MUP,

I have two of them. I bought both of them from the same place you did when they were on sale. I think for the price they are very good scopes; however, one is a tad bit clearer than the other one. I bought a Sightron earlier this year and have joined the ranks of the "scope snobs" I probably would not buy another one.

Conclusion, only you can answer your question but I'm guessing you will like it for the money.

 

@MUP whether or not you will be impressed or disappointed likely depends on where you are coming from in your previous scope ownership. I own four of these scopes currently and have them set up on rifles that my kids and I use for ARA. I think they work really well for that application. I have picked all of them up for ~ $300ish on sale and feel they are a good value at that price. I also try to resist looking through fancier more expensive glass so that I remain ignorant on what may be better and avoid scope lust. We tend to not run them at full magnification, as there is some degradation observed on max magnification. There is a bit of variation on clarity amongst the four. All in all I am happy with them. No regrets at this point.

 

Thanks for the info buddy. I've heard the same from others about not using full magnification without degrading clarity. I'm using a Vortex Venom 5x25x56 currently on my CZ 457 VPT and it has served me well at our local matches. These older eyes are in need of a little more zoom tho, for the longer distance targets, and that's why I'm searching. 👍🏻

 

I'm also in the ranks of "own several". It's a pretty popular scope around here. I do think it's a very good scope for the $. It's solidly built. Turrets, controls and fit/finish are all very good. I like the second focal plane dot reticle for fine target shooting as well. It's a good looking scope too. That said, It is a $350 scope so glass brightness and quality won't stack up against scopes costing 2-5X as much. I still use mine regularly but will tell you that once you get past 32X or so, the glass dims noticeably and the eye box tightens as well. (I have trouble with my heartbeat pulsing the reticle past 30X anyway.) In fairness, even the $1200+ scopes I've looked through suffer in this department when pushed up near 40X. Some more than others.
Will you like it? Don't let those who have moved on the four figure glass influence you initial impressions. My bet is that you will be impressed with it right out of the box. ( I certainly was when I got my first one.) Heck I've become a glass snob myself too but still enjoy mine regularly. Did I mention, it's a good looking scope?

p.s. Worth noting is that the rear tube section on this scope is especially short on this model (as can can be seen above.) Depending on your rifle/rail/ring combination, this can effect fore/aft adjustability to get the right eye box. It's not a show stopper but something to be aware of.

 

I'm also in the ranks of "own several". It's a pretty popular scope around here. I think it's a very good scope for the $. It's solidly built. Turrets, controls and fit/finish are all very good. I like the second focal plane dot reticle for fine target shooting as well. It's a good looking scope too. That said, It is a $350 scope so glass brightness and quality won't stack up against scopes costing 2-5X as much. I still use mine regularly but will tell you that once you get past 32X or so, the glass dims noticeably and the eye box tightens as well. (I have trouble with my heartbeat pulsing the reticle past 30 anyway.) In fairness though, even the $1200+ scopes I've looked through suffer in this department when pushed up near 40X. Will you like it? Don't let those who have moved on the four figure glass influence you initial impressions. My bet is that you will be impressed with it right out of the box. ( I certainly was when I got my first one.) Heck I've become a glass snob too and still enjoy mineregularly. Did I mention, it's a good looking scope?

View attachment 518779

p.s. Worth noting is that the rear tube section on this scope is especially short on this model (as can can be seen above.) Depending on your rifle/rail/ring combination, this can effect fore/aft adjustability to get the right eye box. It's not a show stopper but something to be aware of.

Identical to my setup even down to the bolt knob except your wood is a lot nicer. I just picked up some BKL single screw 30mm dovetail rings to try out. The narrower rings will allow scope to be moved back a little more.

 

I keep reading good things about the Vortex venom 5-25 and hope to cross paths with one some day. A few guys at ARA matches wanting more magnification are using the Athlon Hera's 15-60 and seem to like it. I think those run ~$500ish.

HERAS SPR 15-60x56 BLR2 SFP MOA - Athlon Optics

Push your small caliber firearm or airgun to new distances with a wide high magnification range of 6-24X.

athlonoptics.com

 

I keep reading good things about the Vortex venom 5-25 and hope to cross paths with one some day. A few guys at ARA matches wanting more magnification are using the Athlon Hera's 15-60 and seem to like it. I think those run ~$500ish.

HERAS SPR 15-60x56 BLR2 SFP MOA - Athlon Optics

Push your small caliber firearm or airgun to new distances with a wide high magnification range of 6-24X.

athlonoptics.com

No experience with the Heras but I've " a few" Vortex Venoms. IMHO, it's the best glass I've seen in any sub $500 scope . The rest of the scope ( Controls, features, reticle, etc) is above it's price point too. FWIW, prices on the Venom seem to have dropped in the last month. I've seen them in a few places for under $420 in recent weeks. ( That's with sunshade, throw lever and caps, turret tool... too). FWIW, I grabbed another from Optics Planet over the holiday weekend. I'm not sure what I'll put it on but I just couldn't pass up the sale price of $342ish after sale and credits! You might want to watch there for their upcoming Black Friday Sale!

 

I must like them since I have four of them and happy with each.

 

I've owned 2 of them for a couple of years on my Varmint MTR's and everything Tacoma stated is spot on. It is a really good scope for the money. I do keep them on 40x on the bench and the eye box certainly tightens up but it sure helps seeing the center dot of an ARA target up close and personal so to speak. I have recently noticed some either very small spots or imperfections in the lens @ 40x which were not there when I initially bought them. They aren't really distracting but are now there. Both scopes were purchased new in 2022 so it may have been an isolated run issue, don't know. I recently looked through my gun dealer buddy's same scope and his did not exhibit this, his was also much brighter and clearer @ 40x than either of mine. He recommended to send them back to Athlon that they would definitely take care of it, I may do that when our range closes in November. Would I buy them again or recommend them, yes I would.
Happy shooting.

 

I like mine so far. It is a nice scope.

 

I like mine so far . EXCEPT ... for the RETICLE. MUCH to "busy" . A real cluttered look, sometimes have trouble finding the "0". They don't offer any other reticles. I will not buy another that has the same reticle. Just my thoughts
jk

 

I bought one 2 years ago for my CZ 457 MTR I shoot in ARA Factory. Great scope for the price. I was happy with it, but swapped it onto a rifle I used for F-SBR. It was great at 50 and 100 yards. I felt the same about the reticle so I sold the Athlon. I have two Golden Eagles with the simple crosshairs, and two Sightron 45x45 Target Dots that I prefer.

 

I shot with one for awhile and had no problems with it at all. I sold it for higher magnification.


I'm now using one of these while saving "STUPID MONEY" for a high end scope.

HERAS SPR 15-60x56 BLR2 SFP MOA - Athlon Optics

 

Man that Heras is nice!

 

I have one on my Varmint, glass is not as clear as my Sightrons but it works. Adjustments are crisp and precise, the reticle is fine and for the money the glass is clear enough considering the price

 

I've got an Argos G2 8-34x56 FFP-IR and it's good for casual targeting. As said b4, it too has a small eyebox at 34x. I want a more powerful mag next year. Works for my use at the range but wouldn't want to carry it thru the woods very far.

 

I have the Argos and the Heras. Both are good scopes and above average for their cost. The Argos (at least mine) is crystal clear up to about 32X, while the Heras stays clear all the way up to 60X. Personally, if I was buying one today, I would pay extra and get the Heras.