Athlon Optics Cronus ATS Pro 35P-400 Picatinny Thermal Scope

If you want the 400 × 300 resolution of Athlon's tube-mounted ATS Pro scopes on a rifle that already wears a Picatinny rail, without rings or a 37.4 oz scope, the Athlon Cronus ATS Pro 35P-400 is the compact way to get it: a 400 × 300, 12 μm sensor rated ≤25 mK behind a 35 mm F1.0 lens, in a 19.7 oz, 9.6-inch scope that ships on its own Picatinny mount. Athlon rates its detection range at 1,950 yards and says the 35P-400 "takes it further with a higher-resolution 400x300 sensor" than the 25P-250.

Key Features

• Picatinny mount, no rings. The scope ships on a lever-clamp Picatinny mount; Athlon lists no tube diameter for it.
• Preset holdovers from your load. The 35P-400 has no laser rangefinder. You build rifle and bullet profiles in the Athlon Ballistics app, send them to the scope, and set holdover points on the reticle for up to four distances, in a choice of four colors.

• First focal plane reticles and One Shot Zero. Athlon's reticle manual for the 35P-400 lists ten reticles, five MOA and five MIL, on the first focal plane. Five profiles (A to E) each save a zero at 50, 100 or 200 yards or meters with its reticle settings. To sight in, pick 1x, 2x or 4x, fire, freeze the image and move the reticle onto the point of impact.
• Zoom and image tools. Digital zoom takes the 3.3x base magnification to 13.2x. Hot track, picture-in-picture and three scene modes work with seven color palettes.

• A ≤25 mK sensor. Athlon says its lower NETD ratings let the sensor "differentiate smaller temperature fluctuations", and its chart sets a 25 mK image beside an 80 mK one.

• Recording with sound. With automatic recording on, a shot triggers a video from 3 seconds before to 7 seconds after, plus five images, with sound from the microphone. Files go to 32 GB of internal memory and download over USB-C, and Wi-Fi streams live video to your phone.

• Three batteries. One internal battery and two external 18500 batteries, with their charger, give 9 hours or more, and the scope draws on the external battery first. It also runs from USB-C power, and the 35P-400's box adds a power adapter with plugs. It will not start on the external battery alone if the internal one is flat.
• Sealed for weather. IP67, fog proof and shockproof, rated to work from -4°F to 122°F.

Who It's For

• Predator and varmint hunters, the uses Athlon names for it, who move between rail-equipped rifles: each of the five profiles holds its own zero and reticle settings.
• Not the 35-400 or the 35L-400. Athlon's Cronus ATS Pro 35-400 is the 30 mm tube scope with the same 400 × 300 resolution, a 1440 × 1080 display, ten zeroing profiles and 128 GB, at 37.4 oz, and the 35L-400 adds a laser rangefinder rated to 1,600 yards. Both cost more.
• Stepping down. The 25P-250 shares the manual and controls with a 256 × 192 sensor behind a 25 mm lens, rated ≤30 mK, at 17.8 oz, and costs less.
• Cross-shopping Guide's Nova N435. The Nova N435 matches the 35P-400 on sensor size, a 35 mm F1.0 lens, the 3.3x to 13.2x range, 32 GB and weight (19.71 oz), and Guide also rates its detection at 1,950 yards. Guide rates the N435 more sensitive (≤20 mK) and it costs less; Athlon rates the 35P-400's runtime at 9 hours or more against Guide's 7.5.