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Rifle Scopes The Arken Optics Thread (merged)
- Thread starter Banango
- Start date
Anyone use the Arken cantilever mount? Amazon reviews show favorable. I have their standard rings on my 457 and have no issues with them. Just curious of anyone with personal experience that could give some feedback.
https://www.arkenopticsusa.com/online-store/Rigid-Precision-Mount-34mm-20-MOA-p218577874
https://www.arkenopticsusa.com/online-store/Rigid-Precision-Mount-34mm-20-MOA-p218577874
I had high hopes based on my EP4 and the scope mount I received wasn’t great.
Pretty rough machine marks, obvious alignment / concentricity issues and just overall lacking in fit and finish.
There’s some pretty good photos on Amazon of the issues I mentioned. Also for a good laugh just read some of them: “I haven’t installed it yet but looks great 10/10
That is not encouraging. I ordered one. I guess we'll see if QC has gotten better on them.
I can tell you in short that Arken is close to my PLx and not my SLx. Everything from turrets to weight to glass is levels above SLx. Am I’m a big fan of PA reticles and equipment generally, just being honest. I can’t speak for GLx but likely those are close to Arken from what I’ve read.
Thanks, wading through this thread, the first parts are a hoot, heh.
I have one installed on a AR and haven't had any issues. Clean machining, and quality T25 torx screws create a solid mount. I've seen the photos on Amazon of this mount appearing to be out of alignment, but my edges are all flush. I also use a pair of the 30mm Halo rings on a .308 that are also machined well without any issues.
EDIT: I forgot to mention that I ran the Arken cantilever mount reversed for a while on a RPRF to cancel out 20 of the factory 30 MOA base and didn't have a change in windage POI
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Appreciate that. My shipment is supposed to be here on Friday....including 2 more of their scopes, and some other stuff too.
My order showed up today, 2 days early. Everything looks good so far, except I found the AR scope mount a bit strange. The gap on the rear rings is way larger than the front set. And yes, they're even side to side (I use feeler gauges to verify ring gap during scope installs), just not front to back. TLooking at a picture of a review on Amazon, that one looks like mine do, so it must just be the way they are I guess. Other than that, the mount seemed nicely made and install on both rifles had no issues whatsoever.
Amazon review picture:
Amazon review picture:
bought it in the marketplace at rimfirecentral. It is for a cz455 but my gunsmith modified it to fit the Brno model 1 that itself was modified with a rear tang bolt hole. Some inletting was also needed for the bottom metal, which is curved at the magazine well.
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No issues today with either of the new Arkens using their rings and 20moa AR mount. I was pleased to see the rings keep the scope tight on the Howa 308. I've typically had issues with 308 rifles in the past not liking my usual 15 in/lbs of torque on the rings and causing the scope to slip.
How does the Arken EP4 6-24x50 EPR MIL perform in your opinions? Is it something you would buy again or seek used? I may be able to purchase one and I recall reading favorable posts here but that was a while ago. How have they held up?
I ended up buying both the 6-24 and the 4-16.
They have both performed way beyond their price. Only negative is built in the same country that developed the Kung Flu, yet I don't wear a face diaper when utilizing the above mentioned rifle scopes.
Will be buying some more.
They have both performed way beyond their price. Only negative is built in the same country that developed the Kung Flu, yet I don't wear a face diaper when utilizing the above mentioned rifle scopes.
Will be buying some more.
It's a $450 MSRP scope that I'm honestly considering selling and upgrading the $1000 MSRP scopes on my rifles with... And that's no lie. I'm beyond impressed. And with the $100 off + free shipping coupon right now, for $350 you will not beat it.
The SH4 line. It's still a higher-quality optic than my HS-T's that are 10+ year old technology. Better glass, better FOV, better reticle, better turrets, better ZS, bigger tube, beefier, etc...
The EP4 line is no more. Once they are sold out, they are gone. They will be replacing that line with something new/upgraded. No idea what, I just know something new will be coming to replace the EP4 line in 2022.
....FWIW, I'm imagining that they will incorporate changes that are based on feedback they have received for both the SH and EP4 lines....more radically, possibly streamlining their offerings to a single line with upgraded glass and all current reticles offered in both lines and the changes identified from feedback to date. It could be more economical sense in these "supply chain challenged" times to incorporate the positives from both lines into a single enhanced product, especially if they are using the same manufacturer for both lines. The similarities between the 2 models, re: manufacturing, is pretty much that the only difference is the glass quality, that I can discern.
Personally, I think they should just upgrade the SH4 line with the Japanese ED glass, and the 10 MIL per revolution turrets from the EP4, and keep the VPR reticles, but upgrade the illumination to be brighter for daytime use...And if possible, maybe relax the eye-box a little bit...It gets pretty tight at max magnification and fix that slight clarity degradation at the upper-end of the magnification spectrum.
If they would do that, that would be the perfect scope, IMO. Not much to revamp, but would make for the perfect amalgamation of the 2 lines, IMO. I'd pay $500-599 for that scope...All day long. I'd probably even upgrade all my target rifles to Arkens and sell all the rest of my other brand scopes (except my Zeiss and Kahles scopes, naturally...).
I'd pay $500-599 for that scope too but you won't ever see it. The upgrades you are describing Japanese ED glass, and the 10 MIL per revolution turrets significantly elevate cost of manufacturing thus the price. In essence you are describing a Athlon Cronus.Personally, I think they should just upgrade the SH4 line with the Japanese ED glass, and the 10 MIL per revolution turrets from the EP4, and keep the VPR reticles, but upgrade the illumination to be brighter for daytime use...And if possible, maybe relax the eye-box a little bit...It gets pretty tight at max magnification and fix that slight clarity degradation at the upper-end of the magnification spectrum.
If they would do that, that would be the perfect scope, IMO. Not much to revamp, but would make for the perfect amalgamation of the 2 lines, IMO. I'd pay $500-599 for that scope...All day long. I'd probably even upgrade all my target rifles to Arkens and sell all the rest of my other brand scopes (except my Zeiss and Kahles scopes, naturally...).
All of those things already existed on a scope for $599…. The Arken EP4 line, that is being discontinued, and upgraded to something else. That’s why I mentioned integrating those things to the SH4 line.
Also, I doubt the Athlon is remotely as rugged as the Arken. But I would like to see it compared in a torture test.
Also, I doubt the Athlon is remotely as rugged as the Arken. But I would like to see it compared in a torture test.
while i am really impressed with the Arken and actually have a couple now, i've got the cronus btr and it's just as rugged as any out there. I actually compare it to my Tract Toric which are both a step below my Kahles & NF ATACR. Like i said, the Arken is impressive, but i'm not putting it in that league yet. Down the road i will be doing some comparisons, just to short on time right now
The EP4 isn't a 56mm objective another factor that increases the cost. I don't have any doubts of the ruggedness of the Cronus, Ares, or Midas for that matter. I've own several Athlons and the Arken for a while now.
Question if anyone else has noticed this. Do you have the battery cover want to unscrew instead of the illumination knob wanting to turn when rotating counter clockwise? Seems if I just reach up and try to dial it back counter clockwise I’m also cracking the battery cover loose.
I'd like to see them side-by-side compared in both the IV8888 and VSO's torture tests, and see how the Athlon holds up against the Arken. The Arken turrets (internally) are the beefiest things I've ever seen on a scope. VSO dropped it 6 times from about 6 foot, right on the elevation turret, bent the shit out of the shaft to where it wouldn't turn, cranked on it to see if he could still force it to turn, finally forced it to turn up, shot a group, and then back, shot a group, and then beat it back straight on the edge of a table, and it went back to tracking 100% straight. Absolutely blew my mind.
I've never even seen a $3,500 scope that could handle turret abuse like that. The only thing I could see coming close would be a NightForce NXS, ATACR, etc... because I know how intentionally strong and beefy their turrets are.
If you want to see the video, it's posted on my other Arken thread. I highly recommend watching it.
I have quite a few 56mm scopes, but honestly, I'm fine with a 50mm. The 34mm tube makes a huge difference.
Nice rig! I have 2 Sandman-S cans (regular & MIL-Contract FDE) for my AR's and they're great cans. Excellent low tone and low back pressure. Is that a .308? Looks like it, but can't quite tell...
I love my .260 Rem... I have a 5R Milspec Magpul Edition 200th Anniversary model (2016).
You should try it with a Nomad-LT on the end. It's ridiculously quiet. 100% hearing safe. Everyone I've let shoot it is in awe of how quiet it is. I love mine.
Nomad L, yep that’s my next can
Mine is a 5R Magpul also but I knew it was going into a McMillan stock.
If it's for a bolt-action, the LT shaves a ton of weight, and has the same DB reduction. Also, it's still rated up to .300 RUM/Norma Mag, same as the regular Nomad-L.Nomad L, yep that’s my next can
Also, right now Silencer Shop has a FREE Tax Stamp promo for the Nomad-LT (which is a SS exclusive suppressor). My Nomad-LT with the thermal wrap and KeyMo unit weighs almost the exact same as a Standard Nomad-L with no wrap, and no KeyMo mount. Just something to think about if you're going to be hunting with it, or toting it around the woods. That extra 1 lbs. of weight savings goes a long way.
Decided to try again, got 3.
2 were fine (read: great deal, no issues, happy etc.)
1 is on its way back for exchange. Parallax wheel so loose I could turn it with one finger.
So that's a success rate of 50% I guess (got one about a year ago, which had parallax issues)
Fingers crossed the exchange goes smooth and I get a good one...
2 were fine (read: great deal, no issues, happy etc.)
1 is on its way back for exchange. Parallax wheel so loose I could turn it with one finger.
So that's a success rate of 50% I guess (got one about a year ago, which had parallax issues)
Fingers crossed the exchange goes smooth and I get a good one...
I noticed this thread was recently updated, so I figured I’d share my opinion on using a Cronus and SH4 every time I go to the local range. What’s really fucked up is I prefer to shoot the Arken at the local 200 yard range. Of course the Athlon is built better, Japanese craftsmanship really shows, but when I’m just sitting at the bench shooting 100-200 yard paper targets, the arken is actually my go-too. I prefer the reticle and the larger image of the Arken compared to the thick reticle and feeling like I’m looking through a black PVC pipe that the Cronus produces. It’s no longer a question, Arkens are worth the asking price.
The large image being prominent in the Burris xtriii has me wanting to try those now as well
There's a helluv a deal on the Arken right now for Labor Day. I finally had to get one and see what all the fuss is about. Will be comparing next to a Viper gen2, Razor gen 1 &2, and strike eagle.
The SH4Gen2 6-24x50 and combo pack(rings, bubble, throw lever, flip caps) came out to $351 after taxes with promo code NSF$170
The SH4Gen2 6-24x50 and combo pack(rings, bubble, throw lever, flip caps) came out to $351 after taxes with promo code NSF$170
