If you just want a hunting scope with ability to dial elevation with a simple reticle that has elevation and windage marks with an illuminated center dot. Take a look at the Athlon Ares HLR. It just came out and is finally available at Cameraland. It is only 19 ounces. Get a little washed out at 24 power but not bad. I have several different brand in first and second focal plain. It's a fairly simple scope and the reticle holds match up at 16 power. For $730 it's not as good as the Leupold VX 6HD Gen2 but less than half the price.
Athlon scopes versus Arken scopes
- Thread starter tribb
- Start date
Nomosendero
Well-Known Member
I wonder if the "wash out" problem could be avoided by going with the 2.5 x 15? I think 15x is plenty of Magnification for any Big Game hunting I would do. The 24x would be a little better for targets, but I could live with that.
98% of scopes in the 25-35X range experience sub optimal performance maxed out. Keep the power 5X under max and all good.
Nomosendero
Well-Known Member
Yea, I think the 2.5 x 15 would be a non issue
It's not that bad on 24 power. You can see very well. I'm just nitpicking as I have higher end scope that are better. 20 power and below is perfect. Also when I saw wash out I'm looking at a post at close to 650 yards. At 100 yards at the range yesterday it is clear and you could spot flies easily. The nice thing with the 24 power is easy to see details further out but your reticle marks are true at 16 power where I would need to dial or hold over. The 16 on the power ring is makes in red so easy to get to quickly. All in all I really like the scope and the glass. I have several Leupold VX 6HD Gen 1 and 2. This scope at less than half the price is a whole lot of scope for the money and I'm being unfair by judging to the Mark V, VX 6HD, Mark 4HD and NX8 scopes. I won't hesitate to buy another one.
Unless one wants to cruise 20-25X. I just leave my Athlon 2.5-15 on 15X for ground squirrels to 125yds on a pellet gun.
It works, but no scope is at its best maxed out.
Yes what you just stated. I like to have my scope go at least 4x over is what I have learned. At the range the 24 power comes in handy.
Nomosendero
Well-Known Member
If I can't see a Deer or an Elk good enough to shoot it at 15X, I know it's time to go home!
Yes, the 24x would be fine on a varminter.
JakeWes
Well-Known Member
I have 2 Arkon EPL4-16x44 sitting in talley low extended rings on my 7mm STW and 7mm RUM Remington 700s. I like them because they are sturdy scopes, though I am not a fan of the reticle for hunting applications.
clemens
Well-Known Member
Now if only they had more sfp options.
Aoudad shooter1975
Well-Known Member
I'm really not a fan of either --from the little I've been around the Arken--I'd pass they weigh like a boat anchor and have about all the style and fit of the same anchor. I have used a Athlon Cronos and it was ok--nothing spectacular but very usuable and repeatable.
I didn't know that Arken has new ownership. For what it is worth, . For those who do not know, he is an LRH member, but cannot remember his screen name.
I do this with any scope or magnification, even when I can see the game, but I cannot see what is behind, it is time to call it quits.
