New optics

[jeremydc]

I'm looking to get and end-all, be-all scope.
Anything under $1000 as that is my limits. Dontas need nothing too crazy to run with the pros, just want to be fairly competitive.
Mainly shooting PRS, maybe even NRL22 so I guess its going to be in the range of 400yds max, most of my time is at 100yds though.
Just thought getting better glass was more worthwhile than a chassis

Here are the scopes I've been considering in order:
1. Tract Toric
2. Athlon Cronus
3. Burris XTR3
4. Athlon Ares
5. Arken Ep5
6. Vortex strike eagle
7. Vortex Midas Tac

Let me know what you think of the scopes or if you recommend anything else

 

[Scottso]

Was going to hit Cameraland today, been deciding between the Cronus BTR, or the Element Nexus I was just told about. The Element Nexus like the Cronus is made in Japan, the Nexus does have a parallax adjustment to 10 yds which is hard to find. Also want to see weight difference

 

[Cowpokey]

I've got a Cronus BTR on my Vudoo, it's a good scope. Tracking is spot on. I really like the APRS6 reticule, some may think it's "too busy", but the .2 mil marks are useful.

 

[beetroot]

Check out Cameralands sale on the Burris XTR3, was available for $1000.
Easily the best option for that price.

If thats not available anymore I'd be looking at the Vortex PST or Athlon Cronus (if available for $1000).
The Vortex Strike Eagle does offer good value for money but the PST is definitely better if you don't need the close parallax, locking turrets or additional elevation adjustment.

If you are planning on shooting 400yards with 22lr elevation adjustment is going to be an important spec to consider.

 

[Lightning8]

If you are considering the Strike Eagle I would also consider the Venom. I use the Venom on my B14R for rimfire matches

 

[littlepod]

You listed them basically in the order I would buy them.

 

[Appalachian]

You listed them basically in the order I would buy them.

Agreed, except I would put the Maven EP5 on top.

 

[Big5]

If you are considering the Strike Eagle I would also consider the Venom. I use the Venom on my B14R for rimfire matches

I just bought a venom, waiting on rings. How you like it?

 

[Boxerglocker]

You listed $1000 limit but the first 3 on your list all go for a few hundred above that street price. That said, if staying in your budget the Athlon Ares ETR is a good choice. I run both a Cronus Gen2 and a ETR with APRS6 reticals. There is a difference but honestly at 22LR distances out to 400 yards hard to pick out.

 

[jeremydc]

You listed $1000 limit but the first 3 on your list all go for a few hundred above that street price. That said, if staying in your budget the Athlon Ares ETR is a good choice. I run both a Cronus Gen2 and a ETR with APRS6 reticals. There is a difference but honestly at 22LR distances out to 400 yards hard to pick out.

Price point includes used and I found the top 3 around that price to clear that up, sorry about that

 

[littlepod]

Price point includes used and I found the top 3 around that price to clear that up, sorry about that

If you can get a used Tract Toric 5-30 for 1k, I'd go with that. I paid 1.5k for mine, and I think it was a worthwhile purchase. The next bump up really is going to be the XTR Pro in the 2k, then razor gen III in the 2.5k, and then you're in the land of ZCO at 3.5k

 

[tomcatfan]

I've got a vortex SE on my Bergera b14r and it does what I need it to do. I have 3 of them on various set ups, so I its safe to say I really like the scope. For the money, it's hard to beat. Best value in its class IMO.

 

[308pirate]

Dontas need nothing too crazy to run with the pros, just want to be fairly competitive.

LOL there are no "professionals" in any of these sports. Just people who are more committed.

 

[jeremydc]

If you can get a used Tract Toric 5-30 for 1k, I'd go with that. I paid 1.5k for mine, and I think it was a worthwhile purchase. The next bump up really is going to be the XTR Pro in the 2k, then razor gen III in the 2.5k, and then you're in the land of ZCO at 3.5k

Wish I could find the 5-30 Toric, I only see the 4-20 floating around here and there for $1000. I personally like more mag. Any thoughts on the 4-20?

 

[littlepod]

Wish I could find the 5-30 Toric, I only see the 4-20 floating around here and there for $1000. I personally like more mag. Any thoughts on the 4-20?

I don't know much about the 4-20, but people always say the sweet spot is the middle of the magnification, so if you plan on running like 15x, a 5-30 is a good one. 4-20, is like sweet spot at the 10-12. 5-30 is a larger scope, more light in. It is heavier though.

 

[Scottso]

Hit Cameraland yesterday, compared the Element Nexus and the Athlon Cronus
weight: the Athlon is 8ozs heavier, reminiscent of old USO glass lol
tubes: Athlon 34 Element 30mm
ocular bell: Athlon 56 Element 50mm
reticles: Athlon has a clean design, a tree though Element no tree
parallax: Element drops to 10 yds, Athlon 25
price: Athlon was around $200 more if that
overall: Went with the Athlon, larger tube and bell for light, glass quality was similar, if weight were an issue the Element was tempting, but the extra power, 9x on the Athlon, and tube and bell size won me over.

 

[Cowpokey]

@Scottso which reticule did you go with?

 

[Scottso]

@Scottso which reticule did you go with?

The APRS6 in mils

 

[jeremydc]

I can also add a Vortex Razor Gen 1 5-20x50 in the mix as I saw a few going for the $1000 range if anyone has any feedback or thoughts on that scope

 

[NewsShooter]

I really like the Cronus, I have three of them, one on my B14r, love the reticle. I'm probably going to pick up the Burris from Cameraland, actually could use a couple of them since I have a couple rifles without scopes.

 

[jeremydc]

I really like the Cronus, I have three of them, one on my B14r, love the reticle. I'm probably going to pick up the Burris from Cameraland, actually could use a couple of them since I have a couple rifles without scopes.

Do you recommend gen 2 over gen 1 or any noticeable differences? Looking around for one under $1000 but can’t find any. That’s what made the tract toric top on my list

 

[Cowpokey]

@jeremydc The Gen 2 is current production, they made a few improvements over Gen 1. You'd likely be hard pressed to find a Gen 1 NIB, but there should be some used ones around. I have a Gen 2, but if I found a good deal on a Gen 1, I'd get it.

 

[D_TROS]

I can also add a Vortex Razor Gen 1 5-20x50 in the mix as I saw a few going for the $1000 range if anyone has any feedback or thoughts on that scope

I would give that a consider if you can find one. One of the most solid scopes for along time.

Vortex Razor Gen 1 5-20
Burris XTR3 3-18
SWFA 5-20 HD
Bushnell H2DMR 3-21

those all have a good rep for not going down and being in the $1k club

Optics - DMR2i and LRTSI

Looking to sell a couple extra scopes: 1) slightly used DMR2i 3.5-21x G3. No issues, swapped out for a Gen 2 Razor. sold plus ship 2) Slightly used LRTSI 4.5-18x. Includes box and all paperwork. Sold plus shipping

www.snipershide.com

GL
DT

 

[AleksanderSuave]

Hit Cameraland yesterday, compared the Element Nexus and the Athlon Cronus
weight: the Athlon is 8ozs heavier, reminiscent of old USO glass lol
tubes: Athlon 34 Element 30mm
ocular bell: Athlon 56 Element 50mm
reticles: Athlon has a clean design, a tree though Element no tree
parallax: Element drops to 10 yds, Athlon 25
price: Athlon was around $200 more if that
overall: Went with the Athlon, larger tube and bell for light, glass quality was similar, if weight were an issue the Element was tempting, but the extra power, 9x on the Athlon, and tube and bell size won me over.

The cronus really is a solid deal for the money, especially at mil/leo pricing. I love mine. I liked the Ares so much that I bought a Cronus immediately after.

Only thing I didnt like is that the sunshade didnt match the color on the cronus..Outside of that, the turrets are pretty awesome, very audible solid click, that and lower light performance really step up the "value" in moving from ares to cronus (for me at least).

 

[NewsShooter]

Do you recommend gen 2 over gen 1 or any noticeable differences? Looking around for one under $1000 but can’t find any. That’s what made the tract toric top on my list

Mine are all Gen 1, for the price on the Burris GenIII you can't go wrong, they have great turrets and everyone seems to like the glass quality. There's a long thread on them.

 

[FuhQ]

I'm looking to get and end-all, be-all scope.
Anything under $1000 as that is my limits. Dontas need nothing too crazy to run with the pros, just want to be fairly competitive.
Mainly shooting PRS, maybe even NRL22 so I guess its going to be in the range of 400yds max, most of my time is at 100yds though.
Just thought getting better glass was more worthwhile than a chassis

Here are the scopes I've been considering in order:
1. Tract Toric
2. Athlon Cronus
3. Burris XTR3
4. Athlon Ares
5. Arken Ep5
6. Vortex strike eagle
7. Vortex Midas Tac

Let me know what you think of the scopes or if you recommend anything else

I can tell you that the Arken scopes hit above their price point, and the Strike Eagle is a good buy, too.

I haven't looked through any of the others, so can't comment on them. I hear good things about the Burris XTR-II and XTR-III scopes, and Tract Toric.

 

[vanderbilt330]

Wish I could find the 5-30 Toric, I only see the 4-20 floating around here and there for $1000. I personally like more mag. Any thoughts on the 4-20?

I just placed a Tract Toric 4-20 on my CZ 457 LRP and for bullseye 50 yard shooting its great. I have two Toric scopes and would recommend them. For longer range shooting I would go with a higher magnification scope.