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The phrase “Time is a flat circle” involves thoughts on the subject of the firearms group. Over a decade for the reason that first wave of SPR builds had been within the limelight, a brand new wave in recognition for SPRs has come. Now as a result of I’m not immune to those developments each again then and now, I dabbled in scopes within the 2x-10x vary again then to solely be annoyed with the mid-range optics of the day. Now although, producers like Athlon Optics have actually raised the bar, actually pushing what you’ll be able to anticipate to your greenback. At this time, I’m reviewing the Athlon Optics Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 FFP IR with the AHMR2 FFP IR MIL reticle. I’ve run this scope for the previous 6 occurring 7 months mounted to my “SPR at House”, so let’s see the way it did.
First Look – Athlon Optics Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 FFP IR
Proper off the bat, the packaging is stable. Loads of minimize foam conserving all of the components in place. Once you begin pulling out the items you’ll be able to see Athlon has included a lot of the equipment you’d need for an optic. It comes with a solar shade, flip-up scope covers, and a scope throw lever. This together with the proprietor guide, battery, and spare screws for the zero cease. In addition to simply the equipment, the primary look by means of the optic was very constructive.
I mounted the Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 a 30mm AR Tactical Cantilever Mount to mount it on my “SPR at House” construct. Trying by means of the scope simply into the yard I might see the glass was clear together with the end being tremendous even throughout the entire scope physique. The sunshade threaded on easily as nicely. For being marketed as a extra budget-oriented long-range optic, Athlon appears to have pulled all of the stops.
Inexpensive, stable, and dependable are seldom related to lengthy vary capturing and looking. The Helos BTR GEN2 is the exception.
Athlon Optics Protection on AllOutdoor
Specs – Athlon Optics Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 AHMR2 FFP IR MIL
The Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 FFP IR from Athlon Optics is obtainable as a scope that may work nicely in each quick and long-range functions. In addition to getting used as a scope for a deer rifle. The Athlon Helos additionally comes with the Athlon Gold Medal Lifetime Guarantee as nicely. Athlon will give you peace of thoughts should you want repairs or a alternative. No cost to you, with no receipt wanted, and no product registration, they have you ever coated.
- Magnification – 2 – 12x
- Goal Lens – 42mm
- Reticle – AHMR2 FFP IR MIL, Etched Glass Reticle
- Tube Diameter – 30mm
- Turrets – Lockable, with Precision Zero Cease
- Eye Reduction – 3.6″
- FOV at 100 yds – 55.7-9.6ft
- Parallax Adjustment – 10yds
- Lens Coating – Superior Totally Multi-Coated with XPL Protecting Coating
- Tube Materials – Plane Grade Aluminum
- Windage/Elevation Adjustment – 0.1 Mil Clock Worth
- Purging Materials – Argon
- General Size – 11.8in
- General Weight – 25.4 oz
- Full Spec Sheet
Heading to the Vary – Athlon Optics Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 FFP IR
To take the Helos to the vary, I mounted it onto my “SPR at House” rifle. The rifle is an 18″ SPR profile barreled AR-15, which is a mix of first rate components I snagged on sale. For the ammunition, I introduced alongside some 55gr and 77gr .223 rem. On the primary vary day, we went to a 100-yard indoor vary. As soon as we arrived on the vary, it was tremendous straightforward to zero the Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42. The turrets had been fast and simple to make use of, and the turret clicks had been very tactile and audible. There was no must mess with any caps or little instruments to regulate. As soon as the scope was zeroed, all it took that day was to only press the turrets right down to lock them in place.
I made use of the illumination of the optic a few occasions throughout this primary journey. The very again of this vary is a bit dimly lit. When utilizing black and white targets on a black backstop, a red-illuminated reticle was a lifesaver, particularly with my sub-par eyes. Then on the nearer finish of the vary. The 2X magnification of the scope when paired with the illumination made it really feel very succesful up shut. The parallax adjustment on this scope permits you to dial all the best way right down to 10 yards to help up-close use additional. I do wish to say although that the illumination isn’t crimson dot vivid, however I wouldn’t anticipate it to be on a scope like this.
The glass on the scope could be very clear and clear to look by means of. Even at max magnification, the readability was nice from edge to fringe of the optic. At 2X magnification the reticle markings had been illegible for me, which is anticipated of a primary focal airplane optic. Nonetheless, I like this higher than different reticles I’ve used the place the reticle markings simply get too hectic and crowded with an excessive amount of occurring at larger magnifications. Whereas the scope was enjoyable to make use of at 100 yards after a number of vary journeys right here it was time to actually take it additional out and benefit from the reticle.
Stretching Its Legs – Athlon Optics Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 FFP IR
I met up with my extra punctual fellow author Paul B. over on the CMP’s Talladega Marksmanship Park. This can be a large complicated in central Alabama devoted to capturing sports activities. The marksmanship park has a number of ranges together with, a 100-yard vary, a 600-yard rifle vary with targets at 200, 300, and 600 yards, and an unknown distance metal goal vary. On the park, there’s a qualification system that you have to full to entry all of the ranges. This is because of their fancy digital targets that they don’t need individuals breaking resulting from lacking them and capturing someplace they shouldn’t have. We went over to the 100-yard vary first to do a fast zero and get our qualification playing cards punched earlier than shifting onto the 600-yard recognized distance vary.
That is the place the AHMR2 FFP IR MIL reticle’s holdover markings lastly received some use. The scope and rifle with 77gr match ammo made fast work of qualifying on the 200-yard and 300-yard targets. Then on the 600-yard goal reticle held true with the holdover at 4.5 mil being lifeless on at 600 yards with the 77gr tablets. As soon as we received our qualification playing cards punched for all three targets we moved on to the metal goal vary.
CMP Talladega has a variety affected by metal targets starting from 75 yards to 640 yards. It’s a mixture of simply generic circle and sq. metal plates, together with metal targets minimize out within the form of assorted recreation animal silhouettes. It was loads of enjoyable utilizing the distance-ranging reticle on the backside of the reticle on the animal-shaped targets. For essentially the most half, it labored nice for approximating goal distances. Nonetheless, I do must say there’s a moose goal at this vary you could’t actually see the antlers anymore. That focus on threw me for a loop attempting to vary it out considering it was a deer. The parallax adjustment was additionally key for my wonky eyes, I do know it might have been a wrestle with out that knob on the left aspect of the scope.
Remaining Notes – Athlon Optics Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 FFP IR
After utilizing the optic for over 6 months now on my “SPR at house” I say the Athlon Helos BTR Gen 2 2-12×42 is a high contender in my e-book for individuals wanting in that middle-range worth level for an SPR/DMR optic. With the highest vary being a 12x as an alternative of the extra widespread 10x it offers the scope a wider vary of magnification than most different choices on the market. The standard of the glass and coatings is likely one of the largest pluses for me. It was clear to look by means of together with staying clear from edge to edge, with no shading or halo. The reticle is good, nonetheless purposeful with the ring at 2x magnification, however nonetheless able to ranging and holdovers at 12x with out being too crowded with info. I do must say my largest gripe is the illumination of the scope. The battery life is brief, I killed two batteries which is my fault I ought to have checked to verify it was off earlier than placing the rifle away. However I do really feel if there was a shut-off characteristic it might assist quite a bit, particularly for extra forgetful individuals like me. General the Athlon Optics Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 FFP IR is a sure for me. It has an MSRP of solely $662.49, making it powerful to actually discover a higher worth on the market particularly contemplating the whole lot you get.
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