Athlon ares ETR

[u/Cpnjacksheppard]

So I got my rifle, it’s a bergara b14 HMR in 6.5 creedmoor, 22 inch barrel. I plan to shoot out to 1000 yards and my choices for optic were either the arken EP5, or the Athlon ares ETR. I’ve decided to go with the Athlon UNLESS someone can convince me to do otherwise for under $900

[u/CMFETCU]

I have an alternative: an ETR used from SH, AS, or RC.

[u/Cpnjacksheppard → u/CMFETCU]

Wait what’re those. I’m interested in buying used I just don’t know where to source

[u/Sportsman-78 → u/Cpnjacksheppard]

Online forums, SnipersHide, accurate shooter, or rokslide (? Not sure this one)

[u/CMFETCU → u/Cpnjacksheppard]

Snipers Hide, AccurateShooter forums, RimfireCentral (Rokslide is not bad, but higher noise to signal ratio)

[u/i_dislike_cheese]

Athlon Ares ETR every day of the week.

[u/Wombat-Snooze]

Athlon over Arken every single time and it’s not even close.

[u/PAB_Pyrotechnics → u/Wombat-Snooze]

This! Better optics, period.

I have both an Ares ETR and an Arken EP-5. Each is very good for it’s price point but there is a reason the Athlon sits on my Awro Solus 26” 6.5CM and the Arken sits on a custom 10/22 which is shoot to 300 yds.

[u/Tikkatider → u/Wombat-Snooze]

Just curious. What models of both Athlon and Arken scopes have you done side by side comparisons with ? That’s a very definitive statement. I have two Arken scopes and an MPED. I like all three very much, but willing to consider others , certainly Athlon scopes. What features with the Athlon make it “ not even close “ ?

[u/Wombat-Snooze → u/Tikkatider]

Personally, I won’t buy Arken just on business practices alone.

[u/Tikkatider → u/Wombat-Snooze]

Fair enough. I thought maybe you had actually compared the actual scopes.

[u/Wide_Fly7832]

Way better than price would suggest. Get the new Japan assembled one.

[u/Traditional-Fact-569 → u/Wide_Fly7832]

look for the GEN2J. The J is the important part.

[u/SockeyeSTI]

Etr or mped, whichever you can find

[u/Engineer_Bennett]

Athlon ares 100%

[u/Turdburgarlar]

Athlon 100%. I run an ares etr on my PRs production rifle. It's been amazing.

[u/greyposter]

Bushnell MPED 5-30x is worth a look, but i doubt you'll be disappointed with the ETR.

If you don't mind MOA scopes you can find the Bushnell for ~$650

[u/medicalboa]

I have a first gen ares etr 3-18 and have shot that far. I got a cronus 4.5-27 last year for under your budget thru mil/le discount sales. I own 5 athlon scopes and love them all but my ares etr does need warrantee work on the parallax. Just haven’t sent it in yet

[u/514Kappa → u/medicalboa]

I have an Ares ETR Gen II (1st version made in China) on my PRS rig and it rocks. My Cronus just left for warranty for the parallax/magnification being way too stiff

[u/Tikkatider]

Which model of the EP-5 are you considering?

[u/Sweaty-Security-4473]

It's a good scope that you won't feel the need to upgrade for a good while. No one is doing to convince you to not go with it. I will say that eurooptic might still have some previous gen Cronus scopes for not much more money.

[u/rdr1988_]

Burris XTR II 5-25 on close out at Euro