Rifle Scopes Feedback on Cronus Btr vs. Razor 2 vs. NF Atacr

[UPSTATERAM]

Hey guys was hoping you can help share you experience for whoever has owned or looked throw these before.

I have a Cronus btr on my savage stealth evo like it a lot but I bought a nice custom off someone here On the hide and I'm debating another Cronus btr or getting the Nightforce Atacr in mil XT or the EBR-7C...

Feedback and opinions are appreciated. The rifle is on a manners stock with a surgeon action chambered in 6.5prc.

 

[Steel head]

I’d take my Cronos over an atacr because the at current prices it’s not worth it.
Glass is a wash with similar reticles.


The razor II is a tougher call because for a lil bit more you do get some nice features like locking turrets

 

[buckshotbarlow]

have both the vortex and atacr, my old man eyes do better with the atacr. However, the Leopold mark5hd, beats the vortex and is 99% of the atacr at 2/3's the cost...

 

[TangoSierra916]

I havent shot with the Cronos but have with the razor and atacr and both are solid. Like a few others mentioned probably comes down to weight, reticle and features you prefer. If you like the Cronos and dont "need" anything more that seems like a good route, if you wanted to try something new the razor and atacr are solid but more $ as noted. I didnt need locking turrets and wanted a lighter option but also prefer the NF reticles so went ATACR, but comes down to what is important to you. Any questions let me know, happy scope shopping!

 

[tlsmith22]

Haven’t shot a Cronus but own a couple of Razors and 3 ATACRs. I love my NF scopes but for the money of the Razor, I find it very hard to beat. I like the EBR 7C reticle over the 2C personally in the Razor. Both have great glass, both have great turrets but the Razor is quite a bit cheaper and has a great warranty. The NF is tried and true and proven to be reliable in the worst of worst conditions.

 

[UPSTATERAM]

have both the vortex and atacr, my old man eyes do better with the atacr. However, the Leopold mark5hd, beats the vortex and is 99% of the atacr at 2/3's the cost...

You like the Mark5hd glass over the the razor 2?

 

[UPSTATERAM]

I havent shot with the Cronos but have with the razor and atacr and both are solid. Like a few others mentioned probably comes down to weight, reticle and features you prefer. If you like the Cronos and dont "need" anything more that seems like a good route, if you wanted to try something new the razor and atacr are solid but more $ as noted. I didnt need locking turrets and wanted a lighter option but also prefer the NF reticles so went ATACR, but comes down to what is important to you. Any questions let me know, happy scope shopping!

Thanks Tango. I do like the Cronus a lot and has tracked well and the illumination is perfect and glass looks excellent. For me the atacr is about $1000 more, and the razor 2 is about $180 more so it’s a tough call. My rifle has a bart 28” now but might rebarerrel with a proof when it’s shot out so it’s heavy now but that barrel might lighten it up. Will be more of a range rifle than a field rifle but if it’s light enough I’d bring it out. Have a tikka .300 wm and a leupold lrp as a hunting rig so that’s light and accurate. Wish I could get my hands on an atacr or razor 2 to compare to my btr which I do like a lot.

 

[UPSTATERAM]

Haven’t shot a Cronus but own a couple of Razors and 3 ATACRs. I love my NF scopes but for the money of the Razor, I find it very hard to beat. I like the EBR 7C reticle over the 2C personally in the Razor. Both have great glass, both have great turrets but the Razor is quite a bit cheaper and has a great warranty. The NF is tried and true and proven to be reliable in the worst of worst conditions.

I would go ebr 7c or XT in the NF and the Cronus btr reticle is similar and I like that reticle a lot too and similar to these two. How do the glass and turrets compare on your razor 2 vs atacr ?

 

[buckshotbarlow]

You like the Mark5hd glass over the the razor 2?

yep, absolutely.

 

[tlsmith22]

I would go ebr 7c or XT in the NF and the Cronus btr reticle is similar and I like that reticle a lot too and similar to these two. How do the glass and turrets compare on your razor 2 vs atacr ?

I have only shot them out to 1000 yards so I’m sure there are other guys that can give you a better idea of how the glass is out further but to me I’d give a slight edge to the ATACR but honestly its not enough to make me pick one over the other. The turrets on both are great, have zero issues with either one. I have had and still have a couple NF NXS scopes and to me the Razor has better glass than the NXS, its something you can see. I personally think you will be happy with either the ATACR or the Razor, I know I would be. I have never had to use NF warranty but I’m sure they would take care of you. I used Vortex warranty once and it was because my Razor spotter got ran over by a side by side and just made very unsightly cuts into the outer skin. Vortex replaced the Gen 1 Razor with a new Gen 2 Razor with no questions asked. Hard to argue with that kind of customer service.

 

[Jack's Dad]

Cronus is the only nice scope I've had that left me with a headache by the time I left the range. I sold it with zero regrets.

 

[UPSTATERAM]

Cronus is the only nice scope I've had that left me with a headache by the time I left the range. I sold it with zero regrets.

What went wrong with it?

 

[lte82]

Get in heavy mirage, fog, or otherwise bad conditions and the Atacr is going to have noticeably better glass. I also like the turrets better than either of the options you mention. I also do not like the EBR 7, too cluttered and distracting. I would not consider the Razor 2 much of an upgrade from what you have now.

 

[RanchhandTCR]

Ive owned or own all 3.. the cronus is no where near the quality of the gen 2. The cronus BTR i had relied heavily on paralax for focusing the image. The glass resolution is not the same or close to a gen 2 and no where close to an ATACR. Im not saying this because im a NF fan boy, if i could by NF or SB Quality for $1600 i would dump it. The image was distorted on the edges espicially when you cranked up the elevation. It tracked well with a .1 mill variation in 20 mils. But when you buy a NF your not just buying glass, you are buying one of the best built optics made. Now if you need an optic to beat your enemies to death with and mount it back on a rifle and maintain a decent zero and work... likely the NF is your choice. Chromatic anrasion with bright colors is quite noticeable with the Cronus which will color wash the image. I dont have rhat issue with the Razor, USO or NF. The cronus is not a bad choice i just feel that the quality of glass and tracking puts it in the $1100 to 1300 range. I currently own a GEN2 Razor, NF ATACR, USO LR 17 and a Leupold mk5. Each scope has features i really like but the NF stays the king in my oppinion. But ive been beat by one in matchs too. Optic is not what makes a shooter, being able to see what yoir shooting at is nice. It doesn't make up for lake of skill.

 

[jinxx4ever]

i'm running the NF 7-35 MIL-XT on a Vudoo and Cronus BTR on a Kidd, by sunday i'll be running both on identical Vudoo's side by side after my second Vudoo gets here today. My eyes are getting kinda old, I wear bifocals, and i like the more sharper black reticle of the NF a little better. Others with better eyes might like (lighter?) reticle of the Athlon better. The APRS reticle of the Cronus vs the NF MIL-XT, edge to the NF, but i can switch between the 2 fairly easily but i do like the MIL-XT layout better. As far as glass clairty, the NF gets the edge also, but it's not extreme. As far as turrets , once again, the edge to the NF, they are more distinct in their clicks. As far as durability, i've had no problems with either. I haven't run either extremely hard to date, though that will change this year. Both have been run on larger caliber rifles besides the Vudoo's. The Cronus BTR was my first Athlon scope and i've been more than pleased ( my cost $1300 brand new) the NF is my second NF ( cost me $2800 new ) Is there a $1500 difference? If i want to be honest with myself, not $1500 worth. As far as the Vortex i've owned 2, can't remember what model the first one was, i bought it back in 15 from someone on here, and sold it 2 weeks later, wasn't impressed with it. Purchased a gen 2 PST from a vendor on here, i have it mounted on an AR-10 6.5 creedmoor. It's ok, but doesn't compare to the Athlon or Cronus in glass quality. I've got it sold to a fella that just purchased my RPR 6.5 a week ago. He'll pick it up in a month. Will i buy another? No, i'm just not impressed with the 2 Vortex's i've owned, or anything i read about them. Kinda like Ford , Chevy, Dodge. I've owned all 3, but have no use for a Ford, If i won one in a contest, i wouldn't even drive it, i'd sell it off and buy another Dodge, which i give an edge to over Chevy which i've owned my entire life for the most part. Love the dodge cummins diesel and use the shit out of mine. Next stop, NF NX8 4-32 MIL-XT if NF ever decides to ship them

 

[earthquake]

I've owned all three. Currently still own the Cronus and Vortex. Optically very similar. Reticles very similar, but you do get locking turrets with the Vortex. I didn't like the entire occular rotation with the magnification change on the ATACR. Mine was a Mil-c reticle which was nice. I also liked the Digillum (push-button) on the NF.

 

[Skok3y]

This is a very valid question.

The Cronus is one of my favorite scopes. I liked the thicker reticle of the pre-BTR version better, but the other updates helped the BTR. For the price, which is usually at least $400 less than the Vortex new and more used, it was hard to choose the Vortex. The optics to me were very close so the price,weight, and closer parallax adjustment made it easy for me to choose the Cronus.

I did pick up a NF 7-35, and it is the best scope I’ve owned. Like someone else said, it probably is not really worth $1500 more to me, but I like it a lot and the advantages (optically mostly, turrets a little, extra mag) are making it worth enough to keep right now. If I were ever in a pinch, I would sell it and pickup a 3rd (or 4th can’t remember now) Cronus and still be happy. I do find it very optically superior to the Cronus, but I could live with the extremely good quality of the Cronus.

Besides the NF, the only other top tier scope I’ve had is a S&B PMII and I did sell it because I did not feel that I was getting my money’s worth over the Cronus I had at the time. I’ve have plenty other low and mid tier scopes, and I would happily spend up to a Cronus and spend down to a Cronus. One of the very few scopes I’ve felt that way about.

 

[UPSTATERAM]

Get in heavy mirage, fog, or otherwise bad conditions and the Atacr is going to have noticeably better glass. I also like the turrets better than either of the options you mention. I also do not like the EBR 7, too cluttered and distracting. I would not consider the Razor 2 much of an upgrade from what you have now.

Appreciate the feedback, Sir. I was wondering if the EBR 7 would be too busy. I dig the Cronus btr reticle. Plus I hate the color of the razor 2 lol. Deciding if the Atacr is worth the extra grand.

 

[UPSTATERAM]

Ive owned or own all 3.. the cronus is no where near the quality of the gen 2. The cronus BTR i had relied heavily on paralax for focusing the image. The glass resolution is not the same or close to a gen 2 and no where close to an ATACR. Im not saying this because im a NF fan boy, if i could by NF or SB Quality for $1600 i would dump it. The image was distorted on the edges espicially when you cranked up the elevation. It tracked well with a .1 mill variation in 20 mils. But when you buy a NF your not just buying glass, you are buying one of the best built optics made. Now if you need an optic to beat your enemies to death with and mount it back on a rifle and maintain a decent zero and work... likely the NF is your choice. Chromatic anrasion with bright colors is quite noticeable with the Cronus which will color wash the image. I dont have rhat issue with the Razor, USO or NF. The cronus is not a bad choice i just feel that the quality of glass and tracking puts it in the $1100 to 1300 range. I currently own a GEN2 Razor, NF ATACR, USO LR 17 and a Leupold mk5. Each scope has features i really like but the NF stays the king in my oppinion. But ive been beat by one in matchs too. Optic is not what makes a shooter, being able to see what yoir shooting at is nice. It doesn't make up for lake of skill.

appreciate the thorough response and feedback. How’s the USO LR 17 compare to the Atacr? Was looking into the Mk5 too but

Ive owned or own all 3.. the cronus is no where near the quality of the gen 2. The cronus BTR i had relied heavily on paralax for focusing the image. The glass resolution is not the same or close to a gen 2 and no where close to an ATACR. Im not saying this because im a NF fan boy, if i could by NF or SB Quality for $1600 i would dump it. The image was distorted on the edges espicially when you cranked up the elevation. It tracked well with a .1 mill variation in 20 mils. But when you buy a NF your not just buying glass, you are buying one of the best built optics made. Now if you need an optic to beat your enemies to death with and mount it back on a rifle and maintain a decent zero and work... likely the NF is your choice. Chromatic anrasion with bright colors is quite noticeable with the Cronus which will color wash the image. I dont have rhat issue with the Razor, USO or NF. The cronus is not a bad choice i just feel that the quality of glass and tracking puts it in the $1100 to 1300 range. I currently own a GEN2 Razor, NF ATACR, USO LR 17 and a Leupold mk5. Each scope has features i really like but the NF stays the king in my oppinion. But ive been beat by one in matchs too. Optic is not what makes a shooter, being able to see what yoir shooting at is nice. It doesn't make up for lake of skill.

Appreciate the thorough response. How’s the USO compare to the Atacr? Do you like the NF turrets better than the razor 2? How’s the mark 5 directly compare to the Atacr?

 

[UPSTATERAM]

i'm running the NF 7-35 MIL-XT on a Vudoo and Cronus BTR on a Kidd, by sunday i'll be running both on identical Vudoo's side by side after my second Vudoo gets here today. My eyes are getting kinda old, I wear bifocals, and i like the more sharper black reticle of the NF a little better. Others with better eyes might like (lighter?) reticle of the Athlon better. The APRS reticle of the Cronus vs the NF MIL-XT, edge to the NF, but i can switch between the 2 fairly easily but i do like the MIL-XT layout better. As far as glass clairty, the NF gets the edge also, but it's not extreme. As far as turrets , once again, the edge to the NF, they are more distinct in their clicks. As far as durability, i've had no problems with either. I haven't run either extremely hard to date, though that will change this year. Both have been run on larger caliber rifles besides the Vudoo's. The Cronus BTR was my first Athlon scope and i've been more than pleased ( my cost $1300 brand new) the NF is my second NF ( cost me $2800 new ) Is there a $1500 difference? If i want to be honest with myself, not $1500 worth. As far as the Vortex i've owned 2, can't remember what model the first one was, i bought it back in 15 from someone on here, and sold it 2 weeks later, wasn't impressed with it. Purchased a gen 2 PST from a vendor on here, i have it mounted on an AR-10 6.5 creedmoor. It's ok, but doesn't compare to the Athlon or Cronus in glass quality. I've got it sold to a fella that just purchased my RPR 6.5 a week ago. He'll pick it up in a month. Will i buy another? No, i'm just not impressed with the 2 Vortex's i've owned, or anything i read about them. Kinda like Ford , Chevy, Dodge. I've owned all 3, but have no use for a Ford, If i won one in a contest, i wouldn't even drive it, i'd sell it off and buy another Dodge, which i give an edge to over Chevy which i've owned my entire life for the most part. Love the dodge cummins diesel and use the shit out of mine. Next stop, NF NX8 4-32 MIL-XT if NF ever decides to ship them

Thank you, that’s my dilemma I’m in. Trying to see if the money is worth it. I can get a Cronus btr new for 1400 with an aluminum throw lever and I can get the NF for under 2500.... I figure I’ll spend 100 on caps for the Cronus so is it worth 1000 more is the question/ thing I’m debating. I definitely want the XT reticle if I went NF.

 

[RanchhandTCR]

appreciate the thorough response and feedback. How’s the USO LR 17 compare to the Atacr? Was looking into the Mk5 too but


Appreciate the thorough response. How’s the USO compare to the Atacr? Do you like the NF turrets better than the razor 2? How’s the mark 5 directly compare to the Atacr?

The USO i currently own is a LR 17. Its not the best glass in the world but damn its built extremely well.. i would advise not buying a newer USO due to the new management and owners now. The MK5 is nice but not NF nice. Its has cromatic abrasion its minor but its there. Image color is similar to NF and not the orange hue that vortex has. Turrets has a tad of play but track well. My pet peves of the optic is that the diopter ring has slop so i need to send it back because it causes a POI shift if i dont keep it screwed down. 2. The sunshade inside is smooth and not ribbed/threaded which the purpose of that is to make sure light cant reflect into the lens of the optic. So the sunshade is useless. 3. I destroyed the scope caps on 3 days of ownership..

My only pet peve with the NF ATACR is that the magnification ring turns to whole optical assembly.. other than that the glass quality and clarity, erector assembly repatability and knowing that its designed to live an abusive life style is nice. The main reason i purchased the MK5 was 1. It offered with a Horus Reticle. 2. The 5-25 weighs 29oz. The vortex amg is a superior optic to it for a light weight optic and i would even put the amg in the same field as NF of khales glass. But im a Horus reticle snob so i have to base my decisions around that reticle.

 

[RanchhandTCR]

Thank you, that’s my dilemma I’m in. Trying to see if the money is worth it. I can get a Cronus btr new for 1400 with an aluminum throw lever and I can get the NF for under 2500.... I figure I’ll spend 100 on caps for the Cronus so is it worth 1000 more is the question/ thing I’m debating. I definitely want the XT reticle if I went NF.

To me the NF ATACR is definitely worth the money. It will last you lifetime and there nothing better than to have a reliable and quality optic to utilize.

 

[jinxx4ever]

Thank you, that’s my dilemma I’m in. Trying to see if the money is worth it. I can get a Cronus btr new for 1400 with an aluminum throw lever and I can get the NF for under 2500.... I figure I’ll spend 100 on caps for the Cronus so is it worth 1000 more is the question/ thing I’m debating. I definitely want the XT reticle if I went NF.

if u don't buy the NF 7-35 mil-xt u've got spotted for under $2500, let me know, i'll buy it

 

[UPSTATERAM]

This is a very valid question.

The Cronus is one of my favorite scopes. I liked the thicker reticle of the pre-BTR version better, but the other updates helped the BTR. For the price, which is usually at least $400 less than the Vortex new and more used, it was hard to choose the Vortex. The optics to me were very close so the price,weight, and closer parallax adjustment made it easy for me to choose the Cronus.

I did pick up a NF 7-35, and it is the best scope I’ve owned. Like someone else said, it probably is not really worth $1500 more to me, but I like it a lot and the advantages (optically mostly, turrets a little, extra mag) are making it worth enough to keep right now. If I were ever in a pinch, I would sell it and pickup a 3rd (or 4th can’t remember now) Cronus and still be happy. I do find it very optically superior to the Cronus, but I could live with the extremely good quality of the Cronus.

Besides the NF, the only other top tier scope I’ve had is a S&B PMII and I did sell it because I did not feel that I was getting my money’s worth over the Cronus I had at the time. I’ve have plenty other low and mid tier scopes, and I would happily spend up to a Cronus and spend down to a Cronus. One of the very few scopes I’ve felt that way about.

It’s nice hearing the different feedback from each of you guys I appreciate it. I think I would go for the 5-25 version but the magnification of thr 7-35 is nice but the only downside is it has less mil elevation adjustment than the Cronus btr. I only shoot out to 1000 now but if I have access to a mile ever the extra mils would be nice to have for elevation. Would you say the NF for the 5-25 is worth the extra $1000 I’d pay? The 7-35 would be an extra $1400 or so. Basically the cost of 2 Cronus btr’s.

 

[RanchhandTCR]

It’s nice hearing the different feedback from each of you guys I appreciate it. I think I would go for the 5-25 version but the magnification of thr 7-35 is nice but the only downside is it has less mil elevation adjustment than the Cronus btr. I only shoot out to 1000 now but if I have access to a mile ever the extra mils would be nice to have for elevation. Would you say the NF for the 5-25 is worth the extra $1000 I’d pay? The 7-35 would be an extra $1400 or so. Basically the cost of 2 Cronus btr’s.

I got the same amount of travel out of the cronus as i did with the NF maybe 1-2 mils different. If reaching out beyond a mile will be your regular shooting session utilize a 30 or 40 moa base and zero for 200-300 yards.

 

[UPSTATERAM]

This is a very valid question.

The Cronus is one of my favorite scopes. I liked the thicker reticle of the pre-BTR version better, but the other updates helped the BTR. For the price, which is usually at least $400 less than the Vortex new and more used, it was hard to choose the Vortex. The optics to me were very close so the price,weight, and closer parallax adjustment made it easy for me to choose the Cronus.

I did pick up a NF 7-35, and it is the best scope I’ve owned. Like someone else said, it probably is not really worth $1500 more to me, but I like it a lot and the advantages (optically mostly, turrets a little, extra mag) are making it worth enough to keep right now. If I were ever in a pinch, I would sell it and pickup a 3rd (or 4th can’t remember now) Cronus and still be happy. I do find it very optically superior to the Cronus, but I could live with the extremely good quality of the Cronus.

Besides the NF, the only other top tier scope I’ve had is a S&B PMII and I did sell it because I did not feel that I was getting my money’s worth over the Cronus I had at the time. I’ve have plenty other low and mid tier scopes, and I would happily spend up to a Cronus and spend down to a Cronus. One of the very few scopes I’ve felt that way about.

It’s nice hearing the different feedback from each of you guys I appreciate it. I think I would go for the 5-25 version but the magnification of thr 7-35 is nice but the only downside is it has less mil elevation adjustment than the Cronus btr. I only shoot out to 1000 now but if I have access to a mile ever the extra mils would be nice to have for elevation. Would you say the NF for the 5-25 is worth the extra 1000 I’d pay?

if u don't buy the NF 7-35 mil-xt u've got spotted for under $2500, let me know, i'll buy it

haha.. the 5-25 is $2500 and the 7-35 is $2900. I wish the 7-35 was that price.

 

[RanchhandTCR]

It’s nice hearing the different feedback from each of you guys I appreciate it. I think I would go for the 5-25 version but the magnification of thr 7-35 is nice but the only downside is it has less mil elevation adjustment than the Cronus btr. I only shoot out to 1000 now but if I have access to a mile ever the extra mils would be nice to have for elevation. Would you say the NF for the 5-25 is worth the extra 1000 I’d pay?


haha.. the 5-25 is $2500 and the 7-35 is $2900. I wish the 7-35 was that price.

We all do lol

 

[Skok3y]

It’s nice hearing the different feedback from each of you guys I appreciate it. I think I would go for the 5-25 version but the magnification of thr 7-35 is nice but the only downside is it has less mil elevation adjustment than the Cronus btr. I only shoot out to 1000 now but if I have access to a mile ever the extra mils would be nice to have for elevation. Would you say the NF for the 5-25 is worth the extra $1000 I’d pay? The 7-35 would be an extra $1400 or so. Basically the cost of 2 Cronus btr’s.

The difference is only 3MIL, so not much different, but hey, each person has specs that matter most to them, so if that is important to you, I get it.

As far as the 5-25 model. I have NEVER used one. The 5-25 did not meet the specs I wanted, so I tried the 7-35.

 

[tlsmith22]

The USO i currently own is a LR 17. Its not the best glass in the world but damn its built extremely well.. i would advise not buying a newer USO due to the new management and owners now. The MK5 is nice but not NF nice. Its has cromatic abrasion its minor but its there. Image color is similar to NF and not the orange hue that vortex has. Turrets has a tad of play but track well. My pet peves of the optic is that the diopter ring has slop so i need to send it back because it causes a POI shift if i dont keep it screwed down. 2. The sunshade inside is smooth and not ribbed/threaded which the purpose of that is to make sure light cant reflect into the lens of the optic. So the sunshade is useless. 3. I destroyed the scope caps on 3 days of ownership..

My only pet peve with the NF ATACR is that the magnification ring turns to whole optical assembly.. other than that the glass quality and clarity, erector assembly repatability and knowing that its designed to live an abusive life style is nice. The main reason i purchased the MK5 was 1. It offered with a Horus Reticle. 2. The 5-25 weighs 29oz. The vortex amg is a superior optic to it for a light weight optic and i would even put the amg in the same field as NF of khales glass. But im a Horus reticle snob so i have to base my decisions around that reticle.

I agree abt the pet peeve on the ATACR. The ONLY knock I would give my ATACRs is the rotating magnification ring and all the other features far outweigh that for me.

 

[UPSTATERAM]

I agree abt the pet peeve on the ATACR. The ONLY knock I would give my ATACRs is the rotating magnification ring and all the other features far outweigh that for me.

Now just waiting for shot show to see what comes out, a lot for sale in the PX section after I bet.

 

[jinxx4ever]

Now just waiting for shot show to see what comes out, a lot for sale in the PX section after I bet.

hope so, i'm needing another NF 7-35 MIL-XT

 

[UPSTATERAM]

Good to keep an eye out. I actually went a different route and got a Minox ZP5 for a good deal. Should be an amazing scope. Now thinking about selling my Cronus btr with the + reticle.