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

[Threadcutter308]

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[thexman]

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...

Which reticle is this? It doesn't look like the VPR mil one on their website with 0.25mil hair in horizontal.

 

[wooferocau]

Which reticle is this? It doesn't look like the VPR mil one on their website with 0.25mil hair in horizontal.

It's the MPR....don't think US got that reticle..

 

[DubfromGA]

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

If you are going to post comparisons, then maybe don't use thumbnail images.

 

[Kickin45]

How’s the eye relief on the Arken?
I have one of the very first EP5’s that shipped. I really do appreciate it for what it is, but I feel the eyebox is tad tight.

 

[wooferocau]

It's not to bad...
Even on the 50bmg you can still spot your fall of shot.

 

[wade2big]

If you are going to post comparisons, then maybe don't use thumbnail images.


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You do realize you can click on the thumb image and it gets bigger, right?

 

[thexman]

It's the MPR....don't think US got that reticle..

Oh, nice, didn't realizecthey have different reticle for different regions.

By the way, as you mentioned you also have the new S&B competition 10-60, any chance you could take some photos from behind at long distance like 1000+ yard/meter, please? Want to get some idea about the image quality at high magnification e.g. 40x or higher at far distance target. Want to see how likely the FFP version scope can be used at F Class like shooting(most using SFP scope). Try to see how thick the reticle hair is and if that affects seeing the V or X ring.

 

[Rob01]

I wish we did get that reticle as I like it better than the one we get with the .2 marks versus the .25 and only .5 on main reticle.

 

[wooferocau]

Oh, nice, didn't realizecthey have different reticle for different regions.

By the way, as you mentioned you also have the new S&B competition 10-60, any chance you could take some photos from behind at long distance like 1000+ yard/meter, please? Want to get some idea about the image quality at high magnification e.g. 40x or higher at far distance target. Want to see how likely the FFP version scope can be used at F Class like shooting(most using SFP scope). Try to see how thick the reticle hair is and if that affects seeing the V or X ring.

The 10-60 optically is superb....slightly sharper than the 6-36 S&B...
It's very very good up to 45x!!!
I have some pics taken at approx 1200yds in the side paddock....BUT none of my shooting range as both scopes (10-60,s) failed during sight in ...approx 12 shots..
When I get them back from Germany I can oblige...
Some pics with 6-36 P5FL and 10-60 M1fl

 

[wooferocau]

The pics with circa 6 1/2 mils showing are at 36x....both scopes

 

[wooferocau]

Just for giggles....just took this pic 2 min ago....same spot but overcast day...
Arken Max 35x

 

[wooferocau]

ARKEN 28X

 

[wooferocau]

Again just for interest.. 1200yds... ish

2 images spiced together..

Left ...S&B 10-60 @ 36x ( Bright Sunny Day) ...Right Arken 7-35 @35x ( Overcast cCoudy Day)

Obviously the S&B looks better....but by Christ it should !!!

 

[roostercogburn98]

Obviously the S&B looks better....but by Christ it should !!!

 

[Hecouldgoalltheway]

Again just for interest.. 1200yds... ish

2 images spiced together..

Left ...S&B 10-60 @ 36x ( Bright Sunny Day) ...Right Arken 7-35 @35x ( Overcast cCoudy Day)

Obviously the S&B looks better....but by Christ it should !!!

The difference in light makes the comparison difficult, but the detail isn't vastly different. Not like 6x the price different.

 

[wooferocau]

The difference in light makes the comparison difficult, but the detail isn't vastly different. Not like 6x the price different.

In Aus....it's 7.2 x the price!!!

And ...yeah ...the Arken provides a very credible image!!

 

[Farmerbrown32]

Well i ordered one of these today. For the price itll be hard to beat

 

[Im2bent]

I emailed Arken about the MPR reticle in the U.S. this was the reply. "The 7-35 is available in the MOA / VPR and the MIL / VPR reticle. Anything other than that we do not have available at this time for the 7-35 and we have no information as to when or if we will. Thank you for your feeback"

 

[TrevK]

I emailed Arken about the MPR reticle in the U.S. this was the reply. "The 7-35 is available in the MOA / VPR and the MIL / VPR reticle. Anything other than that we do not have available at this time for the 7-35 and we have no information as to when or if we will. Thank you for your feeback"

I was searching for the same reticle option the other day, what a bummer..

 

[wooferocau]

2000 yards today with the 375 Cheytac..

Initial shots hitting high right on the plate....made a correction and all good.

Still no dramas at all with this optic..

 

[232593]

2000 yards today with the 375 Cheytac..

Initial shots hitting high right on the plate....made a correction and all good.

Still no dramas at all with this optic..

What kind of mount is that?

 

[Andrews50]

What kind of mount is that?

Looks like Sphur but I could be wrong.

 

[wooferocau]

What kind of mount is that?

Sphur 4808

 

[wooferocau]

Still trouble free.

2800yds today....blustering unpredictable wind ..

Still managed to connect , and a high percentage of misses were within kissing the edges of the plate...

 

[db2000]

 

[secondofangle2]

Still trouble free.

2800yds today....blustering unpredictable wind ..

Still managed to connect , and a high percentage of misses were within kissing the edges of the plate...

The alpha glass just doesn't have alpha tracking, huh?

 

[wooferocau]

The alpha glass just doesn't have alpha tracking, huh?

In the case of my S&B s.....yes unfortunately!!

 

[FuhQ]

It's the MPR....don't think US got that reticle..

How much would it be USD to get an MPR-MIL shipped over here to the States from where you are? I'm curious about this 7-35, if it's really working that well for you over there...

 

[wooferocau]

The Arken has been interesting..
Initially it started as a bit of a joke.... my dealer sent them to me and said "Break them".
I was convinced it would be an easy task as in general I have no faith in Chinese products.

I have been so pissed off with a lot of the High End optics I have had....wasted time....money and frustration!!.

So far it has turned out to be a complete opposite result to what I envisaged would happen.

People here can , laugh , or crap on the Arken as much as they want....fact is so far it has stood up 100% with everything I have ( and friends) have thrown at it.

This is far far more than some very expensive optics have done over the past months.!!!

 

[wooferocau]

How much would it be USD to get an MPR-MIL shipped over here to the States from where you are? I'm curious about this 7-35, if it's really working that well for you over there...

Not sure....they go here for around AUD $1400

 

[carbonbased]

Maybe it’s been said, but I have a sneaking suspicion that a NF Mil-XT US patent is behind Arken not importing the MPR-MIL reticle.

That sucker looks awfully like the Mil-XT. Only I like the Arken more, with its fewer numbers all over the place.

Just a hunch.

 

[wooferocau]

Maybe it’s been said, but I have a sneaking suspicion that a NF Mil-XT US patent is behind Arken not importing the MPR-MIL reticle.

That sucker looks awfully like the Mil-XT. Only I like the Arken more, with its fewer numbers all over the place.

Just a hunch.

The MPR is actually a very good reticle!!

 

[FuhQ]

Maybe it’s been said, but I have a sneaking suspicion that a NF Mil-XT US patent is behind Arken not importing the MPR-MIL reticle.

That sucker looks awfully like the Mil-XT. Only I like the Arken more, with its fewer numbers all over the place.

Just a hunch.

That’s why I was curious if dude would buy one, and let me PayPal him the money, and have him ship it straight to me. I love my ATACR F1 5-25x56 MIL-XT. And that MPR-MIL reticle instantly caught my attention.

Scopes are not a regulated item (to my knowledge), so shipping it from an individual shouldn’t be an issue, right? Plus, the images he’s posted look surprisingly good. Maybe they’re getting better quality glass in the Australian Arkens?

 

[wooferocau]

That’s why I was curious if dude would buy one, and let me PayPal him the money, and have him ship it straight to me. I love my ATACR F1 5-25x56 MIL-XT. And that MPR-MIL reticle instantly caught my attention.

Scopes are not a regulated item (to my knowledge), so shipping it from an individual shouldn’t be an issue, right? Plus, the images he’s posted look surprisingly good. Maybe they’re getting better quality glass in the Australian Arkens?

maybe an option ??

DNT Optics THE ONE 7-35x56 Illuminated TOR FFP - Zero Stop - 34mm Tube

PLEASE NOTE: As of 8 December, ALL MIL and MOA UNITS BACK IN STOCK !!! Ready to ship SAME DAY!!! The 2024 shipments will be discounted from $899.99 to $815 and then revert back to $899.99 in January 2025!! About DNT Optics We are a team of assorted enthusiasts who want to make the tools we want...

www.shootingwarehouse.com

My dealer here in Aus says these and the Arken are the same product , actually from samples he has seen he says the DNT is improved over the "Arken" branded one!!

They are made by the same company on the same machines ...just a "Branding" change apparently. I am getting 2 when they land at the end of this month.

Most importantly...the DNT version uses the same reticle as in the Arkens here in Aus.

 

[wooferocau]

That’s why I was curious if dude would buy one, and let me PayPal him the money, and have him ship it straight to me. I love my ATACR F1 5-25x56 MIL-XT. And that MPR-MIL reticle instantly caught my attention.

Scopes are not a regulated item (to my knowledge), so shipping it from an individual shouldn’t be an issue, right? Plus, the images he’s posted look surprisingly good. Maybe they’re getting better quality glass in the Australian Arkens?

Over the past weeks MANY who have looked through , compared to my other high end scopes ... AND shot with them have been incredibly surprised how good the glass is on the Arken.s !! When they find out the price , the look of astonishment is comical !!

 

[FuhQ]

maybe an option ??

DNT Optics THE ONE 7-35x56 Illuminated TOR FFP - Zero Stop - 34mm Tube

PLEASE NOTE: As of 8 December, ALL MIL and MOA UNITS BACK IN STOCK !!! Ready to ship SAME DAY!!! The 2024 shipments will be discounted from $899.99 to $815 and then revert back to $899.99 in January 2025!! About DNT Optics We are a team of assorted enthusiasts who want to make the tools we want...

www.shootingwarehouse.com

My dealer here in Aus says these and the Arken are the same product , actually from samples he has seen he says the DNT is improved over the "Arken" branded one!!

They are made by the same company on the same machines ...just a "Branding" change apparently. I am getting 2 when they land at the end of this month.

Most importantly...the DNT version uses the same reticle as in the Arkens here in Aus.

So, scopes are not a regulated customs item in Oz? If it’s a direct-ship with no issues, might could be an option in order to get the MPR reticle version. What would USD be with the discount they have running right now? And what would shipping run to the States?

 

[wooferocau]

So, scopes are not a regulated customs item in Oz? If it’s a direct-ship with no issues, might could be an option in order to get the MPR reticle version. What would USD be with the discount they have running right now? And what would shipping run to the States?

I will find out..

 

[Kadams1563]

I’m interested in picking a 7-35 up for a rimfire but I want the reticle with the .2 mil hash marks.

So y’all get a link on how to get some imported put me down.

 

[FuhQ]

I will find out..

Hey bud, any updates on this?

 

[wooferocau]

Hey bud, any updates on this?

PM me your number and I can give you a call..

 

[JMo22]

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

I have a 5-25 EP5 and like it just fine, so I'm not anti Arken by any means, but I will say that my immediate thought about this is that the "Arken" on the left doesn't look anything like the reticle that Arken offers. Did you get some special reticle choice that the rest of us don't have access to? Where is the floating crosshair and pointed reticle bars? This is the Arken reticle (same layout for MIL)

Edit: just saw the other comments about it being an AUS reticle option. I really wish we could get that one here in the states!

 

[JMo22]

I emailed Arken about the MPR reticle in the U.S. this was the reply. "The 7-35 is available in the MOA / VPR and the MIL / VPR reticle. Anything other than that we do not have available at this time for the 7-35 and we have no information as to when or if we will. Thank you for your feeback"

How dumb. "We aren't allowed to ship you one of those boxes, only the boxes on the pallet next to them. Sorry, nothing we can do!" I'll never understand decisions like that.

 

[carbonbased]

How dumb. "We aren't allowed to ship you one of those boxes, only the boxes on the pallet next to them. Sorry, nothing we can do!" I'll never understand decisions like that.

My guess is that the culprit is probably some US-centric design patent.

 

[wooferocau]

My guess is that the culprit is probably some US-centric design patent.

Spot on..

 

[wooferocau]

The 7-35 "DNT" branded ( ARKEN ) will have the same reticule as the one in my pics..

 

[wooferocau]

BTW...
Shot at 3500yds ( 2 miles) with the Arken...No wind ..
Used NF prism in front of the Arken...
20 shots...6 on plate...1 on frame.

 

[JMo22]

The 7-35 "DNT" branded ( ARKEN ) will have the same reticule as the one in my pics..

I reached to DNT and they said they have no idea on a timeframe for the scopes to be available in the US, for now they are focusing on night vision and thermal. I guess we're stuck with the 0.5 hashes for now

 

[wooferocau]

They're available in Aus end of this month..
Black and FDE colours

 

[PB&J.]

Holy fuck, how is this shit show still going...