I considering this scope but have never looked through a FFP before. Is the reticle easily readable at 6x, and how thick is it on 24x at 50 yards. Would it completely cover a 1/4" dot?
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Hi Doug, what kind of air rifle are you thinking about putting a new scope on? Will you be using it for hunting or target shooting? At what ranges do you honestly feel you will be shooting at? Do you have experience using a scope reticle to holdover for differing ranges, or do you normally just use your elevation turret to dial in for different distances? With the answers to these questions I may be able to help you choose the right scope for your needs.
Now, to try to answer your questions...I have the 6-24x50mm FFP with the MOA reticle...and I am 61 years old and wear trifocals...and I can read the reticle subtensions just fine at 6x, and on 24x the reticle is still in perfect focus for me. The Athlon Argos line of scopes have an etched glass reticle that is very fine indeed at all power settings! As to whether or not it will "cover a 1/4" dot" at 50 yards on 24x is a question I will leave up to you to answer... However I will tell you what the reticle looks like at night when it is illuminated...it looks like a 3D Hologram floating in front of my eyes! Sort of like it is being projected out in front of me! But even on the highest illumination setting of number 11, the reticle is crystal clear, and the only thing that is illuminated is the reticle...not the whole inside of the scope like so many, many others.
The bottom line? Only first focal plane scope reticle holdovers are valid at all power settings from minimum to maximum, whereas in second focal plane scopes the reticle holdovers are only valid at one particular power setting chosen by the shooter. Why is this important? Because to shoot at different ranges you must either adjust your scopes elevation using the elevation turret, or you must use your reticle holdover marks - either MOA or MIL Dot. If you have plenty of time to adjust your scope's elevation for a shot using the elevation turret dial none of this matters that much, and a second focal plane scope will be fine...BUT...in many hunting situations we only have a second to determine the range to the game, and choose the correct reticle holdover relevant to the determined range and fire. Now, if we are shooting at only one power setting on the scope, once again none of this matters that much. BUT...to shooters like me an animal or target at longer ranges requires me to adjust my scopes' power setting up to it's highest settings, and so I need for the holdovers I have memorized to work at all of my scopes power settings...not only at just one predetermined power setting.
So one of the most important reasons I am so excited about these new Athlon First Focal Plane scopes is that they are priced so that just about anyone can afford one! Most other first focal plane scopes prices start at a minimum of $1200.00 to $1600.00, which puts them way out of reach for most of us working people with families. There is just no way most air gun enthusiasts can justify that kind of money on a scope, especially if they just paid about that much for a super accurate regulated FX rifle. Which means that up till now we have had to put up with crappy, inferior, second focal plane scopes on our air rifles, because we could not afford or justify an expensive first focal plane scope. Well thanks to Athlon those days are over! Now we all can afford a first focal plane scope! And what a scope it is! Don't even hesitate...buy one and try one! And then you guys come back and tell me if you like them or not...but even if for some reason you don't like it? Then just return it to MidwayUSA for a full refund and no harm done.
Doug, let me know if I can be of any help at all in your search for the right scope for your needs. But for now, please trust me when I say that Athlon Scopes are the very best value for your money. Period!
Best regards, Chuck
Now, to try to answer your questions...I have the 6-24x50mm FFP with the MOA reticle...and I am 61 years old and wear trifocals...and I can read the reticle subtensions just fine at 6x, and on 24x the reticle is still in perfect focus for me. The Athlon Argos line of scopes have an etched glass reticle that is very fine indeed at all power settings! As to whether or not it will "cover a 1/4" dot" at 50 yards on 24x is a question I will leave up to you to answer... However I will tell you what the reticle looks like at night when it is illuminated...it looks like a 3D Hologram floating in front of my eyes! Sort of like it is being projected out in front of me! But even on the highest illumination setting of number 11, the reticle is crystal clear, and the only thing that is illuminated is the reticle...not the whole inside of the scope like so many, many others.
The bottom line? Only first focal plane scope reticle holdovers are valid at all power settings from minimum to maximum, whereas in second focal plane scopes the reticle holdovers are only valid at one particular power setting chosen by the shooter. Why is this important? Because to shoot at different ranges you must either adjust your scopes elevation using the elevation turret, or you must use your reticle holdover marks - either MOA or MIL Dot. If you have plenty of time to adjust your scope's elevation for a shot using the elevation turret dial none of this matters that much, and a second focal plane scope will be fine...BUT...in many hunting situations we only have a second to determine the range to the game, and choose the correct reticle holdover relevant to the determined range and fire. Now, if we are shooting at only one power setting on the scope, once again none of this matters that much. BUT...to shooters like me an animal or target at longer ranges requires me to adjust my scopes' power setting up to it's highest settings, and so I need for the holdovers I have memorized to work at all of my scopes power settings...not only at just one predetermined power setting.
So one of the most important reasons I am so excited about these new Athlon First Focal Plane scopes is that they are priced so that just about anyone can afford one! Most other first focal plane scopes prices start at a minimum of $1200.00 to $1600.00, which puts them way out of reach for most of us working people with families. There is just no way most air gun enthusiasts can justify that kind of money on a scope, especially if they just paid about that much for a super accurate regulated FX rifle. Which means that up till now we have had to put up with crappy, inferior, second focal plane scopes on our air rifles, because we could not afford or justify an expensive first focal plane scope. Well thanks to Athlon those days are over! Now we all can afford a first focal plane scope! And what a scope it is! Don't even hesitate...buy one and try one! And then you guys come back and tell me if you like them or not...but even if for some reason you don't like it? Then just return it to MidwayUSA for a full refund and no harm done.
Doug, let me know if I can be of any help at all in your search for the right scope for your needs. But for now, please trust me when I say that Athlon Scopes are the very best value for your money. Period!
Best regards, Chuck
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Hi again Chuck,
Well my scope arrived today just as I was walking out the door for work. Yes, a Sunday delivery...I love Amazon. Yep, Amazon. No shipping fees for my scope. Now on to my first impressions. It went something like this, "Did they send my the wrong scope??? This thing is f#@%ing sweet!!!" I am a very happy guy so far! Now I am not a scope aficionado like some of the guys responding to this thread, but I do have some experience. As you know, I am a flight RN, but prior to this, I was a police officer and a SWAT Team member ( I know, out of one fire and into another). I was not a sniper, but I was on the entry team. I do have weapons experience. This scope is very well made with beautiful glass. I love the reticle, I love the turrits, I dig the illumination. Crap, the thing even comes with flip up lens covers. And really, FFP for $369.00? What can I say Chuck, but thank you so much for your review. As I said before, I wouldn't have even looked at this scope if it wasn't for your post.
My FX Wildcat.25 should be here next week. I'm installing my scope with the FX No Limits rings. I'll let you know when it's done. I'm really excited!
Well my scope arrived today just as I was walking out the door for work. Yes, a Sunday delivery...I love Amazon. Yep, Amazon. No shipping fees for my scope. Now on to my first impressions. It went something like this, "Did they send my the wrong scope??? This thing is f#@%ing sweet!!!" I am a very happy guy so far! Now I am not a scope aficionado like some of the guys responding to this thread, but I do have some experience. As you know, I am a flight RN, but prior to this, I was a police officer and a SWAT Team member ( I know, out of one fire and into another). I was not a sniper, but I was on the entry team. I do have weapons experience. This scope is very well made with beautiful glass. I love the reticle, I love the turrits, I dig the illumination. Crap, the thing even comes with flip up lens covers. And really, FFP for $369.00? What can I say Chuck, but thank you so much for your review. As I said before, I wouldn't have even looked at this scope if it wasn't for your post.
My FX Wildcat.25 should be here next week. I'm installing my scope with the FX No Limits rings. I'll let you know when it's done. I'm really excited!
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P.S. If I had a wish list for this scope, it would be short: 1) Include a larger wheel for the paralax 2) Maybe a little lighter.
That's about all I can think of!
That's about all I can think of!
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Hi Chuck, thanks for the info. I'm considering getting a Taipan Mutant that I would put it on. I'm currently shooting a FX Bobcat .25 MkII with a Hawke 6.5 - 20 Sidewinder and my shooting area is out to 200 yds and I shoot out past 100 yds frequently, mostly targets. I do use hold-over and hold-off constantly, and use the turrets mainly just to zero in @ 50 yds. As the old saying says, aim small shoot small (or something like that), and if the reticle at higher magnifications becomes too thick, I'm concerned that a small aim point may be covered up by it.
Cheers,
Doug
Cheers,
Doug
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Hello again RNMike, Great minds do think alike! It makes me very happy to hear that you are so happy with your new Athlon scope. My very first impression was the same as yours...I thought somebody screwed up and put a $1600.00 scope in my box by accident! 
And you better believe I wasn't about to correct their mistake! But like you, even though the Athlon side focus wheel is butter smooth to turn, I like a larger sidewheel also. So I'll tell you how I solved that problem...first I went to Rowan Engineering and looked at their competition side wheels...105 British Pounds + shipping comes to around $150.00 USD...which seemed like an awful lot of money just for a side wheel to me.
So instead I went to Pyramyd Air and ordered a 100mm (4") UTG Side Wheel and hoped it would fit. ( they also come in 80mm - 3"). The price? Around $16.00! I figured for a mere $16.00 I would take a chance that it would fit...well the bad news is that it didn't fit...BUT the good news is that it only took 1 minute with my Dremel tool to adapt it so it does fit! Hurray! The UTG Side Wheel has a rubber insert in the middle that was too small to fit over my Athlon side focus wheel...so I sanded down the rubber bumps to make it larger using the little sanding drum that came in my Dremel tool box. Then I tightened down the two little grub screws that hold it securely on my side focus wheel. And Viola! Perfection! I am so happy with myself because I tend to have a "mistake" happen whenever I try to do something like this...but this time I can declare Success. Here are the links to the UTG Side Wheels, and also a link to the Rowan Engineering Side Wheels so you can decide which one you like for your scope.
Now as for it being a little to heavy for you...all I can recommend is that you eat your Wheaties and start lifting some weights at the gym little fella...
Best regards, Chuck
http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/UTG_New_Gen_80mm_Add_On_SWAT_Wheel_For_AccuShot_SWAT_Scopes/4513
http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/Leapers_Accushot_SWAT_Sidewheel_For_Range_Estimation_100_mm/625
http://www.rowanengineering.com/products4.htm
And you better believe I wasn't about to correct their mistake! But like you, even though the Athlon side focus wheel is butter smooth to turn, I like a larger sidewheel also. So I'll tell you how I solved that problem...first I went to Rowan Engineering and looked at their competition side wheels...105 British Pounds + shipping comes to around $150.00 USD...which seemed like an awful lot of money just for a side wheel to me.So instead I went to Pyramyd Air and ordered a 100mm (4") UTG Side Wheel and hoped it would fit. ( they also come in 80mm - 3"). The price? Around $16.00! I figured for a mere $16.00 I would take a chance that it would fit...well the bad news is that it didn't fit...BUT the good news is that it only took 1 minute with my Dremel tool to adapt it so it does fit! Hurray!
The UTG Side Wheel has a rubber insert in the middle that was too small to fit over my Athlon side focus wheel...so I sanded down the rubber bumps to make it larger using the little sanding drum that came in my Dremel tool box. Then I tightened down the two little grub screws that hold it securely on my side focus wheel. And Viola! Perfection! I am so happy with myself because I tend to have a "mistake" happen whenever I try to do something like this...but this time I can declare Success. Here are the links to the UTG Side Wheels, and also a link to the Rowan Engineering Side Wheels so you can decide which one you like for your scope.Now as for it being a little to heavy for you...all I can recommend is that you eat your Wheaties and start lifting some weights at the gym little fella...
Best regards, Chuck
http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/UTG_New_Gen_80mm_Add_On_SWAT_Wheel_For_AccuShot_SWAT_Scopes/4513
http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/Leapers_Accushot_SWAT_Sidewheel_For_Range_Estimation_100_mm/625
http://www.rowanengineering.com/products4.htm
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Hello again Doug, it is serendipity that you tell me this because a month or so ago I bought a Hawke Sidewinder 6.5-20x42mm from MidwayUSA...I was not happy with it for several reasons and decided to ship it back for a refund two weeks later. It had some good points but all in all I wasn't happy with it...at 20x it was too blurry at the edges of the field of view. The day I was going to ship it back I got an email from MidwayUSA regarding their "New Arrivals"...and that is how I discovered these brand new Athlon scopes and thought what the hell, I might as well try one of them. And man am I glad I did! Doug I want you to go ahead and order one of these Athlon Argos 6-24x50mm FFP scopes today. Please just trust me when I say that you will never be happy with the Hawke again once you see through one of these Athlon's. The difference will just blow your mind! Better yet, ask RNMike what he thinks of the new Athlon 6-24x50 FFP he got from Amazon just yesterday. Jump in my brother! The water is fine!
As for the Taipan Mutant I have no personal experience with it...other than I have an acquaintance up in north Florida that recently purchased one, and was very unhappy with his. So he took my advice and purchased a .22 Wildcat with the Huggett moderator... Well Doug, that's all for now...other than to say I hope you take the plunge and try out one of these new Athlon Argos 6-24x50mm FFP scopes for yourself. You will be darn glad you did! And besides, what do you have to lose?
Best regards, Chuck
As for the Taipan Mutant I have no personal experience with it...other than I have an acquaintance up in north Florida that recently purchased one, and was very unhappy with his. So he took my advice and purchased a .22 Wildcat with the Huggett moderator... Well Doug, that's all for now...other than to say I hope you take the plunge and try out one of these new Athlon Argos 6-24x50mm FFP scopes for yourself. You will be darn glad you did! And besides, what do you have to lose?
Best regards, Chuck
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Hey Check & Doug. YES, buy one Doug, you won't regret it!
The Rowan wheel looks sweet...I love shiny stuff! But I think I'm gonna try the experiment too & go for the UTG. For $16 I don't mind taking the chance & maybe screwing one up. As far as the Wheaties go...why do ya gotta pick on the frail little nurse
The Rowan wheel looks sweet...I love shiny stuff! But I think I'm gonna try the experiment too & go for the UTG. For $16 I don't mind taking the chance & maybe screwing one up. As far as the Wheaties go...why do ya gotta pick on the frail little nurse
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F'ing auto correct! It's supposed to be scope-werks. Nice product, but expensive. Again, $100.00.
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Thanks Mike...and by the way it is easier to just highlight a websites address in the address bar, hit copy, then paste it to a post like this: http://www.scope-werks.com/
this makes it much easier but you may not be able to do this from your smart/dumb phone...
this makes it much easier but you may not be able to do this from your smart/dumb phone...
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This got me reading up on FFP scopes I'm still a little unsure.
If I competed in FT matches where range finders were not allowed and the distance is not known ahead of time, then a FFP scope would be a no brainer. I can also see a huge potential benefit for powder burner hunting at longer ranges.
So the question is, what do you guys (who own them) think about using one for typical air gun hunting at 60 yards or less? The claim under the pros and cons is that FFP scopes do not allow the same precision as SFP scopes at lower magnifications. I.e. You loose the fine reticle.
I tend to shoot on either 4x for very close range or 8x for 50-100 yards. How do you find the reticle at 6x? What magnification do you use at 30 yards (for example) and how easy is it to aim at a squirrels head?
Keeping scopes light has been important to me when hunting. I couldn't find any lightweight FFP scopes so, if I'm going to carry the extra weight, I wanted to ask if you find them worth it a shorter ranges vs a lightweight SFP plus a cheap range finder?
I found a few other lower cost FFP scopes btw. The cheapest one I found so far was the Primary Arms 4-14x44 FFP mil dot 10 yards to infinity AO at $230. BSA also makes one with similar specs and price to this Argos, as does Sun Optics. They all seem to get good reviews for the price.
I have 3 new air rifles to get scopes for this week. Good to see it never gets any less confusing. Decisions, decisions, decisions...
If I competed in FT matches where range finders were not allowed and the distance is not known ahead of time, then a FFP scope would be a no brainer. I can also see a huge potential benefit for powder burner hunting at longer ranges.
So the question is, what do you guys (who own them) think about using one for typical air gun hunting at 60 yards or less? The claim under the pros and cons is that FFP scopes do not allow the same precision as SFP scopes at lower magnifications. I.e. You loose the fine reticle.
I tend to shoot on either 4x for very close range or 8x for 50-100 yards. How do you find the reticle at 6x? What magnification do you use at 30 yards (for example) and how easy is it to aim at a squirrels head?
Keeping scopes light has been important to me when hunting. I couldn't find any lightweight FFP scopes so, if I'm going to carry the extra weight, I wanted to ask if you find them worth it a shorter ranges vs a lightweight SFP plus a cheap range finder?
I found a few other lower cost FFP scopes btw. The cheapest one I found so far was the Primary Arms 4-14x44 FFP mil dot 10 yards to infinity AO at $230. BSA also makes one with similar specs and price to this Argos, as does Sun Optics. They all seem to get good reviews for the price.
I have 3 new air rifles to get scopes for this week. Good to see it never gets any less confusing. Decisions, decisions, decisions...
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lightweight hunting scope = UTG 3-9x32 bugbuster ---always gets great reviews -- if you want more power and range finding , try the UTG 3-12x44 swat side focus compact -- 30mm tube with glass etch reticle
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I'm not looking for lightweight scope info. I have a few Clearidge Ultra RM which are 12oz. I am asking for the people who bought the Argos scopes to give me their opinions on using a FFP for my kind of hunting.
Since I learned to make lightweight stocks, I can stand to add a little more weight with the scopes so I'm thinking of putting my Clearidges on my Mutant Shorty and the Ataman Ultra Compact and buying something more powerful for my Cricket 25. This is why I'm insterested in FFP scopes.
Since I learned to make lightweight stocks, I can stand to add a little more weight with the scopes so I'm thinking of putting my Clearidges on my Mutant Shorty and the Ataman Ultra Compact and buying something more powerful for my Cricket 25. This is why I'm insterested in FFP scopes.
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I tried FFP, didn't like it. I tried several SFP, never pleased. Tried fixed power, very nice indeed, just parallax and shoot, nothing else. Although for pure paper punch where weight is not an issue I would go with SFP with at least 30x magnification.
My experience is If your looking for a lightweight scope, don't even bothere looking at chineese optics, when you find the equivalent made in Japan or Germany you will be amazed at the weight difference
My experience is If your looking for a lightweight scope, don't even bothere looking at chineese optics, when you find the equivalent made in Japan or Germany you will be amazed at the weight difference
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I have aeon 10-40x56 - trajectory reticle -- I like it - also , hawke sidewinder 8-32x56 - the aeon is a little smaller very fine etch glass reticle
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Hello zebra, and all you other guys searching for the perfect scope, Happy Labor Day!
Atlon Optics' most affordable line of scopes are called Talos...I would like to challenge you to purchase one of the Athlon Argos or Talos FFP scopes and see what you are missing. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Then you can give us all the answers to these questions.
Here is a link to the Athlon Talos 4-14x44mm FFP scope with true mildot reticle and turret dials,priced at a mere $299.00: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/494577/athlon-optics-talos-btr-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-4-14x-44mm-1-10-mil-first-focal-side-focus-illuminated-aplr2-mil-reticle-matte
The great advantage that FFP scopes have over SFP scopes is the fact that the reticle holdovers are 100% valid regardless of magnification ... And the great advantages my Athlon Argos 6-24x50 FFP scope has over every other scope I have ever owned is that the field of view is crystal clear, all the way out to the edge of the glass, regardless of magnification. Furthermore, the etched glass reticle is very fine at all magnification settings up to 24x, so hunting out to 50 yards at say 8x or 10x would be a breeze. But you must judge for yourself ... my opinion and any others can only lead you to the water, it is up to you to jump in and see for yourself, and then give us all your opinion. I hope you find what you are looking for ... I have.
Best regards and joy to all, Chuck
Atlon Optics' most affordable line of scopes are called Talos...I would like to challenge you to purchase one of the Athlon Argos or Talos FFP scopes and see what you are missing. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Then you can give us all the answers to these questions.
Here is a link to the Athlon Talos 4-14x44mm FFP scope with true mildot reticle and turret dials,priced at a mere $299.00: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/494577/athlon-optics-talos-btr-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-4-14x-44mm-1-10-mil-first-focal-side-focus-illuminated-aplr2-mil-reticle-matte
The great advantage that FFP scopes have over SFP scopes is the fact that the reticle holdovers are 100% valid regardless of magnification ... And the great advantages my Athlon Argos 6-24x50 FFP scope has over every other scope I have ever owned is that the field of view is crystal clear, all the way out to the edge of the glass, regardless of magnification. Furthermore, the etched glass reticle is very fine at all magnification settings up to 24x, so hunting out to 50 yards at say 8x or 10x would be a breeze. But you must judge for yourself ... my opinion and any others can only lead you to the water, it is up to you to jump in and see for yourself, and then give us all your opinion. I hope you find what you are looking for ... I have.
Best regards and joy to all, Chuck
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Chuck,
This is the exact reason my next scope will either be Fixed or FFP.
At first I thought I can just use StreloK+ (like a bunch of others /'mI sure) and then just change the power on the display to match the power on the scope to get exact holdovers. Then I started thinking about how far off the AO's #'s are on most scopes and then realized. "How do I know I am at 16 power when the scope indicator says I'm at 16 power? When my AO is adjusted for a lasered 50yds it reads like 60yds, so how can I even think the "scale" for power is right? Now I use my old 4-16x scopes and just leave them at max till I can get that 4-14 talos for $299.
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