It was not that way back that 1-4 magnification LPVOs (Low-Powered Variable Optics) have been the innovative for contemporary sporting rifles. Manufacturers like Athlon Optics have constantly developed extra superior LPVO optics, making certainly one of my private favourite optics, 2-10, all however out of date. What I’ve for assessment is the Athlon Optics HELOS BTR GEN2 1-10×28 LPVO, let’s see the way it carried out for me during the last 5 months.
About Athlon Optics
Athlon is a proud US sports activities optics product firm. Devoted to designing and delivering superior high quality optics merchandise and outside equipment at a aggressive worth to our customers through our distribution and retail channels. Athlon has sturdy engineering capabilities, strategic alliances with high quality producers, and a streamlined absolutely built-in provide chain. These benefits allow us to convey the newest cutting-edge applied sciences and lower out the additional layers of conventional provide chains. With these benefits we’re in a position to ship merchandise to customers with nice price financial savings. Our purpose from day one is to move these financial savings to you, the outside fanatic.
Athlon Optics Coverage on AllOut of doors
First Look – Athlon Optics Helos BTR Gen2 1-10×28
Before we break open the bundle, let’s break down the HELOS and what the identify means. From Athlon, the Helos BTR is “designed for tactical shooters looking for the latest trend in optics at an affordable price” The Helos BTR Gen 2 is the latest addition to the Helos BTR household. 1-10×28 signifies that this optic has a minimal magnification of 1x permitting for a large discipline of view and close to pink dot functionality for shut vary use and a most magnification of 10x with a 28 mm goal lens. ATMR4 is the identify of this optic’s reticle. Designed to be used with 68 or 69 gr .223/5.56 Nato cartridges. IR implies that this optic has an illuminated reticle helpful for fast goal acquisition and useful in low mild. MOA merely implies that this optic makes use of MOA (Minute of Angle) quite than MIL (Milliradian).
Specifications
- Power: 1-10x
- Objective Lens: 28 mm
- Tube Size: 34 mm
- Turrets: Capped
- FoV @ 100Y: 110-10ft
- Click Value: 0.25 MOA
- Total Elevation Adjustment: 100 MOA
- Total Windage Adjustment: 100 MOA
- Parallax Adjustment: Fixed @ 100yrds
- Purging Material: Argon
- Weight: 18.3oz (with out mount)
- Full Spec Sheet
This optic is roofed by Athlon Optics “Gold Medal” Lifetime Warranty. This guarantee provides you the peace of thoughts if for no matter purpose you want a restore, you’re lined at no further price to you.
I’m a sucker for good packaging and Athlon has carried out an outstanding job. Inside the field you can see the optic secured with smooth Styrofoam, an proprietor’s handbook, caps, and the optic. For mounting, I selected Athlon’s AR Tactical Cantilever Mount and Athlon’s Armor low 34mm rings for 2 separate functions.
Initial impressions are constructive, the glass is evident, and the physique of the Helos has a superb constant end. Turret caps are safe however take away simply with properly machined threads. The solely subject I discovered was a small bur on the diopter tube that was simply eliminated and didn’t trigger any points.
Let’s Get to the Range – Athlon Optics Helos BTR Gen2 1-10×28
For the primary expertise with the Helos, I made a decision to steal my spouse’s rifle, as it’s most likely the closest to what Athlon Optics has in thoughts for this reticle I had available. It is a quite simple 16in 5.56 AR-15, and I’ll be pairing it with 55 grain and 77 grain .223. The solely grievance with fitment on my spouse’s AR-15 is that the Helos didn’t clear the Magpul MBUS rear sight and needed to be eliminated.
At the vary, the Helos was simple to zero. Underneath the turret caps are quarter MOA adjustable elevation and windage which can be barely inconsistent feeling when adjusting, most likely as a result of being model new, and did appear to even out with use. Adjustments are mushy whereas nonetheless having a good audible click on. Once we had the Helos zeroed, my spouse and I began plinking paper and metal targets at shut vary to get a really feel for the 1x magnification. The diopter was simple to set for both of our eyes and does come near a real 1x, however nonetheless has a slight fishbowl distortion on the periphery. The Helos BTR Gen2 is among the many closest to a real 1x that I’ve skilled with any LPVO, however remains to be not fairly there. 1x magnification is useable for each eyes open taking pictures, particularly paired with the illuminated reticle. The reticle illumination is one other standout function, the utmost brightness just isn’t as vivid as some pink dots however is what I might contemplate, daylight vivid. Thankfully the Helos does embody off positions in between every brightness setting making switching to your most popular brightness a lot faster.
Performed a fast field take a look at to test monitoring. I did this at 50 yards, shot a 5 shot group, adjusted proper 10 clicks, 5 shot group, adjusted down 10 clicks, one other group, left 10 clicks, one other group, after which one ultimate 10 click on adjustment up and a ultimate 5 shot group. All whereas sustaining the purpose of goal on the identical spot. As anticipated, the Helos BTR Gen2 tracked completely and returned to unique zero. Adjustment might be barely extra tactile, however is useable.
Glass readability and brightness all through the magnification vary is superb. Minor edge distortion and a forgiving eye aid make this a pleasing to make use of optic. The reticle has helpful BDC hold-overs that seem to match very properly to this 16in AR-15. Making longer vary hits was a breeze with minimal apply to study holds. I’ll take a look at that additional later.
My spouse actually loved utilizing the Helos, she immediately was in a position to make correct and repeatable hits at numerous ranges and didn’t appear to overlook the pink dot that I had pulled off her rifle.
Let’s Try Something Different – Athlon Optics Helos BTR Gen2 1-10×28
After a pair profitable journeys out with the Helos, I took it off my spouse’s AR-15 and mounted it with Athlon Optics 34mm low armor rings on my Zastava M70 chambered in 7.62×39, I believe it’s a very handsome mixture.
I had by no means tried an AK model rifle with an LPVO prior to now, it didn’t take me lengthy to get the enchantment. As with the AR-15, shut vary targets are simple to amass and longer vary is a breeze. The reticle is designed for five.56, however having the holds etched into the reticle and determining ranges for them on a special caliber with extra drop than 5.56 took no time in any respect. The Helos BTR Gen2 expectedly dealt with the marginally elevated recoil of a suppressed 7.62×39 AK with out subject.
Time for Some Distance – Athlon Optics Helos BTR Gen2 1-10×28
I mounted the Helos BTR Gen2 to my new Palmetto State Armory Sabre AR-15 and headed to CMP’s Talladega Marksmanship Park with fellow AllOut of doors author Eugene L. This park has a number of ranges together with – 100 yard, 200-600 yard, and my private favourite, the unknown distance metal vary. After a fast zero on the 100 yard vary, we headed to the 200-600 yard vary.
Using the Sabre with its 13.7” barrel and loaded with 77gr match ammo, the Helos BTR Gen2 was a dream out to 300 yards. The BDC reticle labored completely. That stated, I lastly obtained an opportunity to expertise my one true grievance with LPVOs and that’s the fastened parallax at lengthy vary at most magnification. 600 yard targets have been exceedingly troublesome to deal with, utilizing the BDC I used to be in a position to make hits, however I used to be wishing I had extra management on my optic. This is a stability that finish customers should determine on for his or her software, is the added complexity wanted for what you need to use it for?
The Helos BTR Gen2 completed this vary journey with zero points, apart from me forgetting to show off the illuminated reticle, killing the battery.
Final Thoughts on the Athlon Optics Helos BTR Gen2 1-10×28
The few complaints I’ve are extremely minor within the whole bundle of this Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 LPVO. It would profit from a throw lever, and the 1x isn’t fairly a real 1x. Close vary engagements are simple, glass is evident, mild transmission is superb, no fogging or moisture points, probably the greatest illuminations for an LPVO I’ve skilled, and the reticle is intelligent and helpful. For the asking worth of $624.99, the Helos BTR Gen2 1-10×28 is tough to beat and in case you are available in the market, it’s properly value a robust look. This is a very spectacular optic that brings some critical worth.
If you have an interest in choosing up a Helos BTR Gen2 for your self, take a look at the product web page right here.
