Athlon Ares vs Vanguard Endeavor spotting scope

[coloradoan]

I'm considering picking up a 65mm spotting scope and looking at the Vanguard Endeavor HD and the Athlon Ares. I remember people talking a lot about the Vanguard a few years back on this forum. The Ares seems to get a lot of positive feedback for the price these days. Have any of you guys used both of these? I'm interested in optical quality most of all, but also build quality and ease of use.

Thanks for any info you might have.

 

[JLH3]

I’ve never looked through a Vanguard but I recently picked up an Ares 15-45 and have been really impressed with it. Very good clarity.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Have you considered the Hawke Endurance ED 20-60x68 Spotting Scope.
Same physical size, however, it's a 20-60x power vs 15-45x
Has 2 touch focus
On sale for $539.99
Same optical quality

 

[coloradoan]

Thanks Doug, I have a few questions to ask so I'll give a call sometime in the next week. In the meantime I'm bumping this to see if anyone else has an opinion.

 

[steelheadmike]

Thanks Doug, I have a few questions to ask so I'll give a call sometime in the next week. In the meantime I'm bumping this to see if anyone else has an opinion.

I've owned both. But, for the last 6 years, I've owned the Ares (Gen 1). The Vanguard was fine but the eyepiece had some play in it and I like the ergonomics of the Ares better. I never used them side by side to compare the glass but I've been quite happy with the Ares. It's been a great compact spotter for my uses.