Just Bought an Athlon Ares - Viper Comparison

[idahohikker]

Hey guys, just spent the last evening and morning playing with the Athlon Ares 65mm spotting scope. I previously had a Vortex Viper 65mm. People compare the Athlon Ares to the Razor as much as the Viper in online communities.

I'm really impressed with the Ares. I can nitpick here and there between the two but the Athlon gathers slightly more light and has a wider field of view. Both allow you to glass without issue through the end of legal shooting light. Overall clarity is real similar on both with perhaps a small nod to Ares. The focus is better and less frequent focus changes are needed on the Ares.

But the Athlon is about half as big as the Viper. The Athlon is so much smaller and super packable at 9" long and 2" wide. It amazes me that the optical quality is even close with the size difference.

Without hesitation I'm grabbing the Ares and I've enjoyed using the Viper.

A more full review of the Ares will be coming. Feel free to ask any questions of my experience.

 

[idahohikker]

Hey guys, just spent the last evening and morning playing with the Athlon Ares 65mm spotting scope. I previously had a Vortex Viper 65mm. People compare the Athlon Ares to the Razor as much as the Viper in online communities.

I'm really impressed with the Ares. I can nitpick here and there between the two but the Athlon gathers slightly more light and has a wider field of view. Both allow you to glass without issue through the end of legal shooting light. Overall clarity is real similar on both with perhaps a small nod to Ares. The focus is better and less frequent focus changes are needed on the Ares.

But the Athlon is about half as big as the Viper. The Athlon is so much smaller and super packable at 9" long and 2" wide. It amazes me that the optical quality is even close with the size difference.

Without hesitation I'm grabbing the Ares and I've enjoyed using the Viper.

A more full review of the Ares will be coming. Feel free to ask any questions of my experience.

@gr8fuldoug any idea how Athlon makes a 65mm so small without giving up anything optically? Any thoughts on what benefits the larger eyepiece on the Ares provides?

 

[NDGuy]

If I buy a spotter I am grabbing the Ares or saving up for the big boys

 

[idahohikker]

If I buy a spotter I am grabbing the Ares or saving up for the big boys

I think the Ares is the perfect stop over OR I think you might keep it forever. The resale value on the Ares is strong because people really like them and it isn't a weakening brand like Vortex at least with the guys that frequent this site and Doug's shop. I don't think you need to upgrade though unless you feel compelled to just have the best. Even with my Viper I glassed through the end of shooting light, found bedded does at two miles, and elk at 5 miles. It's plenty of weapon in the field.

 

[Blue72]

How is the view at maximum magnification

 

[idahohikker]

How is the view at maximum magnification

Good. Impressed so far. I think there's just a hint of overall loss of clarity which is to be expected but very useable at that magnification. I'll provide more and update once I've had the chance to use in the field in hunting situations more and post my full review.

 

[idahohikker]

Here's a photo of the Ares and Viper.

 

[RyanDoolittle]

You have had it a couple seasons, what do you think of the Ares now?

 

[mntnflyr4fun]

I have the Ares G2 20-60x85, straight body.. At 2.5miles I can see individual branches on ground cover type brush that I would expect to be in the 1/2 dia. range and at the same time see stabilizing cables on a tower at the same distance that I know are 3/8" with no problem, right up until the sun goes down. probably longer but that's when I quit. The glass is excellent, I would prefer the dual focus setup over the barrel, but not a big issue for me. I believe I could see the antlers easily on a fork horn buck at the 3600 plus yds I am looking. focus and zoom are buttery smooth. I am very impressed at this price point and I have been looking for something at this performance/price combination for years and this is the first time that this picky elk hunter has found something that meets the need. Honestly can't compare to the Vortex line, as I chose not to own one, but I have had 2 diff. Leupold HD in the past as well as a handful of others and none came close to this other than a Fuji Super 80 thirty years ago that I should have kept.

I don't think there is much risk in owning the Ares.

 

[Mikenep]

Hey guys, just spent the last evening and morning playing with the Athlon Ares 65mm spotting scope. I previously had a Vortex Viper 65mm. People compare the Athlon Ares to the Razor as much as the Viper in online communities.

I'm really impressed with the Ares. I can nitpick here and there between the two but the Athlon gathers slightly more light and has a wider field of view. Both allow you to glass without issue through the end of legal shooting light. Overall clarity is real similar on both with perhaps a small nod to Ares. The focus is better and less frequent focus changes are needed on the Ares.

But the Athlon is about half as big as the Viper. The Athlon is so much smaller and super packable at 9" long and 2" wide. It amazes me that the optical quality is even close with the size difference.

Without hesitation I'm grabbing the Ares and I've enjoyed using the Viper.

A more full review of the Ares will be coming. Feel free to ask any questions of my experience.