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Talk me out of an Athlon Cronus 4.5-29

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!

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. 😂
The Leupold Mk4 HD is very nice for a similar price point. I replaced my Bushnell DMR3/GP4 with the Mk4HD 6x24 as the Mk4 was noticeably better
 
Let's see it!
Here you go! I forgot to put the barrel in the first one. 🤦🏻‍♂️ Proof Research 6.5 creedmoor.

I bought the Viper Barrel Vise with the hitch attachment. I don’t really have a good place to bolt down the vice so I thought I’d attach it to the hitch attachment and clamp it into my vise. Hopefully that works.
 

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Here you go! I forgot to put the barrel in the first one. 🤦🏻‍♂️ Proof Research 6.5 creedmoor.

I bought the Viper Barrel Vise with the hitch attachment. I don’t really have a good place to bolt down the vice so I thought I’d attach it to the hitch attachment and clamp it into my vise. Hopefully that works.
Nice. I've never built a bolty, built a buch of gassers. A bolt is probably up next. How long is that barrel?
 
I bought the Viper Barrel Vise with the hitch attachment. I don’t really have a good place to bolt down the vice so I thought I’d attach it to the hitch attachment and clamp it into my vise. Hopefully that works.
Mine is bolted to a block of wood I clamp I to my hitch mounted vice. Looks redneck but it works. Drywall tape, painters tape and black gorilla tape and no marks on the barrel.
 

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Here you go! I forgot to put the barrel in the first one. 🤦🏻‍♂️ Proof Research 6.5 creedmoor.

I bought the Viper Barrel Vise with the hitch attachment. I don’t really have a good place to bolt down the vice so I thought I’d attach it to the hitch attachment and clamp it into my vise. Hopefully that works.

I just use a couple of C clamps and clamp my Viper to my workbench when I need it. It doesn't really need to be clamped that hard to the work surface. It's not going to slide anywhere. The forces on it are rotational.

The hitch mount would definitely come in handy if you're changing barrels out in the field or at the range though
 
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How's the Arken EP5 compare to the Athlons?
Depends on which Athlons. Compared to the top 3 Athlons, the Arken doesn't stand up. To the 4th and 5th Athlons down from the top is where the EP5's are in my opinion. They're decent scopes for sure, but they're definitely no Chronus or BTR Midases. The Chinese are figuring out how to up the quality FEEL, without investing money into ACTUAL overall quality. Not saying they're doing anything shady, it's just that they've found a way to offer more, for just a little bit more money. The Arkens are assembled nicely and have nice fit & finish, it's just the glass suffers a little, and the overall design is still not 100% there. For example, I've had two where the focus and the parallax wouldnt align. By time the picture was in perfect focus, there was still a bit of parallax, and vice versa.
I do like what the Arkens bring to the table, but if I were doing another budget scope purchase, I'd go directly to Athlon every time. ESPECIALLY used models here on the hide. That 900 dollar Chronus in the classified section here is an outstanding deal.
 
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. While the G3 Razor is an outstanding scope, it's NOT a 3000 optic lol. Vortex is INSANE if they think they're going to get any new buyers of that scope. The only people buying that are the people that got hooked on their quality for the money thing back 10 years ago. Then they rode on their previous reputation and priced hiked the shit out of everything when companies like Athlon or Arken did not.
I feel just the 'on sale' or used market of S3 Zeisses alone will keep the expensive Vortexes shut out 100%.
Pre owned Cronuses are the best value out there I believe.
 
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I have one ... use it on my .338 Lapua Barrett MRAD.

Pro's
- Excellent glass - very clear
- Better than average eye relief
- Illumination is very bright
Con's
- Heavier than other scopes I use (Leupold MK5-HD)
- Setting the zero stop takes practice and care not to strip the tiny allen screw

That's kind of the summary ... it shoots great for me, very consistent and accurate. The "Heavy Thing" probably makes it less exciting for hunting, but for LR and ELR bench or prone shooting, it's awesome, and a great price-performer.