Arken Optics - new line

[Mr.H]

I have received my 4–16 ELP yesterday, and have been doing some evaluation with it compared to my other scopes. I am still on the fence about keeping it or not, but I will say that there is a lot of value in this! Compared to some higher priced Leupold scopes, and a NightFirce scope that I own, The Arken has better edge to edge clarity, and has a wider FOV! For my eyes, under 5x is a little hard for my old eyes to see clearly.
The Nightforce is brighter, but I don’t think it’s $500 brighter than the Arken.

The illumination is a little hard for me to use, the knob isn’t a positive stop, but rather a heavy friction indentation between on and off. And the max illumination, is a little weak during the day, but is pretty nice in low light situations.

For me the image quality is really nice between 6X and 12x the IQ diminishes at 14x and above

I haven’t had much experience with a first focal plan scope, so this is a little bit tricky to get used to, if this would have been a second focal plane scope, it would be almost perfect for me.

For the price point, I’m not sure exactly what other scopes might compare equally, I knew that the new Athlon Heras is close in price. That new Element Helix HDLR, looks pretty interesting, but that one is about $170 more than the Arken.

 

[Pfddi]

@Mr.H I agree with your assessment. I have the same scope and found myself dialing down to 12-16 power rather than going higher - same situation as you - old eyes. The IR dial is a PITA to turn! It was also my first FFP scope also being use to SFP for all my life. I have gotten use to it and have bought another FFP, but I also have my eye on the new Element HDLR that may be a great HFT scope! For the money, it is tough to really complain about the Arken!

 

[Betohunter]

Somebody mount the EPL-4 4-16x in a springer gun ( around 13fpe) and you think that this scope Can use for a FT application?

Thanks

 

[madeintheuk]

Somebody mount the EPL-4 4-16x in a springer gun ( around 13fpe) and you think that this scope Can use for a FT application?

Thanks

I know Arken said they’re springer rated, but I don’t think that ranging with parallax is as precise as you would need for FT.

 

[Betohunter]

I know Arken said they’re springer rated, but I don’t think that ranging with parallax is as precise as you would need for FT.

Thank you buddy

 

[Joedirt199]

I don't see field target shooters using stock parallax for the match. Seems they always have a larger wheel that is self calibrated for ranges they have tested themselves. I never look at the stock wheel and just look through the scope while I am adjusting for best picture. If it matches the range then good enough, if not oh well.

 

[madeintheuk]

I don't see field target shooters using stock parallax for the match. Seems they always have a larger wheel that is self calibrated for ranges they have tested themselves. I never look at the stock wheel and just look through the scope while I am adjusting for best picture. If it matches the range then good enough, if not oh well.

That is true, but the scope needs a nice sharp parallax adjustment to help range. If the parallax wheel isn’t fine enough, it could read wrong range, and be the difference between hitting a target or not.