I tested out the Athlon Cronus G2 20-60x86 Spotting Scope by using this professional lens test chart: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F1YEEHA
I don’t own another scope, so for comparison I used my Swarovski NL Pure 8x42 at a distance that accounted for the difference in magnification.
Before unboxing, I was skeptical and thought I would be returning this product and getting a Kowa or Swarovski scope instead.
I was very surprised at how good the Cronus was relative to the price. Two ways of comparing what I could see are by percent and distance vision. If viewing the letter page-sized test chart up close is 100%, then the NL Pure was about 95% color and detail and the Cronus was 90%. My corrected vision is 20/15. With the NL Pure, I feel like I get 20/20, and with the Cronus, it is 20/25.
Similar to other reviews of the Cronus, I found that the edge-to-edge clarity is great, the field of view is below average, the eye placement is more finicky than average, and there is very slight chromatic aberration. I consider the clarity to be the most important metric, and that was outstanding throughout the magnification range.
Although I didn’t use any other binos or scopes for comparison, I’m familiar with other equipment and thought the Cronus compared favorably to other scopes I’ve looked through that cost far more.
I won’t be using this daily, and I have three kids who might knock it over, so the lower price and unlimited warranty make it a great purchase. As someone who loves his Swarovski NL Pure binoculars, I would only recommend paying $3-4K more for a Kowa or Swarovski scope if it is being used on a near daily basis.
I don’t own another scope, so for comparison I used my Swarovski NL Pure 8x42 at a distance that accounted for the difference in magnification.
Before unboxing, I was skeptical and thought I would be returning this product and getting a Kowa or Swarovski scope instead.
I was very surprised at how good the Cronus was relative to the price. Two ways of comparing what I could see are by percent and distance vision. If viewing the letter page-sized test chart up close is 100%, then the NL Pure was about 95% color and detail and the Cronus was 90%. My corrected vision is 20/15. With the NL Pure, I feel like I get 20/20, and with the Cronus, it is 20/25.
Similar to other reviews of the Cronus, I found that the edge-to-edge clarity is great, the field of view is below average, the eye placement is more finicky than average, and there is very slight chromatic aberration. I consider the clarity to be the most important metric, and that was outstanding throughout the magnification range.
Although I didn’t use any other binos or scopes for comparison, I’m familiar with other equipment and thought the Cronus compared favorably to other scopes I’ve looked through that cost far more.
I won’t be using this daily, and I have three kids who might knock it over, so the lower price and unlimited warranty make it a great purchase. As someone who loves his Swarovski NL Pure binoculars, I would only recommend paying $3-4K more for a Kowa or Swarovski scope if it is being used on a near daily basis.
