High end compact 16 mag optic?

Check the Athlon line before you buy!

Since you like the Vector, I have the 4-16x44 FFP, I would also look at the Athlon line and the Arken line. I own the Midas and Helos from Athlon but just recently purchased the Arken 4-16x50 34mm and I really like it. The downside with the Arken is the weight, it is hefty but for what it loses in weight it gains in clarity.

I recently bought a scope from Cameraland. They have a nice website. If you click on rifle scope, they will give you several filters to modify your search. Click on 3-16X, and they will spit out all in that category. You can fine tune your search, by clicking FFP, price, etc…

Kevin,

Most scopes that are 3x (or less) on the bottom end of the magnification are 3-12x.
But if you want more than 12x on the top end, those scopes usually are 3-18x or 3-15x.


️I assume you want the bottom end of 3x or 2x to have a very wide field of view (FoV). What I found is that between scopes there can be huge differences of FoV, even though they all have the same magnification.
The Hawke Sidewinder, Vantage, and Airmax 4-16x50 have a FoV as wide as most 3-18x scopes.
Same goes for the Vector Continental 4-24x56.



️The Scope Specs Table attached below tells you the FoV for each scope.
And prices, length, weight. Separated by FFP and SFP. All have 10y side parallax and a holdoff reticle.

You'll find:
▪︎ Seven 3-18x50 FFP
▪︎ Eleven 3-15x50 FFP
There are SFWA, Sightron S-TAC, two Athlon Ares in the "high quality class" — as you said you were looking for "awesome".


Have fun scope shopping!

Matthias



Attachment:
Scope Specs Table

View attachment SCOPE Specs Table. For 4-16x or 3-18x or 4-20x Scopes.pdf

I have an athlon Midas tac 4-16, and an Arken sh4 4-16. They’re both great, but the Arken beats the athlon in clarity, and light transmission (34mm tube compared to 30mm on athlon). It is heftier though. Guess it depends if you’re carrying all day, or shooting from a tripod.

My helos 2-12 is a fantastic scope, but may be too low in mag range for you at 100yds

IF you expect to use a lot at 16 power , i might suggest looking for 18 power and dial back to 16 , most scopes have slight problems at their max .

May want to check out the USO ts-20x. 2.5-20x, 34mm tube.

I have one, like it, but want a little more magnification for the rifle I bought it for. Nice scope though.

Not sure how high end you're considering but the two that came to mind are the March 1.5-15x42 and the Night Force 2.5-20x50. Only the NF is FFP, now that I think about it.

March also makes their 3-24 scopes in FFP.

I believe both the March and the Night Force are right around 12" long, which is crazy.

I do like the idea of dialing back to an intermediate power like a previous poster suggested. Especially for an FFP.

CTairgunner1288 said:

I am willing to try a SFP scope, tbh I have a vector veyron 3-12x44 that punches wayyyyyy above its price point. I have never used an SFP so that is why I mentioned wanting a FFP. I was also maybe just thinking of going with like a vortex 1-8 , its a taipan compact but it packs big power and is capable of moa at 100 so I had that in mind but not sure how often I will shoot at 100

I did look at the march scopes but thats only a dream for me, I cannot really afford that at all as much as Id like to!

Click to expand...

The Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 1-8x24 is another to consider. I got one in a package deal nearly two years ago and for various reasons it sat on a shelf. I finally installed it on a regular shooter and I do like it. Not in love with the reticle but that's so personal anyways.

My quick take on LPVOs is that if you don't need 1x then start at the 2x and up scopes is generally better for airguns. But again that's a highly personal opinion. I don't really "need" 1x myself but I do enjoy using it.

Do you have a budget and reticle type in mind?

I have not looked through one but the Athlon Ares BTR Gen2 2.5-15x50 comes to mind. I have generally been very impressed with Athlon's offerings at any given price point. I think new ones dip down in the $700 range so maybe a used one would be in your budget.

Not as compact or light as some of the others mentioned, IIRC.

I don't recall reticle options but I'm sure they are all Xmas tree of some sort but the ones I've looked through have not been overly busy.

Konus makes a 2-16x50 in your price range but I know nothing about it. I believe it's on sale at Dvor with the German style reticle - basically a duplex with a floating center dot. Probably not what you're looking for.

Athlon Talos? It's on sale. 30mm Tube 4-14x 44mm. FFP. Illuminated.

While this one is not high end ($250 USD) and only 3-12x it’s been bomber for me with kills out to 51 yards. I plink with it out to 64 yards. At least 150 pest would attest its effectiveness. Love mine on my Atomic XR.

JungleShooter said:

Kevin,

Most scopes that are 3x (or less) on the bottom end of the magnification are 3-12x.
But if you want more than 12x on the top end, those scopes usually are 3-18x or 3-15x.


️I assume you want the bottom end of 3x or 2x to have a very wide field of view (FoV). What I found is that between scopes there can be huge differences of FoV, even though they all have the same magnification.
The Hawke Sidewinder, Vantage, and Airmax 4-16x50 have a FoV as wide as most 3-18x scopes.
Same goes for the Vector Continental 4-24x56.



️The Scope Specs Table attached below tells you the FoV for each scope.
And prices, length, weight. Separated by FFP and SFP. All have 10y side parallax and a holdoff reticle.

You'll find:
▪︎ Seven 3-18x50 FFP
▪︎ Eleven 3-15x50 FFP
There are SFWA, Sightron S-TAC, two Athlon Ares in the "high quality class" — as you said you were looking for "awesome".


Have fun scope shopping!

Matthias



Attachment:
Scope Specs Table

View attachment 283877

Click to expand...

Matthias, Have you ever had a chance to check out Meopta scopes?

Here's a nice one that checks most of the boxes, and retails for a lot less than 600-700 bucks, light weight, clean reticle

I currently have what Mr. H suggested on my shorty. Acutually its the red dot (RD) version that is 2 oz and $50 more.
I dont shoot 100 yards or click with it and am a FFP guy but had to try a Meopta…I like it. A little bit bigger and heavier than I want/had but isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
A CZ scope on a CZ gun was an easy decision.

Not saying this is the scope you should get as when I try slugs and hunting to 100 yards I plan to go back to FFP and mrad recitle with scope turrets that are not capped for easier clicking much like their optika 6 series scopes.

+1 on the Meopta if you don't mind some bulk. I had an Optika6 3x18 on an FX compact and thougth it was on the edge of too much. Ended up with an Athlon Ares BTR 2.5x15, very happy with that out to 100 yds.




So far I like this 10x40 Immersive Optics, great FOV, glass and reticle. Short eye relief is the downside.