An Honest Review: Athlon Midas BTR Red Dot
(by Edward Getty)
(Athlon MIDAS BTR Red Dot Sight)
I enjoy Bench Rest Shooting with my CZ 452 (used mostly for Hunting) and recently decided to take part in my Rifle Club's ‘freestyle’ shooting competition: a Sporting Rifle competition, where the Rifle can only be held by the Shooter; freehand and unsupported by any type of device. (Experts will know the proper term.) In order to compete, I stripped everything from the Rifle to make it as light as possible. This meant no heavy Telescopic Sight, Moderator, Bi-Pod or Sling.
(CZ 452)
I am not an expert!
I really enjoy my sport/firearms and am constantly looking at ways to improve/enhance/extend my different forms of shooting.
I am now 65 - and with eyesight not as sharp as it had been - shooting using iron sights is simply not an option!
Red Dot Sight!
(But which one?)
The Internet beckoned!
I want to say upfront, I am not sponsored by any company, what I am writing is my personal opinion on the Red Dot sight I purchased.
Optics Warehouse (OPW) received a phone call from me seeking advice because the truth was I had never seen one and certainly never used on.
I wanted a device that would be;
- Accurate
- Easy to use
- Withstand any abuse I should throw at it
- Not cost a fortune.
The decision was made and the Athlon Midas BTR Red Dot was purchased.
(If you hadn't already guessed!)
So, what did I get in the box?
- The scope
- ‘Riser Rail’
- Allen Key
- Lens cleaning cloth
- Instruction/Guarantee
It arrived the next day. I was really impressed by OPW's postage, and installation began.
(Athlon Midas BTR - What comes in the Box)
This device was so easy to fit to my rifle (CZ 452 .22 Rimfire) because I already had a Picatinny rail fitted for my ‘easy-off’ telescopic mount used for Hunting.
I set up a shooting rest and target at 20 yards and within minutes I had adjusted Windage and Elevation and managed tight groups.
(Mounting the Red Dot to my Rifle)
During the Competition
I took part in the competition over a period of months during the winter and the Midas performed pretty well. Held zero (for the most part), didn’t fog up with the cold weather and was removed/attached when needed. I did of course always check Zero prior to shooting the competition.
With regards to Zero, I found a need to move elevation/windage a ‘click’ during the competition; this could be the sight or more likely the shooter! I managed to finish at the top of the leader board.
More recently a second competition was established but with the inclusion of Pistol shooting.
To my delight, I was able to enter, as I knew I could transfer my Midas from rifle to Ruger .22 Rimfire Pistol.
(The MIDAS Red Dot equipped to my Ruger .22 Rimfire Pistol)
Swapping the red dot sight over was literally a two-minute job. The Allen key provided loosened the clamp and the Picatinny rail on the Ruger was now ready for competition.
Both cards were being shot with each visit so it was only a matter of switching the sight over at the range. Test for zero and shoot two different disciplines at the one visit.
Effortless!
A battery is included but easy to swap out by opening the battery housing on the top of the unit.
There are 11 settings for red dot intensity. I found I needed to change as I shot depending on outside light conditions at the range.
(Athlon Midas BTR Red Dot Reticle)
This sight has a simple red dot image, which makes it easy to acquire the target
A very tidy windage and elevation cap conceals slot headed screws for adjusting as necessary. I did struggle initially at 20 yards but once dialed in everything was as steady as a rock.
There is a lot of discussions (I discovered) about the internal projector in red dot sights becoming obtrusive!
I had to inspect it to simply know what I was looking at.
I never found it encroached on my vision whilst shooting.
The overall feel of this unit is excellent. It feels well made from aluminum and has a matt black appearance.
Nitrogen purged no less.
Eye relief is not an issue
As mentioned I fitted it to my CZ .22 and Ruger also in .22 but I imagine the enclosed mount (high riser) might be used for anyone wishing to mount the scope on a shotgun.
Shooting with the sight on Rifle and Pistol.
Shooting with the Athlon mounted to the CZ makes such a difference to freestyle shooting.
The sight adds no noticeable weight to the handling of the firearm and target acquisition is excellent.
(Shooting with the MIDAS BTR on my Rifle)
I took the sight regularly to the range and, I have many excuses, but I keep forgetting to turn off the red dot and to the best of my knowledge it does not have an automatic turn off mechanism build in so not idiot-proof!
Shooting with the pistol with the sight is obviously more noticeable due to the now added weight of the sight but, for me in terms of sight picture, my eyesight has diminished, and picking up the red dot is so easy.
(The Red Dot on my Pistol)
Proof of the pudding!
Remember, I’m not an expert.
(PL 14 targets shot at 20 yards, unsupported, using the Athlon Red Dot on my CZ.)
(PL 14 targets shot at 20 yards, unsupported, using the Athlon Red Dot on my Ruger .22 Rimfire Pistol.)
Athlon Lifetime Warranty
One of the most comforting things about this company is the LIFETIME WARRANTY!
Athlon guarantees to repair or replace the unit if damaged through normal use.
They do not ask for a receipt - (who keeps those things) - and you do not even have to register the device.
(Athlon Lifetime Warranty)
OVERALL
Due to overall build quality and the clear sight, not to mention the lifetime guarantee, I am already considering Athlon Optics as a viable, affordable company for other optics for my collection.
SHOP ATHLON MIDAS BTR RED DOT: https://www.opticswarehouse.co.uk/athlon-midas-btr-rd11-red-dot-sight
[WORDS: EDWARD GETTY]
