1-8x LPVO scopes

Athlon Argos BTR GEN2 1-8x24 vs Riton 3 Tactix 1-8x24

Last updated 2026-11-10 Researched from published specifications and owner reviews, not tested in person

Quick answer

Buy the Athlon Argos BTR GEN2 1-8x24 at under $250 if you want the lowest price for a 1-8x with an illuminated BDC reticle and 100 MOA of adjustment. Buy the Riton 3 Tactix 1-8x24 at under $500 if you want the Dual Throw Lever System and a 6061-T6 aluminum build in a slightly higher tier.

Athlon Argos BTR GEN2 1-8x24

Athlon Optics

Athlon Optics Argos BTR GEN2 1-8x24 Riflescope, ATSR5 SFP IR BDC

Under $250 Full specifications

A 1-8x24 SFP LPVO with an illuminated ATSR5 BDC reticle, 100 MOA of adjustment and fixed 100 yard parallax.

Best for: an eight power LPVO on a budget with real support behind it

Check price on Amazon

Riton 3 Tactix 1-8x24

Riton

Riton Optics 3 Tactix 1-8x24 MOA SFP LPVO Riflescope

Under $500 Full specifications

A 1-8x24 SFP LPVO with an illuminated MOA reticle and a Dual Throw Lever System.

Best for: shooting into bright light where a dim reticle washes out

Check price on Amazon

These two budget 1-8x24 second focal plane LPVOs reach farther than a 1-6x. The Athlon is the lower-priced scope with an illuminated BDC reticle. The Riton adds a dual throw lever system and an illuminated MOA reticle. This pair is a derived buyer matchup within the 1-8x budget class rather than an autocomplete pair.

See the best 1-6x scopes and Vortex vs Athlon.

Run it for your own rifle first Scope Click Adjustment Calculator See what a turret click moves at your distance, in MOA or MIL. Open

How do the Athlon Argos and Riton Tactix compare on specs?

Both are 1-8x24 SFP scopes with an illuminated reticle. The Athlon lists 0.5 MOA clicks and 100 MOA of adjustment at a lower price; the Riton lists a dual throw lever system and a 6061-T6 aluminum body.

Sourced figure

Athlon Argos BTR GEN2 1-8x24 vs Riton 3 Tactix 1-8x24, from published listing specifications
Feature	Athlon Argos BTR GEN2 1-8x24	Riton 3 Tactix 1-8x24
Magnification and objective	1-8x24	1-8x24
Focal plane	Second	Second
Reticle	ATSR5 IR BDC, illuminated, etched on the glass	Illuminated MOA reticle
Adjustment	0.5 MOA clicks, 100 MOA total, fixed 100 yard parallax	Capped turrets (see Riton specifications)
Throw lever	See listing	Dual Throw Lever System
Body	See Athlon specifications	6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum
Optics	Fully multicoated	High density glass (see Riton)
Budget	under $250	under $500

Specifications are from the Amazon listings and maker pages. Confirm current details on the listing before buying.

Which should you choose, the Athlon or the Riton?

Choose the Athlon Argos BTR GEN2 1-8x24 if:

You want the lowest price for a 1-8x.
You want an illuminated BDC reticle etched on the glass.
You do not need a fancy throw lever.

Choose the Riton 3 Tactix 1-8x24 if:

You want the Dual Throw Lever System for gloved or wet hands.
You want a 6061-T6 aluminum build.
You prefer an illuminated MOA reticle.

Mount it once, zero it once, keep the record

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Sources

Athlon Optics and Riton Optics published listings

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Athlon Argos or Riton Tactix?

The Athlon is cheaper; the Riton adds the dual throw lever system. Both are 1-8x24 SFP scopes with illuminated reticles.

Is 1-8x better than 1-6x?

It reaches farther but can be heavier and a bit dimmer. See the best 1-6x scopes before you choose.

Do I need a zero stop?

Not for a hold-over reticle. A zero stop matters if you dial turrets.

Are these first focal plane?

No. Both are second focal plane, so the reticle stays the same size at all magnifications.

Researched, not professional advice. This page is compiled from published manufacturer specifications, published optical and ballistic formulas, and owner-review consensus, not hands-on testing. Figures described as a rule of thumb are shooter convention rather than sourced numbers, and they are labelled that way wherever they appear. Ballistic figures come from a point mass model using the ballistic coefficient the maker publishes, so treat them as a starting point and confirm them on paper at a measured distance. Confirm your firearm is unloaded with the action open before you mount, level, torque or bore sight anything. Verify a zero only on a supervised range or a safe, legal backstop, know what lies beyond your target, and follow the law where you hunt and shoot, including rules on land access and permitted cartridges.