I am bouncing between the vortex viper hd 5-25 and the athlon btr helos 4-20. I have looked at the viper and thought it was great but can’t find any athlon to look at near me.
What are your thoughts?
I have both scopes. The Vortex is a lot more expensive and I just don’t really see what you get for it. Optically, warranty, tracking precision are all on par.
But then there’s the magnification ring. I really hate the magnification rings on the vortex optics. It’s just so stiff on that scope that it takes me out of the scope every time I adjust the magnification. Drives me nuts.
My opinion on vortex and I own several Vipers and a couple diamondback. I get a 50% off on the price so compelling for me in that regard. I am never happy with performance in the last few minutes of light. I cannot see through them for the last minutes of shooting time. Happened to me last night. A buck that I could barely see with eyes Could see with binos. Could not see with viper. Still 15 minutes of shooting time left but was in darker trees. Tonight I take the x50 VX6 and that should give me a few more minutes of time. Last time was not the first time I have had this issue. Also in blacktail country get the brightest scope you can afford.
Shameless plug if your magnification ring is stiff to turn… Use code BACKFIRE for a discount.
https://www.ballisticsbrothers.com/product-category/scope-throw-lever/vortex/
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