Athlon Optics Argos HMR 2-12x42 Riflescope - BDC600 SFP

Having owned a Konus Pro M30, albeit SFP, I am familiar with this design and quality of glass. The Athlon Argos is a more substantial offering of that scope. It does not disappoint. I am satisfied with this purchase and product: quality, durability, reliability, function at a cost most can manage (enabling greater focus on improved marksmanship).+Pros:1). Clarity is very good for price point, as good as anything in the mid range. Light transmission at dusk better than the old Redfield Illuminators. I would compare it to Vortex, Burris, Nikon, Bushnell scopes of similar power. Only above 20X is clarity not on parr, but I was able to focus out parallex to a more than acceptable and accurate degree. I have mine mounted traditionally on a bolt action rifle. I understand how some may experience eye relief issues by mounting this scope on an AR with the typical AR mount which mounts optics more forward, but as I have mine mounted, that is not a problem, and I'm focused in. Traditionally mounted on a bolt action rifle, or even an AR, eye relief is not an issue. I know there are scopes with better eye relief, but they tend to cost more and/or not offer what this FFP scope brings to the table.2). Sturdy, will hold zero through field use, carry, transport. Will stand up to recoil of .308 Win. Or even something like a .300 Win. Mag. And hold zero repeatedly and durably. Sturdier than most Leupolds, Bushnells, Nikons.3). Did not fog up in the unpredictable and inconstant conditions of spring thaw shooting. And it maintained clarity. Stayed waterproof. I have confidence scope will hold up to use in climate extremes.4). Price brings a working, long term, tactical scope into the hands of most shooters which will endure daily use, hold zero, and enable accurate fire. Moreover, a perfectly functional, utility scope which can more than adequately fulfill most shooting requirements calls into question the need for higher end glass for day to day field use: if a $300 scope does what a $1000 or even $2000 scope can do, and if you (and not the government or a corporate sponsor) are responsible for maintaining and procuring your optic, it makes much more sense to use the optic which accomplishes tasks at hand adequately, reliably, holding up to field use at the most affordable cost.5). Perfect first scope for a beginner to acclimate himself with Mil Dot ranging, long range & tactical shooting. One is able to estimate distance with reticle to target very well. Mil ranging and calculation is easy with this scope.6). Illumination settings visibile in bright light and do not blur out reticle in day or dusk shooting.7). Included scope covers, although not Butler Creek, will hold up.8). This scope is good enough to deploy with. That at its price point may make it a best choice for most practical shooters. I would offer this scope as a consideration when choosing any type of similar optic. And I would consider whether improved clarity, niceties and "status" offsets practical field use and cost of this optic - do I want to put $1000 at risk when $300 gets the job done in the same, regular, shooting applications?9). Athlon customer service is courteous, friendly, and exceptionally decent with customers. So if any warranty issues may ever arise, I am confident this manufacturer will stand by its product. (Will Bushnell, Nikon, Burris?)10). Warranty is good.+Cons1). Ladder test showed tracking is within +/- .3 MOA just like the Konus. So at longer ranges, it is easy to anticipate and correct. But you have to keep this in mind and learn your optic, ammo/loads and your rifle.2). Made in China. So purchase is not helping working Americans. Although if it were made in the USA, it would probably cost twice as much: so that added expense out of your personal or American family budget also holds weight.3). Clicks are barely audible, very mushy. So careful adjustment and getting used to scope is a must. Adjustment calls for more focus and ranging/shooting discipline. Or you can clean out the grease and try a lighter grease and risk losing waterproofing.4). Does not come with sunshade & Amazon attempted to sell me 56mm sunshade for scope (twice), which would not fit. Contacted Athlon: they were courteous, helpful, and sent me correct sunshade gratis. Thank you, Athlon!5). Zero stop washer system is rudimentary, but it works.6). Scope is heavy: if you want or need a lighter platform, take that into consideration.+Overall, I rate this scope 4.5 - 4.75/5. Buy it and improve your marksmanship. Most shooters will not appreciate the improved optics clarities and additional features of higher end optics: they might find that cost versus "status" doesn't offset passing over this scope. If you train regularly/deploy and learn the ins and outs of this scope, you will prepare yourself and your pocket book for the upgrade when and if you need it. And you will improve your marksmanship. Excellent scope.

Nice glass, great reticle, and the 10-40 that I bought is second focal plane so it's great for all distances. I had one of the 8-32x56 first focal plane models and sold it cheap just to get rid of it.

First off, I absolutely love Athlons scopes ! I have a chronus 4.5 x29 56, Argos 6x24 50 and this one. With the load I came up with to get under 1 inch groups my velocity is around 2460 fps with the recommended 68 gr bullets.. The reticle is zero @ 200] 2.4 moa@300] 5.6 @ 400.] At my velocity according to ballistics is [email protected]] 7.7@400 . If I got my numbers right you'll need right around 2813 fps to use the reticle accurately. I'm using a 16" barrel. The pictures @ 100yd 5 shots, 2 worst was just under 1" an I'll dial that in some with match dies. You can adapt to using this reticle. I will. The scope has capped turrets with 1/2 moa clicks so you can accurately use those for your velocity and ballistics calculations. The scope has great clarity for the money ! I gave it 5 stars because I'm sure they did there job with the reticle and longer barrels. Wish they'd do a reticle for the average velocities out there.

I decided to wait 1.5 years before making this review so I could give it a true test. Overall I am extremely happy with the scope. Others who I hunt with who regularly by $2,000 scopes we're also very impressed by the Athlon Argos. They've even gone so far as to suggest the scope to others and even by one for themselves. It is gone through multiple hunting trips and plenty of X at the range in a wide variety of weather conditions everything from rainy, freezing cold, snow, extremely bright, Dusty and hot conditions. The glass has been extremely clear and I've never had a problem with it fogging up on me. During a few of the hunting trips I have wished it had a 0 stop but I am looking for an aftermarket part that I've heard about that will allow me to put a zero stop on it. I do have a paired with a high-quality set of rings and so far it is held 0 perfectly. The reticle illumination has helped during a few low-light hunting situations that I found myself in. One small complaint I have is that when you're zeroing in the scope taking on and off the caps sometimes will adjust the scope one or two clicks and so you have to be careful when taking the caps on and off. The last small complaint I have is with the flip up caps. Through normal usage one of the springs on the Caps broke which has caused me to set it at an angle and hope it doesn't get in the way when I'm hunting. I will be calling Athlon customer support soon to see if they'll send me a replacement. If their customer support is good as I've heard then I'll probably be changing this review from 4 stars to 5.Since this is my first Athlon product and I've been very impressed so far I've actually gone ahead and ordered one of their rangefinders even without being able to find any reviews on the internet about it.Overall you're not going to be disappointed with this purchase but don't expect it to be a $2,000 scope either

I've had 2 of these for a year. They are crisp, easy to use, and stay zero'd on .223 and 7.62x39. I was so pleased, I bought 3 more! Now I one on every rifle smaller than .308!The only adverse comment might be the zoom ring is a bit difficult to use. But there are some zoom rings available that mount on them to make changing zoom MUCH easier.