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Arken EPL4 vs Element Helix

Interested in opinions on both of these options especially if you have used both. They appear to be nearly identical on paper other then the Arken having a center illuminated reticle and the Element doesn't.

Also Interested in anything else that checks all the same box's as these 2 ie. same weight class, same clean reticle options(hold over but not Christmas tree), and 20x or higher magnification. I have looked for months for something that compares but might have better glass then these 2. I have looked at everything I could find similar up to the $2k price point and everything else is either noticeably heavier, only comes with a Christmas tree reticle, or does not have the tracking consistency. Also I'm not interested in a fully illuminated reticle I like the center only illuminated ones but not the full reticle; however illumination is not necessary at all.
The closest thing I have found with better glass is an NF NX8 but it's about 4-6 oz heavier and 4x the price.
The new Burris Veracity PH caught my eye but I'm worried about potential bugs where it is new and also with no turret lock or clicks even I'm worried the elevation will be to easily turned unintentionally for a hunting scope.
 
The bulk of these new scopes are all coming out of the same factory. As of 4-5 years ago I know they were making 22 different brands. The only difference between them is going to be the internals and glass that was speced out. Flip a coin.
 
I have the Helix , bought from Cameraland NY. The glass is very clear, even on 24X. Turret clicks are distinct and it tracks true. The only thing I wish was different is that the center floating cross was a floating dot like the Mil version. For the price, it is very nice.

Bill
 
Easy peasey. Leupold Mark5 3-18, it does not make your 20x minimum but it can be had in high powers. They have a very small footprint, very simple reticle. Easy to use zero stop, rotation indicator so you don’t get lost when dialing, tracking has been accurate, tough, Illuminated or non illuminated reticle.

There’s more scopes that fit the bill but that’s the first that comes to mind. The EPL is roughly the same weight and an inch longer than the Mark5 3-18.

I use to use March scopes for my long range hunting, great scopes, smaller and lighter than most but I ended up liking the Mark5 better and use those on 3 rifles that get used for exclusively hunting.

I just bought a EPL from Arken, I haven’t mounted on anything yet but the weight and size is nice, not nearly as heavy or large as their previous offerings. I’m gonna mount it on a 6.5 PRC and see what it does. Never had the Helix Element.

Hope you find what your looking for.
 
Nakneker I have looked at the mark 5 but the magnification range I was interested in were substantially heavier then what I am looking for may have to look at the 3-18.

My biggest problem I have had looking for a scope is that if I'm gonna give $1000-2000 for a hunting I'm gonna get exactly what I want. I can't find anything that checks all the boxes I'm looking for except these 2. Glass not being extremely perfect seams to be the main complaint of the 2 I listed. As it's a hunting scope and not a paper puncher I don't really have to be able to see bullet holes at 400+ yards. So my thinking is settling for slightly sub perfect glass is worth cutting the price 4x ($1000-1500)
 

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