Arken Scopes comparison and testing (in progress)

[.38 Special]

For what it is worth, you might consider printing out a test chart (USAF 1951 seems to be fairly standard, but for the purposes of comparing one scope to another, lots of things should work). It isn't a perfect plan, but it does take a bit of subjectivity out of the equation.

 

[LoonWulf]

For what it is worth, you might consider printing out a test chart (USAF 1951 seems to be fairly standard, but for the purposes of comparing one scope to another,

lots of things should work). It isn't a perfect plan, but it does take a bit of subjectivity out of the equation.

View attachment 1170389

Ive got some printed, gonna take them with me when i get to the range soon i hope.

Here is a good honest review of the Arken EP-5 5-25 and SH-4J 6-24. I thought the guy was spot on and very honest in his review of both scopes.

I like that guy's videos.

 

[kmw1954]

I personally have previously taken your reviews for what they are. A straight forward opinion of your observations. Fully aware that these are your views and perspectives. I have always enjoyed following them. Don't place any more or any less validity to these as any others I read or videos I watch. I personally do not have the resources to pull off anything close to this type of review.

A while back I tried to write up a review of four same weight .224" bullets with each of them loaded with 3 separate powders. Sadly it wasn't received very well. In the end I felt like I wasted mine and everyone else's time with it. Anyways, you write, I'll read.

 

[LoonWulf]

I personally have previously taken your reviews for what they are. A straight forward opinion of your observations. Fully aware that these are your views and perspectives. I have always enjoyed following them. Don't place any more or any less validity to these as any others I read or videos I watch. I personally do not have the resources to pull off anything close to this type of review.

A while back I tried to write up a review of four same weight .224" bullets with each of them loaded with 3 separate powders. Sadly it wasn't received very well. In the end I felt like I wasted mine and everyone else's time with it. Anyways, you write, I'll read.

Thank you!

I should be going upto the range this Sunday, probably wont be going outside of 100yds, but maybe ill have the gumption to drive upto where we shoot long range.

 

[LoonWulf]

Made a thing today.....


Coupled with manual focus camera app, ive made some improvements in my image quality. They still arnt representative of what my eye sees, but its better.

These are taken at 45yds.
Powers max, middle, min for all.

Sh4

 

[LoonWulf]

Ep5


Epl4










Range day tomorrow will repeat at 100ish yds....and do other stuff. I have return to zero vids and saw no issues.

 

[Walkalong]

Good pictures, even if not as clear as to your eyes, it still shows a difference in the scopes glass.

 

[P89DCSS]

Texas Plinker likes Arken, he achieved under 1moa at 950yard with one.
He's got a deal on Arken, 25% off.

Best Long Range Precision Scope For Under $300?

In this video, I top off my $3,500 Bergara M40-ish with a sub $300 scope. Check out Arken Optics: https://bit.ly/45YGjOC (Use code "texasplinking" to get the...

youtu.be

 

[Walkalong]

That is one thing that people consistently say good things about with the Arken scopes, they're reliable, track well., and have very good clicks.

That's all it takes to shoot small at distance in decent conditions with a rifle that's up to it.

Where the better glass comes in handy is at matches where you need to see more and often times in tough conditions, mirage etc.

That said, $300/$400 buys a lot more (a LOT more), scope than it used to.

 

[powermad]

Vector is a company I just heard of, china made but some of their stuff has German glass and such.
The 1-6 with a fiber optic reticle and a simple mil scale ladder looks like a decent scope for $450
RTZ and locking turrets with good glass.

Continental 1-6x24i Fiber Tactical Riflescope

Feature Fiber Reticle, German Optics System Using LaREE Lens & VePRO FMC > 90% Light Transmission. Very Little Distortion, Extra-Low Dispersion, Excellent for Dawn and Dusk Shooting. True 1x Power Tactical LPVO Scope, True 6x Zoom Factor. 30mm Monotube Made of 6061 T6, Adjustment System Made of...

vector2007.com

 

[12Bravo20]

So far it looks like the EP5 is the clearest. According to USPS my SH-4J should be delivered tomorrow (not holding my breath on USPS). I'll have to figure out something so I can take some photos. I can't exactly carry a complete rifle out into the yard without making some of my neighbors freak out. I'm known as the crazy war vet in the small town I live in as it is.

My photos probably won't be as good as those taken by @LoonWulf . I'll take some of the Sh-4 and SH-4J for comparison. Both are 6-24.

 

[powermad]

This is what I use when just messing around with a scope.
I can check parallax settings at work without causing a panic too.

 

[12Bravo20]

Good idea @powermad

I do have a set up drop in carbine length railed handguards I can clamp to something. I wonder if I could come up with a simple way to attach them to my short spotting scope tripod. Off to tinker with things now.

 

[LoonWulf]

Good idea @powermad

I do have a set up drop in carbine length railed handguards I can clamp to something. I wonder if I could come up with a simple way to attach them to my short spotting scope tripod. Off to tinker with things now.

A rail bolted to a 2x4 is a good way to go also, i have one of those i use sometimes.

 

[LoonWulf]

Range day complete....
It rained off and on, but wind was minimal. Generally condition were decent.
Distance was 90yds as there were people there and I couldn't back all the way up.

I didn't notice, but i booger'd the white balance and exposure a bit.

Sh4


Ep5


Epl4

 

[LoonWulf]

Tracking test.
These are all within expected deviation for my shooting and the rifles the scopes are riding on.




Sh4 Savage 300prc (im begining to dislike this gun)


Epl5 Mesa LR 28 Nosler


Epl4 Patriot 7prc (unfortunately my target got shot up before i could go down range an grab a picture, the hole nearest the bull was the first shot) oh that bottom right hole is me starting to shoot a box after the first right adjustment.

 

[troy fairweather]

To my eye the epl4 looks the best, box tests seem fine. For the money there hard to beat, and if they hold up and don't need to go to the mothership every use like the none Japanese vortex they will be a nice scope. Would be nice if the epl came with scope caps, the bikini wasn't to bad tho.

 

[12Bravo20]

@LoonWulf I can see why you are starting to dislike the Savage rifle.

All three get a little fuzzy around the edge at higher magnifications which matches my results using the SH4 6-14 in the field when I use 16X or above.

I'll mount my spare railed carbine handguards onto a board or sawhorse and then use my portable target stand to take some photos. I just hope I can be steady enough for decent photos with my iPhone 14.

 

[LoonWulf]

@LoonWulf I can see why you are starting to dislike the Savage rifle.

All three get a little fuzzy around the edge at higher magnifications which matches my results using the SH4 6-14 in the field when I use 16X or above.

I'll mount my spare railed carbine handguards onto a board or sawhorse and then use my portable target stand to take some photos. I just hope I can be steady enough for decent photos with my iPhone 14.

I can make another phone holder adapter thingy, and ive got a spare phone holder i can send you

 

[troy fairweather]

I'm sure someone here with a 3d printer and make some I've seen them made before, think you can put on different ends for the scopes objective for different scopes.

 

[LoonWulf]

yeah, a 3d printed tube or just inserts for a premade tube would be all you needed

 

[mavracer]

That is one thing that people consistently say good things about with the Arken scopes, they're reliable, track well., and have very good clicks.

That's all it takes to shoot small at distance in decent conditions with a rifle that's up to it.

Where the better glass comes in handy is at matches where you need to see more and often times in tough conditions, mirage etc.

That said, $300/$400 buys a lot more (a LOT more), scope than it used to.

My experience has been amazing in that regard, I bought a SH4 gen 2 originally to try on my 6 Creed and before I even mounted it I decided to get the EP5 for it and put the SH4 on the RPRR.
Zeroing with how accurate these things track is ridiculously easy on a good shooting gun.
Fire one shot,measure with the reticle, spin the dials then verify.

 

[12Bravo20]

@LoonWulf Thank you for the offer. I will try to take some photos without a holder or use a desk mounted holder I have first. The neighbor has a sign on the back of his garage that I can use as a target too. Where there is a will there is a way, adapt and overcome.

 

[12Bravo20]

My Sh-4J arrived this afternoon. It might be a day or two before I can get setup and take some photos. I can say that the Japanese glass is an improvement from looking through it compared to the SH-4 with Chinese glass. I held both scope up and looked at the neighbors license plate across the street at about 25 yards away. I was also looking through a dirty window. The clarity of the SH-4J is better at all zoom levels. It is currently raining here so there was no bright sunlight to deal with.

 

[troy fairweather]

How much is the sh-4j compared to the normal one,