Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope

Name: Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope
Price: 289.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 6.5 (88 reviews)

Curated from 88 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: February 15, 2025

Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope

Brand: Athlon Optics

Price: $289

Snoop Score:

6.5

Sentiment

7.5

Popularity

4.5

Technical

7.2

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Snoop's Take

The Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who need high-quality optics for activities like hunting, birding, and target shooting. With a powerful zoom range and advanced lens coating, this spotting scope offers clear and detailed views even in challenging lighting conditions. Users have praised the Argos HD for its impressive optical performance, stating, "the glass is clear enough to see 6mm holes in a white target at 600 yards." Many appreciate the value it offers, with one user noting, "for $400 I don't think you'll find a better scope." However, some feedback highlights that lower-tier scopes can struggle with optical clarity, especially at higher magnifications, leading to mixed experiences depending on user expectations. Overall, the Athlon Optics Argos HD is recommended for its category, as it provides good optical clarity and value for the price, making it a competitive option against more expensive models. Users looking for a reliable spotting scope at a reasonable cost may find this product meets their needs well.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Spotting Scopes

Spotting scopes are so critical and underrated.
Positive Feedback

Use a splatter target as indicated and use your rifle optic to see your shots on paper.
Negative Feedback

6.5

Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope

Buy on Amazon for $289

Bird Watching

6 / 10

Target Shooting & Hunting

6 / 10

Wildlife Viewing

6 / 10

Astronomy & Scenery

6 / 10

See how this compares to all Spotting Scopes

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.

Spotting scopes are critical for efficiency

“Spotting scopes are so critical and underrated.”➕

Lifetime warranty available in the US

“it's not all bells and whistles as it seem as you do have to pay for shipping.”➕

Argos BTR scopes perform well

“they punch above their weight for sure.”➕

Good optical performance at range

“Works very well at 100 yards, at 200 I could see .22lr and .223 holes on white paper and splatter targets but couldn't make out hits on the black centers of NRA High Power targets.”➕

“this scope performed amazingly.”➕

“Works great for what I use it for, I've got it on my RPR in .308, can also use it as a makeshift spotting scope when I need to.”➕

Great value for the price

“Worse comes to worse you can use it as a telescope for the kids.”➕

Clear glass for long-range viewing

“The glass is clear enough to see 6mm holes in a white target at 600 yards.”➕

Good optical clarity at distance

“For 400$ I don't think you'll find a better scope.”➕

Lifetime transferrable warranty adds value

“Most notably the vortex or the athlon. I have both, and both are amazing for the money.”➕

Athlon Argos BTR has great features for the price

“So first of all go FV-SR”➕

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.

Lower-tier scopes struggle with optical clarity

“Use a splatter target as indicated and use your rifle optic to see your shots on paper.”➕

“Its better than the Celestron and Vortex for SURE. The Argos is pretty cloudy.”➕

Expectations not met with budget scopes

“$350 tier spotting scopes are pretty ass.”➕

Optical clarity issues in high mirage conditions

“My athlon helos looks like I’m looking though a toilet paper roll”➕

Cheap optics often lead to wasted money

“The problem with cheap optics is that they are typically so bad, you end up throwing that $200 away on junk that can’t even be resold.”➕

Low-cost scopes struggle to perform well

“60x under $200 will be useless unless you score a really good deal on something used.”➕

“None of the cheap ones are excellent but I use my redfield for spotting shots at the shooting range.”➕

Optical clarity issues at high magnification

“I have 0 experience with the Athlon scopes, but at that price... I doubt it will be of any use past 20x.”➕

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product Name	Price	Score	See Details	Buy Now
WOSPORTS 25-75x85 Spotting Scope	$159	8.5	Details	Buy
SVBONY SV28 Spotting Scope	$47	7.6	Details	Buy
Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scope 20-60x85 Angled	$899	7.6	Details	Buy
Gosky Updated 20-60x80 Spotting Scope	$130	7.4	Details	Buy
Aurosports 25-75X80 Spotting Scope	$149	7.2	Details	Buy
Nexiview 25-75x80 HD Spotting Scope	$169	6.9	Details	Buy
Sfeoot 25-75x60 Spotting Scope	$49	6.8	Details	Buy
Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope	$289	6.5	Details	Buy
opaita 25-75X80 Spotting Scope for Shooting and Hunting	$139	6.4	Details	Buy
Sfeoot Spotting Scope 25-75x80 HD with Tripod and Phone Holder	$105	6.3	Details	Buy
Three Triping Spotting Scope for Bird Watching	$106	6.2	Details	Buy
Vortex Optics Crossfire HD Spotting Scope	$199	5.8	Details	Buy
Gosky Spotting Scope, 20-60x60	$81	5.6	Details	Buy
SVBONY SV28 25-75x70 Spotting Scope	$59	5.5	Details	Buy
GUANIEE 25-75x80 Spotting Scope	$129	5.4	Details	Buy
YUANZIMOO 25-75 X 60 Spotting Scope	$49	5.3	Details	Buy
BARSKA Colorado Spotting Scope	$34	5.1	Details	Buy
SVBONY SV41Pro 80mm Mak Spotting Scope	$179	5.0	Details	Buy
Bushnell Trophy Xtreme 20-60x65mm Spotting Scope	$179	5.0	Details	Buy
IBQ Spotting Scope 20-60x85MM	$119	4.5	Details	Buy
WOZEL 25-75X80 Spotting Scope	$159	4.4	Details	Buy
NWDEY 25-75X60 Spotting Scope	$62	4.4	Details	Buy
Emarth 20-60x60AE Spotting Scope	$65	3.6	Details	Buy
Bushnell 781545ED Legend T-Series Spotting Scope	$539	3.6	Details	Buy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.

There are practical considerations based on target type (steel vs. paper).

“Are you shooting steel or paper? For steel: save yourself the headache and just spot with binos.”➕

“If you're shooting paper, skip the upgrade until you can buy something worthwhile, and buy a stack of shoot-n-see or similar targets in the meantime.”➕

Users mention the importance of range experience.

“Buy once cry once, plus the other range we can go to once we are comfortable at 500 goes out to 1300.”➕

“Ah nice, didn't know you had a 1300 yd range, I'm sure it's well worth it in that situation then”➕

Practical considerations vary based on target type

“200yds you can use 10x binos, or your rifle scope.”➕

Importance of range experience discussed

“If range use is mainly all your after then that’s a different story, can probably get away with something like a maven cs.1 or athlon ares g2.”➕

Discussion on glass quality comparisons

“Spotting Scope Glass Quality -- Athlon Talos Vs. Sig Sauer Oscar 8”➕

“The top two is the Athlon Talos at 250 and 650 yards.”➕

“I guess sometimes you really do get what you pay for........”➕

Discussion on experiences with various Athlon models

“Not sure what to expect.”➕

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.

Discussion on alternative scopes

“A little over 1k but a great scope.”➕

Users are exploring long-range shooting

“Overall this scope from my experience is great for the cost.”➕

Discussion on combining rifle and spotting scopes

“The two-in-one would be: $390 - Athlon Argos BTR 8-34x56”➕

“I want a spotting scope too, and thought maybe it'd be more cost effective to pile them into the same thing...”➕

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’

Current users recommend investing in higher quality scopes.

“while hoping we can find them like I found my $600 Viper PST G2.... lol”➕

“Skip right over the cheap garbage. Your rifle scopes should be plenty gor now”➕

Some users find value in older, cheaper scopes.

“sometimes having fuzzy 60x is nicer than crystal clear 20x.”➕

Users recommend investing in higher quality scopes

“If there is one place to not go cheap it’s optics.”➕

Value found in older, cheaper scopes

“Lots of those spotters got lifetime transferable warranties so previous abuse is less of an issue.”➕

Many people question the necessity of a spotting scope.

“Why do you need a spotting scope?”➕

Discussion about purchasing used scopes.

“Scan the classifieds and look for a deal on a gently used one.”➕

Users are overwhelmed with options in spotting scopes

“I’m looking for a sub-$1000USD spotting scope for day time viewing of an ocean view I have from my backyard, which is 16mi away.”➕

“Am I reading correctly that you’re 16 MILES from the coast? What are you expecting to see from that distance with a spotting scope?”➕

Discussion about tripod recommendations

“Good tip on the tripod.”➕

Users recommend comparing specifications in-store.

“Will I actually notice the difference ? Could it improve my experience enough to be worth the price jump?”➕

“I think it’s been hard to truly assess the scope I bought because the lighting has been pretty poor in the two weeks I’ve had the scope.”➕

15x56 binoculars on a tripod are recommended as an alternative

“15x56 binos on a tripod will change your life.”➕

“Agreed. I was set on a spotting scope until I looked through a buddies set of 15x forge Binos”➕

“Decent 10-12x binos on a cheap tripod will be better than a spotting scope at 800 yards, imo.”➕

Investing in other gear like a chronograph may be more beneficial

“Save your money. Put that money into a chronograph.”➕

Comparison of Athlon scopes with higher-end models

“The other day the XRS3 was just over a grand new. I'd rate those well above the athlon.”➕

Seeking first spotting scope recommendations

“Looking for my first spotting scope, and came across this deal.”➕

Users considering upgrading from older, cheaper scopes

“for half the price of a Viper scope, if they’re anything like the rifle scopes I’d probably be more keen to pick one up and give it a try.”➕

Importance of investing in quality optics

“You get what you pay for when it comes to glass.”➕

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.

Spotting scopes are often considered a luxury item.

“Good glass is good glass, and it’s a huge part of the price of optics/binos/spotting scopes/etc., and there’s no real easy way around it.”➕

Spotting scopes are considered a luxury item

“Any good spotting scopes in the $400-$500 ($500-$650🇨🇦)range?”➕

Spotting scopes are often viewed as unnecessary for many users

“Spotting scopes is the wrong tool for most jobs that people think they need a spotting scope for.”➕

Concerns about warranty service from Bushnell

“I have a scope with the reticle canted to the left after putting it in an AR 10. I never could get ahold of anyone in the warranty department.”➕

Budget scopes may not be worth the investment

“I realize $200 is very cheap but I have had luck with low price optics in the past (primary arms) so I'm hoping something similar exists for spotting scopes.”➕

Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope

Curated from 88 real Reddit conversations

Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope

Snoop's Take

Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope

Bird Watching

Target Shooting & Hunting

Wildlife Viewing

Astronomy & Scenery

What it does well!

Where it needs some work!

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Core Power Plays

Hidden Hero Hacks

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

Cautionary Callouts

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