Arken Optics - new line
- Thread starter mercado
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I agree, the turrets feel great, nice big clicks. I've got zero issues with the illumination, even with my old eyes with astigmatism. My red dots look like they have a growth , quite annoying but zero issues with the Arken. Glass is on par or slightly better IMHO than the Titian at a much lower price point. Pretty good in low light.
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I always thought my Arken was a pretty good value. Tonight I was shooting with it for a while. Then I grabbed my other gun to do some shooting. It has a Sightron with the same mag range, same price range but a smaller objective, tube and no obesity issues. No comparison. The glass is not even comparable. It was shocking but I never shot back to back with something else when I shot with my Arken. If you guys love them that’s great but I’m not overly impressed.
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For the price i can get 3 SH4's maybe 4 of em for what your Sightron cost... it may not be the same glass, but mechanically it is on par with your pet, and in it's price range, i think it's optically superior to most in its price range. Your comparing a Cadillac to a Kia.
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@Vetmx Here's a chart that you may find interesting as to one of the reasons that your Sightron looked so much better than the Arken (aside from better glass). The objective and tube size matters a lot for clarity. Until @JungleShooter shared this chart with us this the other day I would have firmly believed that a larger tube and objective lense would make things brighter and clearer. He summed it best as 'there's always a compromise' in the scope features.
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We live in a time where great scopes are everywhere. Compared to anything available 10 years ago, the Arken is fantastic and superior in virtually every instance. Now there are many "cheap" scopes to choose from that have excellent performance. But the Arken turrets are the real star and blow away just about any other scope under $2k. Glass clarity is great, but if the scope cant move all over reliably then its almost worthless. The Arken is a great value no matter how you slice it.
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Just to clarify: 
▪ A larger scope tube does NOT allow more light in — for a brighter image, and for better slow-motion footage.
▪ A larger objective lens DOES allow more light in (all other things being equal).
▪ A larger tube DOES allow for more elevation adjustment (usually).
▪ A larger objective lens DOES reduce the SPR (sharpness and parallax range; or DoF).
Other factors that make the scope image brighter: ▪ Select a lower magnification....
▪ Buy a scope with better glass — made in Germany or made in Japan = expen$$ive
▪ Buy a scope with better glass coatings = expen$$ive
Matthias
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The jumbo sized geriatric turrets on my Arken would work well even if you had severe arthritis an cataracts. I would not have compared the two scopes or posted in this topic if they weren’t in the same price range. The Sightron on my gun was around $400. That’s not comparing a Cadillac to a Kia. You don’t need jumbo tubes and giant objectives if you have great glass. I’m not bashing Arken, if they would start making SFP scopes on Monday I would order one on Tuesday. It was just a comparison of two scopes. My Hawke Airmax 30 scopes have better glass and no weight issues compared to my Arken either. Didn’t mean to ruffle feathers.
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Im too old and beat up, all my feathers are gone lol. I was more referring to the turret erector assembly, more than the turret knobs. There are only a handful of scopes on the market (at any price) that rival the robustness and reliability of an Arken. I agree with you the glass is not the best out there, but still better than many. But what do you expect for a $300 scope
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I kinda like the geriatric turrets. I can actually see them without switching to reading glasses.
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No. You can only get one Arken and a couple tins of pellets for what I paid for that Sightron. You can get 8 Arkens for what my Nightforce cost but even that scope isn’t my pet. It’s just a tool. Not a fanboy of any scope. They just are what they are.
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Has anyone directly compared the EPL4 to the SH4, glass wise?
I'm sorely tempted to jump on a EPL4 4-16x44 to put on my HW97 springer.
I agree with Vetmx...if they made a SFP version with even just a small step up in glass quality/coatings...that would be Sa-Weet
I'm sorely tempted to jump on a EPL4 4-16x44 to put on my HW97 springer.
I agree with Vetmx...if they made a SFP version with even just a small step up in glass quality/coatings...that would be Sa-Weet
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I don’t understand what all this hoo-ha is about FFP scopes, but I prefer SFPs. A scope where the reticle disappears when you turn the magnification down is pretty useless IMO. Let’s see more good quality SFPs please.
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I might be able to at some point. I have a couple SH4's and a buddy just got an EPL4 for his rimfire.
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I jumped on the FFP thing years ago because I was a hold over guy. When I took to the woods with some of those guns I quickly had a big FFP scope sale. I still have two. The only one I like is the one I initially disliked because I thought the reticle got too big at max magnification. Now I like it because it gives me a usable reticle across the broadest magnification range. With my hunting guns and the type of hunting I do, I just use too much of my mag range do be dealing with a micro reticle in shady or wooded conditions. My Arken is a 4-16 but for me its really a 9-16. I do hope they offer a SFP some day. Clicking away with those pop can turrets would be a breeze.
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