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Arken Optics

I really don't have many scopes in this Price range, many of my scopes are benchrest scopes. I did have a Vortex Viper HS-T still in the box that I got out for a new .22. I wasn't impressed with the Vortex, I have other Vortex Scopes like the Golden Eagle etc. I put them side by side and did a brief evaluation and it was clear as day the Arken wipes the floor in basically every single aspect. I feel for the $450 you spend it's a great value and very functional..

Ray
 
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I love my Meopta, it's only a 2 x10, but the view matches the quality of my Tract 2x10. I have found that I am best served for my needs if I research where my potential purchase is made (components, not just assembly) and pass on all products Chinese. One really nice purchase I made recently at Cameraland is a Sightron SIII 6x24x50, mil, SFP, with zero stop for $500. Made in Japan. I feel as if I am fooling myself by thinking a miracle scope is coming along that rivals high end European and American scopes with components of unknown origin.
 
Knotwild said:
I love my Meopta, it's only a 2 x10, but the view matches the quality of my Tract 2x10. I have found that I am best served for my needs if I research where my potential purchase is made (components, not just assembly) and pass on all products Chinese. One really nice purchase I made recently at Cameraland is a Sightron SIII 6x24x50, mil, SFP, with zero stop for $500. Made in Japan. I feel as if I am fooling myself by thinking a miracle scope is coming along that rivals high end European and American scopes with components of unknown origin.
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$500 is a great price, was it used or a demo?
 
Arken scopes with 34mm are big and heavier than expected. I have a negative attitude with all things made in China, that being said I had to try one when they first came out. So I ordered a SH4 4-16x50, same scope they have on sale for 289.99 now. The scope came and I mounted it on a 7 Saum. It did everything it was suppose to, tracked accurately, easy to use zero stop, useable reticle in mils, decent diopter, good illumination settings Etc. Is it a S&B? Absolutely not but I was surprised how good it was for the money. My one gripe was size and weight. I’ve since moved it to a CZ MTR 22, I like enough to keep it.

Then they came out with the new light weight series this past fall, EPL4. Again, I had to try one. It just arrived at the house, I bought the combo pack and it was 446.00 delivered to the house. Includes scope, rings, level, lens covers and more. This scope is built on a 30mm tube and it’s lighter too. The SH4 is 36.6 ounces and 14.1” long. The new EPL4 lightweight weighs 24.11 ounces and is 13.2”, big difference. I’m still not a fan of everything made or assembled in China but I don’t know how they sell these for the $$ they do. I also keep in mind that Arken is owned by two of our Veterens and that makes a big difference to me.

I’ll keep using my top tier glass for most of my rifles but these are capable scopes that do a good job at their price point. You can always buy one and get most your money back if you don’t like it. The SH4 that’s on sale for 289.99 could be sold in the used market with no money lost.
 
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I won't buy rifle scopes made in China, but a friend who has at least 3 Arken scopes likes them, aside from the Communist world threat issue. Maybe use such optics to help spot more 'weather' balloons or whatever the heck is really going on at high altitude.

The EPL4 with the extra gear seems like a lot of value for the money. But it's money that partially benefits China. Such a dilemma.
 
nakneker said:
Arken scopes with 34mm are big and heavier than expected. I have a negative attitude with all things made in China, that being said I had to try one when they first came out. So I ordered a SH4 4-16x50, same scope they have on sale for 289.99 now. The scope came and I mounted it on a 7 Saum. It did everything it was suppose to, tracked accurately, easy to use zero stop, useable reticle in mils, decent diopter, good illumination settings Etc. Is it a S&B? Absolutely not but I was surprised how good it was for the money. My one gripe was size and weight. I’ve since moved it to a CZ MTR 22, I like enough to keep it.

Then they came out with the new light weight series this past fall, EPL4. Again, I had to try one. It just arrived at the house, I bought the combo pack and it was 446.00 delivered to the house. Includes scope, rings, level, lens covers and more. This scope is built on a 30mm tube and it’s lighter too. The SH4 is 36.6 ounces and 14.1” long. The new EPL4 lightweight weighs 24.11 ounces and is 13.2”, big difference. I’m still not a fan of everything made or assembled in China but I don’t know how they sell these for the $$ they do. I also keep in mind that Arken is owned by two of our Veterens and that makes a big difference to me.

I’ll keep using my top tier glass for most of my rifles but these are capable scopes that do a good job at their price point. You can always buy one and get most your money back if you don’t like it. The SH4 that’s on sale for 289.99 could be sold in the used market with no money lost.
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I am not a fan of China at all but as you said we have a couple of guys with Arken that have went to bat for this country and put their lives on the line for us and that erases any feelings I had about the Arken scope being made there. I find the EP-5 all I need in a scope and now own 7 of them. I do not regret selling all my Leupolds and moving to Arken.
 
Lkwebb said:
They are good until you get up to about 15x power.. then it gets a lil cloudy.
I'm talking bout the 6x24
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My SH4 6-24 is clear all the way to 24x, as is the EPL 6-24 and the EP 5-25. They're all remarkably good. Only dislike about the SH4 is weight, it's about 16oz heavier than the new EPL 6-24 and almost as heavy as the EP 5 which is a beast at 39oz. But they're all real good optically.
 
Arken, Athlon and about 10 other brands are all build by LOW ( Light Optic Works), in Japan. The lower end models of all these brands are build in either China or Philippines, but all designs, glass & turrets are done by LOW Japan. In a certain price range you will find the exact same specs in any of these, exact same quality or lack thereof, even though you may believe your’s is different, it’s subjective, in reality it’s only the name that differs.
 
DawidB said:
Arken, Athlon and about 10 other brands are all build by LOW ( Light Optic Works), in Japan. The lower end models of all these brands are build in either China or Philippines, but all designs, glass & turrets are done by LOW Japan. In a certain price range you will find the exact same specs in any of these, exact same quality or lack thereof, even though you may believe your’s is different, it’s subjective, in reality it’s only the name that differs.
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This is very good information, where did you go to acquire it? Arken sells scopes for less and offers a combo pack at an affordable price, especially with the discount coupon that probably the other 10 or so companies don't. They are feature rich with a warranty that either equals or rivals other companies. The weight is not an issue for me. The one thing I don't like is when the other scopes from other companies that sell for $150-$250 more don't equal these scopes. I own 6 of them and I'm well satisfied. Currently also using Vortex's, S.S. 5-20HD, . No more N.F.'a but my next f class scope will probably be a Sightron.
Has far as the price goes, Arken has room to go up, just like that others. Especially being that we are under an inflation era right now. I believe they'll do their best to satisfy their customers.
 
I am a shooter and now a dealer for Arken Optics.
I have many rifles with optics from Bushnell's, Burris, Meopta, SIG, Vortex, IOR Valdada, and now Arken.
I had an out of the box failure with a cheap Chinese Vortex Venom. So, I will avoid any low-cost Chinese shitz. For their credit, Vortex replaced it for a new one after the repairs failed to fix the no-hold for zero.
Similarly, my IOR Valdada, riding on a 300WM, after a few years failed to track and hold parallax. After few months waiting, I got a new replacement with a Gen 2 version.
All others are solid so far.

The riflescopes market is maturing, and offering an unbeatable value for your dollars. Seek user feedback and select the vendor with the warranty.
 
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