Rifle Scopes New Athlon MPVO options for 2025

[steve123]

I haven't been keeping up with what all is new at Athlon but I saw these this morning and thought I'd mention them.

It's the .06 mil reticle thickness and the G3 upgrades that interests me. I had the G1 MT 4-16 which is a stand out of priceperquality and sold it right away because it was hard for me to see the reticle on low power because it was .04 mil thick.

https://athlonoptics.com/product/ares-btr-gen3-hd-2-5-15x50-aprs13-ffp-ir-mil/

https://athlonoptics.com/product-category/rifle-scopes/midas-tac-gen2-hd/

 

[white_rushin]

The Ares BTR Gen3 2.5-15x looks potentially pretty interesting. It seems like folks have landed on preferring 30mm tubes, sub 25oz, compact lengths for SPR type scopes.

This design seems to get pretty close to that. It reminds me of a refined PST Gen II 3-15x

 

[VandelayIndustries]

Why they didn’t bring back the donut from the BTR G2 is a miss to me.

 

[steve123]

Why they didn’t bring back the donut from the BTR G2 is a miss to me.

Back?, which one exactly are you referring to?

 

[VandelayIndustries]

Brought it over I guess would be a better way to word that. The helos btr G2.

 

[steve123]

Brought it over I guess would be a better way to word that. The helos btr G2.

I've mentioned that to them before. I was hoping for a Cronus G3 in 2-12, well a 2.2-13.2 would suit me better, and with a similar reticle to the 2-12 DMR modified a bit.

The G3, I'm surprised they went so much thicker, which is pretty brave considering they started designing the G3 back when shooters would have scoffed a .06 reticle. This is a step in the right direction.

Hmm, I wonder if the G3 illume is more daylight bright than before?

 

[beetroot]

The glass would have to be massively improved since the Gen1 for me to be interested.

I like the .06mil thick reticle for this mag range but as far as I can see the windage isn't locking which is a deal breaker for a crossover/DMR type scope for me.

 

[steve123]

The glass would have to be massively improved since the Gen1 for me to be interested.

I like the .06mil thick reticle for this mag range but as far as I can see the windage isn't locking which is a deal breaker for a crossover/DMR type scope for me.

Let's just say the G1 Ares BTR was a somewhat decent first try.
I had the G1 2.5-25, I found the IQ not bad at all. It's the turrets action which moved too easily that bothered me. I didn't buy a G2 version 2.5-15 nor got to fiddle with one, so High Hopes for the G3?!
I'd guess that with more modern coatings, improvements in glass manufacturing, and probably prescriptions, the IQ should be better.

Although lacking illume the MT G3 4-16 has a capped windage turret. I had the G1 version which had nice glass but the reticle was .04 mil thick so too thin for me on 4x so I sold it.

The TAC series IMHO has the same IQ as the ETR FFP's because I couldn't see any difference.

I think either of these offerings could make a good mid priced AR scope for some distance and some hunting.

I don't understand why but the prescription worked better for my eyes in my MT's than my Ares BTR G2 4.5-27 did.

 

[Glassaholic]

I've mentioned that to them before. I was hoping for a Cronus G3 in 2-12, well a 2.2-13.2 would suit me better, and with a similar reticle to the 2-12 DMR modified a bit.

The G3, I'm surprised they went so much thicker, which is pretty brave considering they started designing the G3 back when shooters would have scoffed a .06 reticle. This is a step in the right direction.

Hmm, I wonder if the G3 illume is more daylight bright than before?

We've been hoping for that Cronus version of the Helos 2-12 basically since the Helos was introduced and would love to see an updated AHMR2 Mil reticle to boot.

 

[steve123]

We've been hoping for that Cronus version of the Helos 2-12 basically since the Helos was introduced and would love to see an updated AHMR2 Mil reticle to boot.

Yep. Try as I may....I asked for a Jap instead of Chin but I think these IPVO/MPVO scopes are so niche that they fear low sales. I do however applaud them for bringing out the Helos G2 2-12 which was quite a departure back then.

I think Athlon put most of their efforts into their NV and Thermal last year. That's something I haven't played with yet.

 

[Glassaholic]

Yep. Try as I may....I asked for a Jap instead of Chin but I think these IPVO/MPVO scopes are so niche that they fear low sales. I do however applaud them for bringing out the Helos G2 2-12 which was quite a departure back then.

I think Athlon put most of their efforts into their NV and Thermal last year. That's something I haven't played with yet.

It’ll be interesting to see how well the ZCO 2-10 sells…

 

[VandelayIndustries]

It’ll be interesting to see how well the ZCO 2-10 sells…

If it was more like $2kish id say they’d sell a ton. I can’t imagine a very large segment of the shooting community is willing to drop almost $4k on a 2-10. Maybe I’m wrong though.