Athlon Helos BTR any good?

[Poe]

I was just wondering if anyone has any experience with the Athlon Helos BTR Gen 2 4-20x50. The price seems alright but don’t want it if it won’t track properly or hold a zero

 

[BLJ]

Apples to oranges in some aspect, but I’ve had a (3) different Midas Tac’s on 22’s that have been dialed a lot in the past 4 years.
2 friends with Ares on 22’a used under the same conditions and they’ve also been great.

I’ve also had good luck dialing the Argos line. Not as frequent as the Midas/Ares, but with the same results.

 

[OneH]

I was eyeing the Helos 2-12x42 then read the failed Rokslide drop test and gave them a hard pass even at $260. Their glass are not as clear as the Midas or the Arken EP series.

Their Midas Tacs are great though no complaints other than the lack of illumination.

I'd personally buy another Arken EPL4 if I were on a tight budget.

 

[hunting1]

To me they are the best value out there. Mine all track and hold zero. The MIL dot is a little heavy but on game is killer. With the Military pricing, it is even better. I wish Leupold could build something closer to them.

 

[06 SB]

I have that exact scope and it has been switched from a 223, 270, 3006 and now on a 6.5CM and have dialed it out to 900yds and back MANY times and it has been flawless. It is a great value. I also have an Ares series and that one has been flawless too.

A friend of mine bought two Arkens and both are back for warranty issues.

 

[JGRaider]

To me they are the best value out there. Mine all track and hold zero. The MIL dot is a little heavy but on game is killer. With the Military pricing, it is even better. I wish Leupold could build something closer to them.

Mine has been great too. Just wish the dot reticle was a touch smaller.

 

[Cgray97]

Anyone have the moa reticle that can tell us how it is?

 

[MThuntr]

Anyone have the moa reticle that can tell us how it is?

I have the MOA reticle. The crosshairs are very heavy but usable. I've not done extensive dialing as it lived on a Howa 6mm Arc. The rifle in question has been at Howa for the last 3 months due to chamber issues so I'm waiting until it's return so I can mess with it more.

 

[cuerro viejo]

Anyone have the moa reticle that can tell us how it is?

2-12x42 & AHMR2 FFP IT MOA reticle….

It’s trash, to heavy at 12x. I wish I’d looked at it before I bought it.

 

[Cgray97]

2-12x42 & AHMR2 FFP IT MOA reticle….

It’s trash, to heavy at 12x. I wish I’d looked at it before I bought it.

i was afraid of that as I’ve been reading the same thing. Couldn’t find a video showing the moa reticle. I know the scope failed the evaluation but I’m not sure how practical those tests really are. I don’t plan on abusing the gun or dropping it from 3 feet. It’s between this scope and the Trijicon credo 3-9 for me I think.

 

[cuerro viejo]

i was afraid of that as I’ve been reading the same thing. Couldn’t find a video showing the moa reticle. I know the scope failed the evaluation but I’m not sure how practical those tests really are. I don’t plan on abusing the gun or dropping it from 3 feet. It’s between this scope and the Trijicon credo 3-9 for me I think.

To be far, I haven’t replaced it yet. It’s on my main 223. 9x is about what the reticle should be at 12x. The glass for the price isn’t terrible, from a hunting stand point, the reticle works just a super thick @ max power. I don’t use 12x so not a huge deal but you get the drift

 

[BLJ]

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Eurooptic is having a pretty good sale right now if anyone is looking.

 

[Remington92]

Ive been running the 4-20 on my rimfire league rifle for a couple years now and been very happy with it. For what its worth I picked up a mill 2-12 last night off sportsman's guide for $343. Figured it was worth a try for that price.

 

[06 SB]

I have the MOA reticle and while it is a bit heavier than my Zeiss 6-24, it is useable at the max magnification. I am not a competition shooter, just shooting for fun.

 

[lawstudent]

Just saw this listed at DVOR timing out in another 2 days for $380 and came here for some reference points, seems it can go lower....

 

[Poe]

I bought one and so far it’s been pretty good. I had it on a 22-250 for awhile and now it’s on my .223. I have no complaints but I sure wish we could get the SWFA scopes here in Canada

 

[Moose83]

I bought one and so far it’s been pretty good. I had it on a 22-250 for awhile and now it’s on my .223. I have no complaints but I sure wish we could get the SWFA scopes here in Canada

You can get SWFA scopes in Canada. Contact Prophet River Firearms and they can walk you through the steps needed to import one (or 3). It isn't cheap or fast but it is possible. I'm just patiently waiting until the next run of 6x..

 

[Poe]

You can get SWFA scopes in Canada. Contact Prophet River Firearms and they can walk you through the steps needed to import one (or 3). It isn't cheap or fast but it is possible. I'm just patiently waiting until the next run of 6x..

To bad they couldn’t just sell them

 

[Moose83]

To bad they couldn’t just sell them

I fully agree... but at least it is possible to get them. I just wish I had done it sooner.

 

[lawstudent]

Sorry FNG here, can't seem to edit my response from yesterday for clarity,
DVOR has Athlon Helos BTR 2-12x42 on timed sale for $380

OP was asking about Athlon Helos BTR 4-20x50 experiences, that's what led me here but got confused somewhere, I've been losing sleep trying to select parts for a new build.

I did just buy the Athlon Helos BTR 4-20x50 today for a Howa mini 1500 build currently underway, I should have it in a couple weeks to compare to the Midas TAC 6-24 currently on my CZ 457.

Athlon Helos BTR 4-20x50 had pricing of $535 which made me cringe, as the Midas Tac was about $350 on sale and I expect has the better glass of the two, but I really wanted the illumination and feautures on the Helos BTR. Was going to get an Arken comparible in the $300 price range, but it did not have the illumination strength (or reputation) that was important for me and I just bit the bullet, tired of losing sleep on this decision paralysis.