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Every thing is available in waves within the firearms neighborhood. Again within the yr of our lord 2012 the primary wave of SPR and DMR builds had been the brand new hotness. Now over a decade since, SPRs are again for vengeance. So simply as I had an “SPR” again then, I constructed an “SPR” once more. An awesome platform to make use of to overview the Athlon Optics Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 FFP IR with the AHMR2 FFP IR MIL reticle. I dabbled with just a few 2x-10x scopes again then with that first SPR construct however discovered them missing particularly at my worth level. However since 2012, producers like Athlon Optics have actually raised the bar, actually pushing what you possibly can anticipate to your greenback. So let’s see how this newer scope does after me utilizing it for over 6 months at this level.
First Look – Athlon Optics Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 FFP IR
Taking a look at it straight out of the delivery field, you possibly can see that the packaging is strong. Contained in the field, you discover loads of open cell foam items to verify every thing stays in place throughout transit. In addition to the scope, Athlon Optics has provided loads of equipment to go along with it. This features a threaded solar shade, a pair of flip-up scope covers, and a scope throw lever. In addition to these, there may be the proprietor’s handbook, a cleansing fabric, a battery, and spare zero-stop screws together with an Allen key.
Utilizing a 30mm AR Tactical Cantilever Mount from Athlon I mounted the Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 onto my 18″ “SPR at Residence” construct. Simply an preliminary look by means of the scope within the yard I may already see the glass was punching above its worth level. The glass was very clear from edge to edge by means of the entire vary of magnification. The threading on the scope and sunshade are nicely achieved and thread collectively easily. For being marketed as a extra budget-conscious long-range optic, Athlon is actually beginning off sturdy.
Inexpensive, strong, and dependable are seldom related to lengthy vary capturing and searching. The Helos BTR GEN2 is the exception.
Specs – Athlon Optics Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 AHMR2 FFP IR MIL
The Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 FFP IR has been designed by Athlon to be a scope that works nicely briefly and long-range purposes. On prime of that, with the range-finding options it may simply discover itself at house on prime of a deer rifle as nicely. The Athlon Helos additionally comes with the Athlon Gold Medal Lifetime Guarantee. To your peace of thoughts, when you want repairs of substitute Atlon has you lined. No cost to you, with no receipt wanted, and no product registration, they have you ever lined.
- 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 Absolutely Multi-Coated with XPL Protecting Coating
- Tube Materials – Plane Grade Aluminum
- Windage/Elevation Adjustment – 0.1 Mil Clock Worth
- Purging Materials – Argon
- Total Size – 11.8in
- Total Weight – 25.4 oz
- Full Spec Sheet
Heading to the Vary – Athlon Optics Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 FFP IR
Now the Helos is mounted up on my quote-unquote SPR it’s time to use it on the vary. The rifle is a 5.56 gun with an 18″ Ballistic Benefit SPR profiled barrel. The remainder of the components are a mixmaster construct of nicer components I discovered on sale. For ammunition choice, I introduced 55gr and 77gr match .223 rem ammo. For the primary few journeys with the scope, I went to an indoor vary that had 100-yard lanes. It was fast work to zero the Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 without having to mess with caps or instruments. The turrets had been fast and straightforward to make use of, with the clicks being audible and tactile. As soon as it was achieved I simply pressed down the turrets to lock them in place.
The illumination perform of the scope was nice for these first journeys. The very finish of the 100-yard vary has lighting that isn’t too vivid, together with a black-and-white goal in entrance of a black backstop makes it troublesome to see a black reticle. So even a little bit of illumination gave me the distinction I wanted, particularly with my not-so-great eyes. Then when up shut simply messing with nearer targets the illumination lets the reticle act extra like a reflex sight when maxed out up shut. I do have to say the illumination isn’t crimson dot vivid, however it’s greater than usable. The glass on the scope was very clear and clear to look by means of at this 100-yard vary. Even at max magnification, the readability was nice from edge to fringe of the optic. The eyebox tightened up in fact however no important haloing occurred. 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
Lastly, I received to stretch the scope and rifle legs by going over to the CMP’s Talladega Marksmanship Park. There I met up with my extra punctual fellow author Paul B. The Marksmanship Park is a large advanced in central Alabama devoted to capturing sports activities. There are a number of totally different 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 that ranges from 75 to 640 yards. There’s a qualification system in place there for the rifle ranges with digital targets on the park although. Not eager to have their costly targets unintentionally broken by errant bullets it is advisable to first qualify on the 100-yard vary earlier than going to the 200 – 600-yard vary. It was fast work on the 100-yard vary with a fast checking of our zeros after which placing a gaggle on course to get our qualification playing cards punched.
That is the place the AHMR2 FFP IR MIL reticle received to shine with its holdover markings. The scope together with some 77gr match ammo made fast work of the 200 and 300-yard targets, needing at most a maintain on the 1 mil line for the 300-yard goal. Then it was onto the 600-yard goal, the place a maintain at 4.5 mil was lifeless on at 600 yards, The wind was very mild, and blowing at us barely making it once more simple with the not-so-crowded reticle. The glass nonetheless appeared good at 600 yards trying on the goal with no distortion and haze. Now we received all 3 of the goal {qualifications} punched we moved on to the metal goal vary subsequent door.
This metal vary has targets set from 75 yards to 640 yards in a large open subject, these targets are at unknown ranges. Among the targets are formed like varied recreation animals reminiscent of coyotes, deer, and moose. There I received to make use of the ranging perform on the backside of the reticle on the animal-shaped targets. The hash marks are roughly 18 inches in top at varied distances. This labored out nice for getting on course and not using a vary finder for probably the most half, aside from that rattling moose. As a result of on the time I didn’t understand it was a moose, the paint on the antlers was just about gone and left each of us pondering it was a deer. So attempting to vary a moose to deer dimensions didn’t work out nicely. However aside from that it was a good time on the market. The parallax adjustment was key to me that day with my messed-up eyes, particularly on the longer ranges.
Ultimate Notes – Athlon Optics Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 FFP IR
So after over 6 months of utilizing the optic for my “SPR at house”, my last ideas on the Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 FFP IR is a tough scope to beat for anybody working with a tighter price range however nonetheless wanting a top quality optic. The huge magnification vary together with high quality glass and coatings makes it for me. The reticle is tremendous useful with out being overly sophisticated at each ends of the magnification vary. The illumination whereas not tremendous vivid works nicely particularly in low-light conditions, reminiscent of daylight or sundown capturing. My solely large gripe can be the low battery lifetime of the illumination perform, I killed a few batteries due to not shutting it off earlier than packing the rifle away. If there was a shut-off characteristic that might be superior, particularly for gradual and forgetful individuals like me. Total the Athlon Optics Helos BTR GEN2 2-12×42 FFP IR is a particular sure for me. The MSRP is just $662.49 beating out most different optics in the identical high quality vary by a very good margin.
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