Optika6 3-18x50 vs Ares ETR 3-18x50

[Sqwirl57]

Different people, Different eyesight,different shooting conditions.. for my eyesight 3x18 is the minimum I could use..because I could only usually do 100y + don't have anything closer to shoot.. n trying to hit some the a bit wider than a golf ball 100y + in 6 power for me is really uncomfortable..you are mixing 2 different things n never assume what gun the other guy is using..this is a open fourum to express your experience with products .. nex time try not to be a smart ass .. n don't pick a members comment..to expose your opinions..you could only help by expressing how the product had worked for you .. n for me n my use it didn't work..

You didn't use it lol. You opened the box, looked through it, and sent it straight back. Your own words. That is not a review and this was not me being a smartass. I was pointing out the massive flaw in your comment so that others didn't take your bad advice to heart. Anyone who unboxes an optic, looks through it, and immediately ships it back clearly doesn't know what they should be looking for in a long range optic.

Carry on though. You do you.

 

[Sqwirl57]

Helpful points, thanks.

The requirements for the glass quality that a shooter has depend very much on the shooting scenarios....

▪ Young eyes
vs. old eyes

▪ Seeing the target
vs. seeing the hits on the target (.22 holes at 100y are pretty hard to see)

▪ Using the scope to shoot
vs. using the scope to shoot and to film

▪ Squirrel ranges
vs. pigeon ranges
vs. prairie dog ranges

▪ Target shooting at 50y
vs. target shooting at 100y, 200y, etc.

▪ Normal scope user
vs. glass snob (not my term, that was self-applied by several here )



I think I like scopes as much as I like guns. They're just fascinating!

Matthias

I forgot I had these videos and hopefully they'll help make your decision easier. These scope cam videos were made using an Ares BTR Gen 1 (definitely a step down in clarity and FOV from the ETR), a SideShot phone mount, and my 4 year old Samsung Galaxy cell phone. This is how they came out using sub optimal recording equipment...

Here is some 200m, 15-20mph crosswind fun with 26gr pellets.

I have many, many, many more but they're all hunting videos and didn't want to post them outside of the Hunting section.

Long story short, any of the above mentioned optics will give you similar results or better depending on your recording equipment. I am partial to the Athlon optics myself. They are great quality and backed up by one of the best warrantees on the market.

 

[strow]

Thank you all for the detailed input!!!

I haven't seen it mentioned but does anyone know if the Optika6 3-18x50 FFP "tunnels" at the lower powers?

I have a NF ATACR 5-25x FFP and it starts to tunnel at 6.5-7x. The image will get smaller down to 5x but you get no increased field of view, just a thicker black doughnut. So the ATACR 5-25...is basically a 7-25 in usable magnification and FOV. I am hoping the Optika6 does not tunnel.

 

[Macros]

I had the 3-18x56 optika6 and it certainly didn’t tunnel. I agree with the others here - it’s an exceptionally good scope for its price.
The 7-35 ATACR also tunnels at the low end btw. That is one scope I feel is the poster child for overrated and overpriced…

 

[mercado]

You didn't use it lol. You opened the box, looked through it, and sent it straight back. Your own words. That is not a review and this was not me being a smartass. I was pointing out the massive flaw in your comment so that others didn't take your bad advice to heart. Anyone who unboxes an optic, looks through it, and immediately ships it back clearly doesn't know what they should be looking for in a long range optic.

Carry on though. You do you.

A smart ass again so you are assuming that I take the time to install the optic. And didn't used the whole day before send it back the next day.. I really wanted to work but since both track the same for me I send it back..primarily they send me a bronze scope and I ordered black... people here don't really like smart ass dudes.. then again if it works for you..great have fun..what you should have done is help by explaining why it worked for you. This is why we are here..

 

[Sqwirl57]

A smart ass again so you are assuming that I take the time to install the optic. And didn't used the whole day before send it back the next day.. I really wanted to work but since both track the same for me I send it back..primarily they send me a bronze scope and I ordered black... people here don't really like smart ass dudes.. then again if it works for you..great have fun

You have a great day too!

 

[peaceful_ruler]

Well....that escalated quickly.

@strow For your sake(and the rest of us) I really wish someone that has extended user experience with the 34mm Ares 3-18 ETR would chime in now and tell us what its about. That glass is supposed to be the best glass that you can get from the far east...they weigh within an 2(per manufacturer 30 oz=Meopta and 31.4=Athlon) ounces of each other and are within 1/4" of length. Pretty much rivals! If someone sends me their Ares I could compare it to my Meopta For the price points it seems that the Ares must have the edge with IQ...

 

[steve123]

Then you have just saved me the madness .. of spending a lot more money..because for my use arken have been perfect in the tracking for me ..so if arken give me the tracking I need.. and more magnification + a higher cost will not impress me .. then there is no need for me to spend more money.. ETR glass was not better n the turrets I didn't like them enough to keep it .. but glad that you are enjoying yours .

Its my experience that it takes getting into "certain" expensive scopes before one starts seeing noticeable differences in IQ. Even then someone might prefer one brand vs another in how the optics come off to them.

Just for everyone's information on my view for FFP scopes IQ.

Top of tier 1 scopes is the Tangent Theta that has superb glass which is instantly noticed.
ZCO has very very good glass but to me its not any better than the S&B FFP. Most people prefer ZCO over S&B in IQ though.
My March Genesis has super nice glass to me vs the other March FFP I've owned. The IQ appears superior to me than my S&B PM2 5-25x56.
Every Swarovski bino or riflescope has been a wonderful eye popping experience, just superb glass! But feature wise - I'd take the NF, glass wise - the Swaro which is SFP and the cleanest IQ I've seen so far.
Just mentioning that not one NF scope I've owned out of five, or have been behind at matches, had excellent glass "to me".

So it very well might suit most people to never go down this $$$$ road unless you want to spend a lot of money and still might not feel you got what you were hoping for.

OP,
This is conjecture but from what I've read the Meopta scopes have very good glass, maybe preferable to Athlon, but I also conjecture that the ETR line of Athlon is more refined in turret feel??? I do love the Koskin FML-TR1 style FFP reticle but not anymore than the all .2 mil reticles in the Athlon. Though I would likely decide on which has the thicker line thickness of the reticle if they were close to the same price which would be nice to have on lower magnification.

I would order both scopes from an outfit that has a good return policy and send the one back that lost out.

 

[mercado]

Its my experience that it takes getting into "certain" expensive scopes before one starts seeing noticeable differences in IQ. Even then someone might prefer one brand vs another in how the optics come off to them.

Just for everyone's information on my view for FFP scopes IQ.

Top of tier 1 scopes is the Tangent Theta that has superb glass which is instantly noticed.
ZCO has very very good glass but to me its not any better than the S&B FFP. Most people prefer ZCO over S&B in IQ though.
My March Genesis has super nice glass to me vs the other March FFP I've owned. The IQ appears superior to me than my S&B PM2 5-25x56.
Every Swarovski bino or riflescope has been a wonderful eye popping experience, just superb glass! But feature wise - I'd take the NF, glass wise - the Swaro which is SFP and the cleanest IQ I've seen so far.
Just mentioning that not one NF scope I've owned out of five, or have been behind at matches, had excellent glass "to me".

So it very well might suit most people to never go down this $$$$ road unless you want to spend a lot of money and still might not feel you got what you were hoping for.

OP,
This is conjecture but from what I've read the Meopta scopes have very good glass, maybe preferable to Athlon, but I also conjecture that the ETR line of Athlon is more refined in turret feel??? I do love the Koskin FML-TR1 style FFP reticle but not anymore than the all .2 mil reticles in the Athlon. Though I would likely decide on which has the thicker line thickness of the reticle if they were close to the same price which would be nice to have on lower magnification.

I would order both scopes from an outfit that has a good return policy and send the one back that lost out.

I really appreciate you sharing your experiences with expensive scopes.. in my approach to any hobbie. I only wanted to make the expense if there is really a gain.. it would be easier if ones been able to go to a store n look and make a decision..but paying upfront n hope for the best..is a really hard shoice to make.. thanks a lot.. now I know that for my use I don't need anything else..

 

[JungleShooter]

Its my experience that it takes getting into "certain" expensive scopes before one starts seeing noticeable differences in IQ. Even then someone might prefer one brand vs another in how the optics come off to them.

Just for everyone's information on my view for FFP scopes IQ.

Top of tier 1 scopes is the Tangent Theta that has superb glass which is instantly noticed.
ZCO has very very good glass but to me its not any better than the S&B FFP. Most people prefer ZCO over S&B in IQ though.
My March Genesis has super nice glass to me vs the other March FFP I've owned. The IQ appears superior to me than my S&B PM2 5-25x56.
Every Swarovski bino or riflescope has been a wonderful eye popping experience, just superb glass! But feature wise - I'd take the NF, glass wise - the Swaro which is SFP and the cleanest IQ I've seen so far.
Just mentioning that not one NF scope I've owned out of five, or have been behind at matches, had excellent glass "to me".

So it very well might suit most people to never go down this $$$$ road unless you want to spend a lot of money and still might not feel you got what you were hoping for.

OP,
This is conjecture but from what I've read the Meopta scopes have very good glass, maybe preferable to Athlon, but I also conjecture that the ETR line of Athlon is more refined in turret feel??? I do love the Koskin FML-TR1 style FFP reticle but not anymore than the all .2 mil reticles in the Athlon. Though I would likely decide on which has the thicker line thickness of the reticle if they were close to the same price which would be nice to have on lower magnification.

I would order both scopes from an outfit that has a good return policy and send the one back that lost out.

Steve,

I had literally been waiting for your response for days....!
Thank you. As always: enlightening and helpful.

Matthias

 

[CyberDyneSystems]

You didn't use it lol. You opened the box, looked through it, and sent it straight back. Your own words. That is not a review and this was not me being a smartass. I was pointing out the massive flaw in your comment so that others didn't take your bad advice to heart. Anyone who unboxes an optic, looks through it, and immediately ships it back clearly doesn't know what they should be looking for in a long range optic.

Carry on though. You do you.

I get your point, but you've apparently never looked through a bad MTC then! lol
They are that bad! (at least the two I have received are)
One can easily decide it's POS based on just looking through it. When it feels like your looking through two screen doors,. it's just that bad. Why take the time to mount it? (and yes I've shot them too, two of my rifles from AOA came with MTC's mounted. Both have been replaced with Meopta.)

Surely there are other scopes so bad you can tell with a first look through. Even good ones, that you personally like, it's always possible that someone else received a 'bad one" Every manufacturer lets QC issues out the door, every manufacture has potential for invisible shipping damage. All of which could be easily spotted with just a good look through the glass, without mounting or shooting.

My point being, it is never likely that anyone else's experience will be the same as yours.

 

[CyberDyneSystems]

As for my own opinion, to date, the Meopta scopes I have are the best I've used. If the Ares ETR is in fact comparable in glass quality, then I will seriously want to consider them, as I understand that Athlon may have more options and features. Glass/ image quality, remains my biggest concern. For that the Optika 5 and 6 I shoot are the best.

 

[Sqwirl57]

I get your point, but you've apparently never looked through a bad MTC then! lol
They are that bad! (at least the two I have received are)
One can easily decide it's POS based on just looking through it. When it feels like your looking through two screen doors,. it's just that bad. Why take the time to mount it? (and yes I've shot them too, two of my rifles from AOA came with MTC's mounted. Both have been replaced with Meopta.)

Surely there are other scopes so bad you can tell with a first look through. Even good ones, that you personally like, it's always possible that someone else received a 'bad one" Every manufacturer lets QC issues out the door, every manufacture has potential for invisible shipping damage. All of which could be easily spotted with just a good look through the glass, without mounting or shooting.

My point being, it is never likely that anyone else's experience will be the same as yours.

We weren't talking about MTC though. Those are $400 optics that are very clearly $400 optics. The ETR on the other hand is arguably the best all around performance you can get out of an optic under $1000.

 

[steve123]

Steve,

I had literally been waiting for your response for days....!
Thank you. As always: enlightening and helpful.

Matthias

Thanks, Ha, I guess I couldn't resist.

 

[Sanctify7]

Turrets on my Optika6 are great imo. Both are zero resettable with the side/windage being capped. The elevation is 10 mil/revolution, tool-less zero reset, and has a hard zero-stop.

I reviewed a LOT before I bought this scope and really couldn’t find any weak points EXCEPT…Meopta Optikas 5/6 tend to be chunky/heavy and while the glass resolution is very good it doesn’t handle stray light too well. A sunshade is a simple remedy. Tracking, durability, and general quality all seem to be on point otherwise…

Pr, Chunky/heavy is a deal breaker for me. Thanks. S7

 

[NickT]

I have a Optika6 3-18x56 as a Hunter FT scope and I think it's fantastic. Glass is great.. like the reticle that is illuminated and it ranges just as good as any other scope I have ever used at 16x. Yes it ranges down to 10yards!

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Sorry if I am hijacking the thread, but I have a question about this particular scope.

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience on how this scope (Optika6 3-18x56) differs from the Optika5 4-20x50?

I was particularly interested in light gathering and bought the Optika5 in 50mm under the premise that the lower magnification (5x vs 6x) might make up for the smaller objective lens. I was hoping I could get similar optical performance (light gathering / clarity) at a lower price and lighter weight.

Anybody know anything? Thanks,
Nick

 

[Sanctify7]

I have a Optika6 3-18x56 as a Hunter FT scope and I think it's fantastic. Glass is great.. like the reticle that is illuminated and it ranges just as good as any other scope I have ever used at 16x. Yes it ranges down to 10yards!

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While I initially was a bit put off by them, I am really starting to like reticles with circles of one sort or another in the middle. Enjoy. S7

 

[Sanctify7]

Does anyone have any opinion on how these two FFP scopes would compare?

It look like the Optika6 is 30mm vs Ares ETR 34mm and the Ares is ~4oz heavier? Price is similar. How does the glass, durability, tracking, and turrets compare?

Can anyone confirm that the Optika6 parallax does go down to 10y?

I have the Midas Tac in both 4-16x and 6-24x. I would assume the glass is better in both the Optika6 and Ares ETR?

Any input would be great!

Greetings, strow.
Well, after my many travels, my choice came down to the Optika 6 and the Ares ETR. As I posted in another thread, I just bought the Ares, but it has not arrived yet. Did you end up getting anything? Thanks. S7

 

[Scotty1]

Greetings, strow.
Well, after my many travels, my choice came down to the Optika 6 and the Ares ETR. As I posted in another thread, I just bought the Ares, but it has not arrived yet. Did you end up getting anything? Thanks. S7

I’ve had the Ares BTR for several months and really like it, and if I weren’t impatient would have waited for the ETR. Enjoy you new optic, I bet you will be very pleased!

 

[oldsparky]

I have not used the Optika. I bought a Athlon Ares ETR 3-18 with the APLR6 back in sept of 21. This scope is a fantastic scope for my eyes. The glass is really clear. I have looked thru a lot of scopes since the 70's both high end and bargain basement. This scope replaced a Nightforce NX I can look into shade and still see my reticle and target. And can look into the low sun (within reason) without washout better than any other scope I have used. The has tracked flawlessly however I use the reticles and don't move my turrets daily. I use this on my Wolverine for hunter FT and think it is great even ranging. Sometime I hear others say that this magnification isn't needed under 100 yards. Here is my take. I can take a old lever 38-55 with cast wheel weight bullets and shoot MOA at 100 using a Lyman tang sight on a round black target the size of a pizza. I can ring steel at 500 meters with my scope set at 3x with my 7mm08. But shooting small targets at even a short 55 yards I can not always see my pellet strike on a shot up steel target even with this magnification. The only draw back of this scope is it is a big old chunky pig. it really is heavy and big. I really wanted one on my Taipan standard and felt it made the rifle unbalanced. But Im thinking about buying another for it. That is my best attempt of a review.