If you don't want to read any of my background thoughts, skip the Yellow.
When it comes to riflescopes I don't normally step outside my comfort zone. Since moving on from fixed power scopes it has been a challenge to find the low light brightness and overall reliability I came to expect (Unertl, SWFA SS, Trijicon, Weaver). Presently, I still can't justify the expense of a Kahles or S&B in order to play the game. I've used variable power scopes for hunting for a while but have mostly stuck with a Bushnell G2DMR and a Vortex Viper HST which at least functionally I've found superior to my old fixed power scopes in every way that matters. Now here we are today, I just had a son arrive, budget isn't what I'd like, and I have a 6.5 CM in desperate need of a scope.
I'm not a glass snob by any means, I just like things that work the way they're supposed to for a good long while and fulfill their purpose as expected.
All that being said, my first choice was a Nikon FX1000 6-24 MIL. I'd read the posts on here, decided to give it a try based on the fact it was designed by a PRS shooter for PRS shooters. Long story short, it was defective. I've since heard about many more of them being defective. The glass was underwhelming considering what I expect from Nikon lenses and the overall fit/finish seemed like it could have used some more attention to detail. The nail in the coffin was a reticle that rotated with the power ring by about 3-4 degrees. I'm sure there are good ones, my sample size was one. Still, bad taste in my mouth, I don't trust the design anymore whether rationally or not.No thanks. It went back.
I spent a good long time thinking about another Bushnell, I've had a lot of luck out of their products. Still, I feel the need to try something different if for no other reason than to learn. I've been hearing about these "Athlon" scopes competing directly with Vortex. My first instinct is to wonder how long this company will last, how will they compete against the old guard? I remember thinking the same thing about Vortex, they don't appear to be going anywhere. I still regret not getting a Razor HD when they were cheaper.
Ares BTR 4.5-27x50 came in today. I've spent the day looking it over and considering what my first impression may be. What I can say for certain, the glass is clear. I haven't charted it yet but.. it is clear edge to edge, the resolution is superb, the eye-box is perfectly fine, and at low powers it sees things in low light that i don't see with my naked eye. I don't care for the black-black finish of the scope or the thick lettering commonly adorning chinese scopes but this is a superficial consideration. If it bothers me that much I can rattle can it.
I didn't get a chance to check windage tracking but while I was installing the scope's level I did run the full range up the plumb bob string with the reticle and string both being projected onto the wall in order to have them on the same focal plane. I didn't note any creeping around or walk of the reticle so that is a good sign.
The brightness of the reticle illumination is appropriate and reasonable. 6 settings seems to be plenty and all the adjustments are positive.
The scope I received had the "Updated" caps. Clicks were positive and audible. Alignment was good. It doesn't have that hard to describe happy-feeling (You know how if it is off the line it sorta ca-thunks back to it) of the Unertl but the clicks are the best I've felt on an asian scope. The best way i can describe it.. is about like a halfway worn out Nightforce NXS that has experienced some sand intrusion. It isn't perfect but is far from a bad thing. I'd imagine that as it breaks in it will feel even better..until it doesn't.
I'm kind of disappointed that the guts are brass and not stainless steel but.. It ain't a S&B.
Right now, I feel like the money was well-spent. I don't have any buyer's remorse. While i'm still a little weirded out purchasing an asian scope that lacks the re-sale reputability (and following) of a Vortex, I think it is a good scope. Hopefully when I wear it out the company is still around to warranty it. If you're considering scopes in this price range, I feel like these are worth a try.
When it comes to riflescopes I don't normally step outside my comfort zone. Since moving on from fixed power scopes it has been a challenge to find the low light brightness and overall reliability I came to expect (Unertl, SWFA SS, Trijicon, Weaver). Presently, I still can't justify the expense of a Kahles or S&B in order to play the game. I've used variable power scopes for hunting for a while but have mostly stuck with a Bushnell G2DMR and a Vortex Viper HST which at least functionally I've found superior to my old fixed power scopes in every way that matters. Now here we are today, I just had a son arrive, budget isn't what I'd like, and I have a 6.5 CM in desperate need of a scope.
I'm not a glass snob by any means, I just like things that work the way they're supposed to for a good long while and fulfill their purpose as expected.
All that being said, my first choice was a Nikon FX1000 6-24 MIL. I'd read the posts on here, decided to give it a try based on the fact it was designed by a PRS shooter for PRS shooters. Long story short, it was defective. I've since heard about many more of them being defective. The glass was underwhelming considering what I expect from Nikon lenses and the overall fit/finish seemed like it could have used some more attention to detail. The nail in the coffin was a reticle that rotated with the power ring by about 3-4 degrees. I'm sure there are good ones, my sample size was one. Still, bad taste in my mouth, I don't trust the design anymore whether rationally or not.No thanks. It went back.
I spent a good long time thinking about another Bushnell, I've had a lot of luck out of their products. Still, I feel the need to try something different if for no other reason than to learn. I've been hearing about these "Athlon" scopes competing directly with Vortex. My first instinct is to wonder how long this company will last, how will they compete against the old guard? I remember thinking the same thing about Vortex, they don't appear to be going anywhere. I still regret not getting a Razor HD when they were cheaper.
Ares BTR 4.5-27x50 came in today. I've spent the day looking it over and considering what my first impression may be. What I can say for certain, the glass is clear. I haven't charted it yet but.. it is clear edge to edge, the resolution is superb, the eye-box is perfectly fine, and at low powers it sees things in low light that i don't see with my naked eye. I don't care for the black-black finish of the scope or the thick lettering commonly adorning chinese scopes but this is a superficial consideration. If it bothers me that much I can rattle can it.
I didn't get a chance to check windage tracking but while I was installing the scope's level I did run the full range up the plumb bob string with the reticle and string both being projected onto the wall in order to have them on the same focal plane. I didn't note any creeping around or walk of the reticle so that is a good sign.
The brightness of the reticle illumination is appropriate and reasonable. 6 settings seems to be plenty and all the adjustments are positive.
The scope I received had the "Updated" caps. Clicks were positive and audible. Alignment was good. It doesn't have that hard to describe happy-feeling (You know how if it is off the line it sorta ca-thunks back to it) of the Unertl but the clicks are the best I've felt on an asian scope. The best way i can describe it.. is about like a halfway worn out Nightforce NXS that has experienced some sand intrusion. It isn't perfect but is far from a bad thing. I'd imagine that as it breaks in it will feel even better..until it doesn't.
I'm kind of disappointed that the guts are brass and not stainless steel but.. It ain't a S&B.
Right now, I feel like the money was well-spent. I don't have any buyer's remorse. While i'm still a little weirded out purchasing an asian scope that lacks the re-sale reputability (and following) of a Vortex, I think it is a good scope. Hopefully when I wear it out the company is still around to warranty it. If you're considering scopes in this price range, I feel like these are worth a try.
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