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Athlon Scopes
#7008414
12/23/17 01:08 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,496
scottfromdallas
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There are 4-5 specific scopes that seem to always get mentioned for long range shooting on this site (Burris XTR, NF ATACR, SWFA SS, Vortex, etc) Athlon's entire line looks like it was geared mostly to long range shooting. Curios if anyone has used them and their impressions.
Personally, I not on in the market but they look like a good value. Of course, a company that has been around 2 years and puts a lifetime warranty on the box makes me laugh a little. Hopefully no one is buying them for the warranty.
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7008440
12/23/17 01:36 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 6,726
Jgraider
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They're Chinese. Enough said.
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7008468
12/23/17 01:58 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,747
DStroud
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I used 7 of them total. Mounted two of the Midas one on a Bolt 308 and the other a Grendel AR They both were this model https://www.midwayusa.com/product/109468...d-reticle-matteClicks on one were very distinct and solid the next one was mushy more like a Leupold but they ran fine and we took the scope out to 500 yards. Only thing I noticed was at 15X eye box was Small and hard to keep full view. I bought the Ares like this from Derrick at Horizon. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/863101...l-reticle-matteMounted it on a 6.5 SAUM GAP just to try the gun and scope and I used it for a few weeks while waiting for the Kahles to show up. Pretty nice features and solid scope for the money. I had three folks look at it and the Burris XTR II side by side mounted on rifles looking at distant 650 yards targets and we all gave the glass edge to the Burris but not by much. I ended up selling it when I was able to get that great deal at Cabelas on the next one I have used. Best for last the Cronus. I am still kicking myself for not buying both of the ones they sent to the Waco Cabelas for the Black Friday sale of 999.00 I only needed one so only bought one and away went the Burris XTR II on my .284. I had already used this scope out to 1600 yards on one of my customers Horizon 28 Nosler and it worked well had good glass and has been reliable for him on two out West hunting trips. Will also add that their APLR Mil reticle is one of the better ones I have used. These days if there are hashes and I don’t see any numbers anywhere in the reticle I put it back down. That’s Just me though. Here is the Cronus https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101881...minated-reticleRight after I got the Cronus I was at the range shooting the same 654 yard steel and had both the Cronus and the Kahles sitting on bench’s next to on another. So I kept flipping back and forth after changing the power on the Cronus down to 24X to match the Kahles...... much to my disappointment the Cronus seemed to have better resolution and I could see more detail thwn with the Kahlesand you can see the price difference Don’t take this as I am saying the Cronus is better than the Kahles..... the Kahles is a fine scope well made and exudes quality. With the Cronus you won’t be missing anything due to glass quality is what I am saying. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101854...d-reticle-matteAnyhow if Cabelas ever has that sale again don’t expect a heads up from me. 
Last edited by DStroud; 12/23/17 02:25 PM.
"Anyone taking up handloading necessarily plays with unknown factors and takes chances. But so does anyone who drives a car,goes to a cocktail party,eats in a restaurant,or gets married."
Jack O'Connor 1963
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: Jgraider]
#7008491
12/23/17 02:09 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,747
DStroud
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They're Chinese. Enough said. I Do know the Ares is made in China for sure but thought the Cronus is Japanese Glass but retrieved the box and it doesn’t indicate where just says USA company label. So went looked at Scope definitely made in Japan!
"Anyone taking up handloading necessarily plays with unknown factors and takes chances. But so does anyone who drives a car,goes to a cocktail party,eats in a restaurant,or gets married."
Jack O'Connor 1963
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7008539
12/23/17 02:39 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 6,726
Jgraider
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OK, my bad. I thought they all were.
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7008565
12/23/17 02:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 681
Eyesofahunter
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DStroud thanks for feed back, I have looked at these before but never knew anyone with actual time behind one.
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7008584
12/23/17 02:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,022
gr8fuldoug
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If I may.... The Athlons are produced in China with the exception of the Cronus series which is made in Japan. We have found that the Athlon line of products are parallel to other mfg offerings at 20-40% less $$$ (that would be before we factor in the extra discounts we offer to forum members. As an example, we have the Athlon Argos 4-20x50, in your choice of reticles, on sale for only $289.99 (please call in, 516-217-1000, for this special pricing) FEATURESEtched Glass Reticle Reticle etched on the glass that provides excellent backing support for complex reticle design and offers great durability and much higher shock resistance to recoil Fully Multicoated Fully Multicoated optics effectively reduces reflected light and increases the transmission of light giving you a brighter image than normal single coated lenses XPL Coating XPL Coating gives you an extra protection on the exterior lenses from dirt, oil and scratches or anything else mother nature can throw at you. Aircraft Grade Aluminum Aircraft Grade Aluminum provide extra strength and durability to handle the toughest terrain and offers lifetime of use. Heat Treated One Piece Tube Construction Heat treated one piece tube gives the scope extra strength over multi-piece tubes. A one piece tube also is better at keeping moisture out thus keeping your scope fog proof for the life of the product Waterproof Waterproof to protect the scope in the harshest weather conditions or if accidently submerged underwater Fog proof Fog proof to allow you to immediately engage your target when you take your rifle to cold ambient temperature from warm inside Shockproof Robust mechanical system with special designs on both control and erector system that give you the ultimate recoil resistance to withstand 1000G recoil for 1000 times. Argon Purged Argon Purging uses the inertia gas with bigger size molecules to purge any moisture out of the tube giving you better waterproofing and thermal stability . SPECIFICATIONMagnification 4-20 Objective Lens Diameter 50 mm Reticle AHMR1 SFP Reticle Surface Finish Matte Lens Coating Fully Multicoated Extra Coating XPL Coating Tube Material 6063 Tube Diameter 1 inch Exit Pupil 12.5-2.5 mm Eye Relief >3.8 inches Field of View @100 yards 23.6-4.7 ft Click Value 1/4 MOA Adjustment range per rotation 15 MOA Total Elevation Adjustment 50 MOA Total Windage Adjustment 50 MOA Turret Style Capped Parallax Adjustment side focus Purging Material Argon Length 13.1 inches Weight 19.5 oz Reticle Subtension Validity 15x To the best of my knowledge, and I've been in the business a very long time, there is not another scope equal to this that you'll find near this price. It is not only feature rich but it is a quality scope as well. Athlon is based in Kansas and they are always available, 1-855-913-5678, to answer anything. They are very customer service oriented. They've even mentioned to me that if any of our customers are local to them and would like to come by for a tour they'd be thrilled to accommodate the request. Below are a couple of reviews posted by members on another forum of the Ares BTR, Talos BTR and the Ares Spotting scope.Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50 and Athlon Talos BTR 4-14x44 RiflescopesAthlon Ares Spotting Scope Please always feel free to e-mail me, gr8fuldoug@aol.com or call us, 516-217-1000, to discuss optics or photo gear. Our pleasure to assist in clearing confusion of the numerous offerings available these days. If there is anything you're looking for please give us a call at 516-217-1000. It is always our pleasure to speak with you.
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7008614
12/23/17 03:18 PM
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 868
Txhillbilly
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I have a Cronus and a Midas BTR.The Cronus is made in Japan, the Ares and Midas are Japanese internals/lenses assembled in China. The cheaper Athlon scopes are all Chinese.
The Cronus series is a real bargin, mine gives my IOR Valdada Recon a run for the money and cost 3x less.
The Ares and Midas are in the class with the Sightron SIII, Vortex Viper PST, and other scopes in the $750 - $1500 range.
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7008626
12/23/17 03:30 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 6,726
Jgraider
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Doug @ CL.....you need to send a sample of each to Formid over on 24HCF and let him test them out, see how they hold zero, dial, etc. Then we'll know.
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: Jgraider]
#7008676
12/23/17 03:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,022
gr8fuldoug
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Doug @ CL.....you need to send a sample of each to Formid over on 24HCF and let him test them out, see how they hold zero, dial, etc. Then we'll know. Did you look at the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50 and Athlon Talos BTR 4-14x44 Riflescopes review from over at 24hourcampfire? The guy who did this is a firearms examiner for the NYPD and knows his stuff.
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: gr8fuldoug]
#7008685
12/23/17 03:59 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 6,726
Jgraider
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Doug @ CL.....you need to send a sample of each to Formid over on 24HCF and let him test them out, see how they hold zero, dial, etc. Then we'll know. Did you look at the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50 and Athlon Talos BTR 4-14x44 Riflescopes review from over at 24hourcampfire? The guy who did this is a firearms examiner for the NYPD and knows his stuff. Formid is a tester for the US Military and sees many,many thousands of rounds go down range every year (over 200,000 rds in past 18 mos IIRC). That will be the real test.
Last edited by Jgraider; 12/23/17 04:20 PM.
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7009685
12/24/17 02:00 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,496
scottfromdallas
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Thanks for the feedback. I've mostly heard positive things but they are really new so we'll see how they hold up over time.
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7009846
12/24/17 03:47 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,219
dee
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I looked through a cronus at a match and wasn't impressed. It was raining and kinda misty/foggy and it seemed to be lacking in the glass area compared to the gen 1 razor I was running that day. I did not mess with turrets so I can't say on those. The reticle was nice though.
"A vote is like a rifle; it's usefulness depends on the character of the user" Theodore Roosevelt
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7010113
12/24/17 07:21 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,644
Brother in-law
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I have looked through several and was under whelmed. To me they are the Kia of scopes. I looked very hard at them and still didn't care compared to say the pst2 and xtr2.
They do have very nice reticles for their price point
I also have to agree with Dee and thought the Cronus was meh.
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7010172
12/24/17 08:42 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 525
6.5x47Lapua
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Sure would be nice if these companies/retailers would list country of origin in the product description. I have no want to buy any optics produced in China or the Phillipines.
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7010254
12/24/17 09:45 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,022
gr8fuldoug
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I can tell you that almost every optics company, with very slight exception, source some or all from the Pacific Rim. European companies get screws, and pieces parts from China too. The world is getting smaller and smaller. The higher line Athlons are made in Japan, the upper middle gets some parts from Japan and are assembled in China, the lower end of the line is all China. Hey, iPhones are all made in China too. Yes, there's good and bad quality that comes outta China. It depends on the company that is ordering the products, to what specs they have and the quality control those companies enforce. Unfortunately, there are no USA optics manufacturing facilities.
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: 6.5x47Lapua]
#7010257
12/24/17 09:47 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,644
Brother in-law
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They do most of the time. Country is the first thing I look at lately.
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7010305
12/24/17 10:13 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
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DStroud
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Doug got it right most of these scopes are made in the same plants so your Vortex/ Bushnell/ Athlon/ Burris are all coming down the same assembly lines. I use to laugh when I would hear folks say yea I would never buy a Sears washing machine only Whirlpool for me or vice versa when I knew they both came down the same assembly line they just had different logos and badges on them. Athlon folks are ex Bushnell employees who IIRC decided to go in a different direction.
"Anyone taking up handloading necessarily plays with unknown factors and takes chances. But so does anyone who drives a car,goes to a cocktail party,eats in a restaurant,or gets married."
Jack O'Connor 1963
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: DStroud]
#7010315
12/24/17 10:22 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,219
dee
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Doug got it right most of these scopes are made in the same plants so your Vortex/ Bushnell/ Athlon/ Burris are all coming down the same assembly lines. I use to laugh when I would hear folks say yea I would never buy a Sears washing machine only Whirlpool for me or vice versa when I knew they both came down the same assembly line they just had different logos and badges on them. Athlon folks are ex Bushnell employees who IIRC decided to go in a different direction. Just because it's built in the same place does not mean the parts or components are of the same quality.
"A vote is like a rifle; it's usefulness depends on the character of the user" Theodore Roosevelt
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7010333
12/24/17 10:36 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,747
DStroud
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I agree that’s very true. Only brought that up since there seem to be some emphasis on the fact country of origin determines quality..... Maybe maybe not.
"Anyone taking up handloading necessarily plays with unknown factors and takes chances. But so does anyone who drives a car,goes to a cocktail party,eats in a restaurant,or gets married."
Jack O'Connor 1963
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: dee]
#7010371
12/24/17 11:15 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,440
TFF Caribou
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Doug got it right most of these scopes are made in the same plants so your Vortex/ Bushnell/ Athlon/ Burris are all coming down the same assembly lines. I use to laugh when I would hear folks say yea I would never buy a Sears washing machine only Whirlpool for me or vice versa when I knew they both came down the same assembly line they just had different logos and badges on them. Athlon folks are ex Bushnell employees who IIRC decided to go in a different direction. Just because it's built in the same place does not mean the parts or components are of the same quality. It also doesn’t mean just because the name is different is automatically of worse quality either. No dog in the fight, don’t own an athalon scope, but may buy one soon. But lots of quality items are produced in China. Just depends on what the manufacturers requires.
The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7010578
12/25/17 03:02 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,644
Brother in-law
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Everybody's eyes are different. Go see one and play with the different lines and determine for yourself is the only way.
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7010663
12/25/17 04:22 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,440
TFF Caribou
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Well just opened a talos btr 1-4x24 mil/mil at Christmas. So I should have a report soon. It’s going on a brand new Henry .357 mag
The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7010694
12/25/17 05:04 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 37,488
Buzzsaw
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sounds like someone had a great Christmas
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: Athlon Scopes
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#7010724
12/25/17 06:17 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,440
TFF Caribou
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sounds like someone had a great Christmas No doubt
The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
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