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Athlon Ares vs Vortex PST Gen 2 |
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JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
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Forget the Chinese garbage, go with a LRHS and be done with it.
Edited by Chris Farris II - March/21/2018 at 12:52 |
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9044 |
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I don't know if that is a blanket statement on Chinese optics or regarding the scopes in question.
But, my experience with Zen Ray binoculars has been very good and are they always in the duck hunting kit. Not sure this translates to the quality of the turrets on the scopes but the ZR's are smooth and tight mechanically. The glass is very nice for the price range as knowing my ducks is not always enough. Contrast is important in glass and knowing what is way out there before they fly in helps. The ZR's do a yoemen's job. |
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Doug
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JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
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Zen Ray is also out of business.
Edited by Chris Farris II - March/21/2018 at 12:51 |
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9044 |
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That may be true. But to call Chinese equipment garbage is a broad statement.
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Doug
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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We may like it or not like it, but Chinese makers are moving upmarket, just like Phillipine makers were/are doing before them and just like the Japanese were doing prior to that. Vortex really pushed the boundaries of Phillipine makers with the PST and ultimately it paid off for them. Athlon is really pushing their Chinese OEM with Ares and it is performing better than I expected so far. It is a legitimate option in its price range. Long term durability and support can only be worked out over long term, but so far so good. If noone ever takes a chance on new brands, established brands get complacent. ILya
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9044 |
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I have been in several different tooling, equipment and automotive plants in China. You are right, Ilya. No one can drop their guard as the Chinese are coming on strong.
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Doug
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alaska_guy
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/07/2018 Location: Alaska Status: Offline Points: 34 |
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I have looked through their Midas line of scopes from Athlon and I have to say their glass clarity was dare I say "insane" for the price point. I am concerned they will not be around long and their warranty will all be for not. If you have an issue with the scope and the company is no longer around then all you have is an expensive paperweight. Considering I buy scopes with the plan to keep on rifles pretty much for a lifetime, my experience is that has been in reality about 10 years on average. I personally do not want to take a risk on a new and upcoming company until they have an established track record. If they are around in another 2 years I may think about purchasing from them. Once they prove themselves as a long term company then I think they will be a real competitor. When you can get an Athlon Midas line scope on sale for $389 and a Viper on sale for about the same price point it's hard to choose Athlon. I personally believe the Midas line of glass is much better visually, but Vortex has a GREAT track record. |
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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They are not necessarily the cheapest place to manufacture in many cases any more, so they are pushed upmarket all the time. We'll see how it goes for them going forward, but they are definitely getting better. ILya
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tnhunter1967
Optics GrassHopper Joined: May/21/2018 Location: Knoxville, TN Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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I don't own the Ares but I do own the Helos 8X-34X56 and a PST genII 5-25X 50 and to be honest with you, for the price difference, I'd have to go with the Athlon. The glass clarity is comparable and I like the illumination adjustment on the parallax and the locking turrets. Both scopes track true and are in first focal plane. The only real advantage the vortex has is more "tactile" turrets. By that I mean they are more audible and crisp. You just have to decide if that is worth an additional $400.00. Let me know what you decide on and good luck
Edited by Chris Farris II - May/21/2018 at 19:57 |
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J Yen
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