Maven CS.2A 26-66X85MM vs Athlon CRONUS G2 UHD - DUAL FOCUS 20-60x86 - 45 DEGREE

[406flyfish]

Finally looking to bite the bullet on a bigger spotting scope. I’m very interested in these particular two as they don’t break the bank. Any suggestions or recommendations between the two would be greatly appreciated.

CS.2A - 26-66x85

The CS.2 spotting scope, the most powerful optic in the Maven C Series and the larger sibling of the CS.1 spotter, utilizes the same high-quality glass as our acclaimed C Series Binoculars. Hunters, birders, and wildlife enthusiasts seeking a mid-range, high-powered optic for long-distance...

mavenbuilt.com

CRONUS G2 UHD DUAL FOCUS 20-60x86 - 45 DEGREE - Athlon Optics

The ultimate spotting scope for extreme clarity and color definition. Extra-low dispersion glass eliminates chromatic aberration.

athlonoptics.com

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We have not tested the Maven, however, for the $$$ the Cronus G2 UHD Dual Focus 20-60x86 45º Spotting Scope is in a class of it's own. Excellent spotter, you'll be very pleased

 

[JAC8504]

maven all day and twice on sunday

 

[elkmeat]

I have been also searching for this exact comparison. I have watched the Moondog review on both on YouTube but that’s about all I have been able to find. The reviews for the Cronus G2 are ample, but can’t turn up much on the Maven CS.2A , only the CS.1. Does anyone have any time behind this spotter or a comparison to the fore-mentioned? It would be greatly appreciated!

 

[armiller1991]

Bumping because I am looking for the same thing!

 

[elkmeat]

I ended up getting my bro in law the CS2A as a family gift for Xmas, once we get some time behind it I can report back. We will be able to go side by side with a Razor hd gen 1 20-60. If it helps you at all, Moondog did a YouTube review of both the Cronus and the CS2.. it was a good review but the mirage was moderate for both so overall clarity was a little hard to judge, but they were quite comparable I thought.
I opted for the little extra mag range of the Maven, I’ve had positive experiences over several of their products, spoken with them in person in Lander and generally have a good feeling of their crew and how they run their business. I also like to take a chance sometimes on a new, lesser reviewed piece of equipment and just see how it does — as all the other spotters in the price range are pretty heavily reviewed. Backup choice was the Cronus, seems like a great unit but sometimes I felt like the overwhelming hype gave me a little bit too much of a “marketing/product pushing” feeling… not saying that is in fact true, but it felt a little bit much at times. I would love to see them SxS for myself though, for curiosities sake.
My BIL doesn’t ever really pack his spotter with him, mainly just drives within a close range to most of his glassing spots whether it’s shed hunting or during season. The CS2 will sit on a Sirui VA-5 fluid head on top of an Innorel LT324C tripod so, needless to say, size/weight wasn’t really part of the decision for the intended use, just to throw that out there.

 

[nvHUNT3R]

Interested in these exact 2 models as well.

 

[Vic vinegar]

Bump this.
I as well would be interested in these 2 items

 

[Vic vinegar]

May check this out

DEMO OPTICS

Try before you buy: it makes sense to us. Find out more about the Maven demo program and select the demo optics you want to test out in the field.

mavenbuilt.com

 

[Tim Steinmetz]

I am also in the market for a spotter that won't break the bank, interested in this comparison.

The Athlon gets so much praise as a scope that performs way above it's price point. The Maven CS.2A must be a very new product with how little attention it gets. As mentioned, Moondog gave a positive review. By contrast, this guy gave the Maven a harsh review:

One thing I can say against Athlon, I sent them two separate emails on two separate occasions asking simple questions about the Cronus spotter, and I recieved no response either time. That's a big turn-off for me. By contrast, TRACT spotters are another option I am considering in this same budget category. When I ask TRACT a question via email, both company founders reply directly to me in the same day. I don't have any experience with Maven customer service to speak of.

 

[Vic vinegar]

I am also in the market for a spotter that won't break the bank, interested in this comparison.

The Athlon gets so much praise as a scope that performs way above it's price point. The Maven CS.2A must be a very new product with how little attention it gets. As mentioned, Moondog gave a positive review. By contrast, this guy gave the Maven a harsh review:

One thing I can say against Athlon, I sent them two separate emails on two separate occasions asking simple questions about the Cronus spotter, and I recieved no response either time. That's a big turn-off for me. By contrast, TRACT spotters are another option I am considering in this same budget category. When I ask TRACT a question via email, both company founders reply directly to me in the same day. I don't have any experience with Maven customer service to speak of.

Maven customer service was very easy to work with, they answered the phone right away, the guy was very knowledgeable about the product etc.

Athlon HQ is about 5 miles from my house so I have popped in on occasion to ask some stuff and pick up an order on a scope I bought once. However, the customer service person I talked to about the Cronus just sounded like he was reading off a a product advertisement and didn’t really know anything outside of what I could read off their web site.

The maven has fluorite crystal and is made in Japan where the Cronus has “made in china” stamped right on the bottom if that matters to you, but it’s also half the cost.

The eye box was a no go for me on the Cronus personally. Between the Cronus, Nikon and maven, the maven was the “best” in my opinion but I don’t have a ton of time behind spotting scopes.

Also, that maven model you posted is different than the one I tried. That looks like their lower tier model.

 

[Tim Steinmetz]

That's kind of what I figured with Athlon customer service. My questions were about a discrepancy on their spec sheets in FOV between the Cronus barrel focus and dual focus models. They claim the same angular FOV, but different linear FOV between the two products. My question was "which is correct?" If a customer service person only knows how to recite a spec sheet, they wouldn't be able to answer that.

 

[Vic vinegar]

That's kind of what I figured with Athlon customer service. My questions were about a discrepancy on their spec sheets in FOV between the Cronus barrel focus and dual focus models. They claim the same angular FOV, but different linear FOV between the two products. My question was "which is correct?" If a customer service person only knows how to recite a spec sheet, they wouldn't be able to answer that.

I asked about the dual vs single focus (not your exact inquiry) and he basically said it’s just an additional option for finer focus. I had read the single focus was the “updated model” but he said they were exactly the same scope with different focus mechanisms. The fella I talked to didn’t seem to know much about much so…I guess you get what you pay for essentially.

 

[Wrongside]

I am also in the market for a spotter that won't break the bank, interested in this comparison.

The Athlon gets so much praise as a scope that performs way above it's price point. The Maven CS.2A must be a very new product with how little attention it gets. As mentioned, Moondog gave a positive review. By contrast, this guy gave the Maven a harsh review:

One thing I can say against Athlon, I sent them two separate emails on two separate occasions asking simple questions about the Cronus spotter, and I recieved no response either time. That's a big turn-off for me. By contrast, TRACT spotters are another option I am considering in this same budget category. When I ask TRACT a question via email, both company founders reply directly to me in the same day. I don't have any experience with Maven customer service to speak of.

No experience with the Maven, but have looked thru the Athlon. It’s ok for the money.

I own the TRACT 65MM and it is very good. Optically it beats out my 85MM Razor by a lot. I’ve looked thru a couple other samples of the Toric 65MM, and all have been excellent. No discernible sample to sample variation. Which is a very real factor in optics, IME.

 

[Pilsner]

I own the Maven and got to spend time behind an Athlon during a recent class. The Athlon is good, but the Maven is better. Especially in the evening on our West facing rifle range.
Maven also offers a discount if you are military/veteran/LEO/1st responder. My limited experience with their customer service has also been very good.

 

[SUD1988]

I own the Maven and got to spend time behind an Athlon during a recent class. The Athlon is good, but the Maven is better. Especially in the evening on our West facing rifle range.
Maven also offers a discount if you are military/veteran/LEO/1st responder. My limited experience with their customer service has also been very good.

Were you able to compare the Cronus g2 and the maven cs 2a? Just making sure.

 

[Pilsner]

Nearly certain that was the model of Athlon the student had, but this was several months ago.