Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27X50mm Review – New for 2022

Athlon Optics is a new brand that has quickly gained popularity selling high-quality rifle scopes that are manufactured in Japan. A great option from their line of long range scopes is the Ares BTR 4.5-27x FFP scope that offers an amazing value for money.

Here we will review this scope in detail and try to evaluate whether this scope is worth buying or not. 

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • 4.5-27x magnifications FFP scope with HD glass
  • Illuminated etched MOA reticle & zero stop turret
  • Exposed direct-dial turrets and Argon purged tube
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Athlon Optics Ares BTR Gen II 4.5-27x50mm

Pros

  • Lightweight and Compact Design 
  • Great Value for Money
  • Glass Etched and Illuminated Reticle With Holdovers
  • Exceptional Clarity at All Magnifications
  • Crisp Turrets with Easy Tracking

Cons

  • Smaller Field of View than Counterparts
  • Attracts Skepticism Being a New Brand

Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27X50 Specs

Take an overview of the product specifications of the BTR 4.5-27x scope. With generous eye relief and ample turret adjustment range. This is a medium to long range scope with a large objective lens to gather a good amount of light.

Eye Relief: 3.9 inches

Adjustment Options (Parallax, windage, elevation): Parallax: 25 yards to infinity. W/E: ¼ MOA to 80 MOA

Type of Reticle: APLR3 FFP IR MOA

Magnification: 4.5 - 27 x

Focal Plane:  First Focal Plane

Objective Lens: 50 mm

Field of View: 22.7 - 3.8 ft at 100 yds

Weight: 27.3 oz.

Pros

The Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27x is a medium to long range scope with a first focal plane reticle. This scope offers even brightness at all magnifications and has a very durable body. It has a lot to offer, which includes:

Exceptional Clarity

The BTR features HD lenses that are fully multicoated for perfect light transmission. The large 50 mm objective lens is big enough to capture a significant amount of light for optimal and even extra brightness. The lenses feature an XPL coating that makes them impervious to dirt, scratches, and any other minor damage. 

Reticle 

The scope features an illuminated glass-etched reticle with MOA dots that help with easy estimation of the range and windage. The etched reticle has very high resistance against recoil. It has a pine tree-like structure with .2 mil graduations left and right. 

This is a first focal plane reticle that allows precise holdovers when shooting at high magnifications because the reticle grows as you zoom. The reticle design is in-line with current trends and makes shooting more intuitive. 

Turrets and Tracking

The BTR 4.5-27x scope offers exceptional tracking and has a very crisp turret adjustment. The included zero stop is a very useful feature for quick zero-returns. The turrets offer ¼ MOA adjustments up to a range of 80 MOA. That seems good, given the magnification range of this scope.

Size

The scope is comparatively lightweight than its counterparts, weighing on 27 oz. It has a 50 mm objective lens which is just the right size for a scope of this magnification. Making it suitable for most rifles and shooting conditions. 

Value

The BTR 4.5-27x delivers an exceptional value for money. Being an FFP scope with an illuminated reticle, and high magnifying power. The price tag seems unjustifying. Especially when you have the scope covered by a good warranty and see it performing compared to other high-end scopes on the field. 

Cons

While the scope is excellent for its price, it still has a few drawbacks. Which we’ll be evaluating here. These may or may not be absolute cons for you. But these still are some useful considerations when using this scope. 

Small FOV

This scope offers a field of view of 22.7 - 3.8 ft at 100 yds. Which honestly is not quite up to the mark. Especially when we take into consideration the magnification levels and compare the scope with its counterparts. 

No Extras

A high magnification FFP scope is expected to at least offer the buyer some extras. A good pair of lens covers or a sunshade would've been useful. However, there’s still no real complaints because the package includes a battery, lens covers, instruction manual, and an Allen wrench. 

Trust Factor

Athlon is a new player in the American optics market. Which makes people skeptical about buying their scopes. While their high-end scopes are manufactured in Japan. Their other inventory comes from China. Although their products show exemplary quality, the company will still have to make some effort to root in the market. 

Best Uses For the Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27X50

The best uses for this scope are pretty obvious once you look at the magnification. This is a scope fit for long range hunting and precision shooting competitions. However, the scope can also play a part in shooting short range targets because of the low 4.5x magnification. 

The 27x magnification makes the scope suitable for hitting targets accurately up to a distance of 1500 yards, if your rifle is capable. The accuracy is also enhanced by the fine-tuned and illuminated MOA reticle for quick and easy holdover estimations. 

The 4.5x magnification really makes this scope versatile in terms of application. Additionally, the XPL protective coating on the lens qualified this scope for more rugged uses, like walking through the bush for scouring game animals, shooting on a dusty or rainy day, and other inclement conditions. 

This scope is also a great choice for beginners who have just started learning the basics of long range precision shooting and want an inexpensive scope initially. Or, maybe someone who doesn’t have enough money to spend on a $2000+ FFP scope. 

Is the Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27X50 Compatible With Any Rifle?

The scope works best with hunting and long range precision rifles. So the best candidates would be Remington 700, Bergara bolt actions, Barrett M82, and similar. Mounting this scope on an AR is not a bad idea either. Since the scope can shoot over short as well as long range. But it best suits long range tactical rifles. 

Lightweight rifles, however, are not very suitable for this scope due to its magnifying power and their effective range. 

What Do I Need to Know About Mounting the Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27X50?

This scope features a 30 mm single-piece tube design and measures 13.8 inches in length. The bell is 50 mm in diameter and will require a high rise mount to properly attach it to a rifle. You may use a single piece mount or rings depending upon what your rifle allows. Detailed instructions for mounting this scope have been mentioned in the included instruction manual. 

The Allen wrench included in the package is a useful tool for installation as well as turret adjustments. The design is very durable and resistant to most factors. So you can carry it openly at all times without worrying about damages or scratches. The scope is also waterproof and can be submerged in water. So no need to carry those floating packs. 

The scope is fairly new to the market, so feedback on battery life are still not available. But since it offers LED illumination with nothing fancy, the battery should last for a long time. 

What Makes the Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27X50 Stand Out From the Competition?

Price, quality, and warranty. These three factors make this scope stand out from the competition. The price matters because this is an FFP scope with high magnifying power and an illuminated reticle. Plus factors like XPL coated lenses and water submersible design also add to the overall value. 

The quality of this scope is just amazing. The tracking, turret adjustments, and acquisition are just awesome. Plus, Athlon Optics are covered by a lifetime warranty just like other leading manufacturers. So your purchase is covered for life. 

Conclusion 

The Athlore Ares BTR 4.5-27x50 is a versatile scope that can be used for short range hunting as well as long range precision shooting applications. It is an FFP scope with an illuminated reticle, a durable body, amazing tracking, and a warranty cover for life. 

People Also Ask

Let’s find out some definite answers to queries about this optic and the company. Athlon Optics is a new company on the market but has started to amaze buyers with its marvelous quality.

What Kind of Warranty Does the Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27X50 Come With?

This scope is covered by a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects and the company will also repair or replace the scope if the product is damaged through normal use. The warranty is fully transferable with no registration needed and no receipt is required. 

Can You Use Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27X50 in Low Light?

Yes. The red illuminated reticle, multi-coated lenses, and a large 50 mm objective lens helps the scope gather a good amount of light for low light shooting. 



Ankit

Ankit Kumar is an engineer turned writer who specializes in topics related to firearms, gun safety and weapon tech. His passion towards enrolling in the Army drifted his interest towards light and heavy firearms. He’s a qualified competitive air rifle shooter and an avid nature lover. His other areas of expertise include survival, prepping and firearms/ammo storage. When he’s not writing, he’s either learning a new skill, trekking or enjoying a long drive.