which one should i buy Athlon ares etr or nightforce shv

How will you use the scope? Target shooting? Hunting?

What magnification are you considering?

I have the Nightforce SHV 4-14x50 FFP. When target shooting the glass is clear to 50-60 yards. However, at 100 yards I desire greater magnification than available on this scope. 

I also have several Athlon scopes: I.e. 3 Athlon Helos 6-24x50 FFP. These are all very good scopes for the price range.

In fact, I like the clarity and overall quality of these so much that I sprung for the Athlon Ares BTR 8-32x50 FFP. This scope retails for $200 more than its sibling -- the Helos. However, the Helos has better clarity at every magnification than the Ares BTR. And the Athlon Ares BTR also has mushy turrets. The turrets on my Athlon Ares BTR are so bad that it is difficult sometimes to detect the clicks when making changes.

My next rifle scope -- to be purchased later this week will be the Nightforce NX8 2.5-20x50 F1 - MOA.

My apologies for the verbosity. But I hope this was of some assistance to you.
 
You might want to check out RexReviews on youtube. He was quite impressed with the ETR. In fact all the reviews for the ETR have been very positive, so much so I bought one. 

I love it. The only problem is finding adjustable rings for the 34mm tube if you have a pic rail, although there is an amazing amount of vertical adjustment available. If you use dovetails AoA lists Sportsmatch adjustable 34mm rings
 
Let’s look at a real world situation. When Matt Dubber came to RMAC from South Africa, and won both the Speed and Precision Marksman events, and came in third in the 100 yard event. FX made a gun ready for him to his specifications. Matt chose the Athlon Ares ETR. He could have chosen a Nightforce SHV. He didn’t. Things that make you go hmmm...
 
I have both a NF SHV and an Ares BTR. My experience with the Athlon is different than 2many's. I am pretty happy with both scopes. The primary difference I notice is actually at shorter ranges where the NF will actually focus better under 25 yards at lower mags than the Ares. I have the Ares on my RAW, which is never really shot at less than 25 yards, so it isn't a problem for how I use it. Both are very clear throughout the magnification ranges at distances above 25 yards. I'd give a slight edge to NF in terms of the glass. The NF turrets are definitely better. My Ares turrets are not as tactile as the NF, but they are very repeatable and they are tactile enough. I dial for elevation with both and both work extremely well. I actually prefer the zero stop on the Ares, but both zero stops work fine. Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with the ETR, but as the other poster said, TRex gave it a very good review and he is definitely a scope snob, so I gotta think its a pretty damn good scope. 
 
How will you use the scope? Target shooting? Hunting?

What magnification are you considering?

I have the Nightforce SHV 4-14x50 FFP. When target shooting the glass is clear to 50-60 yards. However, at 100 yards I desire greater magnification than available on this scope. 

I also have several Athlon scopes: I.e. 3 Athlon Helos 6-24x50 FFP. These are all very good scopes for the price range.

In fact, I like the clarity and overall quality of these so much that I sprung for the Athlon Ares BTR 8-32x50 FFP. This scope retails for $200 more than its sibling -- the Helos. However, the Helos has better clarity at every magnification than the Ares BTR. And the Athlon Ares BTR also has mushy turrets. The turrets on my Athlon Ares BTR are so bad that it is difficult sometimes to detect the clicks when making changes.

My next rifle scope -- to be purchased later this week will be the Nightforce NX8 2.5-20x50 F1 - MOA.

My apologies for the verbosity. But I hope this was of some assistance to you.

Clean some of the grease out of the Athlon turrets. I’ve got a Midas TAC 6-24 and the clicks are very good, especially for the $$$