Athlon Optics

[Ledd Slinger]

My gunsmith looks down his nose at ANY scope that doesn't say Leupold on it. It could be a $6K S&B, and if it's not Leupold he thinks it's crap. He's not the first person I've run into who thinks that way either. Their new MkVIII is supposed to be great, but, of course, they want alot more than what similar featured scopes are selling for.

Sounds like he's never owned anything but Leupold. Too bad for him that he doesnt know what hes missing out on. The value for your money just isn't there with Leupold anymore. They make good glass, but nothing I would ever dare to call "impressive". To get their good glass you gotta spend a good chunk of change. No reason to buy any Leupold optic when you can get the same or better quality in companies like Vortex for half the price along with a better warranty.

I think Athlon is off to a really good start. Gotta remember that Vortex wasn't as good as it is now when they first started either. Their scope glass didn't do very well in low light compared to other brands like Nikon and the tubes weren't as rugged so they could get tracking issues in rings that were a little out of alignment. Athlon has really good mechanical function in their scopes, and although their glass is by no means the best I've ever seen, it's really exceptional for the price point. And that's why I think they are an excellent value for your money.

I was going to buy the Midas 4.5-27x50 originally for my sons hunting rifle, but when we compared it side by side with the Argos 6-30x56, we both actually liked the cheaper Argos glass better. It surprised me to find that, but I was happy to save some money The turrets on the Midas are much nicer than the Argos, but I don't expect my son to be dialing much with the Argos, mostly hold overs, so we went with the glass that we liked best.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I went with the Vortex Viper HST 6-24x50. Glass is great and Vortex has the best warranty out there and it is transferable. I don't care for the reticle in the Crossfire scopes. The Viper in my opinion is a much better reticle for F-Class shooting which is why I went that route.
My next scope will probably be a Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60x52.

Athlon has the same exact warranty as Vortex. Transferrable and all.

 

[boltman13]

Papa Charlie, I got a Vortex Viper, 6X24 on sale at Cabelas for $399 yesterday. The reticle and clarity blew me away. I do not know if all Cabelas are featuring this price but if so I feel it is a real bargin. It's going on my new F-Open build in 6BR Norma. I can hardly wait.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Papa Charlie, I got a Vortex Viper, 6X24 on sale at Cabelas for $399 yesterday. The reticle and clarity blew me away. I do not know if all Cabelas are featuring this price but if so I feel it is a real bargin. It's going on my new F-Open build in 6BR Norma. I can hardly wait.

That is a great price. I think I got mine for $580 something at Cabela's. Had to order it as I wanted MOA and not MRAD.
Great thing about Vortex, is there resale value. They don't drop a lot and so I hope to be able to recoup some of my cost when I move up to the Golden Eagle.