Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 1-10x28 vs Athlon Talos 3-12x40 BDC 600 IR
Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 1-10x28 is a 1-10×28 SFP on a 34 mm tube with MOA turrets; Athlon Talos 3-12x40 BDC 600 IR is a 3-12×40 SFP on a 1-inch tube with MOA turrets. The Athlon Talos 3-12x40 BDC 600 IR is lighter by 2.1 oz. The Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 1-10x28 has more elevation travel, 100 MOA to 60 MOA in the same unit. At its top magnification the Athlon Talos 3-12x40 BDC 600 IR keeps a 3.3 mm exit pupil against 2.8 mm for the Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 1-10x28 — estimated from the layout, not measured. On our last catalog check the Athlon Talos 3-12x40 BDC 600 IR listed for about $325 less.
| Spec | AthlonAthlon Helos BTR Gen2 1-10x28 | AthlonAthlon Talos 3-12x40 BDC 600 IR |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$587 | ~$262 |
| Magnification | 1-10× | 3-12× |
| Objective lens | 28 mm | 40 mm |
| Focal plane | SFP | SFP |
| Reticle | ATMR4 SFP IR MOA | BDC 600 IR |
| Illuminated | Yes | Yes |
| Turret unit | MOA | MOA |
| Per click | 0.5 MOA (0.52″ at 100 yd) | 0.25 MOA (0.26″ at 100 yd) |
| Elevation travel | 100 MOA (≈29.1 MRAD) | 60 MOA (≈17.5 MRAD) |
| Windage travel | 100 MOA | 60 MOA |
| Zero stop | No | No |
| Turrets | Capped | Capped |
| Parallax | Fixed 100 yd | Side focus from 15 yd |
| Eye relief | 3.2″ | 3.35–3.82″ |
| Field of view | 110–10 ft at 100 yd | 34.1–8.9 ft at 100 yd |
| Tube | 34 mm | 1-inch |
| Length | 10.3″ | 12″ |
| Weight | 18.3 oz | 16.2 oz |
| Warranty | Athlon Lifetime Warranty | Athlon Lifetime Warranty (Gold Medal Lifetime Warranty in the manual) |
| Exit pupilest. | 28–2.8 mm (1×–10×) | 13.3–3.3 mm (3×–12×) |
| Twilight factorest. | 16.7 at 10× | 21.9 at 12× |
| Zoom ratioest. | 10× | 4× |
| Where to buy | Athlon → | Athlon → |
Tinted rows are where these two differ. Rows marked est. are computed, not published.
Exit pupil and twilight factor are computed from the published magnification and objective diameter, not measured. Real exit pupil is also capped by the erector at low magnification, and coatings and glass quality move low-light performance in ways the formula cannot see — read these as comparisons between layouts, not verdicts on scopes.