Arken Scopes comparison and testing (in progress)

[LoonWulf]

That monstrum mount you sent me seems pretty sturdy for what they are, not sure id trust a long scope on it but a 3-9 or 4-12 it should be fine.

Yeah I dig those mounts, I have another one of those in use on my dads 6.5 upper and its doing just fine.

 

[TonyAngel]

Well, I ordered and have received an EPL4. Got it mounted without issue.

This is my 4th experience with an Arken product and I'm a bit disappointed thus far. The scope was packed into a larger box with almost no packing material. The scope box inside was freely bumping around. I thought something was broken. When I opened the scope box, the packing was in disarray with the scope and sun shade banging against each other. Nothing secure about the packaging.

The scope itself, looks ok, but it doesn't inspire confidence the way the SH and EP lines do by virtue of their heft. The windage turret is also uncharacteristically mushy. The glass looks to be about on par with the EP5. I'm gonna try to get it out today and take it to 300 with my 7.62x39 bolt gun.

 

[LoonWulf]

My epl came pretty well packaged, or at least thats what i remembered lol. Gotta ask Troy what the original packaging looked like tho.

 

[mavracer]

I like the Monstrum mounts and have used a few of them, I like the Aero mounts just a little better and they're made in US and I've actually caught a couple of them on fleabay for not much more than the Monsrtums go for now.

 

[LoonWulf]

idea of putting a small dimple in the collar to provide the set screw a recess to fit into, thereby making it a true lock. Of course, you'll need a tool to unlock it, but in the field, small adjustments can be made using the reticle.

I just had a thought.... You could run on over long set screw and a little knob at the top to run it in and out it if you wanted to

 

[TonyAngel]

I just had a thought.... You could run on over long set screw and a little knob at the top to run it in and out it if you wanted to

That's an idea, but you'd have to have a thumb screw to replace the set screw for the set screw you replaced with a long screw. Did I get that right? Lol

 

[LoonWulf]

That's an idea, but you'd have to have a thumb screw to replace the set screw for the set screw you replaced with a long screw. Did I get that right? Lol

I figure if you make it tight, you could do away without the brass set screw in the side of the turret. The long thumb screw would still function as a zero stop unless it backed a good 1/16 out.....OR if you wanted more insurance you could replace it with a nylon type set screw, then it would put resistance on your zerostop/turret lock screw.......Ill go to ace in a bit and see if i can find the parts to build it....I need some new bolts for my s20 anyway, lost some when i was changing stocks.

 

[troy fairweather]

My epl came pretty well packaged, or at least thats what i remembered lol. Gotta ask Troy what the original packaging looked like tho.

Ya it was pretty well packed, it's a pain to remember how to pack it like the factory did,k think I added some more on the inside since I just shipped it back to you with paper over the box. I see nothing wrong with the factory packing, the outer box was fit right. Kinda they have flip up scope caps, tho the rubber bikini wasn't to bad looking. Everything felt good on the scope, some things took a few turns to settle in and feel better like the turrets, power ring and Side focus.

 

[troy fairweather]

I like the Monstrum mounts and have used a few of them, I like the Aero mounts just a little better and they're made in US and I've actually caught a couple of them on fleabay for not much more than the Monsrtums go for now.

Kinda wish aero would do a little heavier mount along with there ul mounts, I just don't trust a big scope on there mount as it looks wrong to. Been really liking the leupold mark ar mount, there quite rugged and I think they look nice.

 

[LoonWulf]

So screw sizing for both are M4-.7

Long socket head is 20mm long.
I couldnt find a Nylon M4 so i just made a plug to go under the brass set screw.


I thinned the tip so it works as a zero stop and a turret lock and the nylon plug puts plenty of resistance on it to keep it from working loose.
Locks up one click high if zero, otherwise it hits the stop.

If anyone wants the bits and pieces, ill send em over, I like zero stop only.

October 27, 2023

youtu.be

 

[mavracer]

Kinda wish aero would do a little heavier mount along with there ul mounts, I just don't trust a big scope on there mount as it looks wrong to. Been really liking the leupold mark ar mount, there quite rugged and I think they look nice.

Now that you mention it I agree all the Aero mounts I have are on LPVOs and I have one on the super compact TS12X.
I have the Arken mounts on all my big 34mm scopes.
I had one of the Wheeler mounts for a while they're nice and well built I only switched to the Arken because of the package deal Arken has and after two scope purchases I had enough points to get an extra mount.

 

[TonyAngel]

I figure if you make it tight, you could do away without the brass set screw in the side of the turret. The long thumb screw would still function as a zero stop unless it backed a good 1/16 out.....OR if you wanted more insurance you could replace it with a nylon type set screw, then it would put resistance on your zerostop/turret lock screw.......Ill go to ace in a bit and see if i can find the parts to build it....I need some new bolts for my s20 anyway, lost some when i was changing stocks.

View attachment 1177543View attachment 1177544View attachment 1177545View attachment 1177546


So screw sizing for both are M4-.7

Long socket head is 20mm long.
I couldnt find a Nylon M4 so i just made a plug to go under the brass set screw.


I thinned the tip so it works as a zero stop and a turret lock and the nylon plug puts plenty of resistance on it to keep it from working loose.
Locks up one click high if zero, otherwise it hits the stop.

If anyone wants the bits and pieces, ill send em over, I like zero stop only.

October 27, 2023

youtu.be

Oh, very nice. I'm gonna try to get to ACE and see what they have. I'd like to have a turret lock. For my practical hunting distances, if I bump my turret one or two clicks, it probably won't make a difference, but I'd still like the insurance.