Arken EP5 7- 35 .. Standing in for some Alpha Glass

wooferocau · Aug 2, 2024

Over time i have had more than my fair share of expensive Alpha/Top Tier Glass fail ...

Just recently i had 2 current Top Tier optics on 2 of my Desert Tech,s go down. While still waiting for this to be resolved i decided to go the complete other end of the scale...yep....."Cheap" China scope !!!

My dealer here in Aus sent me 2 of the ARKEN EP5 7-35 and said....try to break them!! .................but also give an honest opinion on how they stack up. My dealer knows the Glass i own, and have owned and also the regularity i shoot.

Not really having any high hopes i was pleasantly surprised when the Arken,s showed up..

#1 heavy , externally .....very well built.
#2 expecting the worst..... the glass is quite good ...especially considering the price tag !!
#3 Turrets....very positive .
#4 Tracks great!!

We mounted the 2 on DT 338Lap. 300 Win and the 50BMG.

Today myself and friend fired circa ......"100" 300wm....... "150" 338Lap and "90" rounds of 50BMG ... Both the Arkens went through that session without any glitches what so ever!!!

Focus remained constant , while not Alpha glass they are more than capable of providing a very rewarding experience . Distances we shot at were 1200yds and 1500yds and 1700yds.

The 2 plates "Knocked " over in front of the log are 1200yds...the 50 smacks them down with authority !! The couple of misses onto the log actually penetrated out the rear side....very impressive !!

Are the Arkens the best glass......hell no... BUT !!! They are VERY respectful and i have no problem with using them . They held up to the 50 better than a couple of "ALPHA" scopes ( that shall remain nameless) that shit themselves after a dozen or so shots!!

Truthfully....the hardest thing to overcome is the mind set that these are "Cheap" and "Chinese" ....functionality wise they a very good!!

These will be subjected to a few more sessions over the next weeks...lets see if they hold up...

wooferocau · Aug 2, 2024

Some of these are what usually reside on the DT,s..

wooferocau · Aug 3, 2024

Today will be another session... scopes will be used on various rifles in cals from 6.5 to 50bmg.. Several other shooters coming out in this session to give them a run.
Distances..1200yds to 1760yds

Doesn't seem like much "Love" for the poor old Arken,s here!!

A little tit bit....
The Arken here in Aus is a $1250 optic .... the 2 scopes that just failed on my DT and have gone back for "Repair" are AUD $9000 per optic ...... So $18000 worth of optics failed on the first outing....and $2500 worth of optics did not !!

HMMMM... seems a little backwards ......

wooferocau · Aug 3, 2024

$1250 Arken ( Left) vs $9500 S&B ( Right) at 1200yds

Kickin45 · Aug 3, 2024

Thanks. Keep the info coming please

Kadams1563 · Aug 3, 2024

I got to play with an Arken EP5 the other day and I was pleasantly surprised.

I have considered buying one. Currently have a Gen III razor, Gen II razor, and an Athlon Cronus Gen II.

I think they are a good value and would like to run one on my .22 build that currently holds the Athlon.

drglock · Aug 3, 2024

wooferocau said:
Doesn't seem like much "Love" for the poor old Arken,s here!!

That’s because they are Chinese junk. You get exactly what you pay for when you buy a $300-$500 scope(US dollars) . I’ve owned two, looked through several and have a friend that uses them in PRS/PRS22 matches. He struggles with targets beyond 600yds with just a tad of mirage. Then trying to show through the scope pics compared to Schmidt trying to show that the Arken is optically better is laughable.

wooferocau · Aug 3, 2024

drglock said:
That’s because they are Chinese junk. You get exactly what you pay for when you buy a $300-$500 scope(US dollars) . I’ve owned two, looked through several and have a friend that uses them in PRS/PRS22 matches. He struggles with targets beyond 600yds with just a tad of mirage. Then trying to show through the scope pics compared to Schmidt trying to show that the Arken is optically better is laughable.

What's laughable is that when viewed in real life side by side that's what it looks like !!!!

I own many high end S&B,s .... 5-25, 3-27, 6-36, 10-60 5-20 ( Ultrashort) 5-45 .... Tangents , ZCO , Nightforce , March i know what the fuck good glass looks like.
To call the Arken "Junk" ...that's laughable mate !!

wooferocau · Aug 3, 2024

You want to talk "laughable ".....2 S&B 10-60,s lasted a combined 12 rounds on the 50......the "Junk"Arkens already beat the crap out of that effort!!

Bender · Aug 3, 2024

Rob01 · Aug 3, 2024

wooferocau said:
$1250 Arken ( Left) vs $9500 S&B ( Right) at 1200yds

What power were both on?

Fig · Aug 3, 2024

Will you trade me one of your EP-5s for my ZC527?

wooferocau · Aug 3, 2024

Just out again....enjoying the Arken "Junk"..

Bender · Aug 4, 2024

Rob01 said:
What power were both on?

Kickin45 · Aug 4, 2024

Seems like it’s closest competition is the Bushnell XRS 3. Do you have any experience with that scope?
@wooferocau

wooferocau · Aug 4, 2024

1760yds...
Yeah....Arken are definitely crap!!

PB&J. · Aug 4, 2024

Aren't you the guy who claims to have also had like 5x ZCO's "fail" on you as well?

Exactly how much is Arken paying you to shill for them?

wooferocau · Aug 4, 2024

Owned 5 ZCO....3 failed....still own 1.

And.....yep ....Cash is rolling in !

wooferocau · Aug 4, 2024

Kickin45 said:
Seems like it’s closest competition is the Bushnell XRS 3. Do you have any experience with that scope?
@wooferocau

No ..sorry never used the Bushnell.

wooferocau · Aug 4, 2024

Rob01 said:
What power were both on?

20x Max for the Ultrashort

drglock · Aug 4, 2024

PB&J. said:
Aren't you the guy who claims to have also had like 5x ZCO's "fail" on you as well?

Exactly how much is Arken paying you to shill for them?

He’s had 3 ZCO’s fail and now 2 Schmidt and Benders . Maybe he needs to stick to low end optics.

Threadcutter308 · Aug 4, 2024

drglock said:
He’s had 3 ZCO’s fail and now 2 Schmidt and Benders . Maybe he needs to stick to low end optics.

Or a different hobby altogether........

JS8588 · Aug 4, 2024

PB&J. said:
Exactly how much is Arken paying you to shill for them?

Enough to buy ZCOs & S&Bs, apparently.

Someone on this forum called Arken essentially Chinese Nightforce knockoffs

Element optics VS Arken optics

I’m in process of building a custom rifle. I understand a lot of people like to spend over $1,500 for a scope , however I find the vortex venom ($499) on my bergara premier to do the job just well. Maybe one day I can afford a better optic , but for now for this custom rifle , I come across a...

www.snipershide.com

That's probably not a bad take.

Rob01 · Aug 4, 2024

wooferocau said:
20x Max for the Ultrashort

A more apples to apples comparison would be to have the Arken on 35x then as middle of the power range will look better versus highest power. The 20x vs 20x is fine for looking at FOV but not really a good comparison for glass. Would be interested to see that pic with the Arken at 35x next time you go out.

Kickin45 · Aug 4, 2024

Or both on say, 15x as a comparison?
But yes, seeing the Arken at full would be a good tell

Rob01 · Aug 4, 2024

Kickin45 said:
Or both on say, 15x as a comparison?
But yes, seeing the Arken at full would be a good tell

Not really as that would have the Arken at even a lower power and looking better. Both on max is what needs to be seen.

hafejd30 · Aug 4, 2024

So what failed on the 3 ZCO, the NF and S&B?

Threadcutter308 · Aug 4, 2024

hafejd30 said:
So what failed on the 3 ZCO, the NF and S&B?

Oh Jesus, don't go there.........

Bender · Aug 4, 2024

The Uber shill attitude is why I’ll never be interested in Arken. Same with the OG vortex fan boys. I want nothing associated with that level of faggotry.

JerkyFreak · Aug 4, 2024

Why not just make up your own mind?

wooferocau · Aug 4, 2024

hafejd30 said:
So what failed on the 3 ZCO, the NF and S&B?

Never had a Nightforce fail.... Nightforce and Tangent are the 2 most dependable optics i have ..

wooferocau · Aug 4, 2024

This is what happened to one of the first S&B 6-36,s ....
Came back from repair in Germany and then failed mechanically on the 50 ..

wooferocau · Aug 4, 2024

Rob01 said:
A more apples to apples comparison would be to have the Arken on 35x then as middle of the power range will look better versus highest power. The 20x vs 20x is fine for looking at FOV but not really a good comparison for glass. Would be interested to see that pic with the Arken at 35x next time you go out.

Can do.. but to be truthful no high powered optic i have or have had is very good at its max high power.. ( 35x and up) .

The best has been the S&B 10-60 which is very good right up to 45x ....the S&B 6-36 is probably the best of the lot at near its max power of 36x .
The ATACR falls off at 30x max.

The Arken is quite respectful up to around 28x ....35x not so good.

wooferocau · Aug 4, 2024

These are some of the S&B,s i have recently purchased ( 6-36,s and 10-60,s) ...so yeah you can tell i am an Arken shill for sure..

308pirate · Aug 4, 2024

Bender said:
The Uber shill attitude is why I’ll never be interested in Arken. Same with the OG vortex fan boys. I want nothing associated with that level of faggotry.

U r dumb

xxflyingturtlexx · Aug 4, 2024

I see you are bringing receipts so i will keep watching but i have a feeling you might be a retailer in AU

drglock · Aug 4, 2024

wooferocau said:
This is what happened to one of the first S&B 6-36,s ....
Came back from repair in Germany and then failed mechanically on the 50 ..

That grease specks, my S&B did the same thing. It was a known issue when they switched to a new lube. Supposedly it’s been addressed.

wooferocau · Aug 4, 2024

xxflyingturtlexx said:
I see you are bringing receipts so i will keep watching but i have a feeling you might be a retailer in AU

Oh.................. FFS !!!!

wooferocau · Aug 4, 2024

drglock said:
That grease specks, my S&B did the same thing. It was a known issue when they switched to a new lube. Supposedly it’s been addressed.

Yeah S&B support ( Germany) has been beyond reproach ... the issues with the 10-60,s / 6-36,s are being resolved ...

steve123 · Aug 4, 2024

Gotta pay a lot for the diminishing returns thing. I also had a S&B go down but it was a 3-20x50. S&B repaired it and I sold it.

This Arken is I think a G3 scope so more likely the Co has learned from past faults and the factory made a great scope for the money.

I try to get exited about expensive scopes but anymore that small percentage of return per $ spent gets the eyebrows flying pretty high up the forehead.

wooferocau · Aug 4, 2024

steve123 said:
Gotta pay a lot for the diminishing returns thing. I also had a S&B go down but it was a 3-20x50. S&B repaired it and I sold it.

This Arken is I think a G3 scope so more likely the Co has learned from past faults and the factory made a great scope for the money.

I try to get exited about expensive scopes but anymore that small percentage of return per $ spent gets the eyebrows flying pretty high up the forehead.

That's the whole point of what i am trying to get across !!!!

Another point ..Warranty..
S&B for instance...The faulty unit has to be sent back to Germany...assessed, repaired and then sent back out to Aus ..this whole process usually take 2-3 months.
With the Arken , if it shits itself, i call my dealer and he sends me a new unit ....

hafejd30 · Aug 4, 2024

I own NF (the true alpha) and ZCO as my current top tier optics. Haven’t had to use their CS. I own Arken EP5 as well and it’s been good. I did a low light comparison between them which I’ll post below.

I will say I’ve used and had several vortex fail. Their CS is amazing I just prefer not to use it at all. Seems a cheap scope can really make a name for itself even just simply taking care of its customers.

I definitely wouldn’t say my Arken is ZCO or NF level. But it does work well. I have the 5-25 on my B14R

ZCO527 vs NF ATACR 7-35 vs Arken EP5- (Last Light Comparison)

First, Im not an optics snob. Reliability is my #1 concern. But I have wondered what my 527, 735 and EP5 would look like against each other at last light. Both the 735 and 527 have been used for the same application. Even though it’s mounted on a Vudoo here Primary use for my high end optics is...

www.snipershide.com

wooferocau · Aug 4, 2024

hafejd30 said:
I own NF (the true alpha) and ZCO as my current top tier optics. Haven’t had to use their CS. I own Arken EP5 as well and it’s been good. I did a low light comparison between them which I’ll post below.

I will say I’ve used and had several vortex fail. Their CS is amazing I just prefer not to use it at all. Seems a cheap scope can really make a name for itself even just simply taking care of its customers.

I definitely wouldn’t say my Arken is ZCO or NF level. But it does work well. I have the 5-25 on my B14R

ZCO527 vs NF ATACR 7-35 vs Arken EP5- (Last Light Comparison)

First, Im not an optics snob. Reliability is my #1 concern. But I have wondered what my 527, 735 and EP5 would look like against each other at last light. Both the 735 and 527 have been used for the same application. Even though it’s mounted on a Vudoo here Primary use for my high end optics is...

www.snipershide.com

Seen that and agree...the Arken in diminishing light is ordinary ..... . A bright day is a different matter. Its VERY respectful and VERY usable.

The comparo i did earlier in this thread was just what i grabbed at the time and was lying on my reloading bench ...the S&B 5-20 Ultrashort...to be truthful the Ultrashort isn't a great scope optically , it was just to point out that it is a $9500 optic and was bettered by a $1500 optic.

There is obviously no way the Arken matches the 6-36 or 10-60 S&B,s optically .... the point was that the "cheap" Arken survived on the 50bmg whereas the 2 new S&B 10-60,s did not !!

The Arken is certainly not top Tier glass when compared directly to the likes of S&B , ZCO, TT, March or NF .... but to say the glass is "Junk" ...that's complete and utter rubbish!!

Rob01 · Aug 4, 2024

Funny part is I always hear people always talking about "low light" but I would venture to bet most don't shoot in it but use it a lot to talk down scopes. Maybe some hunters will shoot in low light but most target or match shooters are shooting in full light of day so worrying about how a scope looks in low light is a waste of time.

hafejd30 · Aug 4, 2024

Rob01 said:
Funny part is I always hear people always talking about "low light" but I would venture to bet most don't shoot in it but use it a lot to talk down scopes. Maybe some hunters will shoot in low light but most target or match shooters are shooting in full light of day so worrying about how a scope looks in low light is a waste of time.

I don’t shoot matches. I use mine primarily for crop damage deer control which relies on being able to ID the difference between a doe and spike in low light. So I did MY test in a way that matches MY uses and shared the results here

Lots of scopes look comparable on a beautiful 70° day. When you introduce low light or heavy mirage is when the pack starts to separate

Take my review above for what’s is worth

Rob01 · Aug 4, 2024

hafejd30 said:
I don’t shoot matches. I use mine primarily for crop damage deer control which relies on being able to ID the difference between a doe and spike in low light. So I did MY test in a way that matches MY uses and shared the results here

Lots of scopes look comparable on a beautiful 70° day. When you introduce low light or heavy mirage is when the pack starts to separate

Take my review above for what’s is worth

Wasn't talking about your post. Just a general statement about what I see when people put up posts about scopes.

wooferocau · Aug 4, 2024

Rob01 said:
Funny part is I always hear people always talking about "low light" but I would venture to bet most don't shoot in it but use it a lot to talk down scopes. Maybe some hunters will shoot in low light but most target or match shooters are shooting in full light of day so worrying about how a scope looks in low light is a waste of time.

Spot on !!

wooferocau · Aug 4, 2024

hafejd30 said:
heavy mirage is when the pack starts to separate

Mirage......TT rules all in this aspect!!

db2000 · Aug 4, 2024

I own a bunch of 525 EP5’s. They’re decent enough and I like them for what they are.

This thread is fucking retarded though.

Bender · Aug 4, 2024

308pirate said:
U r dumb

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Arken EP5 7- 35 .. Standing in for some Alpha Glass

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