Talk me out of an Athlon Cronus 4.5-29

couch000

Private
Minuteman
Oct 12, 2020
72
42
I'm totally new to long range shooting and building a 6.5 creedmoor bolt gun. Currently have a Zermatt Arms Origin, Proof Research stainless barrel, and TT Diamond trigger. I don't really have anywhere to shoot out past 250 yards at the moment but want to add a long range bolt gun to the collection and take a class or two this year. I don't want to spend a fortune but will go up to around $2000 if I need to. Would rather stay between $1000 - $1500.

I really like the Athlon APRS6 reticle for some reason. I think because the windage/elevation is .2mil from the center dot and it doesn't seem as "cluttered". But again, I don't really know what I'm looking for in this type of scope. It has Japanese glass and seems to really punch above it's weight class. But it's not a Vortex or NF. 😂

I've also looked at the following:

NF NX8 4-32- seems like a good, not great, option at the price point?
Burris XTR Pro- don't like the + in the SCR2 reticle
Vortex G2 Razor - old and I think there are potentially better options at this price point
Vortex Viper PST 5-25- it's not a Razor and only 25x
Zeiss LRP S3- magnification goes the opposite way. lol
Tract Toric- seems like a higher priced Cronus

Any reason to not go with the Cronus at around $1100 for my first PRS-type bolt gun build? Or are there any other options I'm missing?

Thanks!
 
  • Like
Reactions: iosononik
I have the Cronus. Had three if them at one time on different platforms. A good choice given your budget considerations. Also have the Burris Pro and the Ziess S3 LRP. They are much better IMHO. Go with the Athlon and sell it down the road when budget allows to step up or just keep it and move to a different platform when you get the "Need" for better optics. I can see a glassoholic in the making. I know the symptoms too well!
 
There is a new Gen 3 series out that you might really like.
Personally I think for the money Athlon makes a great scope.

Now that Vortex has hiked prices hugely, a lot of folks are needing to find something else to fill that budget range and Athlon has stepped up nicely.

They have a good warranty, where basically if you take care of sending the scope in to them, with the form filled out that they want with the scope they will get it repaired or replaced and send it back to you pretty quick. Pretty much just download the form from their website, fill it out, mail in the optic and before long a package shows back up at your door.
 
Best value in that $1200-$1500 price range out their.

I have 3 of the Gen2 and they are great scopes with zero complaints. You can find them in the PX for $1200-$1300

Also, hit up Doug @ Cameraland for a great deal. Doug is the best @gr8fuldoug
Thanks for the kind words. Always our pleasure to meet and assist the members here.
 
So looks like no one is trying to talking me out of the Cronus? 😂 Looks like I need to just purchase it and move on to the next part of the build and that's the chassis. Unless anyone has any other scope recommendations that rival the Cronus.

Thanks guys!
There is a new Gen 3 series out that you might really like.
Personally I think for the money Athlon makes a great scope.

Now that Vortex has hiked prices hugely, a lot of folks are needing to find something else to fill that budget range and Athlon has stepped up nicely.

They have a good warranty, where basically if you take care of sending the scope in to them, with the form filled out that they want with the scope they will get it repaired or replaced and send it back to you pretty quick. Pretty much just download the form from their website, fill it out, mail in the optic and before long a package shows back up at your door.
Yeah, I kinda see them as the "new" Vortex option these days. Sounds like they have some great guys working there and just came out with a Garmin Xero rival in their new chronograph. I probably would've bought it if I didn't already have the Garmin.

I just bought a Helos 2-12 and really like that scope for my application in the tactical games so looks like I might be adding to the Athlon collection. NF and Vortex move over. 😂
 
With no scopes in your arsenal and that price point, it's very hard to find something better. Only thing I would add which you may or may not have thought of - re: the SCR2, I zero mine at the top of the vertical line in the +, as I also don't like shooting into my reticle stadia. So, if you really wanted the thinness of the SCR2, that may be a solution. Otherwise, double thumbs up on the Cronus and on Athlon customer service / warranty.
 
  • Like
Reactions: couch000
I have an Athlon Optics Ares BTR GEN2 4.5-27x50 - APLR3 FFP IR MOA HD on a Ruger Custom Shop 10/22 Competition.
I also have a Zeiss S3 636 on a Ruger Custom Shop 22lr bolt gun, Leica PRS and S&B various scopes including a new S&B 10-60 on a Rem 40X which I have only had one range session.
For the money for a first scope, the quality of Athlon is very good.
If money is not an object, the Zeiss S3 is the best value of /price/optical performance.
-Richard
 
I have an Athlon Optics Ares BTR GEN2 4.5-27x50 - APLR3 FFP IR MOA HD on a Ruger Custom Shop 10/22 Competition.
I also have a Zeiss S3 636 on a Ruger Custom Shop 22lr bolt gun, Leica PRS and S&B various scopes including a new S&B 10-60 on a Rem 40X which I have only had one range session.
For the money for a first scope, the quality of Athlon is very good.
If money is not an object, the Zeiss S3 is the best value of /price/optical performance.
-Richard

I disagree. Ill take my Gen3 Razor over the S3 all day and that's why I bought 3. But these scopes are priced way above a Athlon Cronus anyway...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Magsz18 and koja
I have a Gen 2 Cronus BTR and a Aeres ETR 3-18. Both are excellent for the money, especially the ETR from Euro Optics for $583.

You can find a used Cronus here in the $900-$1000 range. I watch them all the time as I’m tempted to get another one. To get a slightly better scope, you will have to spend a lot more money.
 
I have 3 total. 2 Cronus BTR's and 1 BTR Gen2. I have not compared side by side with any high end glass lately, but I thought it was just as good, if not better than a Vortex AMG. Sold the AMG and bought another Cronus plus about $1k leftover. Best value, high performance scope in my opinion. The fact that it's made in Japan at LOW is preferred to other manufacturers/countries.
 
I have the Chronus, it is a very decent scope. It does everything well. I have better scopes, I have worse scopes. Athlon makes a good product.
If you can spring for the extra dough, the S3 is a better scope.
FWIW, the tract toric 4.5-30 is only about 100 bucks more.
The S3 is about 700 more.
Don't know why the Vortex 6-36 entered the conversation, on sale, it's 3000 dollars. Significantly more than the S3.
 
Don't know why the Vortex 6-36 entered the conversation, on sale, it's 3000 dollars. Significantly more than the S3.

$3000? On sale...

I paid $1900, $2100 and $2250 for my 3 Gen3 Razors from SH vendors

The S3 6-36, is $2299-$2499..

That's why it was brought into the conversation
 
Last edited:
I disagree. Ill take my Gen3 Razor over the S3 all day and that's why I bought 3. But these scopes are priced way above a Athlon Cronus anyway...
G3 Razor may be better (I don't personally know) but the Zeiss S3 6-36 can be had for $1899 vs $3000 for the Razor (at least at Eurooptic). Is the Razor $1100 better? I think that's the question and for someone like me it's probably not. I've had the S3 6-36 in my cart for a while but think that extra $700 in savings vs the Cronus could go towards a mount and muzzle brake. I just wish the S3 didn't have the backwards magnification dial or I'd probably get it.

If I can find a Razor for $2200 I'd definitely look at that. Can you PM me the SH vendors you purchased from because I only see it for $3000?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ronws
Please point me to a $1900 NEW gen 3 6-36.

Not anymore but that's what I paid for my last brand new Gen3 6-36 from Liberty Optic that shipped directly from Vortex to me right before he went MIA.

And paid $2100 on the one before that from Liberty Optic.

These were pretty standard prices from Liberty optic before he disappeared


 
Not anymore but that's what I paid for my last brand new Gen3 6-36 from Liberty Optic that shipped directly from Vortex to me right before he went MIA.

And paid $2100 on the one before that from Liberty Optic.

These were pretty standard prices from Liberty optic before he disappeared



Off topic but I paid $1400 shipped for Sig 10K when they first came out from him. Too bad he went off the deep end or whatever
 
OP, a few comments.
  • CALL - on the ancient device known as a telephone - any of the Snipers Hide supporting vendors. You've been steered to Doug at CameraLandNY. CALL him and tell him you learned about him on SH. Similarly, CS Tactical and others carry Vortex. Call and see what they can offer. I've dealt with both.
  • Look for sales. EuroOptic has 15% off MAP for the Vortex optics right now. I just dropped a gen-3 Razor 6-36x56 in the cart, applied the code, and the total came out to $2550 with free shipping. Yes, that's more than you want to spend. Fwiw, I have three of them - all replaced Gen-2 Razors. The gen-2s were fine, but the gen-3 is better.
  • There is another well-known vendor with "Optics" in their name and they have sales all the time... and they may or may not actually have your item in stock ready to ship when they take your $$.
  • I got my Razors using discount certificates picked up from prize tables at matches, which are typically 30% off MAP (older ones, long expired/out of circulation, were 50% off MSRP). I haven't seen any certs at matches I attend in a year or so.
  • I have no experience with the Cronus, but the one Athlon scope I have tinkered with was quite nice for its price point. Talk with Doug.
  • Padom mentioned Liberty Optics... maybe you know the saga (given how long you show as a member of SH)... maybe not. Scott had amazing prices... until he disappeared with people's payments. I bought a couple of scopes from LO without issue... but it turned out once again that, if something sounds too good to be true, beware.
  • Maybe @Rob01 will weigh in with a comment re scopes in your price range - he has put hands on quite a few brands, and I've looked through a number of them side by side with my Razors and ZCO 527. Some were impressive, a couple not so much. You can search for his screen name and restrict he search to this forum to find some of his nicely in-depth observations.
  • Finally, watch the PX for deals on optics, with due diligence to coms with the seller.

Good luck.
 
Not anymore but that's what I paid for my last brand new Gen3 6-36 from Liberty Optic that shipped directly from Vortex to me right before he went MIA.

And paid $2100 on the one before that from Liberty Optic.

These were pretty standard prices from Liberty optic before he disappeared



I paid $1800 + tax about the same time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: padom
OP, a few comments.
  • CALL - on the ancient device known as a telephone - any of the Snipers Hide supporting vendors. You've been steered to Doug at CameraLandNY. CALL him and tell him you learned about him on SH. Similarly, CS Tactical and others carry Vortex. Call and see what they can offer. I've dealt with both.
  • Look for sales. EuroOptic has 15% off MAP for the Vortex optics right now. I just dropped a gen-3 Razor 6-36x56 in the cart, applied the code, and the total came out to $2550 with free shipping. Yes, that's more than you want to spend. Fwiw, I have three of them - all replaced Gen-2 Razors. The gen-2s were fine, but the gen-3 is better.
  • There is another well-known vendor with "Optics" in their name and they have sales all the time... and they may or may not actually have your item in stock ready to ship when they take your $$.
  • I got my Razors using discount certificates picked up from prize tables at matches, which are typically 30% off MAP (older ones, long expired/out of circulation, were 50% off MSRP). I haven't seen any certs at matches I attend in a year or so.
  • I have no experience with the Cronus, but the one Athlon scope I have tinkered with was quite nice for its price point. Talk with Doug.
  • Padom mentioned Liberty Optics... maybe you know the saga (given how long you show as a member of SH)... maybe not. Scott had amazing prices... until he disappeared with people's payments. I bought a couple of scopes from LO without issue... but it turned out once again that, if something sounds too good to be true, beware.
  • Maybe @Rob01 will weigh in with a comment re scopes in your price range - he has put hands on quite a few brands, and I've looked through a number of them side by side with my Razors and ZCO 527. Some were impressive, a couple not so much. You can search for his screen name and restrict he search to this forum to find some of his nicely in-depth observations.
  • Finally, watch the PX for deals on optics, with due diligence to coms with the seller.

Good luck.
Thanks for all the great advice! I have done quite a bit of business with eurooptic over the years and have been really happy with them. I also search their sale and used/pre-owned stuff all the time and that's typically what I buy from them. The Cronus is marked down to $1199 right now. The other two that I really have my eyes on are the Vortex G2 Razor for $2199 and the Zeiss S3 6-36 for $1849. Probably more the Zeiss at this point. At $1849 seems like a lot of bang for the buck.

I'm having a hard time justifying close to $2k on a scope that will probably not get a lot of use out past 250 yards (only thing I have access to). This coming from a guy who has ATACRs, Razors, and T2s on ARs. But I also don't want to skimp and have second thoughts. I still have to buy a chassis, scope mount, and muzzle brake.
 
  • Like
Reactions: padom
You’ll like the Cronus I’ve a had couple. The Gen 2 has nicer turrets and can be found on the sale section here for around your price range.

Mine was very comparable glass wise to my 7-35 atacr NF
This is exactly what I found with my two. Also concur to the ATACR that a friend owns IQ wise. And your suggestion is right on the money because these are a fantastic value at used prices of $900 or less.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hafejd30
G3 Razor may be better (I don't personally know) but the Zeiss S3 6-36 can be had for $1899 vs $3000 for the Razor (at least at Eurooptic). Is the Razor $1100 better? I think that's the question and for someone like me it's probably not. I've had the S3 6-36 in my cart for a while but think that extra $700 in savings vs the Cronus could go towards a mount and muzzle brake. I just wish the S3 didn't have the backwards magnification dial or I'd probably get it.

If I can find a Razor for $2200 I'd definitely look at that. Can you PM me the SH vendors you purchased from because I only see it for $3000?
To me, your response makes a lot of sense. Fair warning, I like Vortex and have some on my rifles.

But yeah, when it comes to paying more, is the price difference really worth it? I kind of follow the thought that past a certain price point, one is receiving diminishing returns. Is a scope that is over a 1k more expensive sporting glass quality or even ruggedness that makes it worth it?

I am still of the mind that it is best to choose the glass and reticle that make the most sense to your eye, regardless of cost. If it's NF, so be it, that is the budget that a shooter must build to.

Athlon? Great. Get it. What is most important is how it is working for you. Get out there and get some great results.

Granted, I am the idiot here and what I know barely fills a sewing thimble but everyone has great advice.
 
To me, your response makes a lot of sense. Fair warning, I like Vortex and have some on my rifles.

But yeah, when it comes to paying more, is the price difference really worth it? I kind of follow the thought that past a certain price point, one is receiving diminishing returns. Is a scope that is over a 1k more expensive sporting glass quality or even ruggedness that makes it worth it?

I am still of the mind that it is best to choose the glass and reticle that make the most sense to your eye, regardless of cost. If it's NF, so be it, that is the budget that a shooter must build to.

Athlon? Great. Get it. What is most important is how it is working for you. Get out there and get some great results.

Granted, I am the idiot here and what I know barely fills a sewing thimble but everyone has great advice.
Yeah, I think for me and this use case anything "better" than the Cronus is at least another $500-$1000 and to me it's not worth it- at least at this point. I've spent $3k on scopes in the past but I knew they would get used and abused in the tactical games so I thought it was money well spent and didn't think twice about it.

Bolt guns are totally new to me and something I'm building for fun and filling a niche in the collection. Don't get me wrong, I like nice stuff, but I think the Origin along with the Proof barrel, MDT ACC Premier chassis 9not bought yet), and the Cronus, will make a nice rig for my purposes. If I decide to get into PRS or some sort of long distance shooting comps then maybe I'll upgrade but until then I think this set up will make me more than happy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ronws
Not anymore but that's what I paid for my last brand new Gen3 6-36 from Liberty Optic that shipped directly from Vortex to me right before he went MIA.

And paid $2100 on the one before that from Liberty Optic.

These were pretty standard prices from Liberty optic before he disappeared



Well then, it's a moot point in 2025.
Again, he's talking max 2500 and the gen 3 goes for 3000
 
  • Like
Reactions: spife7980
Well then, it's a moot point in 2025.
Again, he's talking max 2500 and the gen 3 goes for 3000
Speaking of 2025. If you’re not buying in the PX, often at a steep discount, then you’re wasting money. That said, a lot of folks get killer deals new so to each his own. With how people baby scopes and warranties the way they are this day and age, used is the new, new IMO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hafejd30
Speaking of 2025. If you’re not buying in the PX, often at a steep discount, then you’re wasting money. That said, a lot of folks get killer deals new so to each his own. With how people baby scopes and warranties the way they are this day and age, used is the new, new IMO.
Hands down. Especially if you’re looking into companies like vortex or Athlon. The warranty now days makes it a no brainer to buy from the px
 
  • Like
Reactions: steve123
I disagree. Ill take my Gen3 Razor over the S3 all day and that's why I bought 3. But these scopes are priced way above a Athlon Cronus anyway...

I got a whole bunch of Vortex optics back in the days of Scott, including one of the Razor Gen3 6-36 ones for $2k
Love him or hate him, pretty much he was the reason I have a closet full of various Vortex optics.
The price was too good to pass up in those days.

And yes I think price is pretty much near 100% of the reason Athlon is in contention for some.

Vortex hiked the MSRP of the Gen 3 to essentially insanity, (they must have gotten together with the brain trust at S&B)
Right now the best deal I can get myself on a brand new Razor Gen3 6-36 is $2880

I can get the Athlon Cronus BTR GEN2 4.5-29x56 APRS6 FFP IR MIL UHD for $1300

I think that's what most of the appeal, is, basically for less than half the cost of the Vortex you get a decent scope.

The vortex one is still better for sure.

But At the $2880 range, I'd be tempted to just pick up a used S&B or ZCO in that same range for not all that much more.
EuroOptic was clearing out the S&B 6-36 ones for $3400 not long ago. Used ZCO 8-40 can be had often around $4k

Essentially Athlon is coming in where Vortex used to be and taking the market for folks that want decent but don't have deep pockets.
 
  • Like
Reactions: steve123
If I decide to get into PRS or some sort of long distance shooting comps then maybe I'll upgrade but until then I think this set up will make me more than happy.

You could take the top ten PRS shooters and put them in a match with a Cronus and they would still be in the top ten. No, it’s not a ZCO, TT, or Gen 3 Vortex, but if you miss the steel with a Cronus it still won’t be the scopes fault. Thats why we all like them so much.
 
I got a whole bunch of Vortex optics back in the days of Scott, including one of the Razor Gen3 6-36 ones for $2k
Love him or hate him, pretty much he was the reason I have a closet full of various Vortex optics.
The price was too good to pass up in those days.

And yes I think price is pretty much near 100% of the reason Athlon is in contention for some.

Vortex hiked the MSRP of the Gen 3 to essentially insanity, (they must have gotten together with the brain trust at S&B)
Right now the best deal I can get myself on a brand new Razor Gen3 6-36 is $2880

I can get the Athlon Cronus BTR GEN2 4.5-29x56 APRS6 FFP IR MIL UHD for $1300

I think that's what most of the appeal, is, basically for less than half the cost of the Vortex you get a decent scope.

The vortex one is still better for sure.

But At the $2880 range, I'd be tempted to just pick up a used S&B or ZCO in that same range for not all that much more.
EuroOptic was clearing out the S&B 6-36 ones for $3400 not long ago. Used ZCO 8-40 can be had often around $4k

Essentially Athlon is coming in where Vortex used to be and taking the market for folks that want decent but don't have deep pockets.
I agree with all this. I feel like the Athlons get great reviews and are one of the best bangs for the buck out there right now. They also seem to have a great warranty and I feel that goes a long way too. I think Virtex gets a lot of customers just with that.

I feel like Athlon is kinda like the new Vortex and hitting a lot of sweet spots for people. I have a Garmin xero but if I didn’t I’d be looking at their chrono too.
 
I know this isn’t on the OPs list but it’s in the same price point and specs as the Cronus, but what about the DMR3? I am in the same market (price wise) for a new scope as the OP & have always been a fan of the DMR line of scopes. I have owned many of each iteration from the original HDMR to the pro but I have not had a chance to check out the DMR3 yet.

How does it stack up against the Cronus? If the build quality is the same as the previous generations I am confident in its tracking and durability. Back when I was deep in the long range precision rifle world I always had one in rings and zeroed as a backup to my top tier scopes when they went down. All the cheap little DMR scopes I have owned never let me down, where the $3000+ scopes occasionally did.

I am not a glass snob and do not expect either the Cronus or DMR to blow my mind optically. What I do expect is dead on tracking, reliability, and a forgiving eye box. I feel where the low priced scopes really fail is in the optical design and have a very tight eye box. This is something I really don’t like, especially after years of shooting Hensoldt 4-16 & 6-24, and PMIIs (damn I miss my 4-16…)

Anyway I think that the DMR3 should / could be part of this conversation and would like to hear from people who have actually used both. I know people crap on Bushnells customer service but the few times I have used them for some fairly low price optics the experience was just as good as my experience with Vortex, Nightforce, Schmidt and Bender, and way better than with Kahles.
 
  • Like
Reactions: supercorndogs
I know this isn’t on the OPs list but it’s in the same price point and specs as the Cronus, but what about the DMR3? I am in the same market (price wise) for a new scope as the OP & have always been a fan of the DMR line of scopes. I have owned many of each iteration from the original HDMR to the pro but I have not had a chance to check out the DMR3 yet.

How does it stack up against the Cronus? If the build quality is the same as the previous generations I am confident in its tracking and durability. Back when I was deep in the long range precision rifle world I always had one in rings and zeroed as a backup to my top tier scopes when they went down. All the cheap little DMR scopes I have owned never let me down, where the $3000+ scopes occasionally did.

I am not a glass snob and do not expect either the Cronus or DMR to blow my mind optically. What I do expect is dead on tracking, reliability, and a forgiving eye box. I feel where the low priced scopes really fail is in the optical design and have a very tight eye box. This is something I really don’t like, especially after years of shooting Hensoldt 4-16 & 6-24, and PMIIs (damn I miss my 4-16…)

Anyway I think that the DMR3 should / could be part of this conversation and would like to hear from people who have actually used both. I know people crap on Bushnells customer service but the few times I have used them for some fairly low price optics the experience was just as good as my experience with Vortex, Nightforce, Schmidt and Bender, and way better than with Kahles.

I tried the DMR3 against the US made XTR3 SCR2 and the MK5 PR2. XTR3 wins for me for the FOV and the thin reticle. DMR3 reticle was pretty thick/busy. They all have very similar glass, just different amounts of brightness/contrast. I think the Cronus may be the brightest of them, and the MK5 had the most contrast. DMR3 and XTR3 were right down the middle. I expect the XTR Pro or T6Xi, supposedly better glass than the US XTR3, would win for me in this category, because I like the extra FOV and the SCR2 and MSR2 reticles over the others. Cronus mil reticle would be 2nd for me though.
 
Yeah, I think for me and this use case anything "better" than the Cronus is at least another $500-$1000 and to me it's not worth it- at least at this point. I've spent $3k on scopes in the past but I knew they would get used and abused in the tactical games so I thought it was money well spent and didn't think twice about it.

Bolt guns are totally new to me and something I'm building for fun and filling a niche in the collection. Don't get me wrong, I like nice stuff, but I think the Origin along with the Proof barrel, MDT ACC Premier chassis 9not bought yet), and the Cronus, will make a nice rig for my purposes. If I decide to get into PRS or some sort of long distance shooting comps then maybe I'll upgrade but until then I think this set up will make me more than happy.
I think it is okay to match the scope to the job. And, with this, you can go a long way. When you finally decide to drop 4k on an optic, you will know better what you want or need and even then, if it is worth it.