Athlon Ares Spotting Scope VS. Vortex Razor Spotting Scope Review

Watch as we review the new Athlon Ares 15-45x65 spotter which is Athlon's mid-grade model and put it up against the Vortex's high end model the Razor! The results will blow your mind! Hit that subscribe button to watch more product reviews and to watch our hunting adventures!

[@electrontube]

this could have been so much more. you have two great optics out in the woodline, but don't mention anything about the glass. the only visual comparisons you display between the two is a shot of some animals at an unknown distance, near the end, no captioned information on either shot, it's covered by a video link, and you don't say anything about either view. there's no value added from this video. all i got from this 5 minutes was "one of them makes clicking noises when you do this, the other one doesn't". i really wanted to know more about the glass; low light gathering, clarity, zoom quality, focus quality, that kinda stuff. you have everything you need to make a great video comparison, but it didn't happen. i got some wonderful footage of some dudes unloading a horse trailer instead

[@jackle842000]

Close to the end there's a view through both scopes. Notice a lot commenting rude comments without watching the video. Thanks for the video

[@canica99]

Hello Fellows, I am in the market for a spotting scope so I can look at the stars when I am riding my bicycle from Colombia to Patagonia in the future, I will be going through the Atacama Desert and I want to be able to see far and find different things and look at the stars and on my search I found you guys. I really appreciate your review, it was great stuff. I have a couple of vortex oniculars and they are great but for a spotting scope I like to stay under 800 smackers, more money for more beer and burgers. Anyway, you fellows did a great job and helped me make my mind up. the Athlon Ares is for me. Cheers and you yourself a subscriber.

[@moreforallchannel9746]

Very glad to see your review on this Ares spotting scope 15-45X65 at $720! Can't beat half the price against Vortex's Razor top model at $1,600.00!..... And Athlon's Lifetime Warranty...Love that too!

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

your welcome! I sure hope this review was helpful! please share it with all your friends!

[@asdfkhieee]

great review. im picking up the athlon btr 6x24x50 for my savage 308. i keep hearing great things about athlon.

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

thanks! I have been meaning to get my hands on that scope! let me know how you like it!

[@TacticalBuffoonary]

Pretty much a worthless review without talking about the glass. I would never buy either based on this terrible product comparison. You basically read the features off the box and then did nothing. Typical Yt review from amateurs.

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

We all know you can throw a football over the mountains Uncle Rico. But while you're out there playing patty cake with your friend Pedro, we're makin' 120 bucks.

[@KevinWood44]

@@BackcountryBrotherhood 1. WT people quoting a WT movie is beyond hilarious to me. 2. If I were you I'd listen to the constructive, albeit slightly rude, criticism....bc it is correct. This video is basically toilet paper. Not one person who watches it would have any more useful info about either of these optics. You aren't alone is making god awful comparison videos. 99% of optic comparisons are complete dog shit. Even the bigger channels like Panther Hallow make the same mistake you made (actually they are WORSE, they rarely ever show any view thru the optic) Here is a statement you are not ready to hear. You are most likely too broke and too inconsequential to have a youtube channel that compares optics. You would need to invest a good amount of money in camera equipment, (as well as microphones, lighting, etc) to be able to show downrange views of the 2 optics you are comparing. And it doesn't look like you can afford clean underwear much less high end camera equipment. Even harder truth to swallow: You, like a lot of people, assume bc youtube ALLOWS you to upload videos, that you should. You probably shouldn't. You simply don't have the PERSONALITIES that anyone would want to listen to EVEN IF you had better technical capabilities....which u don't. So u lack, money, equipment and personalities. Hey, it is what it is. The world needs plumbers too. We can't all be youtube personalities. Was this mean? Maybe. But also happens to be true. You can be mad at me...or listen to me?!?

[@dogrunnerlive1]

Thanks for the review fellas, will be checking out the Athlon spotters. What are they like in low light, thanks.

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

+dogrunnerlive1 glad you liked it! in low light that's where the Athlon really shines!

[@dogrunnerlive1]

+Backcountry Brotherhood Thanks for your reply...any chance you could do a low light, dawn dusk review on these spotters. Seems by the pics through both spotters, the Athlon is the pick, much appreciated guys.

[@charlesmanning2523]

Thanks for the info I've git vortex scopes on my rifles good optics 👍

[@stitchgames6606]

Exactly what I needed!

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

This video is gen 1s so it is out of date. The Ares Gen2 gets a high review from me as well. Athlon makes some of the spotters for Cabela's so you can pick them up that way for cheaper but they wouldn't come with Athlon's warranty

[@michaelcalles1124]

Where are you getting your prices from?I just checked the vortex and it's $749.00 for the HD 16x48x65 angled spotter. Also when you do these reviews you have to cover the most critical lighting conditions (LOW light at the beginning and at the very end of the day). Just about any decent spotter will compare as an equal even to Swarovski in the middle of the day.

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

This video was posted 2 years ago... The model of vortex in the video isn't even made any more... You don't think prices might have changed? That was the MSRP at the time the video was shown. As for low light. We talk about it but its hard to actually show it. We just don't have the right equipment. Cheer up bro, Elk season is only 8 months away.

[@Brumasterj]

Alright guys nice video would have liked to seen more photos or videos comparing low light in the shadows! So without a sales pitch or promo, given what you said and money is not really an option, Razor Or Ares? I drew out for the NM Desert Big Horn and am need of a great spotter!

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

Money not an option it is a toss up in terms of quality. Vortex does win out in the fact that their warranty has been tested time and time again. Athlon has stood behind their warranty but they are newer to the market so that warranty hasn't been tested as much. If that makes sense. So if money doesn't limit you, I would lean towards vortex. But if money is an issue, I'd lean Athlon.

[@Brumasterj]

Backcountry Brotherhood thanks for responding! I guess the real question is can you really tell the difference in low light between the two that warrants paying more money? :)

[@fishingbear69]

whats the power x being used and distance yards in the sample picture comparison you show that bison or buffaloes are at ...and do you feel the athlon ares at full x power capacity will give me a general richer detailed less distorted view at full capacity/ scope limit of magnification?

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

they are zoomed into 45x there is no blurring when at full power

[@fishingbear69]

thanks appreciate that

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

no problem

[@Lucky13Twice]

I like the way you said "similar experience" for the Athlon. So what that really means is they are not as good. I can drive a Porsche and then a Toyota Corolla and I can get a similar experience of driving.

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

+Wireline .Cables well, I guess that is one way to interupt what we said. Go check out an Athlon and let us know what you think.

[@Hoytbuff]

Great video! How is it holding up so far?

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

Keep in mind that we hunt hard and our gear takes a beating. Overall, it has held up well. Glass is still great. However, we did have the rubber eyepiece fall off. Athlon did take care of us and send a new one. Still recommend it for the price.

[@Hoytbuff]

@@BackcountryBrotherhood ordered mine this morning!

[@vinnybobby3450]

Does anyone know if athlon will fix the rebranded athlon cabelas lineup

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

Interesting question. I actually have one myself when Cabela's put them on a huge discount. Maybe call and talk to them. They might do it for a small or something. It's been a bit since we've interacted with them but their warranty folks were good people at that time.

[@jeffreygibbons6878]

I'd like to have learned more about the picture clarity between the two.

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

+Jeffrey Gibbons We tried to show a side by side of looking at the same elk to give you an idea. We could have done some more pictures or something to help with that though. What else would you have liked to see? We are always looking to improve so thanks for the feedback!

[@braxtonlefler8151]

What tripod was used for the Athlon?

[@dannyboy101010]

+1 for Pretty Lights

[@shortfusemiller6984]

IF you could only own one. and money not being an issue which one would you buy?? Thanks

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

they are both really good! but there is no doubt the Athlon outperforms the Vortex. it has a larger field of view, more compact and has a brighter crisper image. so I would and did go with the Athlon

[@shortfusemiller6984]

+Backcountry Brotherhood cool thanks definitely going to pick it up then been waiting for a vortex to go on sale but no need to now !!

[@Powersawjunky]

you are so confused.. unreal

[@KevinWood44]

Athlon always destroys Vortex!!! I have the Midas Tac and it pisses ALL OVER the Vortex Venom/Viper/Strike Eagle/DB Tactical. Athlon also sets the bar on their reticles. (Best in the game) Vortex is like the homecoming queen after she pooped out 3 kids.....it USED to be high quality, but....not.....anymore!! Vortex products spend more time being fixed than they do actually being used. Athlon has the same exact warranty, but with VERY little reason to ever use it.

[@tomallen6073]

I own about 5 Vortex products, no problems with any of them, unlike Athlon they are now big enough they will most likely to be around long enough to honor their warranty 20yrs in the future if needed. How many Vortex products do you own and use?

[@deerphoria4314]

what does the little knob on the right side of that Vortex spotter for?

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

The Athlon has one too as do most angled spotting scopes. It allows you to "spin the scope" to allow viewing from a different angle. Really about the only time I use it is from a window mount when I'm in the truck

[@WeNeedChange3310]

Did you not watch the video? Je goes over this. 😂

[@craigblack612]

How is the eye relief between them?

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

+Craig Black Basically the same. Both adjustment are also very smooth to adjust.

[@genxiong2695]

There Is no picture or video comparison of the two so...word of mouth?

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

Towards the end we show video through both.

[@micahkeleher8668]

Great Video, Guys! I happen to be an Athlon Optics Dealer. If anyone has any questions or interest please find me on Facebook or KZbin.

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

👍👊

[@TheeGessman]

Where can I find those hats? I want one!

[@scottsatterthwaite3305]

muleyfreak.com/product/highlander-cap/ This is the closest thing I could find to their hats. The camo is Kryptec Highlander.

[@samnavy1]

Those look like Meateater logos... if you're not watching Steve Rinella, you're missing out some serious education.www.themeateater.com/There is a whole series of videos that are a big step above the usual hunting shows. My wife even likes watching him because it's not all about the kill like a lot of hunting shows are. The podcasts are just as good as the videos.

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

Luke George They are Muley Freak Hats

[@napaoflogan2]

What's the warranty like on the Argos? Iv been looking to get one.

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

+Jacob Harris Athlon Optics has what they call a gold medal lifetime warrenty. very similar to vortex's if you are familiar with theirs

[@napaoflogan2]

Thanks bro I have allot of vortex will very familiar

[@dteg9805]

vortex you only need 51% of the optic to get it replaced

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

Ha ha. That's true. Vortex warranty has proven itself over and over. Athlon being a newer company still needs to prove itself.

[@captiangrizzly6919]

Athlon pretty much paid yall to do these comparison lol

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

Negative. We did get a discount on the scope though like most people who review products... What that said. Both companies have Gen 2 versions so this review really isn't valid anymore.

[@iancurrie8844]

Super annoying music. The vocals are very distracting. I couldn't watch this :(

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

Long story short: The Vortex Razor is a better spotting scope but not by a lot. For me personally, I'd save the $$ and go the Athlon Ares. With that said, this is an old review but we've used various Athlon spotting scopes, rifle scopes, and binoculars since then. Overall Athlon had pretty dang good glass. Not as good as top of the line glass but for the price point, very impressive. Their build quality is okay but not great. The lifetime warranty makes up for that though. Hope that helps and sorry you didn't like the music. We're never going to find music everyone likes but no music is boring.

[@iancurrie8844]

@@BackcountryBrotherhood It's not that it's boring or that I didn't like it. It's that it had vocals while you were talking and they were at such a volume level that I often couldn't distinguish your speech from the speech in the vocals. Music used in videos should never have vocals.

[@DavidVerbyla]

Made in China?

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

For these particular scopes, the Vortex is made in Japan. The Athlon in China. Vortex lower end lines are made in the Philippines or China. Athlon top of the line is made in Japan. This review is old though. Both companies have came out with newer versions which we haven't compared. Thanks for watching.

[@captiangrizzly6919]

Paid much lol

[@BackcountryBrotherhood]

Got both at a discount but thanks to you we collected KZbin money. So thank you sir.

[@southdakotasaved126]

@@BackcountryBrotherhood Love the reply! That’s game, set & match… Victory to BackcountryBrotherhood! 🤣

[@southdakotasaved126]

Also, great review, Thanks!