The Athlon Optics Argos BTR Gen2 is a relatively cheap long range hunting scope with a set of expensive features. But what do these features mean to you? And is buying a cheaper scope worth the risk? By the end of this review, I’ll answer both of those questions and more. Let’s get started.

The Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 is a hunting scope designed to give you a crystal clear picture in even the worst environments. It’s durability is perfect for a hunt out in the deep woods, while the XPL coating will make sure you never lose sight of your prey. But you might be wondering: How is this better than any other hunting scope?

Glass Clarity and Reticle

I was impressed with how well the Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 managed light levels. It is fully multi-coated, so I don’t have to worry about reflected light catching a deer’s eye and alerting it. The reticle is also illuminated, so my dusk and dawn hunts can go off without a hitch.

The reticle itself is a first focal plane and is etched to boot. The mil-dot crosshair zoomed in cleanly with no blurriness near the edges. Being fully multi-coated ensured that the picture remained crystal clear at all times. The only downside is that the picture loses a touch of clarity past the 20x mark. It wasn’t enough to affect the accuracy of my shots, just enough to be noticeable.

Eye Relief and Eye Box

The main downside to this scope is the tight 3.3” of eye relief. Maintaining a good cheek weld was essential, but once I got used to it it just became second nature. The eye box is solid, so keeping my picture centered was fairly easy. I also noticed no eye fatigue, and I can thank the crystal clear glass for that.  

Durability

One of the Athlon Argos BTR Gen2’s strongest features is how much of a beating it can take. Despite banging it around and fully submerging it in water, it easily came out unscathed and solidly held my zero on top of that. How?

This scope was made with one piece tube construction, which makes it far more durable than multi-piece scopes. It’s also argon purged and made of aircraft grade aluminum, practically guaranteeing that it won’t break or suffer from fog or moisture. As the cherry on top, the scope has a XPL coating that gives the lenses additional protection from dirt and harsh weather.

Elevation and Windage Knobs

The turrets each give an audible click when turned, so I never had to take my eyes off the prize to make my adjustments. The Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 also features a precision zero stop system, meaning once I’ve found my zero, it’s effortless to return to it. On top of being able to return to my zero on a whim, it only took me a couple rounds to find it. I’ve since fired over 100 rounds through my 30-06 rifle and it’s held my zero throughout.

Parallax and Magnification

The magnification on the Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 is perfect for long distance hunting. The magnification is 6-24x, which let me accurately take down prey far beyond their detection range. The parallax adjustment is on the side focus, and twists smoothly and consistently. 

Mounting and Rings

Like most scopes, the Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 does not come with a mount and rings included. Athlon sells their own rings and mounts, which obviously mesh well when used in tandem with their scope. I can attest that these work great and the total will still be under $500.  

Is the Athlon Optics Argos BTR Gen2 6-24x50 Scope for you?

If you’re looking for a long range scope designed to weather the harsh outdoors without draining your bank account, then the Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 is for you. Here’s why: 

• Extreme durability 
• Crystal clear picture  
• Precision zero stop system 

Long story short: I would absolutely recommend this scope. Despite the value packed into it, the price is still very low for a scope of this type. Athlon also ensures a lifetime warranty, although I’d be surprised if you manage to break this scope. With very few downsides, the Argos BTR Gen2 is absolutely worth more than it costs. 

Richard Douglas is a firearms expert and educator. His work has appeared in large publications like The Armory Life, Daily Caller, American Shooting Journal, and more. In his free time, he reviews optics on his Scopes Field blog.

Image: Athlon