NEW: Athlon Cronus ATS Pro Thermal 50L-640

Earlier this year I tested the Athlon Cronus ATS Thermal Scope 50-640. The 50L-640 version features built-in ballistics and a laser rangefinder!

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About the Athlon Cronus ATS Pro 50L-640

The Athlon Cronus ATS Pro has seven different color palettes and Wi-Fi connection in addition to video recording. This allows you to stream to another device via the Athlon Thermal app and share the action.

The scope also has 10 hours of battery life and comes with two removable batteries. The scope will continue to function as you swap batteries as long as the internal battery is charged, ensuring you don’t lose any time.

The sensitive thermal sensor allowed me to see fine levels of detail including mice scurrying in the woods.

A short press on the button atop the scope opens the quick menus. Rotate the dial to navigate through the menus and push to select.

A long press will exit. A long press on the button to start will open a more advanced menu.

There are a number of menus to change reticle types, ranging cursor, and more.

From Athlon Optics:

The flagship in Athlon’s Cronus ATS line of thermal optics just got better. Now with the pro model provides the same exceptional performance from the original, with an included internal laser range finder and ballistic calculator. The Cronus ATS Pro 50L-640 provides stunning detail and crystal clear resolution. An impressive 8.8×6.6° field of view ensures your quarry won’t slip by you.

Seven Color Palettes: Customize the display to your personal preferences using one of the 7 color palettes options. Brightness and contrast can further be adjusted for each color palette to suit your environment.

Sensitive Thermal Sensor: Athlon thermal sensors have a 12 uM pixel pitch, paired with our lower NETD ratings the Cronus ATS line provides cleaner and sharper images due to their ability to differentiate smaller temperature fluctuations and increased contrast.

Wi-Fi Connection: The Athlon Thermal app is available on Apple and Android devices, providing users the ability to record video and and capture exhilarating moments of your hunt.

OLED Display: High Resolution display provides a sharp, high contrast view with vivid color.

Long Battery Life: Athlon thermal scope provides more than 10 hours of use in most hunting situations with the standard battery set. A common USB-C connection also provides the ability to power the optic with an external battery pack if needed.

Ballistics Calculator: Powered by Athlon’s Ballistics App, providing accurate data for common calibers and cartridges, as well as custom loads

Built-In Laser Rangefinder: When the sun sets, determining distances can be tricky in the dark. Featuring a built-in LRF to quickly and accurately measure the distance to your subject.

What’s in the Box

The scope comes in a convenient, zippered carrying case. The case itself is impressive with a padded interior, velcro straps for the optic, and dedicated places for everything. The optic has an integrated front cap and comes with rings, instructions, rear telescoping rubber eyepiece, power cables, battery charger, batteries, and charging brick adapters.

Athlon Cronus ATS Pro Models

Compared to the Athlon Cronus ATS I have previously tested, the Cronus ATS Pro has a 25% larger viewing screen, onboard audio recording, more color palette options, integrated ballistics, and laser rangefinder.* Internal storage is also greater at 128 GB. The onboard audio recording makes it easy to make audio notes during a hunt or range session and sync with external cameras.

*There is an array of Cronus PRO models. Any with an L designation includes a laser range finder.

About the Rifle

With varmint and predator hunting in mind, I decided to mount the Cronus ATS Pro on my .22 Creedmoor build.

I had chambered a 1:7 Proof Research barrel blank from OTM Tactical on my Precision Matthews TL-1660 using reamers from Manson Precision and paired it with a Stiller Wombat action. This assembly went into a Foundation Gideon Hybrid Hunting Stock along with Hawkins Precision Hunter DBM and a Bix’n Andy TacSport PRO-X trigger.

Testing

A coyote hunting opportunity arose the day I put the rifle together and zeroed it. Though I hadn’t fully familiarized myself with all of the features, I couldn’t turn down the chance to test everything out. (I had preloaded a ballistics profile for .22 Creedmoor with an 80 grain ELD-X bullet from the Athlon Ballistics app.)

I watched a coyote through the scope and took a shot, just barely missing him.

I later realized that my rifle zero was low. Zeroing a thermal scope can be a bit tricky as you are using a handwarmer or a toewarmer as a target. These are hard to locate the exact center of.

When I returned back to the Ultimate Reloader Ranch, I rezeroed the rifle and used a torch to heat a D-M Targets steel coyote at 375 yards.

Heating the steel allowed me to see it in the scope. I took shots off a tripod from near my cabin.

Pressing a button on the left side of the scope activates the laser rangefinder.

Rotating this knob controls the zoom. The rangefinder is nearly instantaneous and effective out to 1,600 yards.

If you have ballistics loaded, a holdover line will appear in the reticle in addition to the range measurement. I made three impacts with three shots from 375 yards standing behind a lightweight tripod. Any further than 375 yards, I would have opted to shoot prone.

The laser rangefinder and integrated ballistics truly take thermal hunting to the next level. Hunting at night can be disorienting. The only reference you have is the animal you see on the screen.

I was able to see fine levels of detail with the sensitive thermal sensor including mice scurrying in the woods.

Conclusion

I’ve truly enjoyed using Athlon’s new flagship thermal. The laser rangefinder, integrated ballistics, and on-board audio recording all pushed it over the edge for me.

The ergonomics and controls are second to none and the three-battery setup (one internal + two external) alleviates any worries about running out of power during a long hunt.