Author Topic: Athlon Cronus BTR (Read 1764 times))

PCPhack · « **on:** September 20, 2018, 05:48:21 PM »

I have been considering to try a Cronus BTR 4.5-29. I really like that range of zoom. My only concern is that I will be annoyed with my Sidewinders after I try it. Sometimes ignorance is bliss. Has anyone else tried one?

pecor · « **Reply #1 on:** September 20, 2018, 06:21:58 PM »

Seriously, Do You Shoot your Airgun out to 200-500 Yards?

If Not your just Flushing Cash Down the Toilet. Make a Donation To those people under water from the Hurricane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PCPhack · « **Reply #2 on:** September 20, 2018, 06:38:41 PM »

I will just say that yes, I shoot that far, and as well is useful with my eyesight. There are many features I liked when researching this one.

Also, it is my business who I donate to and when. I don't see the comment as constructive.

Tweeter · « **Reply #3 on:** September 20, 2018, 08:15:09 PM »

I have not used an Athlon scope but IMO, if I had $1800 to buy a scope I wouldn't get an Athlon. Not that it is a bad scope but why not buy something like March, Zeiss or Nightforce? Maybe you have already researched these and saw none that you liked but it just seems for that much money there has to be a solid option with a proven track record (again, not that the Cronus doesn't have one).

PCPhack · « **Reply #4 on:** September 20, 2018, 08:25:08 PM »

Thanks Justin. I certainly haven't researched them all, and is one reason I asked about them here, for feedback. I am still looking for sure.

AncientSword · « **Reply #5 on:** September 20, 2018, 10:34:19 PM »

I haven't seen one but they get good reviews. The new Eres ETR is supposed to be really good too and a little cheaper. I also hear the new Midas Tac might be the best scope value under $1000.

With your money, get what you want. It is nobody else business, for sure.

Frankly · « **Reply #6 on:** September 20, 2018, 11:30:23 PM »

When I shot long range I participated on the SnipersHide.com forum. They had the best classifieds section and those guys flip a lot of higher end scopes... at any given time there's several dozen in play, all the good stuff.

And it's a buyer's market.

I shot with a Vortex Razor II 4.5-27x56 that I took a $300 loss on reselling after six months, prices are descending. I wouldn't recommend that scope for an airgun (very heavy) but it's an example of falling prices.

The only bad thing about the more expensive scopes is getting spoilt and souring on cheaper scopes.

Of course getting a scope you don't want to use inside of 100 yards is somewhat impractical, also perhaps the 3-18 range is more useful?

PCPhack · « **Reply #7 on:** September 20, 2018, 11:42:19 PM »

Thanks Frank. I am also looking at the Vortex Viper PST Gen II. Good idea on the slightly used scopes. I do get that impression, that scopes that were 1500 to 2000 just a year or two ago, find competition by some of the newer options that are half the price. Still, top tier glass will always come with top cost. I do find that anything 100 yards or more, I pretty much stay at maximum magnification, and now I am really just talking about bench rest. The Cronus caught my eye due to the extreme zoom range, which would make a nice dual purpose scope.

PCPhack · « **Reply #8 on:** September 20, 2018, 11:56:03 PM »

Now I read a review that liked the Sidewinder more than the Viper. Lol

Bengunnin · « **Reply #9 on:** September 21, 2018, 12:04:36 AM »

I have an Athlon Argos, and I believe the Cronus should be a great scope for any mid to long range aplication. Its a scope that should look like it was handed down to men from God. SWFA hd, and Primary Arms platinum would be thoughts too. I'd pick my favorite retical and smile.

KnifeMaker · « **Reply #10 on:** September 21, 2018, 01:29:24 AM »

Sir, regardless of brand,
ANY high quality, high resolution scope (even upper middle tier) will make you look down on the Sidewinder.

There are many to choose from. The The upper end Athlon quality is top tier, yet not top tier in price.

Knife/Optics Nut

Jr007 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 21, 2018, 01:36:36 AM »

I've seen review on Cronus and most have said it right there with Razors Gen 2, Atacr F1 or better. Compare the price $1700 for the Cronus and the other two $2500 that's a easy choice for me. Its like compare a Corvette and Camaro with the same engine and trans but both cars run 9 sec 1/4 mile but one cost $60K and the other $35K. The scope I got my eye on is the Midas TAC 4-16x44 FFP I'm just waiting when they drop around $500 or less.

PCPhack · « **Reply #12 on:** September 21, 2018, 01:22:17 PM »

I think I will wait to do more research, and see what develops. In the meantime, I got yet another Sidewinder, the FFP one. This will give me some experience with FFP before I get a high end one, and also fulfill the immediate need for another scope. I have a friend who is wanting one in the next year, so I probably even have an easy buyer once I upgrade.

Frankly · « **Reply #13 on:** September 21, 2018, 01:40:30 PM »

If you hunt around you'll find that "LOW" in Japan makes a lot of the mid-high scopes like the Vortex Razor. If you rank a German scope a tick higher (cause they cost more) then a lot of $1700-$2500 Japanese scopes come out of that factory, I forgot which brands but you'd recognize them. Obviously further down the line you get Taiwanese and Red China manufacturing with varying quality levels. American brands like Bushnell and Vortex specify designs and have them built to hit price points so you may find several different subcontractors building scopes for your brand.

At the higher magnifications FFP makes a lot more sense, I use simple BDCs on the closer scopes but I'm not dialing when I am shooting fast or plinking either.

My experience with the mid-price scopes like the Vipers, etc. is that the long end magnification image quality suffers. And you have to give up something along the way, either less than ideal reticle, mushy currents, no FFP, no zero stop.

My best experience with a bargain scope has been with the SWFA fixed focal length scopes, I'd definitely circle back to them again if I had a need.

My only concern is that with a lot of nicer scopes you can't get close enough for shorter airgun ranges. Even if you have a gun capable of several hundred yards there are times you'd like to shoot at 10-20-50.

In the end get something on the gun to shoot with and use that as a benchmark. If you buy good used gear from reliable honest sellers then you aren't going to lose much if you resell later so you can sample several different kinds of scopes and learn what you like best. I did this with my long range and my AR rigs, now starting to get serious about airguns realizing it may be a couple year journey.

hollowpoint1911 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 25, 2018, 07:35:10 PM »

Quote from: PCPhack on September 21, 2018, 01:22:17 PM

I think I will wait to do more research, and see what develops. In the meantime, I got yet another Sidewinder, the FFP one. This will give me some experience with FFP before I get a high end one, and also fulfill the immediate need for another scope. I have a friend who is wanting one in the next year, so I probably even have an easy buyer once I upgrade.

Do you already have your Sidewinder FFP in your hands? I tried the 4-16x version, purchased through Optics Planet. I ended up with 2 scopes; one had the "mineral clay" desiccant packets explode inside the factory sealed box which covered everything in a fine grit, and the other had dust on the internal lens which glowed like a star when the illumination was turned on, and a bunch of "apprentice marks" on the side focus knob. I was pretty bummed about not being able to mount up the Sidewinder FFP to try out, but the QC issues and very very sloppy turrets stopped me from giving it a 3rd try. I've been wondering if I was just really that unlucky, or if there's actually some kind of quality issue with Hawke's new FFP glass.

Still in need of a new scope, I've been contemplating a SWFA 3-15, Vortex Viper Gen2, or something from Athlon. Such a hard decision especially when I need glass that I can use as close as 15 yards.

nced · « **Reply #15 on:** September 25, 2018, 07:45:16 PM »

Quote from: hollowpoint1911 on September 25, 2018, 07:35:10 PM

Quote from: PCPhack on September 21, 2018, 01:22:17 PM
I think I will wait to do more research, and see what develops. In the meantime, I got yet another Sidewinder, the FFP one. This will give me some experience with FFP before I get a high end one, and also fulfill the immediate need for another scope. I have a friend who is wanting one in the next year, so I probably even have an easy buyer once I upgrade.

Do you already have your Sidewinder FFP in your hands? I tried the 4-16x version, purchased through Optics Planet. I ended up with 2 scopes; one had the "mineral clay" desiccant packets explode inside the factory sealed box which covered everything in a fine grit, and the other had dust on the internal lens which glowed like a star when the illumination was turned on, and a bunch of "apprentice marks" on the side focus knob. I was pretty bummed about not being able to mount up the Sidewinder FFP to try out, but the QC issues and very very sloppy turrets stopped me from giving it a 3rd try. I've been wondering if I was just really that unlucky, or if there's actually some kind of quality issue with Hawke's new FFP glass.

Still in need of a new scope, I've been contemplating a SWFA 3-15, Vortex Viper Gen2, or something from Athlon. Such a hard decision especially when I need glass that I can use as close as 15 yards.

Consider is that the 3-15x44 Vortex Viper scope parallax is 20 yards to infinity. Maybe not a problem for many but I need a sharp focus down to 10 yards for some of my shooting.

Gear_Junkie · « **Reply #16 on:** September 25, 2018, 07:45:26 PM »

Quote from: hollowpoint1911 on September 25, 2018, 07:35:10 PM

I've been wondering if I was just really that unlucky, or if there's actually some kind of quality issue with Hawke's new FFP glass.

I've found Hawke's QC/QA to be horrible. It typically takes me 2 or 3 scopes before I get a good one. However, when you DO get a good one, I think they are very good for the price point.

Good Luck!

PCPhack · « **Reply #17 on:** September 25, 2018, 07:57:39 PM »

I have a few few second focal plane Sidewinders. They were both fine on the first try. I will inform this thread if I see any issues with the FFP one after I receive it and have some time with it.

bandg · « **Reply #18 on:** September 25, 2018, 08:00:03 PM »

No complaints about Hawke scopes for me. The one's I have (both Airmax and Sidewinder) have worked well for the price point. No issues with clarity or function for intended use. They don't match my Nightforce NXS but I surely don't believe any of the others mentioned would either.

hollowpoint1911 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 25, 2018, 08:37:45 PM »

Quote from: nced on September 25, 2018, 07:45:16 PM

Consider is that the 3-15x44 Vortex Viper scope parallax is 20 yards to infinity. Maybe not a problem for many but I need a sharp focus down to 10 yards for some of my shooting.

That's been my biggest issue when considering the Vortex. I've come across a few guys who say their scope will focus down inside of 20 yards at lower magnification, but I haven't seen hard numbers (example: someone saying they have sharp focus at 10 yards at 6x). It would be nice to talk to a owner who actually uses their Vortex Viper FFP at close distances, but it seems like there aren't too many of those use cases.

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Athlon Cronus BTR

Author Topic: Athlon Cronus BTR (Read 1764 times))