Much of Athlon's better scope offerings are new to the market. I became a dealer in March primarily due to the excellent quality of the Argos BTR scopes. In mid-April I received a Cronus BTR and Midas 1-6x. The Cronus is way better, by factor of 10x, compared to the NF NXS 8-32x I owned in 07. Maybe they got much better? I also owned an NF NXS 2.5-10x which was about as good as there was for an AR-10 in that era. Sold the 8-32x after 5 or 6 mos and kept the 2.5-10x for 6 or 7 years. The optic quality and weight of the NXS were the factors that influenced the almost immediate sale of the 8-32x. I also owned Leupold mk4 4-14x 50mm illum TMR at same time as the 8-32nxs. The optical quality was about the same but the mk4 was half the weight...
In 2012/3, I bought a Vortex Viper PST 4-16 50mm and found it about the same as the Mk4. I thought Vortex was very much a greater value than the MK4 in terms of money and features. Optically, they were about the same. This was NOT an FFP Viper PST, but $500 less than the mk4 or $1k less than the 8-32 nxs; that was a real value...
The Athlon Argos BTRs were on-par with the mk4 and Viper PST. At $370 for the 6-24x 50mm and $390 for the 8-34x 56mm they are in my judgement incredible values on many comparative levels. A day after receiving the Cronus BTR I took two Argos BTR with the Cronus for testing at our local airfield. I have written extensively about the quality of optical performance. Mostly, I concentrated on the 8-34x Argos and the 4.5-29x Cronus and the Argos was superb in all optical respects that I could see, out to 1100 measured yards. The Cronus BTR just kept on performing out to 1600yds which was the barrier to open testing ground that I had. 1100yds of measured asphalt runway gave many good evaluations for mirage and variations. I tested each scope on a Picatinny rail that I adapted to a camera copying bed and then threaded onto a heavy-rated camera tripod.
I have since acquired the new 8-34x Helos which is an upgraded Argos BTR selling at $590, and a 2nd FP Midas 4.5-27x also selling at same price point. Both have HD lens systems, upgraded coatings, Argon gas fill and side-focus parallax turret that also houses battery and reticle illumination dial. Both are excellent scopes, the Helos having a lift-up to adjust turret locking system that's super easy to zero & set a zero-stop spacer.
The optical quality of Athlon product is all excellent and superior to higher end product of Leupold, Burris, Vortex, Zeiss, IOR-Valdada. I have not owned high-end S&B PM II, or Hensoldt, Kahles, or the high-end Leupold Mk series. The Cronus BTR at $1800 street pricing is a 34mm tube that is more like a high-quality spotting scope in terms of optical resolution at distances well over a mile. The 25-1600 marked parallax with lots of extra room for adjustment to infinity is one feature you won't appreciate until you have it. These are entirely crafted by Light Optical Works like the $3200 March Tactical.
The Ares 2.5-15x scopes should be available now, with the 4.5-27x Ares coming in mid-July. These feature 100% LOW lens systems and internal components which are assembled in Athlon's Chinese factory. $800 & $850 respectively. I am very impressed with my 4.5-27x Midas 2nd FP moa scope as a hunting and longrange suitable scopesight. The Helos 8-34x serves as a great value scope for longrange rested shooting. The Cronus BTR is just superb as are all the other scopes from Argos BTR series on up; then when you compare costs, they are just that much more of an opportunity to improve your shooting.
I have owned Zeiss high-end binoculars, a Dialyt 1.5-6x and a number of Leica, Nikon, Canon cameras and lens systems. For years I rationalized that with Mk4, and Vortex PST, I didn't need better optical performance because a rifle scope is first and foremost a sight, not a taking lens. If you've ever used a Twin Lens Reflex camera you know what is special about a "taking lens"... The Leupold mk4s (I still own 5) are good quality scopes, as are the Vortex PST series. I had just received a 6-24x PST FFP before I got my first Athlon Argos BTRs. I sold my Vortex and moved the Leupolds to lesser spots in the gun quiver. The Helos and Midas series are really Great Values. No reason to think the Ares won't be very close to its 34mm tubed cousin, the Cronus BTR.
And yes! USA Warranty Servicecenter in Olath KS. Lifetime Warranty for any cause that transfers 100% to whomever later owns the scope. If i sound "biased" here, it is only because it is my goal to bring the best features and performance to those I might work with. That my "bias" also results in saving you a lot of money is just one more advantage in your corner. Compare to Athlon before you buy and then see for yourself.
glass in a syringe shield
It's all about perception of the American market and money making advertising.
