Cronus vs XTR II (backup for Minox)

[BytorJr]

So, my Minox as we now know has the parallax AFU. So it's going back to Germany. Meanwhile, I'm wondering if I should go with a
Cronus BTR GEN2 4.5-29×56 APRS6 or APRS1 or a Bushnell Elite Tactical XRS II 4.5-30x 50.

I have 3 of the LRTS and (i) so I'm familiar with the G3 reticle. Doesn't bother me because it's easy to pick up due to the relative thickness (somewhat of a plus for not PRS shooting). That said, is the XRS II Glass comparable to the Cronus Gen 2? Not much I don't like about the Bushy's and thinking out loud that commonality is a good thing, yet the tree on the Cronus isn't obnoxious and has 0.2 mil graduations on elevation which is a bit more handy than 0.5mils.

Can anybody comment on turrets and optical quality on these two? Thanks in advance.

Should these work out, I may move my "new" LRTS (4.5-18x) over to something else when the Minox returns. Hate to feel like I need a backup...but...yes...yes I do.

 

[spife7980]

I’ve put mine side by side and it’s really splitting hairs trying to tell which glass like more. With one I can see a bit more paint splatter but then with the other I can see a bit more of the grass seed heads and I go back and forth so I’m not much help here.

I don’t care about the turrets, both work great for me. The xrs wind locks if that matters. Otherwise they both go where I want them to go without fussing and I don’t ever notice that they have rolled inadvertently. I guess if I had to say something... maybe the cronus clicks are less pronounced but they don’t feel at all less defined. I prefer them to the heavy clicks that sounds like you’re spinning a prize wheel like with a razor. The xrs are a bit more pronounced in that there is a heavier thud to them but there’s more sponginess to them as well in between clicks instead of an evenly ramped feel like with the cronus.

Trying to put this to an image with two graphs I was able to find in google images that sort of illustrate the point I’m trying to make(?).
The xrs where you are on that click but you can wiggle a bit either way from middle before it drops to the next click over.

The cronus where you can feel a solid middle with increasing resistance either way before it clicks to the next tenth.

That’s compared to each other, they are both really good IMO. Tangent is the only other scope I’ve felt that I actually went “wow, I know what they mean now” with.

I really like the cronus cross reticle with the .2 wind and 1st mil of elevation each way but I shoot my g3 reticle a just as much and have no issue.
The new full .2 aprs6 looks awesome and I’d want that but when the old aprs one is 1150 from camera land and the xrs2 is 1150 from midway I’d be hard pressed to jump the extra just for that alone.

 

[BytorJr]

I’ve put mine side by side and it’s really splitting hairs trying to tell which glass like more. With one I can see a bit more paint splatter but then with the other I can see a bit more of the grass seed heads and I go back and forth so I’m not much help here.

I don’t care about the turrets, both work great for me. The xrs wind locks if that matters. Otherwise they both go where I want them to go without fussing and I don’t ever notice that they have rolled inadvertently. I guess if I had to say something... maybe the cronus clicks are less pronounced but they don’t feel at all less defined. I prefer them to the heavy clicks that sounds like you’re spinning a prize wheel like with a razor. The xrs are a bit more pronounced in that there is a heavier thud to them but there’s more sponginess to them as well in between clicks instead of an evenly ramped feel like with the cronus.

Trying to put this to an image with two graphs I was able to find in google images that sort of illustrate the point I’m trying to make(?).
The xrs where you are on that click but you can wiggle a bit either way from middle before it drops to the next click over.
View attachment 7507614
The cronus where you can feel a solid middle with increasing resistance either way before it clicks to the next tenth.
View attachment 7507615
That’s compared to each other, they are both really good IMO. Tangent is the only other scope I’ve felt that I actually went “wow, I know what they mean now” with.

I really like the cronus cross reticle with the .2 wind and 1st mil of elevation each way but I shoot my g3 reticle a just as much and have no issue.
The new full .2 aprs6 looks awesome and I’d want that but when the old aprs one is 1150 from camera land and the xrs2 is 1150 from midway I’d be hard pressed to jump the extra just for that alone.

Yes, that's just the way the turrets on the LRTS are. Not mushy, but there is some play/sponginess. Yeah, the CLNY vs Midway makes this harder...same price. Bushnell is known quantity for at least in LRTS stuff.

Thanks for pointing out to me I was looking at Gen I and not Gen 2. That kind of changes things a bit.

 

[One1Bravo]

So, my Minox as we now know has the parallax AFU. So it's going back to Germany. Meanwhile, I'm wondering if I should go with a
Cronus BTR GEN2 4.5-29×56 APRS6 or APRS1 or a Bushnell Elite Tactical XRS II 4.5-30x 50.

I have 3 of the LRTS and (i) so I'm familiar with the G3 reticle. Doesn't bother me because it's easy to pick up due to the relative thickness (somewhat of a plus for not PRS shooting). That said, is the XRS II Glass comparable to the Cronus Gen 2? Not much I don't like about the Bushy's and thinking out loud that commonality is a good thing, yet the tree on the Cronus isn't obnoxious and has 0.2 mil graduations on elevation which is a bit more handy than 0.5mils.

Can anybody comment on turrets and optical quality on these two? Thanks in advance.

Should these work out, I may move my "new" LRTS (4.5-18x) over to something else when the Minox returns. Hate to feel like I need a backup...but...yes...yes I do.

I own both. Have had several of each and really like both. But I prefer the Cronus. I find it brighter and just a tab bit clearer. The reticle is thinner than the H59 in my XRS II.

 

[steve123]

That's a tough one, the H59 being my all time favorite, and the APRS6 .2 mil which was personally inspired.

I'm not keen on the lash thing, distinct and less lash is what I like.

Eh, who am I kidding, I'd have to go for the G2 Cronus with APRS6! Just because I need to see it in person. I hope we all like it as much as I think we will??? I'm so glad Athlon came out with more .2 mil reticles in their scope lines!

Still got two H59's in the stable so I'm good there.

 

[BytorJr]

That's a tough one, the H59 being my all time favorite, and the APRS6 .2 mil which was personally inspired.

I'm not keen on the lash thing, distinct and less lash is what I like.

Eh, who am I kidding, I'd have to go for the G2 Cronus with APRS6! Just because I need to see it in person. I hope we all like it as much as I think we will??? I'm so glad Athlon came out with more .2 mil reticles in their scope lines!

Still got two H59's in the stable so I'm good there.

I just started looking at the XRS II in the H59 or TREMOR3. Never used these and they're non-illuminated . Being this is going to hopefully be a backup - the 1100 price makes the Gen I or XRS II are more palatable. But the APRS6 does seem like a nice reticle and close to the Minox I have.

I'll add I'm not sure I like the tall turrets on the Athlon. Preference I'll grant you; that said, they do look like they're less slick than the Bushy so easier to grab.