Maven vs vortex vs athlon

[Pochunter97]

Looking for some advice from first hand experience. Can’t find a good comparable of these 3. I’ve narrowed down my compact spotter choices to 1. Vortex razor 13-39x56 2. Maven Cs.1 15-45x65. 3. Athlon ares 15-45x65. Leaning toward the maven because of the weight but I have only ever looked through the vortex. What’s everyone’s thoughts on these if you had to pick. I know the kowa is best but trying to stay around the 5-700 range

 

[flyfisher117]

The baby razor is the only compact one on the list. The other two are just smaller 65mm spotters.
I wanted to love the baby razor. I had my mind on getting it. I got to the store. They took it outside and set it up and I just couldn’t buy it. The eyerelief sucked and the image just wasn’t great. Granted mirage makes everything suck to a point. I ended up going with the full size 65mm razor. Which I have already turned around and sold. lol

The budget maven spotter I also looked through wasn’t great. I don’t remember which one it was but it felt just like any other budget spotter I have borrowed from buddies.

I would like to experience the athlon since it gets such glowing reviews. They can be had used in here for around $400. Maybe I’ll snag one this winter.

If you have $700 and can stretch another $200 you are right into that used Kowa range. Just dew it

 

[Flymost]

I have the Nikon ED 50, the birding community loves it and for good reason. The only upgrade I’d consider is the Kowa.

 

[alexnelon]

I know I say this all the time, but a Nikon ED50 is superior to the baby razor.

The other two you listed are not compact scopes. I've not been impressed with Maven optically. The Athlon is supposed to be good but it's usually in comparison to vortex so, grain of salt and all that.

 

[DunnCoHunter]

I have the maven and love it. Does what I need. Rides in my truck year round so I can throw it on my window mount to see deer in Wisconsin. Have had it on a few elk/deer trips out west. I use my binoculars on a tripod and when I spot something I throw the CS1 on quick to get a closer look. I’m not trophy hunting so not counting points or anything. For the things I need, I see no reason I will ever upgrade tbh.

 

[nobody]

I can opine on 2 of the 3. The baby vortex scopes are fine, nothing great and nothing terrible. They are exactly adequate for what they are. The maven c series spotters are equally adequate and capable, at a lower cost, with a wider magnification range and a nominal size penalty. At full retail and all things equal, that maven spotter is where I would spend my dollars.

I have no experience with that exact Athlon spotter, but based on my experiences with other Athlon products, I would pass on it without a second thought.