Product Review Athlon Rangecraft

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bkbrno

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athlonoptics.com

Rangecraft Velocity PRO Radar Chronograph - Athlon Optics

The Athlon 35P-400 thermal scope redefines precision and clarity, boasting a cutting-edge 400x300 thermal sensor that pierces the darkest nights.
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I used my MidwayUSA birthday code to grab one of these. Similar to a the highly regarded Garmin Xero. I have a Shooting Chrony from the 1990s. It was a good day when it got 50% of the shots. Real world conditions just never favored getting good recordings. Add to that, painful setup and the ever present chance of hitting the thing with a bullet, which I did once. Clipped a sky screen rod.

Have only tried it with my air rifle. 10 shots, 10 good recordings. It records all the specifics. You can enter the weight of the pellet and it gives energy. Nice to know for an air rifle. I think you can link it to a phone to download data. I don't care enough to record everything at that level. I am content to know that my cheap Crosman PCP puts up respectable numbers and pretty consistent over a 10 shot string. Interesting to note that the first few shots after refill are all over the place then it settles down. No use pumping it up to full, just fill to the pressure where it is already settled.
 
I've gone back and forth (in my research) trying to decide whether to get the Garmin or the Athlon. I've read mixed reviews from both. The question is whether they pick up shots from other rifles in the next lanes.

I've got a MagnetoSpeed, which works very well. But it's a pain to set up.

I'm guessing your air rifle is not a regulated (same air pressure for every shot) model.
 
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Correct, unregulated. Crosman did a lot of testing and research to make the 3622 as simple as possible. It only needs 2000psi and gets 15-20 good shots at that pressure level. An added bonus is that it is much easier to use a hand pump. I sort of buy into Crosman's hype because the airgun nerds and tuners have not been able to get more good shots and any power increases greatly drop the good shot count drastically. They hit the sweet spot and there is not really a reason to mess with it. Inexpensive, made in the USA, shoots well right out of the box, light and handy. It is loud without a moderator and there is not a lot of barrel sticking out to add one.

I also have a Diana PCP that came with a regulator that I have to install. One of the big gripes with this rifle is that it leaks badly. My rifle does not leak at all so I am reluctant to open it up and mess with it. It pumps up to 3000psi. The last 1000 pounds is a real workout with a hand pump. Based on reviews, the shot velocity changes a lot with each shot and it only good for about 10 good shots. I'm sure that would change with a regulator in but I would rather have a rifle that does not leak.

I'll give the Diana a run with the chrony today to see what she is doing for real.
 

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