I want to hear y'alls thoughts comparing the Arken EPL-4 4-16X44 and the Athlon TALOS BTR GEN2 4-14×44.
Currently I'm running the Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44 with the R-Grid 2 reticle. For $200 shipped I don't think that I could have found a better optic. However, holding wind with the R-Grid 2 sucks. There are no good horizontal reference points until 2 mil. Between the chevron and outer horse shoe is 1 mil, and there is no horizontal line. You're kinda just holding out in space until 2 mil, which is not ideal.
My main reason for wanting to upgrade is reticle. I am very happy with my $200 PA scope otherwise as far as durability, clarity, function. I use it to great effect out to 600 yards no problem whatsoever, except if its windy. I'm very open to suggestions of other optics but before you suggest please know that this is going on a m12 type AR. I do not need any magnification higher than 16x and and want mag down to 3x or 4x at a minimum. Must be MIL-RAD reticle and must have horizontal stadia for wind holds. I'd like to use my 30mm QD rings. Illuminated is highly desirable but possibly not a deal breaker. $500 shipped is my upper limit in budget. I don't like nice or fancy things, I like good things that work good enough for my purposes, which will not be shooting past 600 yards.
I don't need "alpha glass". Happy for dudes who have the time/money for such things but that will never be me. Anyways...
Arken Pros
Capped windage turret
reported longer eye relief than Athlon
Zero stop
Illuminated reticle
Arken Cons
Some poor impressions of the optic are abundant and people dislike their marketing scheme.
Athlon Pros
Shorter/smaller than Arken and Primary Arms
Whole reticle is illuminated
Zero stop
Athlon cons
windage turret is open
Let's hear the opinions! Also FYI if this turns in to a bash Arken thread I'll delete your post. There are enough of those out there. If you had a bad experience with Arken let me hear it, but I'm not here for your vitriol. I'm looking from objective experiences from people who have USED these optics on their rifles for medium range shooting. Thank you.
-Sam
Currently I'm running the Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44 with the R-Grid 2 reticle. For $200 shipped I don't think that I could have found a better optic. However, holding wind with the R-Grid 2 sucks. There are no good horizontal reference points until 2 mil. Between the chevron and outer horse shoe is 1 mil, and there is no horizontal line. You're kinda just holding out in space until 2 mil, which is not ideal.
My main reason for wanting to upgrade is reticle. I am very happy with my $200 PA scope otherwise as far as durability, clarity, function. I use it to great effect out to 600 yards no problem whatsoever, except if its windy. I'm very open to suggestions of other optics but before you suggest please know that this is going on a m12 type AR. I do not need any magnification higher than 16x and and want mag down to 3x or 4x at a minimum. Must be MIL-RAD reticle and must have horizontal stadia for wind holds. I'd like to use my 30mm QD rings. Illuminated is highly desirable but possibly not a deal breaker. $500 shipped is my upper limit in budget. I don't like nice or fancy things, I like good things that work good enough for my purposes, which will not be shooting past 600 yards.
I don't need "alpha glass". Happy for dudes who have the time/money for such things but that will never be me. Anyways...
Arken Pros
Capped windage turret
reported longer eye relief than Athlon
Zero stop
Illuminated reticle
Arken Cons
Some poor impressions of the optic are abundant and people dislike their marketing scheme.
Athlon Pros
Shorter/smaller than Arken and Primary Arms
Whole reticle is illuminated
Zero stop
Athlon cons
windage turret is open
Let's hear the opinions! Also FYI if this turns in to a bash Arken thread I'll delete your post. There are enough of those out there. If you had a bad experience with Arken let me hear it, but I'm not here for your vitriol. I'm looking from objective experiences from people who have USED these optics on their rifles for medium range shooting. Thank you.
-Sam
