Athlon Optics Talos Spotting Scope 20-60x 80mm with Tripod Angled Body

[Ezana4CE]

I’ve been curious about this spotting scope for months. Do any members have any experience with this Athlon Talos spotting scope? Looks like a decent entry level scope. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020449785?pid=665264

Whats the glass like? I’m particularly curious about the optical quality at higher magnifications, so let’s hear it. 

 

[Saltlake58]

One feature it seems to lack is a fine focus. My scope also lacks the fine focus (second focus knob that moves a lot less than the other). Considering it's an Athlon, I'm sure the glass quality is good, but the one feature I wish mine had is a fine focus.

 

[Ezana4CE]

One feature it seems to lack is a fine focus. My scope also lacks the fine focus (second focus knob that moves a lot less than the other). Considering it's an Athlon, I'm sure the glass quality is good, but the one feature I wish mine had is a fine focus.

I’m not sure I understand what you mean. Do you own an Athlon Talos spotting scope? Isn’t this a focus knob?

 

[Batman2]

Camera Land NY has it in both colors for $119. It had progressively been going down in price over the past several months now.

Call Doug see is he may throw in free shipping for it. Wouldn't hurt to ask.

Probably clear enough up to 35x or 40x then progressively go milky but can't expect too much for only $200 retail.

Just back the zoom down up to the point until it starts to lose it. Just like disappointing rifle scopes that just simply can't handle all the way up.

Must be a reason they are stuck with them and keep on dropping the price. Probably all gone of they DVORed them earlier. 

Reviews from Midway for this item appear to be surprisingly stellar for something in this price point and you know they paid more than $50 extra for theirs. 

 

[steve123]

One feature it seems to lack is a fine focus. My scope also lacks the fine focus (second focus knob that moves a lot less than the other). Considering it's an Athlon, I'm sure the glass quality is good, but the one feature I wish mine had is a fine focus.

I’m not sure I understand what you mean. Do you own an Athlon Talos spotting scope? Isn’t this a focus knob?

//www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20210%20140%22%3E%3C/svg%3E

I think he's referring to a gross focus adjustment, and also present a secondary fine focus adjustment, like some other spotting scopes have.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Steve123 thanks. I’m not sure I understand what the difference between regular and fine focus is. I’ll look into it. I also noticed another small knob in the that photo to the left of the Athlon name printed on the gray portion just in front of where the scope is angled. I have no idea what that is. 

 

[grackleblast]

I bought one a couple of months ago. The glass isn't bad, the tripod is about useless (too small for this Hubble). It is big and it's heavy. Honestly, for $120 it is a pretty good spotter. I have decided that I'm just as happy looking through a rifle scope to see my near hits. Thought about listing it but the shipping weight would be a deal killer. I look at it this way; it's a good way to dip your toes in the water and see how much you will use one without breaking the bank. There, my 2 cents worth...............about what it's worth!



The killer tripod :

 

[Cannonball]

@Steve123 thanks. I’m not sure I understand what the difference between regular and fine focus is. I’ll look into it. I also noticed another small knob in the that photo to the left of the Athlon name printed on the gray portion just in front of where the scope is angled. I have no idea what that is.

Notice the two focus adjustment wheels on my spotting scope below. One is standard focus and the other one is fine focus. The standard focus works just like the focus wheel on binoculars or side focus on a rifle scope. It will change focus rather quickly by turning the wheel. The fine focus adjusts the focus very slowly, it might have to make 10 full revolutions to equal one revolution of the standard focus knob. Having this let’s you really fine tune the picture in focus. This is especially helpful when viewing things at a high magnification. I hope my explanation makes sense.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Cannonball That’s a clear and easy to understand explanation with that photo. Seeing both wheels makes it easy to understand. Thanks. 

 

[Batman2]

I really don't think that Athlon spotter is all that heavy at 38 oz. That's only 2 more oz as an Arken rifle scope.

Compared to the $499 spotters such as the 60 oz Vortex Diamondback and 67 oz Leupold SX 2 and $389 Athlon Argos spotter 68 oz which are the next higher up class.

Perhaps do a deal here and just knock off some bucks and cut the loss for shipping for an unwanted spotter that you probably won't use any more or trade for some thing any thing both can use. 

 

[boscoebrea]

Resolution is everything,a higher quality 60mm scope is better than a average 80mm....you are asking, is it a good deal...yes it is....for just glassing around.

If you ever get into "glassing" you will find out there are only a few brands to choose from and they are all expensive.....but are a lifetime investment.

Get it,to do better would cost quite a bit more and you will be able to be your own judge...also you need a good tripod....and that is worth spending $$$ on.

If are just going to use it to see pellet holes....get it.The fine adjustment is not worth having on cheaper optics...also 20-60 is like good luck on that...actually 20 is good and 40 is good,60x is next to useless on a cheaper scope.....I am an opinionated and see things differently ,See things differently.LOL...

 

[steve123]

Resolution is everything,a higher quality 60mm scope is better than a average 80mm....you are asking, is it a good deal...yes it is....for just glassing around.

If you ever get into "glassing" you will find out there are only a few brands to choose from and they are all expensive.....but are a lifetime investment.

Get it,to do better would cost quite a bit more and you will be able to be your own judge...also you need a good tripod....and that is worth spending $$$ on.

If are just going to use it to see pellet holes....get it.The fine adjustment is not worth having on cheaper optics...also 20-60 is like good luck on that...actually 20 is good and 40 is good,60x is next to useless on a cheaper scope.....I am an opinionated and see things differently ,See things differently.LOL...

I'm of the same sentiment!

I learned a very good lesson about spotting scopes about 5 years ago. I had a Pentax PF100 that was HUGE!!! It was also amazing in IQ. The problem was my already nice Manfrotto tripod wasn't even close to stiff enough to handle the weight of the scope so it oscillated constantly with the slightest touch or breeze. So what I'm getting at is having the appropriate strength tripod is just as important as the scope.

From what I gleaned from talking to the guys at Athlon the Ares G2 spotters are the best bang for the buck in their line up.

I didn't have much need for a nice spotter anymore so right after I sold that Pentax I bought a cheap Redfield 20-60 which had good reviews at the time but it isn't all that good.This thread reminds me that I might have to upgrade though.

 

[boscoebrea]

small world,I too have a Pentax60 and 80mm,I think there are the best you can get for the price..as is their binoculars.

Does not matter how good your scope is if it is not stable.I am told I need a tripod.