Just received; Athlon ARES BTR 4.5-27x50...

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Got mine today. My initial impression when taking it out of the box is "Chinese scope" because of it's weight. Do they have to be that heavy?? A lot like the Nc Stars that you find at gun shows. However, the optical clarity is great. This is my first FFP scope and I'm not sure I like it. The reticle is pretty small at 4.5 magnification and it gets pretty thick at 27. More late.
 
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Got mine today. My initial impression when taking it out of the box is "Chinese scope" because of it's weight. Do they have to be that heavy?? A lot like the Nc Stars that you find at gun shows. However, the optical clarity is great. This is my first FFP scope and I'm not sure I like it. The reticle is pretty small at 4.5 magnification and it gets pretty thick at 27. More late.
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Interesting you would say that, because I would not have said Chinese Scope upon pulling it out. I would have said the opposite, and I would never even joke about NC Star in the same sentence. Having used several Ares models over the last couple of years, I would say that they seem to be the best scopes I have used coming out of China. That is one of the things I have liked most. I would say that these are on a different level than the cheap scopes we usually see coming out of there. I’m not saying they are the tops by any means, but I definitely wouldn’t have put them in that category. More like how scopes started coming out of the Philippines and were put on another level. 

I also think the weight is an advantage compared to most of the scopes in this range. This is usually my light scope option. That can be attributed to what each is used to I guess. I have never needed many light scopes, as I am usually on the bench the most. 

I think I am different that most on reticle thickness too. I actually like a thick reticle. I feel like I see them so much better and that helps me more than the thickness hurts me. Got a new scope recently with a fine reticle, and I’m not sure how I am going to like it.

To each their own though. While I like the Ares, I like it for the price range more than anything. There are definitely better scopes at higher prices, but I haven’t found anything I like as good at the sale prices they sell at. 
 
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I think the Ares BTR is a really good scope. I have the MIL version 4.5-27x50 FFP. I shot with it this past weekend on my Bobcat at 75 and 100 yards. The scope I replaced was a Hawke Sidewinder 6-24x56. While the Athlon glass is slightly better, I like the 1/2 mil dot reticle on the Hawke. As far as turrets, there is no comparison, Athlon hands down. However, I already have two Athlon Midas TAC 6-24x50 MIL-MIL scopes, and other than not having an IR reticle, I prefer them over the Ares. I like the focus to 10M vice 25M, and the covered windage knob. Plus the reticle is thinner and has the small dot • in the middle vice the thicker + at the center. Anyone want to trade? ;)
 
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I received mine today. First impression, I guess I still have to mount it to something to render a opinion. Offhand might as well had a steel tube weaver.

I did notice the heavy cross hairs, but I am like others the fine dot and cross hairs are kind of hard to see.

Not having a a TAC to compare it to is killing me. I couldn't pass it up though.

Thanks guys
 
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Update: due to the 25 yard minimum focus distance of the Athlon ARES BTR, I've decided to return it and opt instead for another Hawke Airmax, Compact 30, 6-24X50 with the AMX reticle, I need this scope to focus down to 10-15 yards for HFT use on my FX Crown with a 177 barrel kit, I'll also be using it with the 25 barrel kit for 100 yard shooting...

I did find the Athlon ARES BTR 4.5-27X50 to be a very well made scope, unfortunately it really isn't suited to my needs...

Ken
 
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The rumor is that the Gen 2 Ares BTR will be announced at the Shot Show 2020.

The Midas TAC is a newer scope in design than the G1 Ares BTR and the quality is apparent if you have then side by side. BTW, this current Ares BTR was originally designed to compete with the Vortex G1 PST which it exceeds IMO, it's getting old in the tooth now.

The G2 Ares BTR should be like an upraded TAC I would think. Man I hope Athlon incorporates a 10Y focus and retains the APLR3 reticle but perhaps with a dot instead of a +.
 
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If the Athlon could focus down to 10 yards I would have kept mine, I like the reticle, the (sale) price I got mine for (less than the amazon price in other thread) and FFP too... It's was not suited to my needs with a minimum focus distance of 25 yards...

My only other complaint was this; for a scope that retails near $1000 you'd think they could at least provide lens caps, the diopter adjustment ring is not even threaded to accept a quality flip up lens cap nor is the diopter adjustment ring well suited to use any slip on lens caps either...

Athlon would serve our hobby better to produce some air gun specific scopes, taking into their designs the needs of serious air gunners, extended elevation range on the turrets to eliminate a need for adjustable rings or 20MOA mounts, etc... Or designed to handle the recoil of springers and maybe side focus wheels, perhaps there are other features for air guns that are not the same as powder burners which I believe the Athlon ARES is designed for...

Just my opinons of course...

Ken


 
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Very similar needs and thoughts from my end. I love the dot at center and I need parallax adjustment as short as possible. I pest and don't really need FFP but purchased Ares at that fantastic price. I suppose it's still better than any other scope that I own. I would just like to find 1 perfect scope for my needs vs having a handful of scopes that don't meet my specific needs. It would end up costing me about the same. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find that scope
 
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@blkbagger and @iguanapolice - that scope is the Athlon Midas TAC. Two MIL reticle options and one MOA reticle option. All options have the small dot in the middle and focus to 10 yards. Turrets and glass are equivalent to the Ares BTR. The Midas TAC does not have the IR function, but other than that I think its a better scope... Its 6-24x50 not 4.5-27x50, but who's counting? ;)
 
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Thank you Centercut.

I was concerned that the quality of the Midas Tac may not be there vs the Ares. I have only been able to look through the glass in my hands and was quite impressed other than not "loving" the reticle. I did however notice today that although it doesn't offer a clear view at 10 yards, I can still make out the target. I'll just have to contemplate my situation for a couple of days and then maybe look for a trade. I'm quite sure I could dial with either scope.

Thanks again,
 
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