Quality binoculars are critical when using a firearm. They determine where the bullet will go, making or breaking the accuracy of a shot. Two of the best on the market are the Vortex Viper and Athlon Ares. We will dive into each to determine which is ideal for your needs.
Technical Specifications
First, let’s go over the technical specifications of each product. In the case of a pair of binoculars, the prism type is a critical thing to consider. This item describes the way the device takes in light and distributes it through the device for the viewer to see.
The Vortex Viper has a roof prism, which means it has an interior section where two faces meet at a right angle. It splits the light coming in from the objective lens in two paths, then combines them into one image by the time they reach the eye.
The Athlon Ares also has a roof prism, which completes the same task as the prism inside the Vortex Viper. However, the prism of the Athlon Area is made of sturdy BAK4 glass to create a quality viewing experience.
The Ares edges out the Viper in this category, but just slightly. Now, let’s move to the performance ability of each pair.
Performance
Performance features are also another category to consider for binoculars. These are the prominent parts of a pair, determining how well they can scope out an object in the distance and what they will permit you to see.
There are many categories where the Viper and Ares tie. They both have a magnification level of ten times the eye, an objective lens diameter of 42 mm, and an actual angle of view of 6.5 degrees. They also offer the same field of view - 341’ @ 1,000 yards.
The binoculars also have an exit pupil diameter of 4.2 mm and a center focus type. This focus type means there is a central wheel on the system, permitting crystal-clear images by maneuvering this knob.
Here are a few of the performance areas where these binoculars differ:
- Minimum Focus Distance: 6.5' / 2 m for the Vortex Viper, 8.2' / 2.5 m for the Athlon Ares
- Eye Relief: 17 mm for the Vortex Viper, 14.7 mm for the Athlon Ares
- Interpupillary Adjustment: 56 to 75 mm / 2.2 to 3" for the Vortex Viper, 56 to 73 mm / 2.2 to 2.9" for the Athlon Ares
These slight variations do make a difference in the ability of the binoculars.
The Vortex Viper has a wider interpupillary adjustment ability, longer eye relief, and a shorter minimum focus distance. Although these pairs are similar in many ways, the Viper pulls ahead for these items.
Next, let’s discuss the features you will find in each product. These will make your experience much better in all weather conditions.
Features
The features of a pair of binoculars are vital. These determine if you can use them in all conditions or if they are a sunny day type of product.
The Vortex Viper and Athlon Ares offer a fog-proof system. Both use argon to create this feature, ensuring the lenses will not fog up if the weather conditions are humid. This addition is critical if you want an uninterrupted experience outside.
Both pairs also possess water resistance and are waterproof to a certain extent. Although it isn’t ideal to place them in water, both will sustain themselves and last if it gets rainy outside. Again, this feature is critical if you want to use them in all weather conditions.
There is no winner in this category, as both pairs offer the same features. They exist to last in any weather circumstances, so feel free to bring them along any time of the year. You can’t go wrong with either if fog or water are your top priorities.
We have one more category to cover before we can determine the winner. Let’s dive into the general features to display the size and weight of each product.
General
General features include the dimensions of the binoculars and their weight. These items help determine how practical a pair is for your needs. If they are too big, they’re tricky to carry around and use. If they are too heavy, you may not want them around your neck.
The Vortex Viper has dimensions of 5.6 x 4.9”, or 142.2 x 124.5 mm. It’s less than half a foot in length and even less than that in its width. It weighs 24.9 ox or 705.9 grams, providing a nice lightweight feel for those who don’t want a heavy pair.
The Athlon Ares has dimensions of 6.7 x 5.2”, or 17 x 13.2 cm. It’s a little longer than its competitor, pushing over half a foot in length and almost half a foot in width. It weighs 29.8 oz or 844.8 grams. Although it isn’t heavy, it still weighs more than the Vortex Viper.
The Viper and Ares offer lightweight options for an excellent experience. They are both light, ensuring they won’t get too much in the way of your experience. However, there can only be one winner in this category.
Although there isn’t a drastic difference, the Vortex Viper comes out on top. It is smaller than the Ares and weighs less, making it easier for individuals to carry it around. The Viper edges out the Ares by an inch and a few ounces.
Final Thoughts
Although both binoculars have excellent features to offer, the Vortex Viper comes out on top. It is smaller than the Ares and lighter. It also has better adjustment features and will focus at a much shorter distance. The Ares is good, but the Vortex Viper is our recommendation.
We hope this information was helpful! It is tricky to locate a quality pair of binoculars, especially with so many options on the market. Although we think the Vortex Viper is a better choice, the Athlon Ares will also provide an excellent viewing experience outside.