Athlon?

[Deleted member 48126]

If your budget is constrained, then the more expensive offerings from some of these mid-tier companies (Athlon, Tract, Vortex etc) offer good value and reasonable reliability for what you are paying for them.

If all you do is bang on stationary targets on a flat range at more or less known distance under good conditions, they will serve you well and for the most part you wont notice much difference to a top tier optics.

I think the biggest thing I noticed when I stepped up to "Alpha" glass (first upgrade was a few years ago to a Vortex Razor AMG 6-24 and then most recently to a ZCO 5-27x56) was twofold:

First: resolving targets out past 400yds is less than perfect conditions (haze, overcast/low light, bad mirage etc) the difference is like literal night and day. I used an old Gen1 PST to kill several deer out past 300yds, but when distances got further than 500yds or so, the ability to determine anything beyond large bucks or does was difficult, especially the very important distinction between doe vs button buck or spike vs 4pt/small 6pt etc.

Second: poor image quality leads to overdependence on magnification as you try and compensate for lack of ability to clearly see the target. When I ran cheaper scopes, even good ones like my PST or VX5HD, I would find myself on maximum magnification pretty much at any distance past 200-300yds otherwise I just flat out couldn't clearly see the target. This shrinks your field of view (and a lot of cheap optics already dont have a great FOV to begin with) making it way harder to both quickly find a target and then to keep your sights on target through recoil to spot hits and misses, it magnifies your wobble zone when shooting unsupported, and it also compounds issues of visibility in low light/mirage/haze etc since you cant dial back as much to cut the mirage and still clearly see the target. When I first got my Razor AMG I was still leaning heavily on magnification as a crutch from when I had run cheaper scopes but had a complete lightbulb moment during a local PRS club match where I started backing magnification off as much as 10-12x on some closer stages. I realized I could still clearly see the targets, but I was able to get on target faster, spot more hits and follow up faster. I shot my personal best placing just inside the top ten at the match without even touching the top magnification on any stage except for one shooting prone off a bipod at 1100yds. With my ZCO, I have only run magnification above 15x once, shooting stationary at 1000yds, and that was just for the heck of it because I wanted to see what it looked like.

It's your money, spend it how you want to. A lot of the hate that mid tier optics get is absolutely snobbery, but there absolutely is a meaningful difference in nearly all conditions when you step up to the higher tier stuff. When I say meaningful I mean worth the nearly 2x (AMG, Nightforce etc) and 3-4X (ZCO/Tangent/Kahles etc) price vs some mid tier options, if you do a lot of the kind of shooting where those differences matter. (Long range hunting past 500yds, PRS/Tactical/Practical match shooting, etc)

This is a great post. Thank you.

 

[Vinny83]

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe that to be correct. Most of your big name scopes are actually made in Japan. LOW, Kenco etc being the actual manufacturers.

I'm sure I'm forgetting some but the top tier Chinese brands off the top of my head are Vortex (PST II Philippines & Razor Japan) & Athlon (up to Cronus). With the Razor & Cronus both being made in Japan. With these two models, one will also see a significant increase in price. Whether or not that price increase is acceptable to the individual shooter, is completely up to the individual. I won't degrade someone for using a Chinese scope, I just chose not to support those companies any longer.

At the end of the day, if I get to spend time on the range with a good friend; we both win. Chinese scopes or not.

To the OP: Every review I've seen on the Athlon line of scopes has been quite good. I know a few PRS shooters that rave about the glass on the Cronus (Japanese ED). As long as it fits your needs & does what it should, rock that stuff all day long.




t

The Viper range are made in the Philippines and the only US made Vortex scope is the Razor HD AMG, the other Razor optics are Japanese.
But I see your point.
I don't like supporting the Chinese trade but it's not easy when 'high end' hunting clothing like Kuiu and First Lite are from there, which I only found out after I bought them.
On topic, I'm now looking at the the Athlon scopes, the reviews look very promising!

 

[Starbuck]

Tex: Good post. You are right on in your assessment of the interrelations of required X and image quality. For shots on big game, for myriad reasons, I prefer the lowest X possible; of course, the better the glass, the lower X you can be comfortable with. If budget is at all a concern, I haven't come across better values than the SWFA offerings. Their HD series offers way better glass than the price range suggests, and they are known for top quality ruggedness. I can't help but feel that a lot of guys I see at the range with mid to lower tier, high X range scopes would be much better served by the SWFA 3-9, or even thier 6x. Use the money saved on ammo.

If they'd illuminate their 3x9 I'd really like them even more.

I'm with you. While we're wishing, I'll add capped windage and low pro elevation that goes 10 mil per rev to the list.

 

[Lee Goodwin]

I have an athlon ares good to 1000 plus.

 

[GunHawk]

My first was a Cronus II that I bought used from a guy who got a sponsorship from one of the big names, and I have had no problem with it. I asked him why he was selling and he said, "only because of the sponsorship". Yes, he was selling something, but after using it I can see it wasn't just a sales pitch. It lives happily on a SAKO-85 7mmRM with a 26" Bartlein. It is heavy, but probably negligible once you add up everything one has to carry on a hunt.

 

[gunplt]

I own 2 Cronus Gen 1s & an Argos. I also own NF ATACR, US Optics B25, Leopold, Vortex, Swampfox, Arken, and probably a few other brands. I like the Athlons. No issues what so ever. I'm not sure I would run them long term on a 338 LM or 50 BMG as some have mentioned but to each his own. Probably wouldn't do that with a Vortex Razor HD either. I would say the tracking is just sub top tier. There are companies out there (Arken in particular) that have mastered the art of nearly perfect tracking in a truly budget priced (nearly 2/3ds cheaper than a Cronus) optic. Glass is getting interesting these days as well. Back a few years ago ED APO glass was the only true top tier glass. But technology continually moves forward. Now days there are newer techniques and technologies, for example Peak Nano uses thin layers of lighter glass to make what they call Gradient Refractive Index (GRIN) lenses that can outperform the heavier Ultra ED glass APO designs (here are some white papers if you're into the technical aspects https://www.peaknano.com/whitepapers ). So it has become more and more challenging to make apples to apples comparisons about glass quality (compared to say a tracking box test) between the old standbys like S&B, Zeiss, IOR, NF, etc, and the new breed of lighter custom designed nano layered multi-coated optics available today. I think what one of the earlier posters stated was right on the money in that there is a big difference between sitting at a bench in perfect weather & mid day brightness and poor weather dusk hunting 3 minutes before the end of legal hunting light. The only way anyone is going to know if these newer tech ways are truly superior, or even equivalent, is to put them to the test (like the military does before fielding). It's a brave new glassy world out there!

 

[new2mud]

I own 2 Cronus Gen 1s & an Argos. I also own NF ATACR, US Optics B25, Leopold, Vortex, Swampfox, Arken, and probably a few other brands. I like the Athlons. No issues what so ever. I'm not sure I would run them long term on a 338 LM or 50 BMG as some have mentioned but to each his own. Probably wouldn't do that with a Vortex Razor HD either. I would say the tracking is just sub top tier. There are companies out there (Arken in particular) that have mastered the art of nearly perfect tracking in a truly budget priced (nearly 2/3ds cheaper than a Cronus) optic. Glass is getting interesting these days as well. Back a few years ago ED APO glass was the only true top tier glass. But technology continually moves forward. Now days there are newer techniques and technologies, for example Peak Nano uses thin layers of lighter glass to make what they call Gradient Refractive Index (GRIN) lenses that can outperform the heavier Ultra ED glass APO designs (here are some white papers if you're into the technical aspects https://www.peaknano.com/whitepapers ). So it has become more and more challenging to make apples to apples comparisons about glass quality (compared to say a tracking box test) between the old standbys like S&B, Zeiss, IOR, NF, etc, and the new breed of lighter custom designed nano layered multi-coated optics available today. I think what one of the earlier posters stated was right on the money in that there is a big difference between sitting at a bench in perfect weather & mid day brightness and poor weather dusk hunting 3 minutes before the end of legal hunting light. The only way anyone is going to know if these newer tech ways are truly superior, or even equivalent, is to put them to the test (like the military does before fielding). It's a brave new glassy world out there!

Somewhat of a thread rabbit hole, but there have been plenty of responses about Athlon, and more learning is more better:

@gunplt : which Swampfox model do you have and how does it compare in your personal scope lineup in terms of tracking and glass?

 

[SSG Graybush]

So I am just curious, why do more people Not use these scopes, is it the weigh? The glass? They seem to track well and RTZ , why are they not more popular?

I no longer buy Athlon. Have a Ares ETR and a Midas BTR. The Ares never held zero well. It will take a .5 moa round and produce 1.5 moa groups. And the Midas worked for a few years and then wouldnt hold zero as well. I also got and returned a Argos BTR that the parralax adjustment was broken out of the box. I have gotten bad SWFA's as well, but they cost half as much and I have never had a SWFA that was good fail. So far, and I have a few. So imo go SWFA(cheap) or buy Razor HD LHT or Mark 5 for hunting.
And Athlons are heavy, ok for a target/tactical stick but not good for hunting, unless you only hunting from a bind.
The only 2 scopes for a LR hunting rig is the Vortex Razor HD LHT ffp or the Leupold Mark 5. The Razor HD LHT sfp is ok for closer ranges. Athlon does have some nice reticles. I really liked the Ares though. Its sitting in a box waiting to go back. Will see how good Athlons warranty is. Vortex's is solid. I wore out my elevation turret on a Razor HD 5x20x50 and they replaced both turrects with the newer 10 mil rotation ones. Nice. Dont forget both Leupold and Vortex have MIL/LE/FR discount programs.

 

[JWhitty]

I got real into the Athlon lines when prepping for out west. My recommendation is anything Midas line or above. All their glass is Chinese except the cronus scope line. They are from Japan.
I currently have my midas 12x50's in for warrantee work due to one of my eye pieces being locked out. Mind you I'm NOT EASY on equipment, and they've tumbled from the truck numerous times..

 

[spladi]

So I am just curious, why do more people Not use these scopes, is it the weigh? The glass? They seem to track well and RTZ , why are they not more popular?

Their $150.00 spotting scope is a great deal! I haven't heard anything negative about them.........depends on your needs though.

 

[22creedmoor]

I currently have two 4-20 Helos's , running one on my smokless muzzle loader 92 grains of benchmark and a 300 grain sabotless bullet , tracts great and very good glass, maybe not as good as my top end Burris scopes but when you have several guns that you shoot it is nice to find dependable optics to get out and shoot with. that is the main purpose to get out and do what we love to do, just last Saturday i introduced two people to a first shot hit at 1000 yards with a Athlon scope . for my money put out a good product, stand behind it is all we can ask, much better product than some of the Vortex's i have been around lately .

 

[Oldtime Shooter13]

My experience with Athlon Optics is that they are good quality scope and Athlon stands behind their product. Their Warrantee is as good or maybe better in my experience than Leopold and better than other competitors. I purchased a 6-30X56 Argos from an online retailer in 2017 for a really good price on sale. The scope sat on a shelf until 2020 when I mounted it on a new rifle. Durning sight in I found that the scope had no elevation adjustment! I talked to the folks at Athlon and they had me send the scope to them (on their nickel). As previously stated the scope I had had been discontinued and gave me my options for replacement. I could replace with a current comparable model or upgrade to any scope in their line. Each upgrade option came with a cost to upgrade. I replaced the Argos with a Midas Tac HD 6-24X50. The Midas TAC was a major upgrade from the Argos in every way and worth every penny of the $200 up-charge. I explained to Athlon repair where I purchased the scope and what I paid for it. They did not care what I paid for it, gave me original suggested retail value.

I find Athlon Optics is a good product. Better than most at the price point across the models that they compete with. Unfortunately everything we buy in this country comes from China nowadays. The US government has sold its sole to China????

 

[Starbuck]

I no longer buy Athlon. Have a Ares ETR and a Midas BTR. The Ares never held zero well. It will take a .5 moa round and produce 1.5 moa groups. And the Midas worked for a few years and then wouldnt hold zero as well. I also got and returned a Argos BTR that the parralax adjustment was broken out of the box. I have gotten bad SWFA's as well, but they cost half as much and I have never had a SWFA that was good fail. So far, and I have a few. So imo go SWFA(cheap) or buy Razor HD LHT or Mark 5 for hunting.
And Athlons are heavy, ok for a target/tactical stick but not good for hunting, unless you only hunting from a bind.
The only 2 scopes for a LR hunting rig is the Vortex Razor HD LHT ffp or the Leupold Mark 5. The Razor HD LHT sfp is ok for closer ranges. Athlon does have some nice reticles. I really liked the Ares though. Its sitting in a box waiting to go back. Will see how good Athlons warranty is. Vortex's is solid. I wore out my elevation turret on a Razor HD 5x20x50 and they replaced both turrects with the newer 10 mil rotation ones. Nice. Dont forget both Leupold and Vortex have MIL/LE/FR discount programs.

SSG:

IME, Vortex and Leupold are 2 brands that I wouldn't buy at this point. To be fair, I don't have direct experience with the Mk5's, but I do have experience with the Vortex model cited and a pile of other Leupolds. I know everything can fail, but there's a reason a lot of people know first hand just how good both of those companie's warranty and CS are.

There's other options out there for a LR hunting rig that go 25 ounces or less and are reliable.

 

[WahooYahoo]

"why do more people Not use these scopes, is it the weigh?"

^^^This^^^

I have one of their spotters though. Its lighter and brighter than the Razor and half of the price.