I have the Cronus and love it. I sold my Ares BTR because I prefer a thinner reticle, but it was a great value. I'm looking forward to your field testing.
I bought the Athlon Cronus BTR after your other review in the field. Im glad you check them out first.It save us a lot of time ,money and frustration.many Thanx
Rex glad you're finally getting to look at them,.. You took a good look at my Cronus BTR in PA RexLiveFire. ..it has done me well and I have the Ares ETR as well plus a few other Athlons and 20+ other pieces of glass.. in my view so far the Athlons are the best glass per buck. Cronus BTR has been out about a year plus and the Ares ETR is brand new out last month. Will be interesting to see how your testing goes. Rock on and bend, strain and break them so they can learn and make them better!!
@@Savage1776_ So far so good my tracking test was really good and have been able to shoot really good groups with mine. The turrets are rock solid and the feel and audible sound is super good compared to some of the old Athlons. I have a couple UA-cam vids up on the Ares ETR as well and I have about 8 Athlons and almost 30 pieces of glass.. so far so good and its hard to be a Athlon for the buck
If both the Cronus BTR and Ares ETR were in your price range which one would you choose? Do you feel the Cronus offers enough more to justify the price difference? Also, if instead of long range you were intending to use the optic in the 10-100m range such as NRL22 competition would that change which one you would pick? Do they focus differently at such close distances on small targets?
@@sethrich5998 Well the mags are close enough.. the glass is better in the Cronus and the reticle is finer in the Cronus and it has the + in the center vs the dot in the ETR. I prefer the + but I hear they plan to come out with Cronus with the dot as well maybe as 2 options. this year. For any 22 both scopes in my view are over kill... but both are great for long range or ELR unless you want to go tier one,. The Cronus is the best still.. but the ETR got great loud/tactile turrets and a deal for the money. I recently bought another Cronus so I have 2 now with one Ares ETR..
randall c That’s good to hear. I’m intending on using the same optic on both an AR10 308 (already have a 1-6x I switch between the AR15 & AR10) and a 22lr while also planning ahead if I move up to PRS in the future. They both seemed like they could fit those three roles well enough. So far I’ve been unable to find anyone that stocks them locally to take a look first hand unfortunately.
@@sethrich5998 Generally they are sold by dealers Aaron Michaud on FB is who I get mine from he runs the FB group Athlon Optics Enthusiasts. I would just say 27/30 x mag is way more than you need for 308 or 22LR
Thank You for the Optics lesson . . . Very Cool. And yes Robin Hood with Kevin Costner & Morgan Freeman is a Classic with all kinds of great life lessons.
I bought the Athlonn Ares ETR after one of you other videos on Athlon Ares ETR....YOU ole Scope Snob..hahaha And it's a damn good one too.I like my SWFA SS 3-15×42 a lot too. I've learned a lot about Good Optics because of and from you.Hell I use to think Redfield Scope was a great scope many years ago.lol But I was not shooting past 300 yards then either.Thanks Rex
Got my original Cronus for like $940 when the btr was introduced and they were trying to clear out the old inventory. Have been very happy with it as a first actually nice optic, especially at that price point.
I bought an Ares BTR right before they launched the ETR. I'm kicking myself for not holding out. The ETR seems to have significantly better optics as far as tunneling and reticle are concerned. I cant complain too much though because it has held up to my 300 win mag pretty well so far.
Hey Rex... How does this compared to the Primary Arms Platinum? Love the channel man. I guess I should say which one would you spend your money on if you could only buy one?
What happened to that promised optical comparison test between these two? I'm considering the Cronus BTR and curious how it compares to the ETR optically.
I'm torn between this scope and the leupold vx-3i ffp with the cch reticle. Have you used that leupold? What would you say would be best? I'll be putting it on my 6.5cm and possibly a .338LM. The rifles will be used for hunting aswell as just shooting for fun. Think the leupold is about $200 cheaper but I'm not sure.
Rex, great video! I'm currently halfway on a true USMC build sheet spec M40A3 build. I'll be buying a S&B PMII 3-12x50 soon. What are your thoughts on the S&B PMII scopes? Can't wait to try out that scope. Looking to get quarter inch to half inch (0.25-0.50) MOA accuracy out of this rifle build. GA Precision will be doing the custom gunsmithing work for the action, scope base lug slotting "clip slotting", recoil lug, Schneider barrel, and epoxy bedding. So far I have a factory Remington 700 Police barreled action sitting in a McMillan A4 stock with the Badger Ordnance M5 BDM bottom metal. I already like the looks and feel. Can't wait to have the rest of it finished. It's a slow expensive process too. Lol I was in the Marines for 5 years and I'm collecting weapons that were in service the same time I was in service. So far I got the FN M4, and a Mossberg M590A1. I'll be finishing this M40A3 build within the next year, and I'll be getting a used surplus M9. That's the 4 main USMC service weapons I'm wanting to collect.
5 years and no replies. Maybe he does not get free stuff from S&B. Just guessing, I might be wrong. Maybe I am wrong as I see he did not reply to anyone's comments.
AMPhoteric Had a chance to look at both the other day. The ERT has slightly better glass, barely. The vortex felt better build and looks better imo. But the etr has the 30x power, which might come in handy. Still not sure. Lol
@@posjoey Yeah from my experience the glass really shows it's quality, or lack of, at those higher magnifications. Gave up my Burris XTR II for that reason, glass was hardly even usable above 18-20X for those longer shots.
Thanks AMPhoteric...I had originally considered a Burris XTR II 5-25 simply because I won't Vortex and had heard it tops out around 22x...am considering the Ares ETR now...same features set but just better!
Humm .... I disagree Rex on your explanation of the rays propagation depending on the shape. The front set of glass have different refraction indice to make the scope shorter and you may have ED or UD or HD glass in there to have all the different waves lenghts focusing at the exact same spot. It's a combination of different types of glass having different refraction properties to finally reach the point of focus for all waves lenghts. If the scope isn't that good the wave lenghts do not focus exactly at the same point and give you some sort of blurry point of focus. And that has to be for all distances when you set your parallax, complicated. Personnally I would go for the shorter one because it probably imply better quality glass. Also your parallax settings should be faster because the moving glass should move on a shorter distance.
The XTR IIs are really lacking in glass quality at higher end magnification. Below 18X they’re great, turrets and all. Above 18-20 the glass gets dark and really foggy. I traded the 5-25 for a 4-20 for this reason, but then sold it since the top end magnification wasn’t very clear.
Brandon Kasch to be honest I rather him buy optics and gear. That’s why everyone here is here but you. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. Edit: change your name to Crazy Boots, we still know it’s you Brandon!
I can't believe that I've been watching your vid's for 6y now! Keep them coming, I love your content :)
I have the Cronus and love it. I sold my Ares BTR because I prefer a thinner reticle, but it was a great value. I'm looking forward to your field testing.
Thx for the First Impression review was thinking about picking up the ETR for my 6.5 Grendel build
Aww hell yes Im looking at an argos, real glad you reviewed this!
I bought the Athlon Cronus BTR after your other review in the field. Im glad you check them out first.It save us a lot of time ,money and frustration.many Thanx
Rex glad you're finally getting to look at them,.. You took a good look at my Cronus BTR in PA RexLiveFire. ..it has done me well and I have the Ares ETR as well plus a few other Athlons and 20+ other pieces of glass.. in my view so far the Athlons are the best glass per buck. Cronus BTR has been out about a year plus and the Ares ETR is brand new out last month. Will be interesting to see how your testing goes. Rock on and bend, strain and break them so they can learn and make them better!!
@@Savage1776_ So far so good my tracking test was really good and have been able to shoot really good groups with mine. The turrets are rock solid and the feel and audible sound is super good compared to some of the old Athlons. I have a couple UA-cam vids up on the Ares ETR as well and I have about 8 Athlons and almost 30 pieces of glass.. so far so good and its hard to be a Athlon for the buck
If both the Cronus BTR and Ares ETR were in your price range which one would you choose? Do you feel the Cronus offers enough more to justify the price difference? Also, if instead of long range you were intending to use the optic in the 10-100m range such as NRL22 competition would that change which one you would pick? Do they focus differently at such close distances on small targets?
@@sethrich5998 Well the mags are close enough.. the glass is better in the Cronus and the reticle is finer in the Cronus and it has the + in the center vs the dot in the ETR. I prefer the + but I hear they plan to come out with Cronus with the dot as well maybe as 2 options. this year. For any 22 both scopes in my view are over kill... but both are great for long range or ELR unless you want to go tier one,. The Cronus is the best still.. but the ETR got great loud/tactile turrets and a deal for the money. I recently bought another Cronus so I have 2 now with one Ares ETR..
randall c That’s good to hear. I’m intending on using the same optic on both an AR10 308 (already have a 1-6x I switch between the AR15 & AR10) and a 22lr while also planning ahead if I move up to PRS in the future. They both seemed like they could fit those three roles well enough. So far I’ve been unable to find anyone that stocks them locally to take a look first hand unfortunately.
@@sethrich5998 Generally they are sold by dealers Aaron Michaud on FB is who I get mine from he runs the FB group Athlon Optics Enthusiasts. I would just say 27/30 x mag is way more than you need for 308 or 22LR
So excited to see your full review
I have the 2.5-15x50 ARES btr on my savage .260- ffp ir moa- LOVE IT !!!
Would be interested to see which you prefer out of these 2
Would like to see your full review on the Cronus as well. Maybe a hear your points on differences etc. Thanks 🙏 for all the great videos.
Actually the image is inverted not just flipped upside down. Inverted means flipped upside down and flipped left/right.
Thank You for the Optics lesson . . . Very Cool. And yes Robin Hood with Kevin Costner & Morgan Freeman is a Classic with all kinds of great life lessons.
I bought the Athlonn Ares ETR after one of you other videos on Athlon Ares ETR....YOU ole Scope Snob..hahaha
And it's a damn good one too.I like my SWFA SS 3-15×42 a lot too. I've learned a lot about Good Optics because of and from you.Hell I use to think Redfield Scope was a great scope many years ago.lol But I was not shooting past 300 yards then either.Thanks Rex
Got my original Cronus for like $940 when the btr was introduced and they were trying to clear out the old inventory. Have been very happy with it as a first actually nice optic, especially at that price point.
I have that same scope, works great
I bought an Ares BTR right before they launched the ETR. I'm kicking myself for not holding out. The ETR seems to have significantly better optics as far as tunneling and reticle are concerned. I cant complain too much though because it has held up to my 300 win mag pretty well so far.
Hey Rex... How does this compared to the Primary Arms Platinum? Love the channel man. I guess I should say which one would you spend your money on if you could only buy one?
What happened to that promised optical comparison test between these two? I'm considering the Cronus BTR and curious how it compares to the ETR optically.
I have a ares btr on my bergara hmr and I love it.
I have Athlon Helos and love it
I'm torn between this scope and the leupold vx-3i ffp with the cch reticle. Have you used that leupold? What would you say would be best? I'll be putting it on my 6.5cm and possibly a .338LM. The rifles will be used for hunting aswell as just shooting for fun. Think the leupold is about $200 cheaper but I'm not sure.
Rex, great video! I'm currently halfway on a true USMC build sheet spec M40A3 build. I'll be buying a S&B PMII 3-12x50 soon.
What are your thoughts on the S&B PMII scopes?
Can't wait to try out that scope. Looking to get quarter inch to half inch (0.25-0.50) MOA accuracy out of this rifle build. GA Precision will be doing the custom gunsmithing work for the action, scope base lug slotting "clip slotting", recoil lug, Schneider barrel, and epoxy bedding. So far I have a factory Remington 700 Police barreled action sitting in a McMillan A4 stock with the Badger Ordnance M5 BDM bottom metal. I already like the looks and feel. Can't wait to have the rest of it finished. It's a slow expensive process too. Lol
I was in the Marines for 5 years and I'm collecting weapons that were in service the same time I was in service. So far I got the FN M4, and a Mossberg M590A1. I'll be finishing this M40A3 build within the next year, and I'll be getting a used surplus M9.
That's the 4 main USMC service weapons I'm wanting to collect.
5 years and no replies. Maybe he does not get free stuff from S&B. Just guessing, I might be wrong. Maybe I am wrong as I see he did not reply to anyone's comments.
Hay Rex @ 2:35 did you say let's have a look at this Bird Or Trud?
Is full review for these 2 scopes still in the works?
Rex. Any interim updates yet on the Ares BTR? I'm about to "pull the trigger" and buy one. Did you manage to beat it up yet? Even a small beating?
Those of you who have experience with both, would you recommend the Ares ETR or the Cronus?
Light optics in japan also from what i was told makes the high end barra optics FT and MP models
Rex, you had the Cronus why not a review on it. Seem that you have more interest in ETR
He said it was a PM2! You heard it here first people! LOL
AThlon has caught so much grief over non audible clicks that that was more than likely priority 1 on the ETR
Because audible clicks are important when you're wearing ear-pro and other people are shooting around you. 🙄
Put a cronus btr on my savage msr 10 long range 6.5 creedmoor, really nice optics from a new company.
I was digging the CRANUS. Tel I seen it was 2k. I guess my barska will have to do .....
THANK YOU
Awesome!!
I've got one of these and like it pretty good
How long will you test them for?
Do viewers really care about opening the Box dialog 😉
I'm in the market for either the ares etr, or a vortex pst gen 2. Those are in my budget. No idea which one. Can't decide.
In the same boat. Everyone I’ve talked to is pushing me towards the Athlon over the Vortex. Apparently the glass is better in the Athlon.
AMPhoteric Had a chance to look at both the other day. The ERT has slightly better glass, barely. The vortex felt better build and looks better imo. But the etr has the 30x power, which might come in handy. Still not sure. Lol
@@posjoey Yeah from my experience the glass really shows it's quality, or lack of, at those higher magnifications. Gave up my Burris XTR II for that reason, glass was hardly even usable above 18-20X for those longer shots.
Thanks AMPhoteric...I had originally considered a Burris XTR II 5-25 simply because I won't Vortex and had heard it tops out around 22x...am considering the Ares ETR now...same features set but just better!
Ares etr is my vote
Humm .... I disagree Rex on your explanation of the rays propagation depending on the shape. The front set of glass have different refraction indice to make the scope shorter and you may have ED or UD or HD glass in there to have all the different waves lenghts focusing at the exact same spot. It's a combination of different types of glass having different refraction properties to finally reach the point of focus for all waves lenghts. If the scope isn't that good the wave lenghts do not focus exactly at the same point and give you some sort of blurry point of focus.
And that has to be for all distances when you set your parallax, complicated.
Personnally I would go for the shorter one because it probably imply better quality glass. Also your parallax settings should be faster because the moving glass should move on a shorter distance.
Could u do a test on the burris xtr 2, 4x20x50
The XTR IIs are really lacking in glass quality at higher end magnification. Below 18X they’re great, turrets and all. Above 18-20 the glass gets dark and really foggy. I traded the 5-25 for a 4-20 for this reason, but then sold it since the top end magnification wasn’t very clear.
All this $$$ to buy new expensive optics but cant get a legit camera and microphone setup for us to see that pretty scope bahhh
Brandon Kasch to be honest I rather him buy optics and gear. That’s why everyone here is here but you. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
Edit: change your name to Crazy Boots, we still know it’s you Brandon!
Lol
I wouldn't let us touch. my dog. first mount it on rifle then show features
I don’t think I’d buy the Cronus, name reminds me of something...
Crusty Anus ??? 🤔
Joe Dirt corona virus. Crusty anus was good guess tho
Rex you kind of remind me of Ted Nugent. LOL. That's a compliment don't worry.
Josh Anderson yea sounds just like him lol
Him and Ted could jam, would be fun to watch 🤣
ETR > Cronus BTR
I've got one of these and like it pretty good