Aztec Emerald FFP vs. Athlon Helos FFP

[Luis Leon]

I’ve been using an Aztec Emerald FFP for about a year and have been very happy with it. I did have an issue with the illumination knob and while awaiting a warranty replacement, purchased a Helos FFP. I just got the Aztec Emerald back and can now compare the two side by side. Mind you this is just an average guy’s impressions.

Turrets (Helos)

Big and beefy with audible clicks. Pull up to dial, down to lock. I’ve only had it a short time and am already dialing for elevation. They seem bomber. They inspire me to dial with confidence. With the Aztec I always used holdover.

Turrets (Aztec)

Low profile (which is nice), same pull/push function as the Helos. And though I know I could dial for elevation. I’ve never done so on the Aztec, other than for sighting in. The turrets while good did not inspire me to dial but I will be putting that to the test going forward.

Illumination (Aztec)

Entire reticle, 5 levels of illumination (red or green). Does not bloom even at highest setting. When using the scope at its lowest magnification the illuminated reticle shows up nicely for quick work. Illumination is visible in daylight. Brighter on level 3 than the Helos is on level 6.

Illumination (Helos)

Entire reticle, 6 levels of illumination (red). No blooming and not as bright as the Aztec, but certainly useable in conditions that call for an illuminated reticle.

Reticle (Aztec) DYND-1 MOA

Nice uncluttered airgun friendly reticle. The center dots gives you a precise, unobstructed view of your POI. The Christmas tree is very useable starting at 2 MOA, in 2 MOA increments to 8 MOA. It does not clutter up the view. When you need it it’s there, otherwise unnoticeable.  My only complaint is I wish they had extended the Christmas tree to at least 16 MOA. With my current 50 yard zero the furthest I can use the Christmas tree using holdover is 80 yards.

Reticle (Helos) APLR2  MOA

Also a nice uncluttered reticle. The center cross hair gives you a nice view of the POI, it has 1 MOA of clearance all around. The Christmas tree is in 5 MOA increments all the way down to 40 MOA. The 5 MOA steps are less useful to me at the typical ranges I shoot/pest at (sub 100 yards). But the excellent turrets for dialing mitigate this non-issue.

Glass, Aztec and Helos

The glass on both of these seems equal to these tired older eyes. So it hard for me to say which is better. Build quality on both seems good. The Helos appears to be beefier, more robust. The Aztec is svelte and other than the turrets, just as solid.

I’ve been using the Aztec Emerald almost a year, hundreds of kills and lot of good shooting and plinking. It has proven to be a good scope for my uses. The Helos has had an auspicious beginning, in a few trips to the dairy it has shown its value. I love the “sight picture” through both scopes, you get a really good look at the tiniest of targets.  I hope this helps anyone on the fence with these two scopes.

[Yogi]

Thanks for the reviews.  Which cost more?

-Y

[Luis Leon]

Thanks for the reviews.  Which cost more?

-Y

They are both in the same price range, depending on who you buy from.