Athlon Ares 15-45x65 Spotter

[Ram94]

Is anyone on here using an Athlon Ares? They seem to have great reviews on Rokslide and are often compared to the Vortex Razor.

[Jjolg123]

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.

[Ram94]

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.

[Jjolg123]

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.

[marky_mark]

What does it say on the bottom of that spotter?
I cant make it out in the picture?
Made in China??

[Ram94]

Yes they are made in China. Along with lots of other brands that put out nice products. Have you used one?

[marky_mark]

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?

Nope
I choose non Chinese manufactured optics
Never heard anyone rave about anything Chinese unless it’s about the price
Vortex is Japanese glass

[Ram94]

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

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.

[wildwoods]

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.

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.

[Ram94]

They claim to have the same No fault, transferable lifetime warranty.

This is it beside a 65mm Viper. It’s 1 pound lighter too.

[ganderblaster]

Vortex has a great warranty but warranty doesn’t help much when your optics cheese out in the middle of a hunt.

[Ram94]

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

[Ram94]

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

[j335]

your viper is non HD version right? Keeping the Athlon I take it? How much and where did you order your Athlon?

[MountainTi]

Stamped China. Hope it suits your needs.

[j335]

Originally Posted by MountainTi

Stamped China. Hope it suits your needs.

kinda like Vortex hey?

[MountainTi]

Originally Posted by j335

kinda like Vortex hey?

I have no idea actually.

[Ram94]

Vortex is Chinese as well yes. My Viper was the HD model. I ordered from BH Photo/Video.

[Ram94]

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.

[dalewig]

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

[Fwee6]

Just typed in Ares on Camerland website and noticed a full line of items...including binos.

Anyone have the binos? How do they compare?

[j335]

Thanks fellas I ordered one tonight as well, will be using it every day likely keeping an eye on the falls targets...

[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.

[Ram94]

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.

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.