Athlon or Arken optics?

[X-Caveman]

I agree that the Primary Arms offerings may fit the bill. They have at least three quality levels, innovative reticles and a lifetime warranty.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

The arken i had was terrible, except I did like the reticle. Eyebox was critical and the image was lousy. I didn't have the gun long enough to be positive the scope was the reason it lost zero, but it lost zero twice. Load development and a weekend on the dog town and I sent it packing.

I love the 3 athlon scopes I have and the 4th one is on my buddies rig that lives in my safe since i load for him. I haven't had any problems. I have 2 midas tac, Ares btr gen 2, and a rimfire one forget the model.

I have 3 tract toric scopes and had a razor for a while. For the price, I love the midas tacs.

 

[ELR LVR]

The arken i had was terrible, except I did like the reticle. Eyebox was critical and the image was lousy. I didn't have the gun long enough to be positive the scope was the reason it lost zero, but it lost zero twice. Load development and a weekend on the dog town and I sent it packing.

I love the 3 athlon scopes I have and the 4th one is on my buddies rig that lives in my safe since i load for him. I haven't had any problems. I have 2 midas tac, Ares btr gen 2, and a rimfire one forget the model.

I have 3 tract toric scopes and had a razor for a while. For the price, I love the midas tacs.

The tract toric looks like a solid scope considering the glass they utilize in their scopes
Would you agree with their $1500 approx asking price?

 

[bobcat93]

I shoot for groups, always use the 3" shoot-n-c targets out to 300, yes 223.

 

[bobcat93]

What do ya think of that little gem
I think its tempting
I grew up with tasco on my air guns and absolutely nothing to date has been that bad.
After looking at the Athlons there out.
I cant spend that kind of money..when i could go leupold, or even nightforce for the same price. I know for a fact night force makes me happy.
But im straying off the path.
This may fit the bill..or it could a lemon for ebay hahaha
I may actually take a chance on this thing.

SH-4J 6-24X50 FFP Illuminated VHR/VPR - Zero Stop - 34mm Tube

The SH-4J raises the bar, now coming standard with Japanese ELD glass and choice of reticle (VPR or VHR). Like its predecessor, The SH-4J incorporates adjustable elevation and windage turrets with tactile and audible clicks.

www.arkenopticsusa.com

 

[Rank Amateur]

I shoot for groups, always use the 3" shoot-n-c targets out to 300, yes 223.

Everyone’s eyes are different and everyone’s perceptions are different. So, the scope I prefer will not necessarily be the one you like. That said, you’re asking for specific recommendations.

.223 out of an AR has range limitations, so clarity/resolution out to 1,000 yds isn’t relevant. You shoot out to 300 yds and you shoot paper targets for group. Higher magnification can be useful for precise placement, especially with fine cross-hairs or center dot reticles. For precision on paper, my preference is for second focal plane scopes (the reticle doesn’t change/grow as you increase magnification), so the reticle is always small/fine/precise. All of the scopes you’re looking at are first focal plane. That isn’t necessarily bad, but as the reticle grows with magnification, it CAN lead to loss of aiming precision if the reticle lines get “fat” or they obscure your target.

I prefer Athlon over Arken, but that’s mostly a preference of available reticles which isn’t relevant to you. The Athlon Argos BTR (Gen 3) 8-34x56 offers higher magnification and is going for under $350 on Amazon. As noted, I used this scope for prairie dogging out to 500 yds, so fine holds on paper targets at 300 will be no issue. If you like the Arken 6-24x50, Athlon’s version can be had for between $200 and $350 (depending on generation).

That’s probably as specific a recommendation as I can provide. Good luck!

 

[Steve Donlon]

My friend just got the top of the line Arken MOA scope with the highest power they have. The only fault I found was that the center cross is 2 MOA . To big for me. . But the parallax adjustment is just are great as the Athlon, with plenty of adjustment out to 1000 yards or close to it. Athlon reticals offer more choices but they are both a good deal for the condition of my eye sight.

 

[AWS]

I tried and Arken a few years ago and while the image was clear it was a beast and the FFP did nothing for me and it went down the road. It was replaced by Sightron S-tacs on a couple of rifles.

A lot of coyotes have fallen to my pair of Athlon Argos 2-12 scopes. They've found a permanent home.

I have higher end Athlon Bino's that ride in the truck and work for me. And a Athlon spotting scope that does everything I ask of it.

 

[swd]

The tract toric looks like a solid scope considering the glass they utilize in their scopes
Would you agree with their $1500 approx asking price?

I have a friend with 2-3 Tract's. We compared it to my NF ATACR and the glass is outstanding! Slightly better than the NF. He says they track great too.

 

[Gary in MD]

The Tracts are outstanding (glass and tracking) albeit at a higher price than the Arken and Athlon

 

[longrange223]

My old eyes are different than most, Some scopes are clear while others aren't, I won't buy a scope until i can look through one to see if it agrees with me, Found that this works the best for me...

 

[RabbitSlayer]

The tract toric looks like a solid scope considering the glass they utilize in their scopes
Would you agree with their $1500 approx asking price?

Other companies sell roughly the same scopes for the same or more. The 4-25x50 elr scope i think is 2200 when its rebranded by others. I think its element that also sells it. And dang it was 400 off for black friday, so yeah its worth it. You get the locking turrets for the same or less as other companies. Ilya (dark lord of optics) also likes them and a couple of them are his top choices. Thats a pretty big endorsement. The reticles are very fine which I like for targets but even for prairie dogs the center dot is maybe too small for my liking.

I will tell ya the razor I had was a huge disappointment to me! First and last vortex I will ever buy. Took a big loss selling it.

One thing i like is the ocular lense is recessed way into the eye piece on all of them. This offers good protection for the lense.

I do think all scopes are diminishing returns though. Is an 800 dollar scope the reason I missed? Probably not....I just have no kids or wife so I buy whatever I want lol

 

[ELR LVR]

Other companies sell roughly the same scopes for the same or more. The 4-25x50 elr scope i think is 2200 when its rebranded by others. I think its element that also sells it. And dang it was 400 off for black friday, so yeah its worth it. You get the locking turrets for the same or less as other companies. Ilya (dark lord of optics) also likes them and a couple of them are his top choices. Thats a pretty big endorsement. The reticles are very fine which I like for targets but even for prairie dogs the center dot is maybe too small for my liking.

I will tell ya the razor I had was a huge disappointment to me! First and last vortex I will ever buy. Took a big loss selling it.

One thing i like is the ocular lense is recessed way into the eye piece on all of them. This offers good protection for the lense.

I do think all scopes are diminishing returns though. Is an 800 dollar scope the reason I missed? Probably not....I just have no kids or wife so I buy whatever I want lol

Thanks, I keep reading people are very impressed with the Tract scopes
And so far not one bad review of one - which really helps a person make a decision
and my experience with Vortex is similar to yours,

 

[ELR LVR]

I have a friend with 2-3 Tract's. We compared it to my NF ATACR and the glass is outstanding! Slightly better than the NF. He says they track great too.

Thank you, I'm glad to hear the Schott glass used in the Tract is the top tier stuff

 

[Rjsmith]

I have 4 Arken EP5’s and enjoy them. Jap glass, ffp, repeatable clicks, zero stop, 3 of the scopes are used on competition rifles in VBR 850-1,000 yds, yeah they are built in China like your cellphone etc. Very rugged and heavy, rings are awesome, make sure you can make weight 2lb. 15.4oz. Is a hefty scope for the 7-35x. No regrets

 

[bobcat93]

My old eyes are different than most, Some scopes are clear while others aren't, I won't buy a scope until i can look through one to see if it agrees with me, Found that this works the best for me...

That is a solid suggestion.
I have the same issue. All the scope models i know work for me and like the reticle are long discontinued.
Usually easily found by digging around or begging some one here to sell ya there's.
Thats Usually the best bet.
Now that im thinking about it.
I can probably find something at a lower price, and higher quality right in scopes for sale section here on the forum.

 

[bobcat93]

I tried and Arken a few years ago and while the image was clear it was a beast and the FFP did nothing for me and it went down the road. It was replaced by Sightron S-tacs on a couple of rifles.

A lot of coyotes have fallen to my pair of Athlon Argos 2-12 scopes. They've found a permanent home.

I have higher end Athlon Bino's that ride in the truck and work for me. And a Athlon spotting scope that does everything I ask of it.

Thats not helping matters!..how the hell could ya miss that thing, its like aiming at a car door with legs
Hahaha...its huge! You would have to try in order to miss

 

[ELR LVR]

That is a solid suggestion.
I have the same issue. All the scope models i know work for me and like the reticle are long discontinued.
Usually easily found by digging around or begging some one here to sell ya there's.
Thats Usually the best bet.
Now that im thinking about it.
I can probably find something at a lower price, and higher quality right in scopes for sale section here on the forum.

Ebay is a good source
I found a killer Bushnell Tactical on there the pawn shop selling let go for a steal because I guess nobody really goes to pawn shops to buy scopes.
The Japan top tier Bushnells are the Bausch and Lomb Equivalent as far as glass quality goes

 

[RabbitSlayer]

Thanks, I keep reading people are very impressed with the Tract scopes
And so far not one bad review of one - which really helps a person make a decision
and my experience with Vortex is similar to yours,

I did have to send the 4-25x50 for warranty. The adjustable eyepiece could be wiggled. Probably like that out of the box but i didn't notice till i had used it some. They replaced it no hassle quick replacement. The new one seems fine. I am not dinging them for it. It happens, even with expensive scopes made by LOW. The razor illumination was messed up right out the box. The replacement razor was better but still didn't work about 30 percent of the time. I had a meopta with exact same problem as the Tract. Meopta also replaced it. Vortex is the only one who sent a defective replacement. Took a 3rd one for it to work correctly. If a scope will have a problem its like 90% chance it will be at the very beginning.

 

[DLT]

Between the ones I have owned I would choose Arken