Hawke Frontier 30 vs Ares ETR?

I got a great deal on my Ares BTR gen 2 2.5-15x50. Because it was moa instead of mil I payed at camera land 500 and some change. The ones that they have left now in mil are a few hundred more expensive. This afternoon I took my dog in the truck and we drove to some soccer fields. We walked and I set up a ground metal target a soccer field and some away from the truck.. When we got back in the vehicle my rangefinder was telling me 148 yards. I did one last comparison between the Ares BTR and Hawke Sidewinder 30 and verified yet one more time what I am seeing the last few days. The Hawke at it's max of zoom around 15,16 was stressing me out as I was trying to see the details on the 4 inch target. The Ares btr at its max zoom of 15 was way better, if I had to put a percentage 15 to 20%. The picture was just crystal clear. Someone said earlier no eye strain and that's how it made me feel. Like I could be looking through it for a long time just gazing the fields. 

Based on that, I am going to return the Hawke and save my money for the next good deal on an Athlon that comes my way in the ETR or the Cronus range( although I have my eyes set on the 3x18x50 ETR). 

I don't want it to seem that I am badmouthing Hawke. I actually have an airmax compact that has held in magnum springers without loosing zero and the image is really good for the money. It is just that the Ares is phenomenal..



Thank you all for your recommendations and thoughts. 
 
Only scopes I got stuck paying retail for were MTC and Optisan which I don't like.

Everything else I found dealers willing to budge.

Then guess what the REALLY CRAPPY $649 MTC VIPER PRO goes on sale at DVOR (DIDN'T Heads up U GUYS on purpose since its such a $hitty scope on sale 2 weeks ago) even at around $300. And the VIPER connect $245 so-so for $245 but certainly NOT WORTH $399 MAP they upped it to $275 - $285 on this past sale.




 
I ordered the 3-18x50 Ares ETR in MIL from Cameralandny on Feb 24 and Doug stated he'd have them in 2-3 weeks from then so I hope to have mine in a couple weeks. Think it's going to be an amazing scope!

Good for you, when you went on vacation and see the scopes in person did that help you make a decision? I’m sure that you’re going to enjoy it. Good luck have fun shooting 
 
I ordered the 3-18x50 Ares ETR in MIL from Cameralandny on Feb 24 and Doug stated he'd have them in 2-3 weeks from then so I hope to have mine in a couple weeks. Think it's going to be an amazing scope!

Good for you, when you went on vacation and see the scopes in person did that help you make a decision? I’m sure that you’re going to enjoy it. Good luck have fun shooting

Well I did order before the trip and looking through a similar model Athlon Ares ETR but the 4.5-30x56 version definitely sold me that I made a good decision.