Athlon Cronus G2 UHD VS. Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85

Recently I got to put the Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85 30-60x85mm and the Athlon Cronus G2 UHD 20-60x85mm spotting scopes through a side-by-side test.  I was very pleased with the quality of both optics.  At 850 yards I was almost able to read 1 inch text with the Zeiss Gavia; while the Athlon Cronus was only able to make out the color of the text.  Both have amazing clarity and magnification capabilities.  

When it came to cutting through mirage, the Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85 had a slight advantage over the Athlon Cronus G2, which provided a more clear and precise picture.  However, the difference was just too miniscule to not be incredibly impressed with the Athlon Cronus G2 which is priced at just $999.99, while the Zeiss Conquest Gavia retails at $1999.99.

Since the performance was so close together, if you are a budget minded buyer looking for the best bang for your buck, the Athlon Cronus G2 checks all the boxes.  If you are looking for that top-tier spotting scope, that gives you that extra edge that most glass can't beat the Zeiss Conquest Gavia is the one for you.

Ultimately, what it comes down to is the individual's preference and budget.  However, based on the price point and clarity test that I was able to perform on a blue bird sky day, with 60% humidity, and at 85 degrees Fahrenheit, in open terrain conditions.  I would highly recommend the Athlon Cronus G2 UHD as a cost-effective alternative without sacrificing quality.

Stay tuned for the color test results, as I continue to explore features and capabilities of these amazing spotting scopes

-Eric Briggs

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