 } Best Optics for AK 47 Reviews, Best 3 Gun Scope – { Top 10 } 3 Gun Scopes Reviews, Best Scope for M1A – { Top 10 } Best M1A Scopes Reviews, Best 1-6x Scope – { 10 } Best Rated 1-6x Scopes Review, Best 1-8x Scope – Top 10 Best Rated 1-8x Scopes Review, Best Mosin Nagant Scope – Top 9 Best Scope for Mosin Nagant Reviews, Best Scope for Marlin 60 – 10 Best Optics for Marlin Model 60 Reviews, Best Scar 17 Optics – Top 10 Best Optic for Scar 17 Reviews. With this scope will I see the bullet holes at 100 yards? Give Athlon Optics a try and find out why our scopes are “Sharp, Tight, and Priced Just Right!” CRONUS TACTICAL UHD. Judging on clarity alone, the Maven S.2 is a steal compared to other spotting scopes on the market. From pone on the ground to sitting at a bunch, you can get a good sight picture when you need it. Athlon Talos 20-60x80mm Spotting Scope 150. at Amazon. About half of both for the Celestron and intro-Vortex. Whether you’re hunting, birdwatching, or exploring, using this device is essential for survival. The other part of the eyepiece that is critical is the exit pupil. Check out our beginners guns video course. Check the latest deals on Brownells! They have an amazing warranty, excellent customer service, and they have propelled the optics industry forward.Athlon Optics is a company that’s growing in the public eye, and t And if it’s like the Razor series of rifle scopes…it’s top notch glass from Japan. But this doesn’t mean that Vortex is not lightweight. And here it is at 60x. The short version though is that Maven delivers. You need to be sure the scope tube is properly purged and free of as much moisture and oxygen as possible. What I recommend if you want to reach to a mile and beyond…or if you really plan on putting your glass through some abuse. Our solid recommendation for a great starter spotting scope that’s around $150. 11 Best Spotting Scopes [View-Throughs]: Range & Hunting, the scope has zoom magnification from 20 power to 60 power, the objective lens (the lens in front) is 80 millimeters in diameter, The weight of that big scope can save you many, Spotting scopes can be found with either a straight view eyepiece or with an angled eyepiece. So for the scope and eyepiece, you’ll need to write a check for $3,578. Learn all the important stuff about handguns...with none of the attitude. Just looking at these specs would clearly show that the Monarch is 28g lighter than the other binocular model. Best Spotting Scopes on the Market Review. It’s a bit heavy at 4.25lbs, but that’s more or less what you should expect from a high quality spotting scope. With only 12-27 magnification, you are a bit limited in range. If you’ve ever laid out prone in a prairie dog town in the Wyoming wind you know why dust proof is critical. Vortex Optics have a reputation for being clear and precise at prices that don’t seem possible. Nikon’s manufacturing standards are far and away higher than Leica’s or the other brands mentioned here. In terms of size, Nikon vs Vortex binoculars are relatively similar, like in their slim, sturdy, and sleek matte design. Take the Vortex Diamondback 20-60x80mm Spotting Scope. Featuring: Silver Coated Prism, Fully Multi-Coated Lenses, Nitrogen Purged, Water Proof, Rotating Ring. Just as the Diamondback binoculars series is made with affordability in mind, … This one of the Celestron at 20x looking at 500 and 600 yard targets. At only 10-20x30mm, this is a very compact little spotting scope. What spotting scope does the military use? Let us know what kind of spotters you are using and why. Both are pretty similar in view quality to the Vortex Diamondback 20-60x, which is triple the price and probably not triple the build quality. For many of us, it is, The fog will dissipate over time, but it’s a, If I were to pick any scope out there and know that it is likely the. We’ll cover what to look for in a spotting scope and a couple choices spanning all budgets. With an angled eyepiece you can lock in on the target object and folks just look down through the scope. It does rely on you having some good glass though — I wouldn’t recommend it be paired with anything under about Vortex Diamondback quality. One nice thing is that the Talos comes with a build in sunshade, this is a minor detail but it’s a nice perk. As with all Vortex products you are covered with the transferable Lifetime Warranty should you ever need service. It’s also clearly not designed for scoping out a bull at 3-miles. That’s not the problem. Generally, the larger the exit pupil, the more eye relief you will have. The Diamondback is nearly 15 inches long and weighs 47 ounces, so it is by no means a compact or lightweight scope. Sig is at it again with their mag scientist routine — this time, they’ve smashed a gyroscope with a spotting scope and come out with the Oscar 3, with auto image stabilization technology under the hood. A 45-degree eyepiece that is fully adjustable rotation gives you a lot of freedom for how to position things. Vortex Diamondback vs Hawke Endurance ED vs Vanguard Endeavor ED Article | Posted by Best Binocular Reviews The question for the BinoWizard this week comes from a reader with a maximum budget of $250 (£250) and is looking for a binocular to take on safari and then use for general use, once the holiday is over. They aren’t just handy for spotting and admiring birds and other wildlife, but they’re also a good tool to use when finding your way through trees and rocky mountains. The Talos family of rifle scopes featuring SFP, Fully Multi-coated, Capped Elevation & Windage Turrets, Illuminated Reticle, 4x Power Ratio, 1 inchTube. In this professional optical instrument technician’s opinion, you should do yourself a favor and invest in a top-name brand. If you hold a rifle scope or spotting scope at arms length and line it up to look through it you will see a little white disk of light. Our favorite guns and gear that we've tested and fully recommend. It’s hard to get proper photos through a spotting scope…but we brought all the ones we tested to our local 600 yard range. Nope. But it’s much heftier at 76 oz compared to the 47 oz of the Diamondback. The 25-50 eyepiece will run you another $879. Athlon Talos Spotting Scope and TactaCam Spotter LR. And stay in touch with newsletters of our best articles on techniques, guns, & gear. [Video+Review] PSA AK-103: Best U.S. AKM Clone? Athlon spotting scopes are waterproof, fog proof, and come with a lifetime warranty. … The unit I bought over 20 years ago was over a grand and I could see tree bark at 600 yards easy and tell what kind of tree it was by the bark and foliage. From industry events to shooting matches, this is a workhorse spotting scope that just delivers. Once you use your own eyes and 60x…you can go up to 1000+ yards. I own a TSN-884 with a TE-11WZ zoom eyepiece and its optics are essentially perfect, or nearly so. Vortex Diamondback Spotting Scope is available in 2 models with either angled or straight eyepiece positions. Using Sig’s HDX optics that include both high definition (ED) and high transmittance (HT) glass, this is just a crazy clear spotting scope. You do not pay anything extra and your purchase helps support my work in bringing you more awesome gun and gear articles. The Diamondback series of spotting scopes are made with high-end quality materials, but are considered an entry-level optic. Budgeting & Accessories- You’ll Want a Decent Tripod. You can go broke buying a spotting scope. Copyright © 2021 Pew Pew Media, Inc. All rights reserved. To finish it off, it comes with a belt-mounted carry case and two Energizer Lithium-Ion batteries. You should take a look at the Complete Hands-on Review, but the short version is that it’s pretty awesome. Now try to hold your 60 power scope still. This Vortex Diamondback Spotting Scope is heavy-duty and offers an optimum viewing performance in a lightweight package. When Sig offered to send the Oscar 3 out for review, our editor expected it to be a digital scope and using software to stabilize the image. passion is big-game hunting, mainly DIY backpack hunting deep in the wilderness. If you’re looking for something top-of-the-line…check out Manfrotto tripods (it’s what we use for photography/videography). I also have a tripod MAK and a small set of binos 10x25 and they are excellent. I have a friends Vortex Diamondback 20-60x80 at my house so I set them both up on tripods yesterday and did a little … The Vortex line of rifle scopes has quickly become one of the more popular U.S. based scope brands and offers scope models to fit almost any budget. You’ll find two categories of rangefinders from Athlon Optics. Vortex DiamondBack Vs Viper - check the detailed comparison to buy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Here we have their entry-level scope offering a great range of magnification as well as a big 80mm objective lens to help us at last light when that big mule deer buck is just sneaking out of the timber for a bite to eat. But the glass quality really helps make up for that and allows you to pick out sharp details at ranges further out than you might expect. High power shooters recommended Konus and side by side with Kowa I could only see a small difference at the very edge of the field of view. We usually don’t hesitate when getting a new scope or red dot…but we lag on getting a spotting scope. All I do is maintenance, repair and calibration of optical instruments - day in and day out. purchase helps support my work in bringing you more awesome gun and gear articles. It provides you greater viewing flexibility even when you sit in your car and viewing through the window. Boasting flourite glass and fully multi-coated lenses, expect to see razor-sharp, high-contrast images. The other 2 Kowa owners put their scopes on the table too but the result was the same. So your opinion regarding its expected mechanical durability would be appreciated. All in all a quality option for the more vigorous shooter or hunter. Magnification and focus dials are buttery-smooth and super easy to use — even when wearing gloves. Vortex vs Leupold Scopes. If you need more than 50 power you can add a 1.8x multiplier to the scope and have a nice 40-90 power spotter. They have a great selection of heads for many applications. I bought the Konus 20-60x80. Nikon Monarch 5 8×42 model weighs 590g, while Vortex Diamondback HD 8×42 weighs 618g. But that extra glass means more weight and more dollars. His primary We have a full review with more pictures if you’re interested in the Sig Sauer Oscar 3! Vortex DiamondBack 20-60×80 Spotting Scope Review. While this is no Leica or Zeiss it is compact and clear enough to do what I need it to do. This optic is durable and built like a tank. I do not know whether Owens has any special relationship with Kowa (doubtful, given his background), but if the Kowa is good enough for him it should be good enough for me, particularly since the Kowa sells for half the price of the Vortex scopes and one-third the price of the Leica listed above. I concur and will second this comment - How can I attach my tablet to my spotting scope? It also comes with a built-in sunshade plus you don’t have to use a little dial to focus anymore…it’s that ribbed center of the main body. We all have super subjective opinions with glass, but I'd being my fellow enthusiasts a disservice if I don't put this on their radar as it passed my eye test and exceeded the others in the same lighting conditions. Thread starter txaggie929; Start date Mar 27, 2019; Jump to latest Follow Reply Forums . The diagonal movement you see is refresh rates being odd with my camera, ignore it. The weight of that big scope can save you many miles and thousands of vertical feet. I say weather because it’s not just rain and snow that cause issues with optics. As I said before, Leica - and probably the other brands reviewed here - will deliver a fine image. But do you really need $2000-$3000 glass for your shooting and hunting endeavors? I own two companies which DAILY deal with scientific, medical and research optical instruments. Jan 23, 2010 57 24. Best Fletching Jigs Review in 2021 – New Edition . I absolutely guarantee that it will be nearly useless outside of 50 yards. The APO-Televid 82 will do anything you need a spotting scope to do and do it with class and perfection. Athlon Talos and Talos BTR scopes – Made in China to Athlon specifications. If not you may experience the internal glass fogging if you take the scope from cold outdoor temperatures to a warm tent or cabin, then back out again. The Kowa sells detachable eyepieces but none have ranging reticles. Top Shooting Drills and Zeroing Targets worth $47 FREE - Limited Period Offer, Palmetto State Armory: Heritage Rough Rider .22 LR 6.5" Revolver - $150 (Normally $180), Palmetto State Armory: PSA AR-15 Complete MOE EPT Lower - $280 (Normally $350), Brownells: Vortex Optics Spitfire HD Gen II Prism Scope - $450, Brownells: H&K AR-15 HK-Style Micro Sight Set - $150 (Normally $196), full review on the Maven S.2 Spotting Scope, A Nerd Gun for Gun Nerds PSA AK-103! Sig Sauer Oscar 3 Spotting Scope Stabilized 10-20X30mm. The same scope may be not necessary if your passion is mountain hunting. Kowa seems to have the best price/performance ratio. While they deliver a fine image out-of-the-box, the problem with Leica is that it is not as durable an instrument as other brands. The Argos HD 20-60x85mm falls into the perfect category of spotting scopes for high power use. It’s hard to keep Sig’s naming conventions straight sometimes. And if you just love really great quality optics…the Razor HD 27-60x and Sig Sauer Oscar 8 are must-consider picks. You’ll find the Cronus Tactical with UHD clarity at about $1200 and the Talos prim based spotting scope for about $300. And is likely to live a cushy life to and from the range. 6 Best Home-Defense Tactical Shotguns [Hands-On], Bullets: Sizes, Calibers, and Types [Guide + Videos], Best 9mm Ammo [2021]: Self Defense & Range Shooting, 10 Best Shooting Ear Protection [Electronic & Passive Hands-On]. But is it worth basically double the Viper? Best Mathews Bows Review in 2020 – New Edition . Adding a ranging reticle immediately elevates you into high-end spotting scopes such as Swarovski, Optolyth (which I believe is made by IOR Valdada), and Leupold Tactical. Key Features . At 2.5 miles, the Kowa had better definition of the image and was brighter at full magnification. I walked in and back out with the Vanguard and couldn't believe the change of heart of value this glass offers. In addition, no matter what you do with it in the outdoors, it is still covered with its lifetime warranty. By the end you’ll know if you even need one…and also which one to get. 9 Best AR-15s: Ultimate Guide [2021 Hands-On]. December 4, 2018 . So I appreciate it. After a couple of years’ service, you’ll find that your “bargain” instrument will begin to have not optical problems but mechanical problems. Somehow dust gets on and in everything you own. You get better glass, a larger objective lens, built-in sunshade, better focus dial, and better eye relief. Mar 27, 2019; Add bookmark #1 Hey everybody, Currently have an SWFA 3-15 FFP scope that I am pretty content with. Rangefinders. By the way, I've used Nikon Labophot 2 or Optiphot 2 microscopes for over 25 years at work. Vanguard - great tripods. The latter is more suitable for precision applications. Get the latest Vortex news, hunting tips, videos & more. Here’s a look at each of the current Athlon line of scopes along with where they are manufactured: Athlon Neos scopes – Made in China to Athlon specifications. Your email address will not be published. Here is the Oscar 8 at 55x zoom and 650 yards: The image quality is great in those pictures, but they are even better in person. Nikon does not offer a ranging reticle. The APO is 25-50x82mm and has an angled or straight eyepiece that is interchangeable. It’s more for close in work and meant to be used in the hand, not the tripod. It’s just very hard with a camera! Minuteman. The Redfield 20x60 scope works very well out to 200 yards (that's as far as my range goes) and my Manfrotto tripods are simply the best out there. Talos and Midas. That gives you a lot of magnification as well as a big lens to gather more light and make your image brighter during those all-important first light and last light glassing periods. Randy Bauman was lead instructor for seven years at the Boy Scouts of America National Camping School-Shooting Sports Section, and he has a lifetime interest in teaching others about firearms. While the former is a budget option. The 25-50 eyepiece will run you another $879. The light-weight composite chassis is fog proof, waterproof, and filled with nitrogen gas to prevent internal fogging and promote better thermal stability. Maven S.2 12-27 X 56mm Compact Spotting Scope. Our editor has been using his for over a year now and it’s held up to everything he can throw at it. Terms of Service apply. Spotting Scope VS a Telescope. Optics, build quality, and top level design — the S.2 is a major piece of glass that is worth every penny if you’re looking at taking big game. Observation & Sighting Devices. Years ago (~1994-1995) I looked at Nikon binoculars and the Leicas (Trinovid 10x50 BA) were considerably better optically, albeit more expensive. How do I attach a camera to a spotting scope? The Zeiss is excellent but the Kowa TSN-884 is even better, and imo, by a considerable margin. If you’re looking to take in on some more rough and tumble adventures…you might want the next up. However, if multiple folks are going to be looking through the scope, it’s a little more difficult to get the tripod height just right. We compared them side by side and the Kowa was better by a little. Here we compare both of them to find out which riflescope is best. My scope set up side by side with one of the Kowa's at a target (. I am thoroughly familiar with all the big names in optics. As you might have seen in several pictures, the Spotter LR from Tactacam is a cool piece of kit that lets you get some great pictures and video through your spotting scope. We’ve built dozens of AR’s and we’ll cover all the best AR-15 upgrades such as handguards, triggers, BCGs, gas blocks, and more. I target shoot at 100 yards to make sure my scope is on before I go moose hunting. The removable eyepiece gives you a wide range of aftermarket options if you want to get fancy with it. January 4, 2019 . You can pick and choose your colors, camo patterns, or even get it engraved. Liking your recommendation on the Celestron 52250 20x60-80. The Talos spotting scope features our fully multi-coated lenses and K9 prisms with silver coating. For the money it is a very impressive scope. The problem is that the manipulatives, such as focus mechanisms and the like, are nowhere near as durable as “top end” names such as Nikon. Main usage would be spotting at range out to 500 yard (but considering 1000 yard in the future), and also do a few hunting. Maven is fairly new to the world of optics, but they are coming for the big boys and have the optics to put up a fight. The scope is waterproof and dust-proof and is rubber armored. Alice recently took hers out on a long Elk hunt in Colorado and has a ton of detailers in her review (coming soon…). A second entry in the budget zone of spotting scopes, the Athlon Talos is another great option if you need to watch your pennies. I do this maybe 2 to 3 times prior to the hunt.