King of the $2K optics?

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laker415

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Kelowna/Northern Camp
Just looking around the EE and working on upgrading some of my optics. I'm reading non stop reviews and watching as many videos as I can. Not being able to look through these makes it hard to make a confident purchase. I have a delta Stryker coming that I've never handled or looked through. I'm on the hunt for another new to me scope. What are peoples thoughts or experiences with the following:

Minox LR 5-25x56
Bushnell XRS3 6-36x56
Apex Rival 4-32x56
Athlon Cronus 4.5-29x56 (Only one on the list I've looked through)

Thanks in advance.

I should add that I'm not a PRS shooter. Just bench and field work. Either paper targets for groups or shooting steel
 
It's a tough call, lots of very similar performance levels at that price point.

I looked through my Cronus side by side, on rifles at a match, with a Minox LR and a Apex Rival, and concluded my Cronus had the best image quality (accurate colors, chromatic aberration, sharp to the edges). So my vote still goes to the Cronus.
 
adamg said:
It's a tough call, lots of very similar performance levels at that price point.

I looked through my Cronus side by side, on rifles at a match, with a Minox LR and a Apex Rival, and concluded my Cronus had the best image quality (accurate colors, chromatic aberration, sharp to the edges). So my vote still goes to the Cronus.
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Thanks for this. I like Athlon optics and the reticle is great in my opinion. The Cronus is at the top of my list for potential choices. I just wanted to hear about the apex from regular shooters. The minox is interesting but I can't find a tonne of info on it.
 
Unless you’re set on FFP, don’t overlook Leica. Their 3-18X44i is outstanding in many ways (and this is coming from someone who has been an S&B snob for years).



I use mine for LR (1km +). Under 2 grand especially if you wait for a sale.
 
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J996 said:
Unless you’re set on FFP, don’t overlook Leica. Their 3-18X44i is outstanding in many ways (and this is coming from someone who has been an S&B snob for years).



I use mine for LR (1km +). Under 2 grand especially if you wait for a sale.
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Thanks, I'm only interested in FFP and the magnification ranges of the examples I listed
 
laker415 said:
Thanks, I'm only interested in FFP and the magnification ranges of the examples I listed
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Yeah FFP with killer glass at 2k is a bit like finding a unicorn, I’d save up for a used Minox 5-25X56. Hope you find something you like.
 
J996 said:
Yeah FFP with killer glass at 2k is a bit like finding a unicorn, I’d save up for a used Minox 5-25X56. Hope you find something you like.
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Doesn't seem to be the case actually. Lots of options in this price point built in Japan. They aren't Alpha glass but good none the less. I can get a minox on the EE for $1800 but I'm hesitant based on the little information I've found
 
laker415 said:
Doesn't seem to be the case actually. Lots of options in this price point built in Japan. They aren't Alpha glass but good none the less. I can get a minox on the EE for $1800 but I'm hesitant based on the little information I've found
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Sorry I should have been more specific, I meant the ZP5 (which used will go for more than 2k). Honestly it all depends what you yourself accept as “good” with regard to glass, turrets and eyebox. If I were looking for a 56mm obj scope in FFP that can dial above 20X I would not be satisfied with anything less than a ZP5, K624i, Leica PRS or Atacr but that’s just me having been spoiled by high end stuff.
 
J996 said:
Sorry I should have been more specific, I meant the ZP5 (which used will go for more then 2k). Honestly it all depends what you yourself accept as “good” with regard to glass, turrets and eyebox. If I were looking for a 56mm obj scope in FFP the can dial above 20X I would not be satisfied with anything less than a ZP5, K624i Leica PRS or Atacr but that’s just me having been spoiled by having high end stuff.
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Gotcha. I can understand having expectations based on your price point. For me, I'm a couple levels down from your standards. I'm happy in this range for my usage. I was simply looking for people's opinions in the $2k range as there are alot of "quality" options in this price point. I in no way consider these scopes on par with tier 1 options.
 
laker415 said:
Thanks. No nightforce that I'd consider in this price point. I don't think I'd pick nightforce even if I had a larger budget
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The 8-32x56 NXS can be found used just above the 2k mark. I found one for my buddy and I’m thoroughly impressed with it.
The image colours aren’t as good as the ATACR or NX8 but its still a fantastic scope.
I’m kicking myself for going the NX8 route, I think the NXS is a better scope.
 
coleman1495 said:
The 8-32x56 NXS can be found used just above the 2k mark. I found one for my buddy and I’m thoroughly impressed with it.
The image colours aren’t as good as the ATACR or NX8 but its still a fantastic scope.
I’m kicking myself for going the NX8 route, I think the NXS is a better scope.
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That's not a FFP like he's looking for though
 
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