Athlon Optics

Athlon Argos Binoculars

About Athlon Sports Optics
Proudly American, Athlon optics main stated aim is to deliver higher-grade sports optics and accessories for the outdoor market.

These products include Binoculars, as well as Spotting Scopes, Riflescopes, Red Dot Sights, Rangefinders and related accessories like tripods, binocular tripod adapters and a binocular harness.

Athlon Optics say that they are able to offer their products at very competitive prices because of their close connections with "quality manufacturers" and a "streamlined fully integrated supply chain". It is in this way that they are not only able to keep manufacturing costs to a minimum, but also remove some layers associated with a more traditional supply chain.

Athlon also state that one of their main strengths is in engineering design and that they work very closely with their manufacturing partners using only the highest level of precision CNC machines, superior lens polishing and advanced equipment for optical coating.

Athlon Binoculars

At this time, Athlon Optics have six ranges of binoculars on the market, each of which are available in a range of different size and magnification options. All aimed at the outdoor enthusiast and which range in price from the entry level NEOS starting with a MSRP of $89, right up to the high end CRONUS that have a MSRP of between $586 and $599 depending on which model you select:

Athlon's Range of Binoculars:

Athlon Cronus BinocularsAthlon Cronus Binoculars

The great looking Cronus series is Athlon's very high end offering and indeed is at the moment, the flagship series within their range.

Only produced with 42mm objectives, they currently offer either a 8.5x or 10x option.

As you would expect these very high end optics come with a range of super quality components and features, the ones that stand out for me include:

Optical Highlights

  • Field flattener lenses which Athlon call their E2ES lens system. These are designed to correct field curvature and thus ensure that the view remains sharp from the center right to the edges and is a definite step-up from many optics out there.
  • ED (extra-low dispersion glass) elements in their lenses that are designed to reduce chromatic fringing.
  • Dielectric Prism Coatings - increased brightness and image quality as these very special coatings are able to reflect more than 99% of the light that hits them. Note Athlon call this their ESP Dielectric Coating, but you can find them on other very high end optics.
  • Athlon Cronus BinocularsThe Prisms are also made from Bak-4 glass and are phase corrected.
  • As you would expect the optics are full multi-coated with anti-reflection coatings and Athlon have also added a very hard exterior coating to their optics to protect against marking and scratching which they call their XPL Coating (Xtra Protective Layer coating)

These fantastic quality optics are protected in a Magnesium chassis, that is both water and fogproof and with small upgrades like a lockable diopter ring, shows a great attention to detail.

Models & Specifications

  • 10x42 Cronus
  • 8.5x42 Cronus
Model FOV Eye Relief Min Focus Weight Dim
10x42 338ft 19.3mm 6.6ft 33oz 6.3 x 5.1"
8.5x42 399ft 19.3mm 6.6ft 33oz 6.3 x 5.1"

 

Shopping Basket IconPrices & Where to Buy

These very high spec'd bins have a MSRP of $599-$586, but I found that they are now available for considerably less - at the time of writing, $489 for the 8.5x42 Cronus and $499 for the 10x version on Amazon:

Athlon Ares BinocularsAthlon Ares Binoculars

Sitting just under the headlining Cronus series, is the Athlon Ares series of binoculars that still offer an incredible performance with almost all the same features (apart from the field flattener lenses), but at a lower price point.

However the Aries also offers a wider field of view which will be of great interest to many users including hunters and birders, but with the trade-off being a slight loss in the amount of eye-relief and close focus distance.

Also like the Cronus, these Ares binoculars also have a magnesium chassis, but this time they have opted for an open bridge design, which offers a number of advantages, including weight saving and freeing up more of the barrels to hold onto for a more secure grip.

Main Highlights

  • Fully Multi-Coated Optics
  • ED Glass
  • Dielectric Coated Bak-4 Roof Prisms
  • Phase Correction Coatings
  • Athlon Ares BinocularsAthlon's XPL Coating (Xtra Protective Layer coating)
  • Water & Fogproof Magnesium Open Bridge Chassis

Available Models:

Athlon also offer the Ares in a wider range of size and magnification options as they now include mid-sized 36mm versions, which will appeal to those wanting a more compact and lightweight instrument:

Model FOV Eye Relief Min Focus Weight Dim
10x42 341ft 14.7mm 8.2ft 29.8oz 6.7" x 5.2"
8x42 426ft 16.5mm 6.5ft 29.8oz 6.7" x 5.2"
10x36 351ft 13.9mm 8.2ft 24.9oz 6.1" x 4.9"
8x36 405ft 14.9mm 6.5ft 24.9oz 6.1" x 4.9"

 

Shopping Basket IconPrices & Where to Buy

Depending on the model, the mid-to-high range Ares series have a recommended price of between $479-$429, however as with the others, their current retail price is much lower. For example I spotted the Athlon Ares 8x36 ED Binoculars on Amazon for only $360, which to me looks to be good value. For current prices in your country, check the link below:

Athlon Midas BinocularsAthlon Midas Binoculars

The Midas series from Athlon is an interesting one to me as I believe it is probably the series where you get the biggest bang for your buck from within their stable and here is why:

The single bridge body has a chassis made from a magnesium alloy that as you would expect is both waterproof and filled with Argon gas to protect inner optics from fogging.

The fully multi-coated optical system includes ED glass lens elements, BaK-4 roof prisms with both dielectric coatings and phase correction ones and you get extra protection coatings on outer lens surfaces.

Athlon Midas BinocularsThus as you can see, apart from the body shape, you are getting pretty much the same level of components and features as the Ares, but at a substantially lower price!

So whilst I think the Ares is good value, these Athlon Midas Binoculars look to me to be EXCELLENT value for money binoculars.

Indeed as you can read about in this article, they are what I believe to be the very Best Athlon Binoculars for the Money.

Models & Specifications

As with the Ares series, the Midas comes in the standard 10x42 and 8x42 models, but rather than two mid-size versions, you now have the choice between two large aperture versions, a 10x50, that will excel in low light and a more powerful 12x50 for long distance observation:

Model FOV Eye Relief Min Focus Weight Dim
12x50 281ft 15mm 11.48ft 33oz 6.7"x5.4"
10x50 341ft 16.9mm 9.84 ft 33oz 6.7"x5.4"
10x42 341ft 15.2mm 8.2ft 25oz 5.7"x5.2"
8x42 426ft 17.2mm 6.5ft 245oz 5.7"x5.2"

 

Shopping Basket IconPrices & Where to Buy

Depending on the model you choose, the MSRP of Athlon Midas binoculars ranges between $350 and $460, whilst retail prices at the time of writing this ranged from around $280 and $390 in the US and between £600 and £800 in the UK. For current prices in your country, take a look at the link below:

Athlon Argos BinocularsAthlon Argos Binoculars

One of Athlon's mid range options is the Argos series, that still offer a very high level of components and thus a great performance, but at a price point that will appeal to those on a tighter budget.

Where these differ from the higher specification models above and where Athlon have been able to make savings in the production costs include the use of what I think is a polycarbonate chassis instead of a magnesium one. Whilst this is cheaper to produce and arguably not quite as robust as magnesium ones, the advantage is that it is more lightweight, so it is not all bad.

Athlon Argos BinocularsAthlon Argus binoculars are fully multi-coated, but they do lack the ED glass elements that you find on the Ares and the Cronus. However and rather incredibly, you still get the same phase corrected Bak-4 prisms with their dielectric coatings, which at this price point is rare.

Models & Specifications

Also well worth noting is that the Argos series contains standard 42mm models, semi-compact sized 34mm models and large 50mm versions for those looking for either an improved brightness and low light performance or a higher powered device for long distance observation:

  • 12x50 Argos
  • 10x50 Argos
  • 10x42 Argos
  • 8x42 Argos
  • 10x34 Argos
  • 8x34 Argos
Model FOV Eye Relief Min Focus Weight Dim
12x50 257ft 16mm 13ft 29.5oz 6.8"x 5.6"
10x50 304ft 17mm 13ft 29.5oz 6.8"x 5.6"
10x42 319ft 16.1mm 13ft 24.6oz 5.7"x5.3"
8x42 371ft 17.3mm 13ft 24.6oz 5.7"x5.3"
10x34 314ft 16mm 13ft 16.3 oz 5.1"x4.9"
8x34 371ft 17.4mm 13ft 16.3 oz 5.1"x4.9"

 

Shopping Basket IconPrices & Where to Buy

The Argos series have a MSRP of between $279 and $209 depending on the model At the time of writing, I found them ranging in price from between $169 and $230 in the US and £520 and £600 in the UK. Check the link below for current prices in your country:

Athlon Talos 12x50 BinocularsAthlon Talos Binoculars

Fifth in-line in the Athlon Optics stable is the Talos series, which contains six single bridge, roof prism models available in their common size and magnification options.

Whilst relatively inexpensive, the level of optics and components used on these is generally in-line with what i would expect to see.

Main features include a fully water and fog proof polycarbonate housing, are tripod adaptable, have twist-up eye-cups, large central focus wheel and a diopter adjustment dial located on the right eye-piece.

Athlon Talos 8x32 BinocularsAll Athlon Talos binoculars have fully multi-coated optics with bak-4 roof prisms that have been phase corrected.

Note however, unlike the more expensive Athlon binoculars above, these do not come with dielectric coatings (they probably use silver but do not specify) nor do they have the extra protective outer lens coatings. At this price this is to be expected.

Models & Specifications

Athlon Talos binoculars come in either 32mm, 42mm or larger 50mm sizes and with either 8x, 10x or 12x variations.

In terms of their specifications, they are all fairly ordinary within their particular size and magnification classes. However one model that does stand out is the Athlon Talos 8x32 binoculars that have a particularly wide field of view and so may well be of great interest to wildlife enthusiasts and birders, especially those looking for a small travel friendly binocular.

  • 12x50 Talos
  • 10x50 Talos
  • 10x42 Talos
  • 8x42 Talos
  • 10x32 Talos
  • 8x32 Talos
Model FOV Eye Relief Min Focus Weight Dim
12x50 242ft 18.2mm 11.48ft 29.8oz 6.7"x 5.2"
10x50 284ft 19.5mm 9.84ft 29.8oz 6.7"x 5.2"
10x42 341ft 15.2mm 8.2ft 25.5oz 5.8"x4.9"
8x42 394ft 17.2mm 6.56ft 25.5oz 5.8"x4.9"
10x32 341ft 14.8mm 9.84ft 19.3oz 4.9"x4.3"
8x32 427t 14.7mm 18.2ft 19.3oz 4.9"x4.3"

 

Shopping Basket IconPrices & Where to Buy

Athlon Optics lists their Talos binoculars with MSRPs that range from $145 for the 8x32 model and $215 for the 12x50 version. At the time of me writing this, the current retail prices were between $128 and $175 for the same models respectively in the US. You can check the link below for current prices in your country:

Athlon Neos 12x50 BinocularsAthlon Neos Binoculars

Athlon Optics budget range is the Neos which consists of an eclectic mixture of roof and porro prism models in a variety of size and magnification options.

In therms of quality, especially when it comes to the optics they understandably cannot match that of their higher end ranges. It is also interesting to note that whilst the roof prism models are only multi-coated, the two Athlon Porro Prism Neos binoculars are fully multi-coated. This means that instead of only the outer lens surfaces being treated, all the optics within the porro prism Neos have anti-reflection coatings added to them.

On top of this, because a porro prism does not need any reflective coatings to achieve total reflection you can be sure that these have a good level of light transmittance.

The roof prism Neos models use silver mirror coatings on the prisms, which at this price is good. But because they don't have the even better dielectric coatings used on the more expensive Athlon ranges listed above, the porro prism versions will undoubtably transmit more light.

Both these factors do make a difference and which is why for my money the Porro prism models are most certainly the better option if you are prepared to carry about a larger device.

Athlon Neos 8x42 BinocularsAll Athlon Neos binoculars have polycarbonate bodies, are o-ring sealed and thus watertight and filled with nitrogen gas making them fog proof.

They all have twist-up eyecups which is good as many binoculars at this level, especially porro prism ones will only have folding rubber ones.

A diopter adjuster is positioned on the right eye-piece and focus is adjusted on all of the using a centrally located wheel. Not that with the porro prism models, this is positioned within the central bridge, which is fairly standard for this type of instrument.

Models & Specifications

Athlon Neos binoculars are available in usual 42mm models, as well as the mid-sized 32mm models with either 8x or 10x magnifications. The two larger 50mm Neos come in either 10x or the more powerful 12x powers and use porro prisms and which is why they have the more traditional shaped body (see top right).

Porro Prism Models

  • 12x50 Neos
  • 10x50 Neos

Roof Prism Models

  • 10x42 Neos
  • 8x42 Neos
  • 10x32 Neos
  • 8x32 Neos
Model FOV Eye Relief Min Focus Weight Dim
12x50 294ft 14mm 23ft 33.5oz 6.9"x 7.9"
10x50 342ft 19mm 16.4ft 33.5oz 6.9"x 7.9"
10x42 309ft 14.1mm 13.1ft 24.8oz 5.9"x4.9"
8x42 367ft 17mm 13.1ft 24.8oz 5.9"x4.9"
10x32 341ft 14.8mm 9.84ft 19.4oz 4.9"x4.3"
8x32 393ft 13.6mm 16.4ft 19.4oz 4.9"x4.3"

 

Shopping Basket IconPrices & Where to Buy

Athlon Neos binoculars are listed with an MSRP of between $85 for the 8x32 and $130 for the 12x50. current retail prices are between $70 and $115 in the US. Check the link below for current prices in your country:

 

Where to Buy Athlon Binoculars:

 
 

Athlon Binocular Reviews

Below are some featured and fully reviewed Athlon Binoculars: View >> All the Athlon Binoculars that I have reviewed.


Athlon Midas 8x42 Binoculars Review

The best value for money range from Athlon Optics is the Midas series and in my opinion the best model within that series is this 8x42 version and is without question, one of the best value binoculars currently on the market.

Why I hear you ask? Well to start with they use all the high end components and features of far more expensive binoculars, then these also have an extremely wide field of view and...

Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars

Athlon Midas 12x50 Binoculars Review

Quite possibly one of the best value for money long range hunting/wildlife binoculars currently on the market, the 12x50 Midas binoculars contain most of the features used on Athlon's top of the range Cronus and Ares series binoculars, yet cost far less.

Highlights include a very powerful 12x magnification, Argon purged magnesium chassis, ED glass lenses, phase corrected BaK-4 roof prisms with ESP Dielectric Coatings that deliver bright and very high quality images.

Price: (4/6) Mid-High Value Binoculars
BBR Ratings:
Body Quality: 8/10 80%
Outstanding
Body Stats: 8/10
Optical Quality: 9/10
Optical Stats: 8/10
Image Quality 8/10
Extras & Details: 7/10


Athlon Ares 10x42 Binoculars Review

Mid to high end binoculars from Athlon that include many of the components and coatings found on the very best high end optics:

A fully water and fog proof chassis that is made from magnesium protects a Fully Multi-Coated Optical system with ED glass elements, BaK-4 phase corrected and dielectrically coated roof prisms...

Price: (4/6) Mid-High Value Binoculars
BBR Ratings:
Body Quality: 8/10 80%
Outstanding
Body Stats: 7/10
Optical Quality: 9/10
Optical Stats: 8/10
Image Quality 9/10
Extras & Details: 7/10


Athlon Argos 8x42 Binoculars Review

These mid range, open bridge 8x42 Argos binoculars from Athlon Optics boast features like FMC optics and BaK4 roof prisms that have both Dielectric and Phase correction coatings.

Indeed they Use exactly the same very high level optical coatings as more expensive binoculars from Athlon, which at this price is super impressive.

Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars
BBR Ratings:
Body Quality: 7/10 75%
Excellent
Body Stats: 7/10
Optical Quality: 8/10
Optical Stats: 8/10
Image Quality 8/10
Extras & Details: 7/10

View >>> All the Athlon Binoculars reviewed on BBR.

 
 
 
 

Contact Athlon Optics:

USA
Tel (Toll free) 1-855-913-5678
14308 W 96th Terrace
Lenexa, KS 66215

 

 
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