No, these are not AS GOOD as a $2000 Leupold, Nightforce, Zeiss, or [INSERT HIGH END BRAND HERE]. The glass is about as good as a Vortex Diamondback/Viper but the Arken SH4 is almost too good for a FFP scope under $500.

Without a huge advertising budget, through word-of-mouth and YouTube reviews, Arken has earned an outsized reputation. Claims by other YouTubers of high quality glass and top quality turrets seemed almost unbelievable. After meeting them at Shot Show 2022, Arken sent me a sample of their new Gen 2 SH4 to test and evaluate and spoilers: the turrets do live up to the hype (they are outstanding!) But the scope itself is not without flaws. 

The scope uses Chinese HD glass which is bright and sharp, resolving down to Element 4 in the Group -1 in the USAF optical resolution chart. This placing its x24 resolution in the same league as a Vortex Diamondback Tactical or an Athlon Helos. But subjectively, it’s detail and contrast seem slightly below those scopes. At magnifications higher than x12 I could see a gradual cloudiness and drop in brightness. At x24 the lack of contrast and detail made it hard to pick out .22cal holes on paper at 100yrds.

It makes up for these optical shortcomings with its amazingly precise, high-quality turrets. Adjustments were audibly clear and extremely tactile positive. They built in zero-stop was well designed and precise, using a set screw to engage and stop-bar inside the elevation turret. My only nitpick is a lack of a turret lock, especially with windage.

The biggest complaint people seem to have is imprecise range markings on the parallax focus. But this should be a non-issue; you shouldn’t be using them as a range finder at this price tier. Anybody who depends on range markings on a dial more than their own eye’s sense of focus should return these scopes; they don’t deserve them.

Reticle preference is largely personal. But I found this scope possibly my favorite reticle design of any U.S. scope maker. Designed by former US Navy S.E.A.L., Arken’s reticle strikes a perfect balance between data and reference points for long range adjustments at high power, while keeping the center clear and focused. The Gen 2 SH4 utilizes the same reticle design of the EP4/EP5 with the addition of the SH4’s illuminated center cross-hairs. This aids finding the reticle in dusk and low light situations though is not “daylight” bright even at i’s highest magnification.

And no, the optics are not as good as a Leupold Mark 5 but its turrets are. Like everything else, Arken’s scope prices are going up slightly (Post-Pandemic Inflation) but they are still below anything comparable on the market. One of the ways they keep costs down is by not spending money on marketing or advertising and only selling their products direct to consumers online. Their current promotion offer is a free Combo Pack when you register which is an awesome deal with a set of 34mm scope rings, scope covers, throw lever, spirit level, and pouch.

https://www.arkenopticsusa.com/sh4-6-24×50-gen2-ffp-mil-vpr-illuminated-reticle-with-zero-stop-34mm-tube-p227953426

From what I’ve read, some Gen 1 SH4’s and EP4’s had quality control issues. While rare, even big name brands like Vortex and Leupold put out lemons or experience “user accidents”, which is why they are so well known for having no-hassle returns and lifetime warranties. Arken is no different.

To their credit, while Arken is a small company, stand by their lifetime warranty and are responsive to customer service issues. The first sample of the SH4 that Arken sent me, had an off-center reticle and a tiny near the top left edge of the image (most people wouldn’t have noticed it). I emailed their general customer service page, just like any other customer, and the next day they emailed me a return label. I sent back the scope and the next week I got brand new scope at no cost.

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RESOLUTION

Group: -1
Element: 4

OVERALL RATINGS (out 5)
Build: 5
Glass: 4
Reticle: +5
Holds Zero: +5
Box Test: +5
Turrets: +5
Eye Box: 3
Value: 5

SH4 Gen2 Specs

ARKEN SH-4

Eye Relief: 3.5 inches

FOV: 20.88-5.22 ft @100 Yards

Tube Size: 34 mm

Turret Adjustment: 1/10 MIL

Reticle: First Focal Plane

Reticle Details: VPR MIL

Zero Stop: AZS

Elevation Adj. Range: 32 MIL

Windage Adj. Range: 10 MIL

Adjustment Per Revolution: 8 MIL

Parallax: 25Yds – Infinity

Illuminated Reticle: Red

Battery included: CR2032

Length: 14.1 inches

Weight: 36.6 oz

In my previous review of the Wolfroad green laser boresighter, some of the comments I had doubted the suitability of the device because it wasn’t spot-on when installed. In this episode, I show how to use a bore sighter to sight in a scope, optic, or open sights.

Laser bore sighters, which fit into the muzzle of your barrel, are not 100% dead nuts center on your bore. There’s a certain amount of looseness in the tolerances, from the laser diode to the straightness of the stem, to threads of the screw on the caliber adapter. It’s normal that they’re just a few degree’s off.

But by using a little practical geometry we can get around this imprecision. By rotating the bore sighter while attached to your barrel, the laser dot traces a circle around the center of its axis; your barrel. You can either estimate the center of that circle or simply position the dot at the nadir of the curve, you can aim the vertical/elevation centerline with your barrel.

This will almost certainly get you on paper if nothing else. Once you get holes on paper you can make finer adjustments to zero your sights.

WOLFROAD BORE SIGHT KIT
https://amzn.to/3t8CBle

MIDTEN BORE SIGHT KIT
https://amzn.to/3JSQc61