Razor (Gen 1) vs. Athlon Ares G2 Spotter

[nobody]

The title speaks for itself. Looking to get into one of these two spotters:

Razor Gen 1 (Old Model) 16-48x65
Athlon Ares G2 UHD 15-45x65

Both of these meet my size, budget, and weight requirements. I know there’s better out there, but this is going to be for backpacking deep, so I’m wanting something smaller than an 85, and lighter.

Anybody with experience with both care to chime in? Dad has the Gen 1 Razor, the larger model, and it’s a solid scope for the price. Just zero experience with the Athlon, so I’m hoping somebody can compare/contrast.

 

[Happy Antelope]

They are both excellent for the money. The Gen I Razor can be found cheap right now. We have both in stock if interested and can work a good deal on them.

 

[nobody]

They are both excellent for the money. The Gen I Razor can be found cheap right now. We have both in stock if interested and can work a good deal on them.

I’ll PM you guys

 

[Tahoe1305]

They are both excellent for the money. The Gen I Razor can be found cheap right now. We have both in stock if interested and can work a good deal on them.

You can use different eye pieces on the razor. Up to and including swaros. Just FYI.

IMO the finger focus on the razor makes it great (same focus as kowas).

 

[nobody]

You can use different eye pieces on the razor. Up to and including swaros. Just FYI.

IMO the finger focus on the razor makes it great (same focus as kowas).

That’s one big draw is the fine/coarse focus for sure.

Didn’t know that about the eyepieces, that’s interesting

 

[Tahoe1305]

That’s one big draw is the fine/coarse focus for sure.

Didn’t know that about the eyepieces, that’s interesting

I run a swaro 25-50 on mine. Not positive it’s worth the price (eyepiece more than spotter….) but it’s a cool option.

 

[Happy Antelope]

You can use different eye pieces on the razor. Up to and including swaros. Just FYI.

IMO the finger focus on the razor makes it great (same focus as kowas).

I prefer the old razor with the dual focus for sure. You are 100% spot on IMO

 

[Highlands Hunter]

The title speaks for itself. Looking to get into one of these two spotters:

Razor Gen 1 (Old Model) 16-48x65
Athlon Ares G2 UHD 15-45x65

Both of these meet my size, budget, and weight requirements. I know there’s better out there, but this is going to be for backpacking deep, so I’m wanting something smaller than an 85, and lighter.

Anybody with experience with both care to chime in? Dad has the Gen 1 Razor, the larger model, and it’s a solid scope for the price. Just zero experience with the Athlon, so I’m hoping somebody can compare/contrast.

I know this is almost a month old, but I have had both scopes and I think optically the Athlon is the better glass. It is sharper, better color, and it is brighter.
The benefit to the Vortex is the fine focus knob. Optically the Razor has a much more muted gray tint when looking through it.

 

[Honyock]

Here's a pretty good non-biased review.

19 Best Spotting Scopes For Hunting COMPARED! | Insane Spotter Showdown - Backwoods Pursuit

Looking for the best spotting scope for hunting? Maybe you are looking for the overall best spotting scope on the planet or maybe the best spotting scope for

backwoodspursuit.com

 

[Tahoe1305]

Here's a pretty good non-biased review.

19 Best Spotting Scopes For Hunting COMPARED! | Insane Spotter Showdown - Backwoods Pursuit

Looking for the best spotting scope for hunting? Maybe you are looking for the overall best spotting scope on the planet or maybe the best spotting scope for

backwoodspursuit.com

That review is a tad misleading though because it’s a Gen II Razor. Heavier and some (not all) like the Gen I better than Gen II. I’m in the Gen I camp…..especially since I can use swaro 25-50 eyepiece on it.

 

[huntsman22]

I swing the other way..... vortex gen1 eyepiece on a swaro.

 

[Tahoe1305]

I swing the other way..... vortex gen1 eyepiece on a swaro.

Ranging or wide angle??

 

[Happy Antelope]

Here's a pretty good non-biased review.

19 Best Spotting Scopes For Hunting COMPARED! | Insane Spotter Showdown - Backwoods Pursuit

Looking for the best spotting scope for hunting? Maybe you are looking for the overall best spotting scope on the planet or maybe the best spotting scope for

backwoodspursuit.com

No Zeiss Harpia unfortunately. Was a good comparison on Gohunt vs the Swaro years ago.

 

[huntsman22]

Ranging or wide angle??

that one is the MRAD reticle, but I have both.