Rifle Scopes Era of Athlon

[cageli]

I was in need of some scopes, and due to some stupid decisions I made, I'm tight on $$$. So yes I was able to source some "cheap" scope deal during black Friday sales.
They arrived today and I finger fucked them well. I'm not going to say a lot about them - many other posts already did so. Overall I'm pretty happy so far, will need to hit range for sure. Plan to do that tomorrow.

 

[cageli]

I mean to provide information instead of judgement. Here is the turret/feeling of ARES ERS.

 

[cageli]

Here is the turret of MIDAS. It feels lighter than ARES.

 

[cageli]

Overall MIDAS adjustments are lighter than ARES. I was able to picky the mag ring of MIDAS, which I could not do on most scopes.

 

[cageli]

Through scope photo is a must for any scope info post, otherwise it is not worth shit. I was looking through both to a tree about 25 yards away. My crappy iPhone 6 hand hold photo can only supply some reticle details but dont judge scope image with this, really hard to stay focus.

 

[yeos]

Thanks for the comparisons. I will be ordering the Ares ETR tomorow!

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We just received a HUGE Athlon shipment and have many models with crazy deals.

Also, with any Athlon purchase you can add on:

Midas 1200 Yard Rangefinder only $149.99

Talos 8x42 Binocular with Harness Case only $99.99

Talos 10x42 Binocular with Harness Case only $99.99

Talos 12x50 Binocular with Harness Case only $119.99

Lot's of deals on riflescopes

 

[Tyler Kemp]

Thanks for the comparisons. I will be ordering the Ares ETR tomorow!

I am running 12% off and these come with our billet level and lever from us...believe you'll find it to be the best deal around

 

[MOshooter]

I'm happy with my Ares ETR!

 

[SCOPEBROKER]

both are great sellers for us. We have been very impressed with the Midas TAC for the price. I would suppose the Ares BTR is a better scope. Athlon was a small piece of our business last year. This year, it is still a small part, but growing, and I think some of the reviewers here are key to the strength of this brand.

 

[PrairieDeke]

I have been interested in the Ares ETR (amongst others in that price range) and I have to say that reticle is pretty nice looking in a real world picture

 

[AMP!]

I was about to pull the trigger on the Ares ETR but have been weary of it being made in China, just don’t want to spend the money and be disappointed. I bought a scope off the Hide PX instead. But all I hear is good stuff about the Ares. If I could see one in person, I’d be able to decide better on buying one or not, but it does seem like Athlon is taking off. Apparently great quality and warranty.

 

[shields shtr]

I have an Ares BTR and Cronus. Cronus is still a much better scope, but I don't think the Ares is all that bad. The turrets on the Ares are a little too easy to turn for my tastes, but it will do as a backup scope on a backup gun. On a side note, I find it interesting that in this hobby (for me it's a hobby anyways) the Cronus is a mid level scope price wise, and the Ares is sort of the "low end". Shit, it's still a $700 dollar scope and my expectations for it were pretty low. I have never owned a true "alpha" class scope (Schmidt, ATACR, Kahles, etc), but If I could actually afford one I am not sure it would live up to my expectations...

 

[jwhjwh54]

For a weekend warrior like me, the ares ETR is perfect. I’ve shot through an atacr and own two cheaper NF’s, swaro’s, etc and for what I do spending $2k-3k on a scope doesn’t make sense. The ETR is a quality scope for the money and so far has done everything I’ve asked

 

[Tyler Kemp]

The ETR has nicer turrets than the BTR, that's for sure. They feel dang nice and are not so sloppy. I felt them directly from China and they were decent, then they make a few slight mods and they feel substantially better than that.

 

[AMP!]

I have an Ares BTR and Cronus. Cronus is still a much better scope, but I don't think the Ares is all that bad. The turrets on the Ares are a little too easy to turn for my tastes, but it will do as a backup scope on a backup gun. On a side note, I find it interesting that in this hobby (for me it's a hobby anyways) the Cronus is a mid level scope price wise, and the Ares is sort of the "low end". Shit, it's still a $700 dollar scope and my expectations for it were pretty low. I have never owned a true "alpha" class scope (Schmidt, ATACR, Kahles, etc), but If I could actually afford one I am not sure it would live up to my expectations...

I feel you. I didn’t pay 2K for my ATACR, and will likely never own a S&B, TT, Kahles, etc unless I find one here under 2K and happen to have recently sold an optic or rifle.

My problem now is with using a few NF optics, it’s hard to go back to “cheap” glass. I was severely disappointed in spending $800 on an XTR II. To me, $800 is still a big chunk of money, so to be let down with that hurts. I didn’t want that to happen again with the Ares and lose money trying to sell it.

I thrive on getting good deals from guys on here. I keep track of those guys, and would cut them great deals as well.

 

[S3th]

I am excited to order my ETR!

 

[Kickin45]

I am running 12% off and these come with our billet level and lever from us...believe you'll find it to be the best deal around

Got a link? @Tyler Kemp

 

[Tyler Kemp]

Got a link? @Tyler Kemp

Use "12offoptics" for the discount.

https://mkmachining.com/product/athlon-ares-etr-4-5-30x56-aprs1-ffp-ir-mil/


Got more on the way, sold out this weekend.

 

[Deputy_Dawg_78]

New to the site but I recently bought a TAC too. The dealer i purchased from told me that they were both great scopes but for the money, you can’t beat the TAC. They both have HD glass. I got a great deal on the TAC 4-16x44, Midas 1200 RF, and a throw. Itching for March to get here so I can get home and check them both out!

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Be glad to assist with an ETR, give us a call,516-217-1000, and we will take great care of you

 

[flatland1]

I've had extensive experience shooting 22RF PR matches with Cronus scopes on precision bolt rifles from Stiller 2500XR to jelrod-converted 40Xs to V-22s, and have been more than satisfied with them. It was natural to compare the Ares ETR to the Cronus while shooting at 600yds, and I was very impressed with the optical quality of the ETR relative to the Cronus.

Also have three Ares BTRs on custom rifles, and have just put a Midas TAC on a V-22 Ranch. My impression of the optical quality of the new Midas TAC is that it's at least as good as the Ares BTR, and the turret knob clicks are much more distinct than those of the BTR. However, as of now, I still prefer the BTR's reticle to the floating dot of the new TAC. I find the dot too small for my taste, while the BTR's aiming cross is very good, even with the power set down to 10x for use on movers. However, I'm 67yrs old, and those with younger eyes may not have any issues with the dot size (and the same can be said for the ETR's floating dot reticle). Regardless of my comments on the reticles of the ETR & TAC, I like them both quite a bit, and will most likely be buying more of each fro my own use, and to sell to customers.

 

[Zack_va248]

The ETR has nicer turrets than the BTR, that's for sure. They feel dang nice and are not so sloppy. I felt them directly from China and they were decent, then they make a few slight mods and they feel substantially better than that.

The new cronus btr turrets are pretty good, not gen2 rzr LtEC good, but nonetheless

 

[shooter98]

I’m a FFL and have many different scope brands in stock except Athlon due to there being a sales rep for them that lives close and I don’t want to tread on his area. He and I talked at the last local gun show and he talked me into trying the Midas tac. I shot with it last week and am overall mostly happy. My only concern so far is the scope gets really dark at 18 power and above. So much so that shooting on a cloudy day isn’t going to happen at those powers. I am waiting to hear on a resolve from the warranty department.

 

[flatland1]

I’m a FFL and have many different scope brands in stock except Athlon due to there being a sales rep for them that lives close and I don’t want to tread on his area. He and I talked at the last local gun show and he talked me into trying the Midas tac. I shot with it last week and am overall mostly happy. My only concern so far is the scope gets really dark at 18 power and above. So much so that shooting on a cloudy day isn’t going to happen at those powers. I am waiting to hear on a resolve from the warranty department.

From what little shooting I've been able to do with the new Midas TAC 6-24x50 on my Vudoo Ranch, I'm very pleased with how bright it still is when set to 24x. Sounds to me like you need to call Athlon & get them to take care of your new TAC.

 

[shooter98]

Yup, been trying. All I have got from them thus far is a “ Yea we might have to look at that”. Not a “hey send it in” or anything else. Oh well.

 

[021411]

Yup, been trying. All I have got from them thus far is a “ Yea we might have to look at that”. Not a “hey send it in” or anything else. Oh well.

Yeah that concerns me as a potential Athlon buyer. I hate companies that say they have a warranty yet fight tooth and nail for you not to send it in for whatever reason.

 

[Anderson_A]

It has been my experience that Athlon warranty department is fantastic broke an o ring messing around they sent me a bag of 5of them 3 days later for free stripped a set screw on my zero stop year later same thing bag of extras at my doorstep few days later fo free

 

[One1Bravo]

It has been my experience that Athlon warranty department is fantastic broke an o ring messing around they sent me a bag of 5of them 3 days later for free stripped a set screw on my zero stop year later same thing bag of extras at my doorstep few days later fo free

I've also had a great experience with their customer service. When I got my Midas BTR the reticle was canted. All it took was a quick phone call. I sent it in expecting a repair and got a brand new scope two days later.

 

[bgavin]

How's the eyebox and eye relief between the cronus btr and etr?

How would these compare to a razor gen 2 or pst gen 2?

Thanks

 

[gr8fuldoug]

If anyone here has an issue with an Athlon product, or any brand that we handle, whether you purchased it from us or not please feel free to contact us and we will get involved and assist if you feel you are not getting the attention you expect from the mfg.
In our opinion, it's all part of being a supporting vendor here.

 

[shooter98]

I

It has been my experience that Athlon warranty department is fantastic broke an o ring messing around they sent me a bag of 5of them 3 days later for free stripped a set screw on my zero stop year later same thing bag of extras at my doorstep few days later fo free

I’m sure their warranty is great. I just found it odd that when I explained the issue I didn’t get a direct answer as to send it in or anything.

 

[021411]

I

I’m sure their warranty is great. I just found it odd that when I explained the issue I didn’t get a direct answer as to send it in or anything.

I know this is about Athlon but I had a similar experience with a Sig electro-optic product. I explained the issue I was having and crickets.. I was ultimately "I am sending this in because my life kinda depends on it when I'm at work." We'll send you a return label.

 

[riverrat13]

Yeah that concerns me as a potential Athlon buyer. I hate companies that say they have a warranty yet fight tooth and nail for you not to send it in for whatever reason.

I had a different experience with Athlon. I had a black speck show up on the erector lens of my Ares BTR. It was over on the edge of the lens and after about 8x zoom I couldn't even see it. It had no impact on function. However my OCD forced me to call Athlon, and they responded right away to send it back and they will ship me a brand new scope. It was literally no questions asked replacement.

I am out $25 bucks to ship it, but other than that I have no complaints.

 

[bassmaster07]

If anyone here has an issue with an Athlon product, or any brand that we handle, whether you purchased it from us or not please feel free to contact us and we will get involved and assist if you feel you are not getting the attention you expect from the mfg.
In our opinion, it's all part of being a supporting vendor here.

This right here!!!

 

[918v]

Being this has a splined turret cap, does it click dead on the hash marks or inbetween like some other similarly constructed scopes?

 

[steve123]

The Midas TAC's and the ARES BTR's we have among my group of friends line up as good as any expensive scope I've seen, so pretty much perfect.

People rave about the Bushnell LRHS, the ones I had were slightly off, still on the line but to the edge.

The $300-$400 Talos and the Argos BTR's, it's a little hit and miss but they have gotten a lot better this last year.

 

[shooter98]

Being this has a splined turret cap, does it click dead on the hash marks or inbetween like some other similarly constructed scopes?

I went out today to play with the scope more, the marks all line up great.

 

[shooter98]

As some of you may have read I was having clarity issues with my Midas Tac at higher magnifications. I just wanted everyone to know after using the scope all day yesterday I resolved the issue, and it turned out to be user error. My failure was I had a one piece mount that wouldn’t let me mount the scope back far enough, so I had the eyepiece adjusted all the way out to compensate. After switching mounts and getting the eye piece back down the scope works flawlessly. Crystal clear through all magnification ranges.