Athlon Cronus ATS Thermal Scopes: Which Model for Coyote and Hog Hunting in 2026?
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By Peter Makulek · Senior Optics Editor · · Live prices from US retailers
Athlon Optics has built out its Cronus ATS thermal riflescope range into three separate tiers in 2026: the original Cronus ATS, the newer Cronus ATS PRO, and a pocket-sized handheld option, the Cronus ATS P-Mini 250S. Between them they cover everything from a $500 backup spotter to a $5,625 flagship scope with a built-in laser rangefinder, all built around a 12-micron thermal sensor core rather than the older 17-micron sensors that used to define the budget end of the thermal market.
For US coyote and hog hunters, thermal has become close to essential rather than a luxury — both species are most active and most legally huntable after dark in many states, and a thermal sensor finds a heat signature in brush or standing crop that no amount of light-gathering glass will show you. The question by 2026 isn't whether to buy thermal, it's which of Athlon's six current Cronus ATS models actually matches your rifle, your budget, and how far you realistically need to detect and identify game.
This guide compares the standard Cronus ATS line (35-400, 50-400 and 50-640), the Cronus ATS PRO line (25P-250 through the flagship 50L-640 with built-in rangefinder), and the P-Mini 250S handheld monocular — with verified sensor resolution, magnification, weight and current US pricing for each.
Top Picks — Live US Prices
DNT Optics Hydra 3-12x25mm Thermal Rifle Scope, 256x192, HS225
via OpticsPlanet
$799.99
SightMark Shade 256 3.5-28x30 Mini Thermal Rifle Scope, Black, SM17005
via OpticsPlanet
$999.97
SightMark Wraith Mini 2-16x35mm Thermal Rifle Scope, 50 Hz, 384x288, Black, SM17001
via OpticsPlanet
$1469.00
Buying Advice
The standard Cronus ATS riflescope line has three models, all sharing a 400x300 sensor except the top one: the 35-400 (2.65-10.6x magnification, 35mm lens) at $3,249.99, the 50-400 (3.78-15.1x, 50mm lens) at $3,624.99, and the 50-640 (2.36-18.9x, 640x480 sensor, 50mm lens) at $4,999.99. All three share a 1440x1080 OLED display, thermal sensitivity of 25mK or better at room temperature, and WiFi connectivity through Athlon's Thermal app for streaming to a phone.
The Cronus ATS PRO line is the wider, more affordable spread: the entry 25P-250 (256x192 sensor, 3.6-14.4x, 25mm lens) at $937.49, the 35P-400 (400x300 sensor, 3.3-13.2x, 35mm lens) at $1,874.99, the 35-400 and 35L-400 (both 400x300, 3.3-13.2x, 35mm) at $3,374.99 and $3,874.99, and the flagship 50-640 and 50L-640 (640x480 sensor, 2.95-23.6x, 50mm) at $5,124.99 and $5,624.99. The "L" designation on the top two PRO models means a built-in laser rangefinder, so you get true ranging alongside detection in one unit rather than carrying a separate rangefinder.
For most coyote and hog hunters working farmland or brush country at realistic engagement ranges — under 300 yards for a shot, further for scanning — the PRO 35P-400 at $1,874.99 is the strongest value in the whole line: a genuine 400x300 sensor, 35mm lens, and a price under $2,000 that undercuts the older standard-line 35-400 by more than $1,300 for the same sensor resolution and a similar magnification range. If your budget tops out closer to $900, the PRO 25P-250 still gives you a usable 256x192 core, one-shot zero, and auto-recording — it just detects and resolves game at shorter range than the 400x300 models.
If you need a built-in laser rangefinder because you're taking longer shots or want exact holdover data rather than an estimate, the PRO 50L-640 at $5,624.99 is the only model in the current lineup with LRF built in. It's rated around 2,620 yards detection and 1,090 yards recognition, driven by the 640x480 sensor and 50mm F1.0 lens — treat those figures as a ballpark rather than a guarantee, since actual detection distance always depends on target size, background temperature and conditions on the day.
The P-Mini 250S at $499.99 is not a riflescope at all — it's a handheld thermal monocular with a 256x192 sensor at 0.4-1.6x base magnification, weighing 7.23 ounces and running over 9 hours per charge from USB-C. It's the right buy if you want a lightweight heat-signature scanner to carry alongside a normal daylight riflescope — spotting coyotes or hogs by hand before you ever shoulder the rifle — not a replacement for a dedicated thermal riflescope if you plan to shoot through it.
Across every Cronus ATS model, the spec that matters more than raw resolution is NETD (thermal sensitivity) — the standard and PRO lines both sit at 25-30mK, meaning they resolve small temperature differences well even against a warm summer background, which is exactly when a lower-sensitivity budget thermal struggles to separate a hog from the ground it's standing on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the Cronus ATS and Cronus ATS PRO lines?
PRO is the newer, wider range and includes Athlon's most affordable thermal riflescope options — the 25P-250 at $937.49 and 35P-400 at $1,874.99 — alongside flagship models with a built-in laser rangefinder. The standard Cronus ATS line has only three models (35-400, 50-400, 50-640), all priced from $3,249.99 up, and none of them include a built-in rangefinder.
Which Athlon Cronus ATS model is best for coyote hunting?
For most coyote hunters, the Cronus ATS PRO 35P-400 at $1,874.99 is the best value — a genuine 400x300 sensor and 35mm lens for well under $2,000. If budget is the priority, the PRO 25P-250 at $937.49 still detects and resolves coyote-sized game at realistic calling distances, just with less reach than the 400x300 models.
Does any Cronus ATS model have a built-in rangefinder?
Yes — the "L" designation on the Cronus ATS PRO 35L-400 and 50L-640 means a built-in laser rangefinder. The 50L-640, Athlon's flagship thermal riflescope at $5,624.99, is the only model in the lineup combining a 640x480 sensor with true built-in ranging.
Is the Cronus ATS P-Mini 250S a scope or a handheld device?
It's a handheld thermal monocular, not a riflescope — you use it to scan for heat signatures with your eye, then shoulder a separate daylight or thermal scope to take the shot. At $499.99, 7.23 ounces and 0.4-1.6x base magnification, it's built as a lightweight scanning tool, not a mountable sight.
What does NETD mean and why does it matter for thermal hunting scopes?
NETD (Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference) measures how small a temperature difference a thermal sensor can resolve — lower is better. The Cronus ATS and PRO lines sit at roughly 25-30mK, which is sensitive enough to separate an animal from a warm background (like sun-heated ground) that would blur together on a lower-sensitivity budget thermal unit.
How much detection range do I actually need for hog or coyote hunting?
Detection range (spotting a heat signature) is always much longer than recognition range (confirming what it is) or a realistic ethical shot distance. Athlon's flagship 50L-640 is rated around 2,620 yards detection and 1,090 yards recognition, but most hog and coyote shots are taken well under 300 yards — extra detection range is mainly useful for scanning large fields before an animal is close enough to identify.
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