Rifle Scopes Athlon Ares ETR

[CalPatriot]

Regarding scope ring heights, I've found this calculator to be pretty helpful in the past, if nothing else, to just spot check my calculations / logic, etc...

http://www.mil-rad.com/scope_ring_calculator

Cheers,

 

[knuckleballz]

I have several cronus scopes and have an ares etr on the way. For those that have had a chance to compare the two, is the glass clarity and low light performance the same between the two?

 

[padom]

I have several cronus scopes and have an ares etr on the way. For those that have had a chance to compare the two, is the glass clarity and low light performance the same between the two?

The same, no. Very close, yes. Ive had both for a little while now and I have zero complaints with the ETR. ETR = Chinese and BTR= Japanese.. One of the best price/performance ratio scopes Ive purchase in a while now. I love my ETR

 

[Az Erik]

Damn it! How can I take something that easy and make it harder. I've done a killer job at it. Kept looking for 1.25+ (to the bottom of the tube) rings, those are hard to find ya know. It really isn't anywhere near as hard as I thought. Pepr it is then. My ETR comes in Thursday, along with the level, pepr mount and a bipod. Sunday better not rain!

 

[padom]

I'm running Seekins/Vortex PMR 1.26" rings. They clear my AR but wont fit a cap.

 

[CalPatriot]

Okay, finally mounted the ETR (mil version) on my Bergara BMP 6.5 Creedmoor. Striving to optimize the ETR for around 1000 yards, I employed the following: Seekins rail with 20 MOA cant and a 1.18" high Spuhr mount which has 20.6 MOA cant for a total of 40.6 MOA (11.8 mils) of cant. This gives me around 27.8 mils of total elevation adjustment while still allowing zero at 100 yards and leaving around 4.2 mils left at the bottom. Using Hornady 143gr or 147gr ELD-Match and centering the scope in the middle of its travel, this setup should be good out to around 1100/1200 yards and out to a mile at max elevation without holds... Additionally, there's still room to spare for some lens covers later on.

Happy shooting everyone!

 

[jwhjwh54]

Got mine mounted up on a CTR 6.5, 20 moa rail with seeekins 1.0 rings. Will get a picture asap but scope feels like a winner.

 

[koshkin]

This is what I have been waiting for. Please report back as soon as practical, DLO!

I'll take it to the range tomorrow mounted on what is probably the weirdest rifle I have. I'll let you know how I like it as far as first impressions go.

ILya

 

[Az Erik]

Probably the easiest way to think of ring height for clearance, on an AR, is this:

Objective outside diameter divided by two, divided by 25.4.

So round the objective to 65mm to allow for some room for scope caps. Divide that by two = 32.5mm.

Now divide 32.5mm by 25.4 to convert to imperial and you get 1.2795275590551181102362204724409.

Round that up to 1.28 and you will see, as has been my personal experience, the PEPR mount will allow a 56mm objective scope to clear the handguard of an AR with a little room to spare.

It is a little

 

[jwhjwh54]

20 moa rail with 1" seekins

 

[poke_53]

Looks nice on there

 

[Roc8man]

Well I went to the range twice and did some additional viewing elsewhere while at 30x and did not see the same hazing I saw the first day. I believe I need a sunshade as that was the most likely culprit given the first time I viewed through it at 30x was just prior to sunset and my backyard faces west. Any news on sunshade availability for the brown version?

 

[Sieg]

Nope, Athlon says they are in the works but nothing on their website yet.

I have a benchrest match on Sunday and it's supposed to be windy and raining, Looks like I'll be taping/rubberbanding some type of shield on.

 

[powderBurnz]

FYI, like someone else said, the NF Tenebraex doesn't thread on the ETR.

 

[aviator80]

I have an Athlon Cronus and a Athlon Ares ETR. The Ares ETR is about 95% of the Cronus for $600 less. It is a very clear optic, almost as good as the Cronos but it is very difficult to tell the difference. I have owned the Athlon Midas, Bushnell XRS, Burris XTR II, Weaver Tactical 6-30, Vortex Viper, and Vortex PST. Nothing ever came close to the clarity or the brightness of the Cronus or the Ares ETR. I liked the ETR so much that I purchased a second.

 

[flatland1]

I have to agree on aviator80's comparison of the ETR to the Cronus. First time I took my ETR to the 600yd line, I also had an early pre-BTR Cronus on another rifle along. It was a dark day, with a heavy overcast, and I thought the ETR was every bit as bright & clear as the Cronus, perhaps even a tad brighter. I've been shooting with Cronus scopes on several of my rifles for a couple of years now, and have a fairly high opinion of the optical quality of these scopes. I didn't expect the ETR to be as good - optically speaking - as the Cronus, but it appears to be very, very close in that department.

As far as tracking goes, I've not yet taken the time to shoot a tall target or box tracking test, but neither have I had any issues with tracking. The click detents are very distinct - in fact, early on, they were so distinct that I had a few issues getting one click when I wanted only one. I had this scope on a 40XB 22RF repeater for a couple of weeks, which gave the elevation turret a good workout while running from 50-300yds. I think this work-out smoothed the elevation clicks just a tad, which took care of the issues I was having in getting more than one click at a time. Given that Athlon has demonstrated a tendency to listen & react to customers' feedback, I believe the ETR's future is bright...

 

[jwhjwh54]

Took my ETR out to 500. Tracked great, clear glass, made it easy. When the wind isn't gusting to 22 kts I'll take it out to 1k.
Very happy with the scope

 

[nicodywill]

I just received one of these earlier today and my windage turret hashmarks do not line up with the index mark and are almost exactly halfway between the lines and I can’t tell if it’s at .1 or none in either direction (photos attached). I guess I’ll call Athlon tomorrow. Not gonna lie I’m pretty disappointed though.

 

[nicodywill]

After speaking with both Doug at CameralandNY.com and Drake at Athlon for few minutes I believe they're gonna get me squared away with a replacement post haste so they can take a look at the unit they sent my original unit.

 

[ThePretzel]

I would say buy at your own risk with Athlon, I just received my ETR yesterday (it was drop shipped from Athlon on behalf of Cameralandny.com)

I called and spoke to someone at Athlon and passed my contact info to them for the warranty guy to get back to me.
Warranty guy called and I explained to him the problem and he stated he's seen this before on them and says the scope is functioning in it's current condition which I told him I disagreed with as you can't tell where the windage is lined up at zero how would i know three or four turret dials in.

He told me to go through their website and request an RMA and he'd have it back to me in around 9 days.... and wants me to pay to ship it back to them.
I guess my next call is going to be to Doug...

That's interesting that you got that response.

I had a similar problem with my original Argos BTR (before they updated the turrets). They told me it was a common problem because depending on where the old Argos turrets were zeroed, the ticks would either line up or sit in the middle. Specifically what they said was if I set my zero 2 clicks in either direction it would line up perfectly with the hash marks and where I was at was set so that it would line up perfectly in between hash marks. That meant that the old Argos turrets would only line up perfectly if you zeroed it on the right setting, which happened every half a mil.

I haven't seen that problem with my Ares ETR (I've messed with the zero to test if it would happen), but I totally understand the frustration. The odd part to me is that when I mentioned that problem to them about my Argos, they actually had me send them a picture of the turret cap and my address. Two days later I had a custom printed turret cap sitting in my mailbox that lined up perfectly with the zero on my Argos BTR. It's disappointing to see that's not the standard of customer service anymore.

 

[nicodywill]

That's interesting that you got that response.

I had a similar problem with my original Argos BTR (before they updated the turrets). They told me it was a common problem because depending on where the old Argos turrets were zeroed, the ticks would either line up or sit in the middle. Specifically what they said was if I set my zero 2 clicks in either direction it would line up perfectly with the hash marks and where I was at was set so that it would line up perfectly in between hash marks. That meant that the old Argos turrets would only line up perfectly if you zeroed it on the right setting, which happened every half a mil.

I haven't seen that problem with my Ares ETR (I've messed with the zero to test if it would happen), but I totally understand the frustration. The odd part to me is that when I mentioned that problem to them about my Argos, they actually had me send them a picture of the turret cap and my address. Two days later I had a custom printed turret cap sitting in my mailbox that lined up perfectly with the zero on my Argos BTR. It's disappointing to see that's not the standard of customer service anymore.

I think there was possibly some misunderstanding with my explanation of the situation with Athlon this morning because shortly after that we resolved the situation amicably and painlessly.

 

[Anderson_A]

Not that it’s acceptable but in my experience with half a dozen Athlon scopes of the 1 or 2 of those that have had that kind of misalignment I can favor one direction or the other while I tighten the turret screw and there’s just enough play to get on my marks I kind of expect this kind of thing on the cheaper scopes but even on my cronus if I don’t hold the turret cap where I want it while tightening it would be off a little bit

 

[nicodywill]

Not that it’s acceptable but in my experience with half a dozen Athlon scopes of the 1 or 2 of those that have had that kind of misalignment I can favor one direction or the other while I tighten the turret screw and there’s just enough play to get on my marks I kind of expect this kind of thing on the cheaper scopes but even on my cronus if I don’t hold the turret cap where I want it while tightening it would be off a little bit

FWIW I did try this method to see if I could get it to align.

 

[kabarNC]

@koshkin , did I miss your review for this scope? Been looking forward to your input, thanks.

 

[bassmaster07]

@koshkin , did I miss your review for this scope? Been looking forward to your input, thanks.

Same here

 

[plidenbrock]

Is this it? Ilya compares the Athlon Ares ETR with a few others...

 

[yeos]

Is this it? Ilya compares the Athlon Ares ETR with a few others...

Thanks. With the Ares ETR being so new it's difficult to find reviews and comparisons in the same price range (PST II) from people not employed by Athlon themselves.

 

[koshkin]

It takes me quite a bit of time to finish a review. That video is mostly a first look into the Ares ETR, but I will spend a lot of time with it before I form any final conclusions.

I like it so far.

ILya

 

[kabarNC]

It takes me quite a bit of time to finish a review. That video is mostly a first look into the Ares ETR, but I will spend a lot of time with it before I form any final conclusions.

I like it so far.

ILya

No worries, take your time, and thanks for all you do for us on here.

 

[Bryan marks]

Well after reading this whole thread I decided to order the ETR in black/mil. How’s everyone liking there scope? Any issues?

 

[jinxx4ever]

try this

 

[Fweedombypepe]

Mine in black/mil just showed up yesterday..it's the last thing I ordered for a build but the first item that showed up!! Thanks Doug?so not much to say yet..first impression..it's massive..15.3 inches without sunshade.

 

[Samuel Whittemore]

Got mine a couple months ago. Looks good in the box. Ha. Sadly that's where it sits until I can afford the rifle I hoped to buy to mount it on. Then again if shit doesn't pick up... Work has been so slow I might be forced to sell it on here soon. Good to hear the positive feedback it seems everyone is having!

 

[kabarNC]

Well after reading this whole thread I decided to order the ETR in black/mil. How’s everyone liking there scope? Any issues?

I've ran mine hard for a few months on my rimfire trainer, no issues whatsoever. Tracking, return to zero, illumination, everything is still working great. Time will tell a more complete story obviously.
Still hands down my favorite reticle out there, although after using it awhile I would probably benefit from an ever so slightly bigger center dot. That's it..

 

[ThePretzel]

My scope has been on my gun since it first arrived and I have no complaints other than that there are still no scope caps that fit besides the Vortex Defender caps and that the turret caps are held on with a coin slot (zero stop is a phillips). I just wish all the adjustments on the scope were hex wrenches, since it's a tactical oriented scope. It's bright, clear, and tracks well with turrets that have a great feel to them.

Like other said, it's my favorite reticle of all the options on the market. Not as cluttered as a H3 or a Tremor3, but it's got all the information you need and I very much like the tiny center dot.

 

[bassmaster07]

My scope has been on my gun since it first arrived and I have no complaints other than that there are still no scope caps that fit besides the Vortex Defender caps and that the turret caps are held on with a coin slot (zero stop is a phillips). I just wish all the adjustments on the scope were hex wrenches, since it's a tactical oriented scope. It's bright, clear, and tracks well with turrets that have a great feel to them.

Like other said, it's my favorite reticle of all the options on the market. Not as cluttered as a H3 or a Tremor3, but it's got all the information you need and I very much like the tiny center dot.

Aadmount has scope caps for it now. They are very nice!

 

[Curt1521]

Boy I wish I would have seen this thread before I ordered my ETR. My hash marks were also right in the middle, so I sent it to warranty. It came back, and the windage is mostly correct, but the elevation is not. But the markings aren't consistent. If it lines up on a line, it might not click on the next .1mil line.
I'm going to try to send the scope back to athlon again. When I was trying to get used to the hash marks being off, I noticed that the are not consistently the same amount off. It might line up on 3.0 for example, then the next click is 3.15. It is almost like the erector is machined incorrectly. It is worse on the elevation dial, but still present on the windage.
Obviously not acceptable on a $1000 scope. I also sent another email and PM to the vendor, but I haven't heard anything back. Beyond frustrating...

 

[steve123]

Curt, send that sucker back again and flat out tell them this is completely unacceptable!

 

[S3th]

Boy I wish I would have seen this thread before I ordered my ETR. My hash marks were also right in the middle, so I sent it to warranty. It came back, and the windage is mostly correct, but the elevation is not. But the markings aren't consistent. If it lines up on a line, it might not click on the next .1mil line.
I'm going to try to send the scope back to athlon again. When I was trying to get used to the hash marks being off, I noticed that the are not consistently the same amount off. It might line up on 3.0 for example, then the next click is 3.15. It is almost like the erector is machined incorrectly. It is worse on the elevation dial, but still present on the windage.
Obviously not acceptable on a $1000 scope. I also sent another email and PM to the vendor, but I haven't heard anything back. Beyond frustrating...

by vendor do you mean Athlon? If not I would only be in contact with Athlon.

 

[Curt1521]

by vendor do you mean Athlon? If not I would only be in contact with Athlon.

No. the vendor I bought the scope from inquiring on a refund.

 

[Curt1521]

I have the Ares BTR and I love it but all these reviews are making me want to sell it and buy the ETR lol. Does anyone have both Ares ETR and BTR to tell the comparisons?

I may have an ETR for sale ?

 

[Tyler Kemp]

I've got a bunch of ETRs available. They will ship with a 34mm billet level and carbon fiber throw lever installed.

 

[Basher]

Whoa, whoa, whoa. They're using a phillips fastener on these?? I know lots of people seem to like their Athlons overall, but that may be a deal breaker for me. Nothing says cheap like a phillips head on just about anything besides a deck or a door frame! I don't use a phillips for ANYTHING on my rifles, so I'd have to carry around a bit JUST for the ZS on these if I got one. Maybe they'll update that with time...

 

[Tyler Kemp]

Do you have pictures of billet level and carbon fiber throw lever?

Here ya go! It's a MK5, but will look identical.

 

[ThePretzel]

No. the vendor I bought the scope from inquiring on a refund.

Contact Athlon support and they'll take care of you. It sounds like your vendor got a bad scope and is trying to cobble together a fix on their own.

I had that issue with my Argos BTR (a much cheaper scope) and they had a new pair of turret caps in my mailbox 2 days later that were printed specifically to fit to my scope base on the fitment of the standard cap on my turrets (I sent in pictures of my turrets). Popped the new caps on and they were perfect.

 

[flatland1]

I have the Ares BTR and I love it but all these reviews are making me want to sell it and buy the ETR lol. Does anyone have both Ares ETR and BTR to tell the comparisons?

I've had several Ares BTRs on my rifles since they came out. Bought two of the ETRs, and have one mounted. Glass quality is better, turrets have much more distinct clicks on the ETR. I actually prefer the Ares BTR reticle, especially when shooting movers with power back off to 8x-10x, as the + aiming point is still easy to see, while backing the dot reticle of the ETR off that far makes the dot disappear. Of course, you've still got the open center of the ETR reticle to aim with, but whatever - I prefer the + of the BTR. I bought a Midas TAC to use on a VGW V-22 Ranch, as I wanted a lighter, smaller scope than the Cronus scopes I've got on my other precision 22RF bolt repeaters. I really like the glass on the TAC, but again, it's got the floating dot, and I prefer the + aim point. Just a personal preference here - I'd bet there are plenty of shooters who want the floating dot.

 

[Rimfiremike]

I have a Cronus that I really like, so may have to give one of these Ares ETR's a try. Would like to hear if anyone has both a PST Gen II and an ETR to see which one they prefer and why.

 

[NewsShooter]

I may have an ETR for sale ?

Ill give you tree fidddy.

 

[SupressYourself]

I have a couple questions:

1. This shows that the MOA and MIL models have different reticles, with the MOA version having the cross-style center aiming point. Is that correct, or is their web site off? (I'm interested in MOA, and actually prefer the cross).

2. I see the 4.5x depiction of the reticle on their site, but I'm wondering if it's really useable at that power. By "usable", I mean does it basically look like a fine duplex at that power, or can you not really see it at all with illumination off? -- This would go on a rifle that I also use for hunting coyotes. I need something that still works when they sneak in and surprise you at close range.

 

[steve123]

I have a couple questions:

1. This s

I have a couple questions:

1. This shows that the MOA and MIL models have different reticles, with the MOA version having the cross-style center aiming point. Is that correct, or is their web site off? (I'm interested in MOA, and actually prefer the cross).

2. I see the 4.5x depiction of the reticle on their site, but I'm wondering if it's really useable at that power. By "usable", I mean does it basically look like a fine duplex at that power, or can you not really see it at all with illumination off? -- This would go on a rifle that I also use for hunting coyotes. I need something that still works when they sneak in and surprise you at close range.

hows that the MOA and MIL models have different reticles, with the MOA version having the cross-style center aiming point. Is that correct, or is their web site off? (I'm interested in MOA, and actually prefer the cross).

2. I see the 4.5x depiction of the reticle on their site, but I'm wondering if it's really useable at that power. By "usable", I mean does it basically look like a fine duplex at that power, or can you not really see it at all with illumination off? -- This would go on a rifle that I also use for hunting coyotes. I need something that still works when they sneak in and surprise you at close range.

That's exactly why I put a SFP scope on my Coyote rifle, and is currently my only SFP scope.

Part of the reason for me doing this is I have old eyes and can't be messing with a FFP scope on it's lowest magnification when I need the widest FOV for shorter shots.