Hi. I recently did a review here on a new Athlon Argos BTR Gen 3 8-34X56 scope. I have since updated my initial review of that scope, stating I returned it due to ONE fatal flaw: Terrible eye box.
It was an unfair comparison to a scope that cost 2X the $.
So, I decided to give Athlon another chance. (I have some older Athlons and was always pleased with them).
I noticed they have a brand-new offering, the Midas Tac 5-30X56 UHD (34mm tube). I had always 'heard' the Midas Tac offerings were punching well above their price point.
So, I took the new, unmounted Midas and the new, unmounted EP5 to my range. Again, I placed new hi-res targets at the 50-yard position, in addition to freshly painted steel.
As usual, I adjusted the diopter on both scopes before placing them on a large sandbag, observing the targets at min, mid, and max magnification, carefully adjusting the parallax for max clarity.
The following are comments of the Midas vrs the EP5.
Construction - equal, very nice
Size/weight - Midas slight longer, both fine
Eye relief - equal, very good
Eye box - excellent, slightly better than the EP5
Turrets - equal, both excellent *
Illumination - not used
Parallax wheel - the Arken was larger, both smooth **
Accessories - the Midas was superior, Aluminum caps and throw lever included. Extras on the
EP5
* I have no preference of locking and capped (windage) turrets, so these are a wash. But I never dial for wind anyway, so......
** I have a lathe and made an adapter to use an Arken SH4J parallax wheel (Amazon) for the Midas. I like the larger diameter.
Since the $ of these 2 scopes is almost identical, Athlon has a winner here.
Chinese optics have come a LONG way in the recent past! Check out Xring's video for an unbiased comparison of Arken and DNT vrs some $4500 glass
that he shoots with.
Only one more scope to check out. It will be here Tuesday.........
It was an unfair comparison to a scope that cost 2X the $.
So, I decided to give Athlon another chance. (I have some older Athlons and was always pleased with them).
I noticed they have a brand-new offering, the Midas Tac 5-30X56 UHD (34mm tube). I had always 'heard' the Midas Tac offerings were punching well above their price point.
So, I took the new, unmounted Midas and the new, unmounted EP5 to my range. Again, I placed new hi-res targets at the 50-yard position, in addition to freshly painted steel.
As usual, I adjusted the diopter on both scopes before placing them on a large sandbag, observing the targets at min, mid, and max magnification, carefully adjusting the parallax for max clarity.
The following are comments of the Midas vrs the EP5.
Construction - equal, very nice
Size/weight - Midas slight longer, both fine
Eye relief - equal, very good
Eye box - excellent, slightly better than the EP5
Turrets - equal, both excellent *
Illumination - not used
Parallax wheel - the Arken was larger, both smooth **
Accessories - the Midas was superior, Aluminum caps and throw lever included. Extras on the
EP5
* I have no preference of locking and capped (windage) turrets, so these are a wash. But I never dial for wind anyway, so......
** I have a lathe and made an adapter to use an Arken SH4J parallax wheel (Amazon) for the Midas. I like the larger diameter.
Since the $ of these 2 scopes is almost identical, Athlon has a winner here.
Chinese optics have come a LONG way in the recent past! Check out Xring's video for an unbiased comparison of Arken and DNT vrs some $4500 glass
that he shoots with.
Only one more scope to check out. It will be here Tuesday.........
