Athlon Argos G2 HD 10x42 vs Midas G2 UHD 10x42

Field of view: Midas leads

The Athlon Midas G2 UHD 10x42 shows 341 ft at 1,000 yd, which is 6.5 degrees. The Athlon Argos G2 HD 10x42 shows 319 ft, or 6.1 degrees.

Among the 87 models of this size, the median view is 336 ft. The Midas sits above that median at place 31 of 87. The Argos sits under it at place 59 of 87. A wider view helps when you follow a bird or an animal that moves fast.

Eye relief: Argos leads

The Argos gives 16.1 mm of eye relief and the Midas gives 15.2 mm. The RSPB shop says eyeglass wearers should look for at least 16 mm, so only the Argos meets that mark.

Audubon says binoculars made for birders offer 15 to 20 mm. Both models fall inside that span. The median for this size is 16 mm, which puts the Argos just above it and the Midas under it.

Close focus: Midas leads

The Midas focuses down to 8.2 ft. The Argos stops at 13 ft. The median close focus for the size is 6.6 ft, so both sit above it and the Argos needs far more room.

If you look at butterflies, dragonflies or flowers from a short distance, the Midas lets you stand nearer to the subject.

Brightness at dusk: a tie

Both models are 10x42, so both work out to a calculated 4.2 mm exit pupil. Nikon defines exit pupil as the effective objective diameter divided by magnification and says a larger one gives a brighter view in dim light.

The calculated twilight factor is 20.5 for each, and the calculated relative brightness is 17.6 for each. The sizes give no edge here, so any difference at dusk would come from glass and coatings that the makers' documents do not quantify.

Weight and glass: Midas leads

The Midas weighs 23.3 oz and the Argos weighs 25.5 oz. The median for the size is 24.9 oz, so the Midas is under it and the Argos is over it. A lighter pair is easier to hold up on a long walk.

The Midas uses a roof prism and ED glass. Nikon says ED glass reduces chromatic aberration, the color fringing caused by differences in light wavelength. The Argos documents list no ED glass.

Weather sealing and fit

Both models are filled with argon for fog resistance. The Argos is listed as waterproof and fog proof. The Midas is listed as waterproof and shockproof.

The eye spacing range is 56 to 76 mm on the Argos and 57 to 74 mm on the Midas, so the Argos adjusts across a slightly wider span. Both carry a maker list price band of $200 to $500, and the Midas names birding among its uses alongside hunting and general viewing.

Argos G2 HD 10x42 or Midas G2 UHD 10x42

The Midas G2 UHD 10x42 wins four of the six rounds: field of view, close focus, weight and glass. The Argos G2 HD 10x42 wins on eye relief and eye spacing range, and the two tie on calculated brightness. Pick the Argos if you wear glasses; otherwise the Midas gives more view for the same price band of $200 to $500.