This post makes no sense. If you have owned 18 Vortex scopes why did you even ask ?

I've owned four Vortex scopes and think they are way over rated. one Crossfire big bulky and not very clear, one Diamondback it was pretty clear but ust didn't seem to be a comfortable scope for me, two Viper 6.5-20, about the poorest image of any scope I've owned, I did win the egg shoot with one but the rane was short and the dot reticle fit right into the bottom of the egg. on the whole I like even an inexpensive Konus scope better and have two on hunting rifles. My two Athlon 2-12's are among my favorites.

Favorite hunting scopes in order

Sightron II 1.5-6x40 Duplex

Meopta Artimes 1.5-6x42 German #1

Athelon 2-12x42 BDC(open country)

Leupold VariX, VX-1, VX-II, Vx-2 and Freedom 1-4x20

Burris 4X 1.5-6x42 German #4 w/illuminated dot

Konus Pro-30 1.5-6x42 Circle Dot w/illuminated dot

Thats a nice looking rig AWS. Whats it weigh? That Athlon 2-12x is on my short list for next scope purchase.

Agree 100%. I have several Leupolds, NF and other decent optics. Looked thru several vortex razors enough to know Athlon is much more clear to my eye. Tracking on my 4 (Cronus, Ares, 2 midas Tac) have been spot on.

Big Athlon fan. Not sure about their cheapest scopes, but the mid range scopes seem very good IMO. I love my Midas binoculars as well.

How does it not make sense?
I didn't ask if Vortex was good.
I asked if Athlon was good because I've never owned an Athlon.
Just because I have owned one brand and like it does not mean there is nothing out there I might also like and want to try.

Anyway now looking at this one to try.

Athlon

I have been very happy with my Talos 3-12.

I have one of their Ares scopes and Cronus binoculars, glass is good for the price, and good warranty.

I think all their scopes are awesome at their price points. Even better when you catch sales or demo models. To me they are what Vortex use to be.

Athlon is GTG in my opinion, at least in the talos and Argos lines. I can’t vouch for the Neos as I have never seen one and am wary of such a cheap scope.

Agree 100%. Athlon is the best kept secret. I have 2 midas tac, and cronus. Glass on all of them are more clear that my NF, Leupolds, etc IMO

I have a cheap athlon rimfire and like it. An ares BTR gen II at about 800 bucks and like that too. A midas tac 6-24, also good. My buddy has a Midas tac 5-25 and we both like that one. I also have a razor LHT, tract toric 4-20 and 2-10, maven 2-10, vx3s, bushy 4200s, weavers, SWFA, more i'm forgetting. IMHO athlon is the best value at the moment. If they have something configured how I want, I always consider athlon.

send it back to them a buddy that sells them says their customer service is great

I emailed them about the indicated yardage on the side focus of my
Argos being about 20 yards off and asking them how I could take the
cap off to correct it. They replied it was not customer correctible
and to send it back in for repair or replacement.

I've never really considered that an issue on any of my scopes. For target shooting I always just turned it while I looked through it. Most of the time calling I don't have time to mess with it.
It may be because the first scope I had with a side focus was a Hawke. It was way off. Come to think of it I'm not sure how many of mine are right on.
I wouldn't even consider 20 yards an issue. I wouldn't be able guesstimate 20 yards anyway hunting.