Athlon Ares BTR / Helos BTR / Hawke Sidewinder FFP

[SpeedStar]

When I got my new Impact X .25 I compared these three scopes and since I was coming from a Hawke Sidewinder on my Streamline I assumed I would like the Sidewinder FFP but the clarity was not good on the one that I got and the reticle was way too thick and busy at high power. It was not a good fit for me to my surprise.

I had heard good things about Athlon so I tried the Helos BTR and the Ares BTR. I thought the Helos might be a better match as I was concerned about the 25 yd Paralax lower limit on the Ares but mine is actually good down to 20-21 yd range and the slightly blurry image at 12-15 isnt that bad. If I am honest with myself I never shoot that close range anyway.

The turrets on my Ares were the newer versions and the glass is great. I love the reticle and the scope was perfect for me. I got a good deal on OP so the Ares is the keeper. I highly recommend the Athlon Ares if you are in the market for a good FFP scope with great glass.

 

[Kaeokini]

@ SpeedStar, I know what you mean about the clarity on the glass for the Athlon scopes. I have other high end scopes (Nightforce, Vortex) and for the price I always tell my shooting buddies about them. 

 

[nomojo65]

How did you like the Athlon helos btr?, I also had an hawke sidewinder 6-24 ffp,didn’t like the reticle either! Pretty much resided to the fact that if I have to spend $900.00+ for a decent scope for airgun use...( which seems like you must do, to get good glass & tracking! )it’s going to be made in Japan or USA!

 

[frank320]

I had Hawke/Vortex and other brands of scopes before, that was until I tried out an Athlon Helos. For the price point and the clarity of the glass, it was definitely a step above the others in similar price range. I then picked up an Athlon Ares and it was another step up from the Helos. 

I recently picked up an Athlon Cronus. The glass and clarity on the Cronus is literally on par or even better than Vortex Razor HD Gen 2... this last statement speaks volumes.

 

[riazp]

For the money the Ares ETR is a lot of scope...

 

[jgburks]

Another happy Ares BTR owner here. Best scope I've owned so far.

 

[SMH77]

Thank you for the comparison between scope models. I compared the Argos to the Hawke and preferred everything about the Hawke FFP (6-24x56 model) over the Argos (Helos)-except the reticle, which I preferred the Athlon. The Cromatic abberation in sunny conditions (look at branches) was really bad on the 6-24x50 Argos/Helos. The Hawke was better optically over the Athlon whrn I compared them.

Given that backdrop of info: how would you compared the brightness and chromatic abberation (shows as putple/green highlights at the edges of branches in sunny conditions) of the Ares to the Hawke? I would like something a little brighter and clearer with more magnification than 24x that I have on my Hawke. I was thinking about eventually stepping up to a March or NF-maybe I should reconsider a higher end Athlon? I just wish it went down to 10 yards parallax focus.



Sean

 

[Szperu]

Hawke has no turn counter, EVERY higher class has it, it makes Hawke little toyish, don't like it.