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01-19-2020, 11:37 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Franchere AB
Posts: 185
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Athlon Ares 15-45x65 Spotter
Is anyone on here using an Athlon Ares? They seem to have great reviews on Rokslide and are often compared to the Vortex Razor.
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01-19-2020, 03:04 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 379
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Given the choice id take the Vortex obviously they cost more but if you look you can find some Gen 1 razors for a good deal, if you know anyone that has the Cabelas Krotos spotter they are identical to the Athlon.
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01-19-2020, 03:11 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Franchere AB
Posts: 185
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Now what if you were to choose between an 80mm Viper and the 65mm Athlon? This is my scenario. I currently have the 80mm viper and am looking for a smaller scope that packs better.
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01-19-2020, 03:24 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 379
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between the Ares and Viper id go Ares, especially if you are looking to downsize. One of the key features of the Ares is that its lightweight.
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01-20-2020, 06:26 AM
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Banned
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 5,701
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What does it say on the bottom of that spotter?
I cant make it out in the picture?
Made in China??
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01-20-2020, 07:09 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Franchere AB
Posts: 185
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Yes they are made in China. Along with lots of other brands that put out nice products. Have you used one?
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01-20-2020, 10:26 AM
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Banned
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 5,701
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ram94
Yes they are made in China. Along with lots of other brands that put out nice products. Have you used one?
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Nope
I choose non Chinese manufactured optics
Never heard anyone rave about anything Chinese unless it’s about the price
Vortex is Japanese glass
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01-20-2020, 10:57 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Franchere AB
Posts: 185
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marky_mark
Nope
I choose non Chinese manufactured optics
Never heard anyone rave about anything Chinese unless it’s about the price
Vortex is Japanese glass
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Fair enough, I know a lot of people have that same opinion. I have ordered one and plan to compare it to a Viper and Razor. I have yet to see a bad review of the Athlon and it seems to be beating the Razor in side by side comparisons but I want to see for myself.
Also, Vortex is mainly manufactured in China now as well. Including the Razor line.
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01-20-2020, 12:35 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Location
Posts: 4,961
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ram94
Fair enough, I know a lot of people have that same opinion. I have ordered one and plan to compare it to a Viper and Razor. I have yet to see a bad review of the Athlon and it seems to be beating the Razor in side by side comparisons but I want to see for myself.
Also, Vortex is mainly manufactured in China now as well. Including the Razor line.
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If they are similar in quality, how does the warranty stack up? You can’t beat the vortex warranty. I’m too hard on equipment to entertain other brands myself.
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01-20-2020, 12:47 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Franchere AB
Posts: 185
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They claim to have the same No fault, transferable lifetime warranty.
This is it beside a 65mm Viper. It’s 1 pound lighter too.
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01-20-2020, 01:40 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: WMU 226
Posts: 2,198
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Vortex has a great warranty but warranty doesn’t help much when your optics cheese out in the middle of a hunt.
__________________
As a man thinketh in his heart so he is
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02-04-2020, 06:54 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Franchere AB
Posts: 185
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I received the Athlon Ares and was able to compare side by side with a 65mm Razor, 65mm 28x fixed power Pentax EDii and a 80mm Viper.
Really, the 65mm Pentax, Razor and Athlon beat out the 80mm Viper pretty easily. I set up on a hill and was looking at two trucks parked at 950 yards. With the Viper, I couldn’t read the license plates through any of the zoom range. The Pentax, was the nicest image but I was not able to read the plates either. (Maybe with a higher power fixed eyepiece or zoom eyepiece, but this is what I had to compare) The Razor and Athlon I could read the license plates from about 30x to full zoom and there was not a noticeable difference between them. A bit better eye relief on the Razor but wider picture on the Athlon. I have sold the Viper and am keeping the Athlon.
80mm Vortex Viper
65mm Vortex Razor
65mm Athlon Ares
65mm Pentax EDii
65mm Vortex Razor
65mm Athlon Ares
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02-04-2020, 08:24 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Franchere AB
Posts: 185
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Vortex Viper 20-60x80mm - 67 oz
Pentax EDii 65mm fixed 28x - 54 oz
Vortex Razor 15-48x65mm - 52 oz
Athlon Ares 15-45x65mm - 48 oz
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03-02-2020, 11:38 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 80
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your viper is non HD version right? Keeping the Athlon I take it? How much and where did you order your Athlon?
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03-02-2020, 11:46 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Caroline
Posts: 7,271
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Stamped China. Hope it suits your needs.
__________________
Two reasons you may think CO2 is a pollutant
1.You weren't paying attention in grade 5
2. You're stupid
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03-02-2020, 11:48 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 80
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MountainTi
Stamped China. Hope it suits your needs.
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kinda like Vortex hey?
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03-02-2020, 12:04 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Caroline
Posts: 7,271
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Quote:
Originally Posted by j335
kinda like Vortex hey?
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I have no idea actually.
__________________
Two reasons you may think CO2 is a pollutant
1.You weren't paying attention in grade 5
2. You're stupid
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03-02-2020, 12:28 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Franchere AB
Posts: 185
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Vortex is Chinese as well yes. My Viper was the HD model. I ordered from BH Photo/Video.
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03-02-2020, 12:31 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Franchere AB
Posts: 185
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I think CameraLandNY is one of the only places left that still has the Gen1. You could call Red Star Targets in Calgary. They’re a Canadian dealer for Athlon. Might be able to hook you up.
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03-02-2020, 06:23 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 99
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Ordered this from Cameraland last week (they got a really good deal on em), super excited to give it a try. Had a Vortex Diamondback spotting scope earlier that I sold as I wasn't impressed, reviews show this Ares one is equal to or better than the Viper model
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03-02-2020, 08:54 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Rocky View County
Posts: 616
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Just typed in Ares on Camerland website and noticed a full line of items...including binos.
Anyone have the binos? How do they compare?
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03-02-2020, 10:14 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 80
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Thanks fellas I ordered one tonight as well, will be using it every day likely keeping an eye on the falls targets...
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12-15-2020, 09:49 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 21
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How do you like your Ares? I got one this year through Red star Target Co. I really like, its the updated ares 14-45.
I put mine on a vortex Summit tripod and its awesome for packability and minimal weight. I think it does a better job than the smaller vortex razor. I am going to put a phoneskope on it and see how it does.
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01-10-2021, 05:59 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Franchere AB
Posts: 185
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peasant
How do you like your Ares? I got one this year through Red star Target Co. I really like, its the updated ares 14-45.
I put mine on a vortex Summit tripod and its awesome for packability and minimal weight. I think it does a better job than the smaller vortex razor. I am going to put a phoneskope on it and see how it does.
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That’s the same setup I’ve been using. Had it out on a couple sheep trips this year and it was impressive. Scope , Phoneskope and tripod all fit in my pack lid. Quite a step up from the larger Viper I had been using prior.
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