Pick my scope for me

[Southpaw409]

The 2 I'm considering are the Bushnell match pro ed 3-18x50 and the Athlon helos btr gen 2 4-20x50. There's about a $250 difference between these 2 and I'm not sure the bushnell is $250 more scope than the Athlon.

Which would be your pick between these 2? And what others in this low-mid tier would you recommend over these? Im aware of the Arken ep5, but i dont trust all of the youtube reviews from people who have affiliate links. The features I'm hoping for are:

FFP
Exposed (locking preferably) elevation
Zero stop
Capped or locking windage
Mid power range
Mil
Illuminated reticle
50-56mm obj
Sub $900
Best glass possible for this price range

I would love to put "not made in china" but i know I won't get that at this price range. Thank you all for you time and expertise!

 

[Southpaw409]

Athlon Helos**** btr gen 2 4-20x50

 

[Stadoc]

Athlon Helos**** btr gen 2 4-20x50

this

 

[74honker]

Midas TAC is in your price range and even better than the Helos IMO.

 

[Southpaw409]

Midas TAC is in your price range and even better than the Helos IMO.

My bad, I forgot to include "illuminated reticle" in the OP. It does seem like the glass would be better according to their marketing.

 

[74honker]

My bad, I forgot to include "illuminated reticle" in the OP. It does seem like the glass would be better according to their marketing.

I don't think you can go wrong with Athlon. I'm with you on the rather not china but they are good scopes. If you shop around a little like cameraland or eurooptic you may be able to get even an Ares line for the price range.

 

[Jon Bischof]

I have 3 Riton rifle scopes now, because I like the clarity of their glass and their tank-like construction. And I'm not an Amazon associate or affiliated with Riton. I'm a hunter.

https://www.amazon.com/Riton-Riflescope-Illuminated-Integrated-Removable/dp/B0BRJR47X2?tag=lrhmag19-20

 

[dfanonymous]

The Bushnell is a good option. The arken is Japanese made I'm pretty sure and works fine. It has 2 mils more of total elevation than the Bushnell.

There's also This. I think the reticles suck compared to the other 2.

The Tract Torics use to be pretty budget as well. I haven't looked at those prices in some years.

You can find a Eotech Vudu on sale or used sometimes for $1500 depending if you can stretch your budget and live with a 50mm objective. Glass comes from the same place as the civilian NF atacr's.

 

[highfinblue]

I remember when Japanese made products were much like Chinese today, but the folks in Japan definitely figured some stuff out. I hated Nikon stopping making rifle scopes because you couldn't beat their glass for the money. If I was choosing between China and Japan, I'm going with Japan products every time. I believe China will catch up if they want to, but I'm kind of a conspiracy theorist and I'm not sure they don't want to sell us junk.

 

[JAYgs8163]

Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50 is a fantastic optic for under $600 with UHD glass. I am extremely impressed with mine and at this price it's a no brainer.

Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50mm APLR6 FFP IR MOA Riflescope 212105

FREE SHIPPING on Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50mm APLR6 FFP IR MOA Riflescope 212105

www.eurooptic.com

 

[JAYgs8163]

The Bushnell is a good option. The arken is Japanese made I'm pretty sure and works fine. It has 2 mils more of total elevation than the Bushnell.

There's also This. I think the reticles suck compared to the other 2.

The Tract Torics use to be pretty budget as well. I haven't looked at those prices in some years.

You can find a Eotech Vudu on sale or used sometimes for $1500 depending if you can stretch your budget and live with a 50mm objective. Glass comes from the same place as the civilian NF atacr's.

Arken is made in China. Some of their glass comes from Japan but that's it.

 

[Southpaw409]

I don't think you can go wrong with Athlon. I'm with you on the rather not china but they are good scopes. If you shop around a little like cameraland or eurooptic you may be able to get even an Ares line for the price range.

Is the ares a huge upgrade from the helos? If the glass quality is noticeably better consider me very intrigued.

 

[Southpaw409]

Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50 is a fantastic optic for under $600 with UHD glass. I am extremely impressed with mine and at this price it's a no brainer.

Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50mm APLR6 FFP IR MOA Riflescope 212105

FREE SHIPPING on Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50mm APLR6 FFP IR MOA Riflescope 212105

www.eurooptic.com

Looks like a great deal, I wish it was in mils instead of moa. If you come across one in mils for that price please send me a link. I've found a couple in mils in the $715ish range. Is the ares a huge upgrade from the helos?

 

[JAYgs8163]

Looks like a great deal, I wish it was in mils instead of moa. If you come across one in mils for that price please send me a link. I've found a couple in mils in the $715ish range. Is the ares a huge upgrade from the helos?

Yes it is a huge upgrade! The glass is very impressive.