Athlon Ares UHD G2 Spotting Scope Review - 15-45x65mm with a MILLING RETICLE!

Resolution, color, contrast, and brightness...the Athlon Ares UHD G2 15-45x65mm spotting scope has it all. PLUS smooth controls, a built-in sunshade, and an optional eyepiece with a milling reticle.
Athlon Ares UHD G2 15-45x65mm Spotting Scope: shrsl.com/3c8ow
22x Milliradian Reticle Eyepiece: shrsl.com/3c8ox
Slik Mini Tripod: amzn.to/3qt57w8
Slik Grip Tripod Head: amzn.to/33dlhBb
Promaster Tripod Head (cheaper!): amzn.to/3fs4AUQ
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Kyle Broderick, The Social Regressive
00:00 - Introduction
00:28 - Image Quality
03:41 - Controls
06:21 - Lens Coatings
07:17 - Brightness
08:53 - POV: Tactacam Spotter
12:20 - Milling Reticle
17:30 - Dimensions, Price
19:35 - Tripods
20:21 - Conclusion

[@DrewEdwardBacklas]

This is the spotter I’ve been looking at getting. Been very pleased with athlon optics thus far. I’ve got binos and 2 rifle scopes. Have all been better than the competition in similar price range.

[@SocialRegressive]

I completely agree. Athlon's lenses keep getting better and better.

[@jasonrad9332]

Thanks for the review!

[@eggbert191]

Really love the Athlon line up. Have the gen 2 helos scope and it's been fantastic for a budget optic

[@joelclark2130]

Very good spotting scope, it helps me make an informed decision. currently in the market or better spotting scope period and a chronograph. Thanks again Kyle love your videos

[@SocialRegressive]

Thanks, Joel!

[@josephhomen]

Thanks. I have been waiting for someone like atholn to make a spotting scope just like this one (with ED glass & reticule)

[@SocialRegressive]

There is a Cronus model with a zooming ffp reticle, too. I haven't looked through that one yet.

[@josephhomen]

That’s even more interesting

[@avocado9763]

Excellent

[@avocado9763]

If I wanted a spotting scope to use finding deer in the woods/ bush would this scope be good?

[@steveanzini4505]

And the Sunpak pistol grip head

[@robertjackson1407]

Thank you 😊

[@SocialRegressive]

I hope it was helpful!

[@robertjackson1407]

@@SocialRegressive Always, thank you.

[@TDAmeritrader]

Hi! I appreciate the dedication and professionalism you put through your reviews. I have a question; how well do you think this scope performs against the Vortex Diamondback HD 16-48 x65. I would really appreciate your opinion. Thank you!

[@SocialRegressive]

The diamondback scopes are good value for money. That said, I would expect the athlon to stomp the vortex.

[@commonsense5709]

It's like comparing a Razor vs a Diamondback.

[@drdes9609]

I just bought the Slik tripod and the tripod head. You way way undersold them, there amazing. Japanese made and very robust.

[@craiglawrence8284]

The link you provided takes you to a scope that looks completely different than the one you’re reviewing.

[@BigIron_06]

Good review. It looks really good for the price (a-lot of bang for the buck). Is that what it looks like around 3:20?

[@SocialRegressive]

That's straight through the scope at an apartment building about 350 yards away. It's even better with your eye.

[@BigIron_06]

@@SocialRegressive I was talking about the grow house inside. LOL

[@Hoytbuff]

Where is the review of the ball grip and tripod?

[@RenoLaringo]

I've got some Athlon binos which are amazing. Also a skywatcher 80ed doublet but it's not something you can easily travel with. I was expecting better results with this Athlon scope. The image of the moon looked pretty average if not downright blurry. I maxxed out the settings on YT but to no avail.

[@SocialRegressive]

It'll look better to the naked eye. This camera is good, but it still degrades the image to a degree.

[@ingentingbra]

Great video, thanks! What is the longest distance you could spot a .223 /5.56 hole in a paper target you think?

[@SocialRegressive]

I can't say for sure. The humid air and mirage in my area are the primary obstacles to seeing small details. I would assume you could see a .223 hole in clear air out to 500 yards. Maybe beyond.

[@commonsense5709]

Realistically about 150-200 yards with good eyes with a 45x spotter and 200-300 yards with a 60x Athlon Cronus G2 spotter.

[@josephstanczak4340]

Great video. Your thoughts on using a 15-45 vs 20-60 for rimfire ELR(Out to 300+ yards) with this model?

[@SocialRegressive]

You'll be able to see minute details and impacts very easily. Just keep in mind that your field of view will be very small. Should be fine for spotting misses, though, from 50 yards out.

[@commonsense5709]

Get the G2 Cronus 20-60x it's worth the $800-$850 you can buy it from price friendly dealers over the phone. You'll appreciate the higher magnification for those longest shots. You won't easily see hits with a 45x past 100 yards.

[@theoutlawjoseywales8711]

Hi, Kyle!.... say, how about those links to that small tripod and ball head with the handle? Thanks!

[@SocialRegressive]

Ooh, right!

[@SocialRegressive]

Done! Thanks, Josey!

[@steveanzini4505]

Where's the links to the tripod

[@Mills141]

Looks great for spying on your neighbors indoor tomato plants 😆

[@SocialRegressive]

So THAT'S what they were...

[@craiglawrence8284]

The link you provided takes you to a page with a scope that looks completely different.

[@SocialRegressive]

Looks like OpticsPlanet is temporarily sold out of the straight-eyepiece model. In fact, it looks like pretty much everybody is.

[@Quality_Guru]

I recently went to a fun shooting event with several people that had 22 rifles all of which had not been properly sighted at 100 yards since this was our first time shooting those rifles outdoors. We put paper out at 50 yards to see where we were hitting. What a SLOW process to figure out where we were hitting. This spotting scope would have made all of the difference in the world.

[@SocialRegressive]

That's one of the benefits of a lower-magnification spotter like this one. You can spot closer distances.

[@commonsense5709]

Surely someone must own a drone. That would have helped.

[@timmartin6410]

This is probably just the ticket for me. MSRP right now is $812, but Amazon has it for $650. Now deciding whether to pop for the 20-60 X 85 at about $150 more...hmm? How does the 15-45 X 65 do at seeing 6.5 holes out to 400 yards, and steel impacts out to 800?

[@SocialRegressive]

The limiting factor will be your air quality, really. I can see 300- yard holes in my cruddy atmosphere.

[@commonsense5709]

Go for the new G2 Cronus 20-60x and buy from price friendly dealers over the phone to get it for $800-$850. The 20-60x Ares glass isn't quite good enough.

[@abztractone]

Which Digiscope are you using?

[@SocialRegressive]

Tactacam Spotter LR. I made a whole review video on it. It's incredibly useful.

[@jackle842000]

How does this compare with the old Cronus series?

[@SocialRegressive]

It's a step down in price, but its performance shouldn't be far off.

[@commonsense5709]

The Chinese glass used in the new Ares 15-45x seems clearer. The Chinese glass in the 20-60x Cronus G2 spotter is better than the Japan made G1 Cronus.

[@jackle842000]

@@commonsense5709 disappointing, wonder how the build quality holds up? Heck, guess it don't matter. I'm not supporting china's one world over gov commie takeover. Disappointing so many are moving all production to our number one enemy nation.

[@jasonrad9332]

Have you or anyone else had trouble swapping out eye pieces? I just received mine today but the magnification ring keeps screwing off instead of whole piece.

[@SocialRegressive]

Yes! Be careful removing it. Here's what you do: push the eyepiece in toward the body as hard as you can while you spin it CLOCKWISE. The eyepiece can be removed by spinning it in either direction, but spinning clockwise all the time will prevent the mag ring removal like you said.

[@jasonrad9332]

@@SocialRegressive worked like a charm, thanks. But now the mil eye piece is stuck on. This is a shitty design IMO. I love everything else about this spotting scope.

[@eddiejennejr4342]

Primary Arms and SWFA make absolutely amazing optics also Vortx makes amazing optics. SWFA actually has a government contract for sniper optics and they have a united states navy part number that should say it all

[@SocialRegressive]

My SWFA is rock solid.

[@eddiejennejr4342]

My suggestion is no your area of operation. You will need to make range cards for those areas. Sniper range cards that is. You’ll need to note certain landmarks and the distance to those landmarks. Certain areas to hide in. You will also have to figure out The longest shot you will have to take if that opportunity presents itself. No your rifle and no your abilities with that rifle. If you’re going to take shots further than 300 yards I would definitely suggest a 308 caliber or bigger. Maybe 300 Winchester Magnum. Will keep it affordable for everyone. You were going to have to get your mind right for what you were going to have to do. I know that no one wants to talk about this but since you were talking about spotting scopes the scope on your rifle will be pretty much it. So I hope you have a very good scope on your chosen rifle. You were going to have to get used to looking at the face in the crosshairs I would suggest making targets with pictures from magazines to train your mind to pull the trigger while looking at a face. This is going to get very ugly and it’s going to get ugly very quickly. I’ve been in combat up close and I don’t wanna be up close anymore. I want to dispatch those problems as far away from me as I possibly can. Because once they’re on top of you it’s too late. So the spotting scope that you were using It’s probably going to be the scope that’s attached to your rifle. Remember 1 to 2 shots and you will have to move. Do not let them figure out where the shots are coming from. That is the game. Because if they do figure out where the shots were coming from and you don’t move they will kill you. I suspect that only the properly trained individuals Either law-enforcement snipers or military snipers will be able to operate in the situation. Or a civilian that is very highly trained. And follows the basic rules 1 to 2 shots and move have multiple hides have multiple places that you can set up think of places that you wouldn’t normally set up to do this remember they do have counter sniper operations teams that’s any military. And from the looks of it we might be seeing a different Military than our own. If Civil War kicks off they will try to use the United Nations to stop it. If World War III kicks off there is a great chance of foreign troops being on our soil. Please keep that in mind. Sorry to be the one to bring the truth but it needs to be talked about desperately

[@SocialRegressive]

Right on. I think it's great training for everyone serious about either hunting or defending.

[@randyemenhiser2573]

2nd MOFOS! I came, I saw, I (almost) conquered!

[@SocialRegressive]

There's still time. Attack Drew!

[@themintaddict2090]

How much x-zoom is it at 3:20?

[@SocialRegressive]

I think that's 45x at a building 350 yards away or so. The red brick building on the right is at roughly 300 yards, so it's a tad out of focus.

[@themintaddict2090]

@@SocialRegressive hello I ahve a question again, for spotting scopes primarily what if I where to go in one humid area hot area and then move to a non humid and cold area and bring my spotter with me, will it affect the spotter in anyway? I'm very cautios.

[@SocialRegressive]

@@themintaddict2090 Great question. It should have no effect. If you reverse the scenario, though, expect the external lenses to fog up instantly. That's where the lens coatings on this scope come in. They do a good job of dissipating that fog relatively quickly.

[@eddiejennejr4342]

If you are really truly going to use your rifle for long range shooting you were going to need a scope that cost added much as your rifle or three times the cost of your rifle. That means $500-$2000 price range

[@themintaddict2090]

That table top tripod looks futuristic as f*ck it's gotta be 200+$

[@SocialRegressive]

$60 for the tripod; $35-$90 for the head. I have links in the video description if you want to check them out.

[@steveanzini4505]

Where's the link to the head and tripod

[@eddiejennejr4342]

Spotting scope could also be used for gathering intelligence. For facial recognition who is who what are they doing who’s giving the orders who is following the orders. There’s an old acronym for this. But you basically follow common sense who what how why and when Armament weapons involved how many of them there are and what times they’re there. Lots of intelligence can be gathered from just that

[@commonsense5709]

Especially who your wife's cheating with too.

[@TMS5100]

Athlon has discontinued making these for quite a while now.

[@SocialRegressive]

It's a shame, too. At least they still make the 20-60x model.

[@BishopCreative]

Well, they must be back cause I just ordered one 😂

[@commonsense5709]

Supply chain problems from China?

[@commonsense5709]

@@BishopCreative $550 was a good deal on these.

[@BishopCreative]

@@commonsense5709 I ended up getting mine for $490 total. It’s a great scope

[@peadookie]

Close up of a grow room 😂

[@SocialRegressive]

Athlon: making your urban "hobbies" known to the world.

[@davidbryant2948]

China?

[@SocialRegressive]

Yes; China.

[@commonsense5709]

Chinese Athlons use the best quality glass unlike the typical Chinese junk sold by most other brands.

[@davidbryant2948]

@@commonsense5709 I keep hearing good things

[@jackwagon1798]

It's garbage. Save your money and get a kowa