Leapers Integrix is their high-end optics line which features scopes made in Taiwan using German-made Schott ED glass. In build quality and optical performance, it holds its own with some of the top scopes on the market. At SHOT Show 2026 they showed off their new fixed focus scope for Service Rifle competitions with a fixed 4.5x and designed with the input of the the top Service Rifle shooters in the country.
The Athlon Helos BTR with a street price just under $400, is the most affordable LPVO that offers a side-focus parallax focus. Most LPVO’s (even Service Grade LPVOs over $2K) only offer 100-150yrds fixed focus optics. This Helos BTR was designed with the input of NRA High Power XTC “service rifle” class competition shooters.
The first sample that Athlon sent me had a very minor 1x image shift issue that most shooters would never notice unless you ran it with both eyes open. I’ve discovered image shift at 1x to be a common issue with LPVOs; I’ve even experienced this in much vaunted combat grade LPVOs from Trijicon and Vortex. I contacted Athlon, who’s excellent customer service got me a replacement quickly.
My first impression of the Helos is that of an optic in a higher price tier in terms of build and construction. It has exposed turrets are similar to high-precision turrest found on Athlon’s long range optics. The elevation turret has a one revolution zero-stop for competition. For an AR moving from the 200yrd to 600yrd target during a XTC competition, the adjustment for drop would be within it’s 23MOA rotation. Its beefier turrets also help make it a tad heavy at around 23oz.
The reticle ATSR3 SFP reticle is unique to this Athlon model offering a crosshair-with-floating dot within its circle of death. The center circle and holdover T are illuminated for day-to-dusk competitions but is not red-dot bright. Against black competition bullseyes, a brighter illumination would be welcome.
When I first got the Helos BTR, I was puzzled as to its relatively low 1-4.5x power range, which I assume comes from the heritage of NRA High Power ‘service rifle’ competitions. The current marketing trend in LPVOs to offer more-is-better with 8x, 10x, and higher magnification. I wonder why Athlon doesn’t offer a parallax focus in their 1-10 Ares ETR? Regardless, the Helos BTR is an LPVO that offers competition grade features and high quality optics at a “budget” price for an Athlon.
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@ 50yrds: Element 6 / Group -2
Magnification: 1-4.5
Objective Lens: 24 mm
Tube Diameter: 30 mm
Lens Coating: Fully Multicoated
Exit Pupil: 12.2-5.2 mm
Eye Relief: 3.2 in.
Field of View @100 yards: 100-22 ft
Click Value: 0.25 MOA
Elevation Adjustment per rotation: 23 MOA
Total Adjustment: 80 MOA
Parallax Adjustment: 10 yrds-infinity
Length: 9.5 in.
Weight: 22.9 ounces
