Athlon Optics

[melancon]

I keep seeing a comparison of the Cronos BTR Gen2 to the Vortex Razor. Anyone feel like passing a little knowledge?

-Mel

 

[JohnnyB]

They perform similarly when dropped.

 

[melancon]

They perform similarly when dropped.

I haven't done a drop test on a Vortex...but I did see one eat a 115gr 9mm and the warranty process was legit. They truly don't care what happened as long as it wasn't intentional.

-Mel

 

[JohnnyB]

Yep, the warranty is legit.
Neither are great at dialing accurately or holding zero.

 

[manitou1]

Yep, the warranty is legit.
Neither are great at dialing accurately or holding zero.

Wow, I have read nothing but positive reviews about the Cronus BTR and the Ares ETR for that matter... as far as rtz and tracking. Tons of reviews about them.
Just took delivery of a ETR about an hour ago.

 

[manitou1]

Yep, the warranty is legit.
Neither are great at dialing accurately or holding zero.

Wow, I have read nothing but positive reviews about the Cronus BTR and the Ares ETR for that matter... as far as rtz and tracking. Tons of reviews about them.
Just took delivery of a ETR about an hour ago.

Do you have any reviews or evidence to back your comment up? Serious question.

For that matter, the Razors have pretty good reviews also.

 

[Luked]

Have heard pretty good reviews on them for what they are and what they cost.
I am a get what you pay for person. If you want the best buy a NF, SWFA, Trij etc.
If you can only afford an Athlon so be it.
A lot want to bash something that is "inferior" to what they have. Its nothing more than that in my opinion. I have been looking at getting some of the Athlon optics myself. I can't justify $2k for a scope.
I also love to see the drop test comments, When in the world would I plan to buy something just because it passed a drop test..guess some dont care about their equipment. Don't plan to drop any of my rifles if it does happen it would be an accident and by the slim chance that it does that is what the warranty is for and like some have already said if Athlon backs their warranty with no questions then all is good.
Im sure some will flame me for this comment...really dont care flame on brother. Just one persons opinion.

 

[melancon]

Yep, the warranty is legit.
Neither are great at dialing accurately or holding zero.

That sucks to hear, I saw one video (youtube) of someone talking about how amazing the tracking was, but i always read really mixed reviews in the forums.

 

[Fartrell Cluggins]

Choose the one that's not made in China.

 

[melancon]

Have heard pretty good reviews on them for what they are and what they cost.
I am a get what you pay for person. If you want the best buy a NF, SWFA, Trij etc.
If you can only afford an Athlon so be it.
A lot want to bash something that is "inferior" to what they have. Its nothing more than that in my opinion. I have been looking at getting some of the Athlon optics myself. I can't justify $2k for a scope.
I also love to see the drop test comments, When in the world would I plan to buy something just because it passed a drop test..guess some dont care about their equipment. Don't plan to drop any of my rifles if it does happen it would be an accident and by the slim chance that it does that is what the warranty is for and like some have already said if Athlon backs their warranty with no questions then all is good.
Im sure some will flame me for this comment...really dont care flame on brother. Just one persons opinion.

Man I appreciate the reply brother! I understand why it might be important but I'm more focused on the warranty just incase i do drop it, not because I'm planning to. The amount of money we put in our builds really discourages me from dropping anything

 

[Macintosh]

Cronus btr is made in japan at LOW.

I am not aware of any objective durability test on either a razor g2 or the cronus. The razor g3 and the lht both failed the “rokslide test”, and the cheaper chinese-made athlon scopes have as well, but the cronus is a different scope made in a different factory? The only objective test I have seen on these exact scopes is the tracking test from a few years ago on snipers hide, which was on the gen1 Cronus—both scopes did better than “fine”. That is here: here:https://www.snipershide.com/precision-rifle/scope-tracking-test-results-2020/

I have heard numerous people say they have seen razors go down. Personally I am not a fan of vortex scopes in general, but having owned and used a razor gen 2 4.5-29, and I shoot with a pile of people that have them, Ive never seen a problem, while I have seen loads of problems with other vortex scopes. Ditto for athlon, smaller sample size but I know several people that have the gen1 cronus (including me) without any issue. Do I think either will pass a rokslide drop test? I doubt it. But if its going on a rifle for prs-type shooting I dont see an issue as thats generally pretty easy on equipment ime. If you have a LOT invested in the sport in terms of time, entry fees, etc. then maybe it matters more.

After using the gen2 razor for a year and then returning it to the owner, and getting to use friends cronus gen 1’s, I bought a gen 1 cronus. To my eye the glass is indistinguishable from the razor g2–I cannot tell any difference whatsoever side by side. The tracking was perfect on both in every sample Ive seen, and I could not find a reason to buy up from there. Athlon also has a no questions warranty, by the way.

I still own the athlon. Ive tried to sell it and frankly got very little interest here. Its just more scope than I really need for the rifle its on, although Ive never had a single issue with it. Mine holds zero between range trips and tracks every bit as well as any scope I own including several “rokslide approved” scopes. My understanding is the gen2 cronus has more distinct turret clicks and thats it, but cant comment beyond that.

Id say if you are looking for a “best” scope neither of these is it. But if you are looking for a good scope for a range gun and $ is an issue I would not hesitate to buy either of these scopes used in good condition. I think especially the athlon you can get a good used price on and for the money its a LOT of scope. If I were buying new today in a similar price Id probably buy a trijicon tenmile over either of these.

 

[t_carlson]

I also love to see the drop test comments, When in the world would I plan to buy something just because it passed a drop test..guess some dont care about their equipment. Don't plan to drop any of my rifles if it does happen it would be an accident and by the slim chance that it does that is what the warranty is for and like some have already said if Athlon backs their warranty with no questions then all is good.

That's not why people are so obsessed with the drop tests. Yes, any decent warranty will result in a fixed scope.

But that doesn't do you any good when you're in the middle of a hunt and slip on a snowy hillside and fall on your gun. That's why the drop tests are so important.

 

[Macintosh]

That's not why people are so obsessed with the drop tests. Yes, any decent warranty will result in a fixed scope.

But that doesn't do you any good when you're in the middle of a hunt and slip on a snowy hillside and fall on your gun. That's why the drop tests are so important.

Exactly. If I save points for 6 or 8 years just to get a tag, take vacation and time away, and invest a bunch of money getting there, etc, you can be DARN sure an easy-to-prevent equipment failure doesnt take me out of commission before I even get there.
For a casual range and prs/nrl type thing—which is what most folks are using these particular scopes for—Im not nearly as concerned about it, both because that sport is pretty easy on gear, and because for me personally the consequences are much, much, MUCH less important to me. For some its different, but thats my math. For the purpose I dont think either of these scopes is bad.

 

[freddyG]

That's not why people are so obsessed with the drop tests. Yes, any decent warranty will result in a fixed scope.

But that doesn't do you any good when you're in the middle of a hunt and slip on a snowy hillside and fall on your gun. That's why the drop tests are so important.

Yep. I have never dropped my rifle on my hunts, but use scopes that hold zero just in case.
A few weeks ago, I was on my elk hunt, spotted a group of elk, and while getting to a shooting spot, I slipped in the snow, and dropped my rifle not once, but twice in about 10 seconds from waist high. It hit the dirt with about an inch of snow on it with a big thud, both times landing on the scope.

Shot my elk about a minute later, no problem. Bullet impact was right where I aimed. I didn’t have time to re-sight, or use a warranty. I spent about 15 days afield, and it would have sucked to lose zero at that moment in time. Glad I switched to reliable scopes years ago.

I still can’t believe I was that clumsy, I felt like a dumbass after it happened, but at least I didn’t end up missing due to shit equipment.

 

[melancon]

This guy did a few reviews over a 6 month period. Worth a watch I think.

 

[BLJ]

Yep. I have never dropped my rifle on my hunts, but use scopes that hold zero just in case.
A few weeks ago, I was on my elk hunt, spotted a group of elk, and while getting to a shooting spot, I slipped in the snow, and dropped my rifle not once, but twice in about 10 seconds from waist high. It hit the dirt with about an inch of snow on it with a big thud, both times landing on the scope.

Shot my elk about a minute later, no problem. Bullet impact was right where I aimed. I didn’t have time to re-sight, or use a warranty. I spent about 15 days afield, and it would have sucked to lose zero at that moment in time. Glad I switched to reliable scopes years ago.

I still can’t believe I was that clumsy, I felt like a dumbass after it happened, but at least I didn’t end up missing due to shit equipment.

What scope?

 

[Macintosh]

This guy did a few reviews over a 6 month period. Worth a watch I think.

Actually watched it. Of course same as everywhere there is no durability component to the test. As a prs/nrl scope it probably is going to be treated nicely anyway. The TL/DR from the video is:
Overall “great scope for the $2000 price class”
Glass—almost perfect, equal to nx8
Tracking—excellent
Reticle—good (for prs Christmas reticle)
His only two negatives:
1) Windage is not capped
2) Numbers printed on turret are too small for 50-year old dudes to read, same as every other scope (+\- his words)

 

[freddyG]

What scope?

5.5-22x50 nxs

 

[Trogon]

99% of “reviews” are a circle jerk.

 

[melancon]

Actually watched it. Of course same as everywhere there is no durability component to the test. As a prs/nrl scope it probably is going to be treated nicely anyway. The TL/DR from the video is:
Overall “great scope for the $2000 price class”
Glass—almost perfect, equal to nx8
Tracking—excellent
Reticle—good (for prs Christmas reticle)
His only two negatives:
1) Windage is not capped
2) Numbers printed on turret are too small for 50-year old dudes to read, same as every other scope (+\- his words)

I think I might start sending you money to watch reviews of stuff and send me the Cliff's Notes version. Your summary just saved everyone 11 mins of their life.