Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: craigapphunt on February 21, 2022, 08:29:19 AM

Title: Athlon ares 20-60x85
Post by: craigapphunt on February 21, 2022, 08:29:19 AM: Just wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with this scope. For the price ( sub $800) is it worth the size and weight penalty?
Title: Re: Athlon ares 20-60x85
Post by: kselkhunter on February 21, 2022, 09:02:40 AM: I've looked through the Ares 20-60x85. Good clarity and quality for the price point. If going Athlon in the 66-70oz range, also look at the Cronus. Slightly more expensive, but better than the Ares in the same weight range. Look for sales, sometimes the Athlon scopes will go on nice discounts throughout the year.

I have a Athlon Talos in 20-60x80. Which isn't in the class of the Ares or Cronus as Talos is the entry level model and not UHD.....but for <$200 and 38.5 oz, I'm happy with it. Nobody is going to mistake it for a Swaro, but it's served it's purpose for me. Was able to spot an elk herd on a ridge over a mile away last year and take some photos. Picked out the bull just fine with the Talos. Also used it on some east side bear hunts. I would say the Athlon brand is decent quality for the price points they are at.
Title: Re: Athlon ares 20-60x85
Post by: craigapphunt on February 21, 2022, 09:14:13 AM: Thanks for the reply. I'm a bit limited in the spotters I'd be interested in by my requirement of long eye relief (17mm minimum) which even when you include alfa glass really shrinks the field considerably. So maybe the question I should be asking is what long eye relief spotters do the fine fokes of hunt washington forum recommend?
Title: Re: Athlon ares 20-60x85
Post by: phildobaggins on February 21, 2022, 10:02:25 AM: My buddy got a Vortex Razor HD 22-48x65 on sale at Scheel's for $700. I was glassing deer at over 3 miles with it, for comparison. Hard to beat the price/performance on that scope in my opinion.
Title: Re: Athlon ares 20-60x85
Post by: craigapphunt on February 21, 2022, 10:14:03 AM: Oh man that's really close on the eye relief 16.7mm. Thanks for the heads up.
Title: Re: Athlon ares 20-60x85
Post by: mossback91 on February 21, 2022, 10:34:53 AM: I preferred the athlon over a razor looking thru them side by side honestly
Title: Re: Athlon ares 20-60x85
Post by: craigapphunt on February 21, 2022, 10:42:14 AM: Good to know I really wish there was a place near me to try a bunch of spotters at distance.
Title: Re: Athlon ares 20-60x85
Post by: craigapphunt on February 21, 2022, 10:45:29 AM: Mossback you look through the 65mm or 85mm Ares?
Title: Re: Athlon ares 20-60x85
Post by: mossback91 on February 21, 2022, 07:47:30 PM: Quote from: craigapphunt on February 21, 2022, 10:45:29 AM
Mossback you look through the 65mm or 85mm Ares?

65
Title: Re: Athlon ares 20-60x85
Post by: dreamingbig on February 23, 2022, 09:23:26 PM: My athlon ares 15-45x65 ED has been very impressive for the money. Great $600 spotter.

I could watch antelope 2-3 miles away and pick out bucks from does.
Title: Re: Athlon ares 20-60x85
Post by: craigapphunt on February 24, 2022, 11:49:18 AM: I keep hearing good things about athlon sounds like your getting a quality product for the price.