Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27x50 Good value?

I initially evaluated the SFP Midas 4.5-27 but was dissapointed in it, but then tried the FFP Ares.

I've now put the Ares 4.5-27 alongside an old vortex viper 6.5-20 and Zeiss MC 6.5-20 (better than the HD5) in my jig that holds all three rigid so you can propertly evaluate the optics.

The Ares is significantly better than the Midas I tried first. Not quite as bright as the Zeiss, but not far behind, but there is more chromatic aberration on the Zeiss than with the Ares. Looking at the USFA test chart, the black square is blacker in middle in the center of zeiss lense, but lighter colour towards the edges. The Ares is not so stark black at the center, but consistent across the width of the lense.

The eye box is not overly sensitive to eye position like the Midas.

I think the 10 mils per rotation (34 MOA) on the turrets is a big ask with a 30mm tube as the increments are very small, so the clicks are a bit soft, but I have done a tracking test (in another jig) out to 10 mils and its tracks perfectly. This also showed up that both my Zeiss don’t track to the graduations (27.5 for 28 IPHY)!

At 27x I can resolve more detail than the MC at 20x, whereas with my Zeiss HD5 at 25x I cannot resolve any more detail than the MC at 20x.

I was concerned the FFP reticle may be too thick at higher power, but its 0.041 mils which is 0.16" a@ 100m, whereas my Zeiss MC is 0.125" @100m at 20x so not too dissimilar. I've shot bunnies out to 450m (and missed at 650m) with it and its not too thick. Downside is it is pretty fine at 4.5x but still usable.

Cheers

Grant

I initially evaluated the SFP Midas 4.5-27 but was dissapointed in it, but then tried the FFP Ares.

I've now put the Ares 4.5-27 alongside an old vortex viper 6.5-20 and Zeiss MC 6.5-20 (better than the HD5) in my jig that holds all three rigid so you can propertly evaluate the optics.

The Ares is significantly better than the Midas I tried first. Not quite as bright as the Zeiss, but not far behind, but there is more chromatic aberration on the Zeiss than with the Ares. Looking at the USFA test chart, the black square is blacker in middle in the center of zeiss lense, but lighter colour towards the edges. The Ares is not so stark black at the center, but consistent across the width of the lense.

The eye box is not overly sensitive to eye position like the Midas.

I think the 10 mils per rotation (34 MOA) on the turrets is a big ask with a 30mm tube as the increments are very small, so the clicks are a bit soft, but I have done a tracking test (in another jig) out to 10 mils and its tracks perfectly. This also showed up that both my Zeiss don’t track to the graduations (27.5 for 28 IPHY)!

At 27x I can resolve more detail than the MC at 20x, whereas with my Zeiss HD5 at 25x I cannot resolve any more detail than the MC at 20x.

I was concerned the FFP reticle may be too thick at higher power, but its 0.041 mils which is 0.16" a@ 100m, whereas my Zeiss MC is 0.125" @100m at 20x so not too dissimilar. I've shot bunnies out to 450m (and missed at 650m) with it and its not too thick. Downside is it is pretty fine at 4.5x but still usable.

Really like to put it alongside a Vortex PST Gen II

Cheers

Grant

Now that's a comprehensive test!!

The new PST is made in the Philippines and the Ares made in China. Neither made in Japan and that seems to be the measurement of where decent quality starts. Maybe the newer " HIGH value" scopes will continue the newer trend of decent optics out of the Chinese and Phillippene markets.

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Originally Posted by quentin

A pic through the SIII at 32x magnification. Overcast at 19:30, so not bright daylight conditions. Deer at at 1010M

Attachment 79776

I can clearly see the yellow ear tags in the farm animals. This is an interesting game when the wild stags come up to the fences.

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Just had a look at this photo on my PC.

Surely you could hit one of those Magpies with a .22 at that range.......:thumbsup:

You'd just need 4.2 million minutes of elevation!!

Great example of the Sightron SIII too.

Some athlon and Rudolph info.
This guy seams to know his stuff.

https://youtu.be/Q1ldMtOoOwI


Sent from my SM-J500Y using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by NZVarminter

I initially evaluated the SFP Midas 4.5-27 but was dissapointed in it, but then tried the FFP Ares.

I've now put the Ares 4.5-27 alongside an old vortex viper 6.5-20 and Zeiss MC 6.5-20 (better than the HD5) in my jig that holds all three rigid so you can propertly evaluate the optics.

The Ares is significantly better than the Midas I tried first. Not quite as bright as the Zeiss, but not far behind, but there is more chromatic aberration on the Zeiss than with the Ares. Looking at the USFA test chart, the black square is blacker in middle in the center of zeiss lense, but lighter colour towards the edges. The Ares is not so stark black at the center, but consistent across the width of the lense.

The eye box is not overly sensitive to eye position like the Midas.

I think the 10 mils per rotation (34 MOA) on the turrets is a big ask with a 30mm tube as the increments are very small, so the clicks are a bit soft, but I have done a tracking test (in another jig) out to 10 mils and its tracks perfectly. This also showed up that both my Zeiss don’t track to the graduations (27.5 for 28 IPHY)!

At 27x I can resolve more detail than the MC at 20x, whereas with my Zeiss HD5 at 25x I cannot resolve any more detail than the MC at 20x.

I was concerned the FFP reticle may be too thick at higher power, but its 0.041 mils which is 0.16" a@ 100m, whereas my Zeiss MC is 0.125" @100m at 20x so not too dissimilar. I've shot bunnies out to 450m (and missed at 650m) with it and its not too thick. Downside is it is pretty fine at 4.5x but still usable.

Really like to put it alongside a Vortex PST Gen II

Cheers

Grant

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Grant, @NZVarminter I'm home on the 27th, drop me a line or call me, I have a couple of versions of the Vortex Viper PST Gen II's if you want to have a look...

Not to far away from you... Cheers Craig

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Originally Posted by M..

Some athlon and Rudolph info.
This guy seams to know his stuff.

https://youtu.be/Q1ldMtOoOwI


Sent from my SM-J500Y using Tapatalk

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He sure does mate.

That is where I got the Rudolph idea before researching the Athlon line. I'd be interested in his views on the Ares...good bad or ugly.

Well, the scope is in my hands.

First impressions are that the glass is good, clear (a little white) and the eyebox is friendly.

It seems easy enough to look through at full power (even with my wobbly hands) the clicks are not up to the PST Gen 2 but the build quality is good.

I also picked up some other treats guaranteed to make me a better shot.

The Tactical knob makes the gun more tactical. Everyone knows that the more Tacticool your gun is, the better it shoots. Obviously.

The Arisaka optic leveler should be just the ticket to get my cross hairs sorted therefore condemning anything in the super level cross hair to certain death. Especially when you throw in the high mag power of the Athlon Ares BTR.

I just need a heavy fluted barrel and a Shemag to complete the look...

Attachment 80642

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Originally Posted by SlimySquirrel

He sure does mate.

That is where I got the Rudolph idea before researching the Athlon line. I'd be interested in his views on the Ares...good bad or ugly.

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Ive been talking to Richard, he is currently testing the full Athlon range, and will have vids coming out soon. His comments to me about the Ares BTR are that it is a very very capable scope for the money and that i should like it.

Im looking forward to his video on them.