Athlon 15-60X BR Scopes

[TommyD11730]

Rumor has it a Ares 15-60 Gen II is headed our way. Hope they can tweek the eye relief some.

 

[Raydee]

A couple different reticles would be great too.

 

[cavedweller60]

Rumor has it a Ares 15-60 Gen II is headed our way. Hope they can tweek the eye relief some.

If I'm not mistaken, eye relief is determined primarily by scope magnification and objective size....it's a physics thing, not an Athlon thing. In looking at eye reliefs of similar scopes, I found that the Sightron 10-50 x 60, it's 3.8-4.5 inches, in NF 15-55 x 52 comp, it's 3.2 inches and, in the Athlon Ares 15-60 x 56, its 3.7 inches. Considering the extra magnification that the Athlon has, the eye relief is better than the NF and in line with the Sightron. If you want a better eye relief, the way you get it is with lower magnification scopes, with larger objectives, or with both.

 

[TommyD11730]

If I'm not mistaken, eye relief is determined primarily by scope magnification and objective size....it's a physics thing, not an Athlon thing. In looking at eye reliefs of similar scopes, I found that the Sightron 10-50 x 60, it's 3.8-4.5 inches, in NF 15-55 x 52 comp, it's 3.2 inches and, in the Athlon Ares 15-60 x 56, its 3.7 inches. Considering the extra magnification that the Athlon has, the eye relief is better than the NF and in line with the Sightron. If you want a better eye relief, the way you get it is with lower magnification scopes, with larger objectives, or with both.

Interesting.
I can tell you after a day at 40x I'm about to go cross-eyed.

Thanks 4 the education

 

[Pareto]

Any more comparisons on the Heras vs Ares? I have been very happy with the Heras, but wonder if the Ares is a worthwhile improvement for 50 to 100 yard benchrest. Or is it not really worth it?

 

[Steveb]

I had both and I didn't see any difference in the glass between them with my eyes. When I went to reorder for another rifle for up to 300 meter shooting, I ordered the Heras. Unfortunately, they were out of stock and I am waiting for another batch to come in.

 

[dusterdave173]

BlueCollar might have in stock

 

[Trigger71]

Any updates on the rumored Ares Gen 2? Potentially new turrets and glass coatings was one guys were discussing--nothing on eye relief or parallax...
I know when they did the G2 on the Helos BTR 6-24 they went from 30 mm tube to 34. Went both of my 6-24's parallax failed, they replaced with the 4-20. When I called and asked why, they told me the change in tube size and that the G2 wouldn't fit my rings. I decided to keep the 4-20 as I liked the reticle better and I had bad luck with both of the bigger brothers. Also, prices were about similar.

I'm holding off for the Gen 2 Ares and missed the black friday deals I found on the G1. I hope the rumors are true.

 

[kojaone]

I called Athion tech last week about an getting an extra turret cap for a Cronus NRL 22 set up.
I asked about the Ares ,mainly the parralax limits,fellow did not answer with a yes or no, but said wait a month or so,watch their web.
Seem to get the same answer from folks who have to use boats to ship products in.

 

[Sandstorm]

They are all waiting for a boat.

 

[TommyD11730]

Just a (not so) quick note on this scope. I shot it this season on my 223 "bench" rifle. It's my first scope I ever owned with greater then 25x (Athlon Midas Tac).
With the 25x Tac I normally shot a 3" target @ 200Y on full mag.
When I got the Ares I reduced my targets to 1" and normally ran the magnification @ 40x.
Honestly I struggled with the Ares. The eyebox was very tight. While the glass was clearer then the Tac I was also fighting Mirage @40x.
Honestly other then being able to see my 22 holes easily now I was not impressed.

Then something interesting happend. I was finishing a day of load development @ 100Y. I had some time, and some rounds left. Noticing a fellow shooter had left his target board @ 200 I aimed at it.
Hey was shooting a target that was 3". @ my "normal" setting of 40x the targets were huge. So I start dialing back, way way back to just below 15x. Playing with the ultra sensitive paralax gave me a great pic.
The lower mag seemed to give my eye some relief. The eyebox sure felt more generous (if that's even possible) and the image was brighter and mirage free. The paralax still is very, very touchy though.
I'm only a sample size of one, so take it for what's it worth.

Now I'm faced with a decision. Im putting together a rifle for 200Y (30BR). Do I buy the Gen 2 version of this when it comes out (I'm guessing for around 1300)
. Or do I use the Gen 1 version I already own on it. Of course the 223 would need a new scope and I'm thinking the Cronos (29x) that's on sale for about 1k would make a fine replacment.

 

[dusterdave173]

I have been following this thread
I have one of these scopes--have had it for a few months
I Like it--It is sharp as they get--bright! I think eye box is tricky on any scope at highest magnifications--For the $$ I don't think there is one thing wrong with this series of scopes
All of this type of target scopes has very fine cross hairs and fine dot--That alone is trouble for many older eyes and so some try these type and move on---
Point is these are great scopes and work fine --deals are everywhere on them and for the $$ they are pretty sweet deal
I would expect any new version to be more $$ that makes you consider the other offerings like Sightron or Nightforce and you still have to deal with the fine lines

 

[KMW 1954]

I too have been following this thread from the beginning. I have been using an Argos BTR GenII 10-40x56 for over a year now and it is now on it's second rifle. A Savage 110 action with a Shilen Match Select, 28", 4 groove, 6mm ARC. Used between 100-300yds at .5MOA targets, shooting for scores. Don't know that spending for another $700.00 more expensive scope would really play all that much difference in my scores. But again I am not trying to shoot to 600+yds.

I will add this, changing to this SFP scope from a FFP scope has really paid off for this play.

 

[pokadex_]

Just a (not so) quick note on this scope. I shot it this season on my 223 "bench" rifle. It's my first scope I ever owned with greater then 25x (Athlon Midas Tac).
With the 25x Tac I normally shot a 3" target @ 200Y on full mag.
When I got the Ares I reduced my targets to 1" and normally ran the magnification @ 40x.
Honestly I struggled with the Ares. The eyebox was very tight. While the glass was clearer then the Tac I was also fighting Mirage @40x.
Honestly other then being able to see my 22 holes easily now I was not impressed.

Then something interesting happend. I was finishing a day of load development @ 100Y. I had some time, and some rounds left. Noticing a fellow shooter had left his target board @ 200 I aimed at it.
Hey was shooting a target that was 3". @ my "normal" setting of 40x the targets were huge. So I start dialing back, way way back to just below 15x. Playing with the ultra sensitive paralax gave me a great pic.
The lower mag seemed to give my eye some relief. The eyebox sure felt more generous (if that's even possible) and the image was brighter and mirage free. The paralax still is very, very touchy though.
I'm only a sample size of one, so take it for what's it worth.

Now I'm faced with a decision. Im putting together a rifle for 200Y (30BR). Do I buy the Gen 2 version of this when it comes out (I'm guessing for around 1300)
. Or do I use the Gen 1 version I already own on it. Of course the 223 would need a new scope and I'm thinking the Cronos (29x) that's on sale for about 1k would make a fine replacment.

That is all to be expected with a high magnification scope. You aren't going to find anything in the 40x range that doesn't have the eyebox, mirage, and parallax issues. Mirage is external to the scope so the idea that glass can somehow fix it is a bit misguided. A good scope will actually enhance the mirage but that can be used to make better wind calls.