Tag Archives: Arken Optics

Shooting Sports

Arken EP8 LPVO


Arken changed the landscape of long range shooting with their SH4 and EP5 rifle scopes. Consumers could expect high performance features of a >$1000 scope for less than half. With the EP8, Arken aims to do the same for LPVOs.

When I visited the Arken booth at Shot Show earlier this year, they didn’t have an EP8 prototype or mention they were working on an LPVO. It came as a surprise to me and everyone when Arken Optic released their first LPVO, the 1-8×28 EP8. It’s been back ordered since it’s launch and I was grateful Arken finally sent one for me to test.

The EP8 features a 34mm tube with an impressive 110 MOA of internal adjustment and a first focal plane BDC reticle at a meagre 21 oz. The Japanese glass provide bright and clear image but at 8x there was chromatic aberration. Despite this, at 8x the EP8 is as sharp as a 10x SIG Tango. Its eyebox was relatively forgiving even at 8x, with good eye relief at all magnifications.

The scope features 2 levels of Night Vision compatible illumination (invisible to the naked eye) and 9 levels of visible illumination in red. At max brightness, the reticle is daylight bright but not Nightforce level red-dot bright. At 1x I was able to quickly and intuitively aim using the holosun style reticle.

This KL Box (“killbox) reticle becomes evident at higher magnifications. At 8x circle zooms out of view and the center dot enlarges to reveal a horse shoe reticle with an interlocking set of BDC brackets and wind holds. The reticle designed in a way to allow you to bracket an IPSC target or human torso to range estimate your target from 400yards to 800yards. Moreover the design automatically aligns your aim to your targets center mass when you bracket it to estimate its range.

This design is simple, efficient, and brilliant. With the EP8 Arken has a good shot at shaking up the optics world yet again. As of this writing, the EP8 is out of stock with a 6-week minimum wait which says it all.

ONLINE RETAILERS

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Amazon https://amzn.to/40QB7Lh

Arken Optics https://www.arkenopticsusa.com/ep-8-1-8×28-lpvo-ffp

RESOLUTION

Group: -1
Element: 1

MANUFACTURER SPECS

EP8

Magnification: 1-8

Objective Diameter: 28mm

Eye Relief: 3.74″

FOV @ 1x: 121.15′, 22 deg

FOV @ 8x: 14.56′, 2.78 deg

Tube Size: 34mm

Turret Adjustment: 1/4 MOA

Reticle Position: FFP

Reticle Details: BDC style: ‘KL Box’

Elevation Adj. Range:: 110 MOA

Windage Adj. Range:: 110 MOA

Illuminated Reticle: Red

Weight: 21 oz

Battery Included: CR2032

Throw Lever: Integrated/removable

Shooting Sports

Discovery ED-PRS 5-25×56 FFP

I was contacted by Discovery Optics a few months ago to review their new ED-PRS scope. What I got was a scope in a large box filled with accessories. Usually when you get a ton of stuff with a scope this is a bad sign; they are cheap accessories designed to distract you from a mediocre scope. The Discovery ED-PRS on the other hand contained some high quality accessories that were a step above what you’d often get with some other scope brands.

Instead of a simple sheet of fabric cleaning cloth, the ED-PRS came with a soft chamois. In addition to the chamois, it also included a photography lens cleaning pen with an optical nano carbon cleaning tip. It included a set of high-profile scope rings with recoil lugs and printed torque markings.

In the box was an all metal scope level kit which helps you level and square your scope to your rail. I’ve only seen this tool is usually sold as an after-market accessory. And perhaps the most unusual items was a 3-piece sun shade tube which ads about another 10″ to the 13″ long scope.

The scope itself was sizable. It weighs 24oz but feels heavier. Its most notable feature are its oversized turrets. The ED-PRS’s turrets are even wider and taller than an Arken EP5. The turrets are non-locking, resettable and contain a cog wheel style zero-stop similar to Athlon’s Gen2 scopes. The turrets have brass cores and were loud and tactile with no slop.

The turrets, wheels, and nobs feature aggressive fine knurling, which along with being oversized make them generally easy to turn even when wearing gloves. All except for the magnification power ring which was exceedingly stiff and difficult to turn; even with the removable throw lever attached. I found myself really having to manhandle the lever to change magnification which severely impact performance for hunting or competition.

Not that I would take this scope hunting. I think it’s probably too bulky and heavy for most hunters (except those shooting from pimped out blinds or truck beds). The ED-PRS is probably best suited for precision bench-rest shooting with its easy to read markings and fine lined first focal plane reticle. While the scope features a ELR style Christmas tree reticle, serious long range shooters may be disappointed with the glass.

The ED-PRS has what they call a SFIR reticle, which looks a lot like the Arken VPR reticle but with more subtension markings. Like the Arken, the Discovery’s reticle only illuminates the very center cruciform of the reticle, creating something of a red-dot effect when used in low magnification. The illuminator has 6 brightness settings each separated by an OFF setting.

The first unit I received also had a very dim illuminator. Even with the scope cap on I could barely see the illuminated center cross at its highest illumination setting. Discovery sent me and a replacement scope and return label for the defective scope but the process took 3 weeks. They did warm me of the delay due to Lunar New Year which causes many delays in factory production in China. The new scope had a much brighter illumination but even this was not quite daylight bright.

Looking through the scope the image was surprisingly good for a budget scope. Bright with good center to edge sharpness. The other edge of the sight picture had only a hint of distortion even at 25x. The scope kept focus and point of aim throughout its magnification range. The eye box and eye relief were good for a budget scope.

The scope advertises ED glass but I noted some softness in detail at long range that I attribute to chromatic aberration. This was noticeable in mid day light with the target backlight. Overall resolution was better than average for the scopes price tier but not the best in its class. The ED-PRS was still sharp enough to allow me to pick out .22cal holes on paper at 100yrs.

The ED-PRS’ glass is not in the same league as a Leupold VX, Athlon Argos, Vortex Diamond Back Tactical, or even an Arken EP5. But when comparing what you get in the box for a street price of $399 (as of this writing) I would still consider the ED-PRS a good value. If you’re a beginning long-range shooter with a limited budget, this scope is something to consider.

This scope is available through my Affiliate links

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Ukni4t

RESOLUTION
Group: -1
Element: 3

OVERALL RATINGS (out 5)
Build: 4
Glass: 3.5
Reticle: 4.5
Holds Zero: 5
Box Test: 5
Turrets: 5
Eye Box: 4
Value: 5

ED-PRS SPECS
Magnification :5-25x
Objective Lens: 56mm
Reticle: SFIR FFP
Field of view:4.68°-0.93°
Exit pupil:11.16-2.24mm
Eye relief :87-85mm (3.5″)
Click Value :0.1MRAD
Elv adjust range: :15MRAD
Win adjust range: 8.7MRAD
Tube diameter :34mm
Length :13in
Weight :23.99oz

Product Reviews, Shooting Sports

New Arken EPL-4

The first thing most experienced shooters remark on the Arken EPL-5 and SH-4, apart from the low price, is the weight. For all the features you get in a sub $600 scope, the one thing you don’t want more of is weight. Compared to a similar magnification Vortex, Athlon, or higher end scope, Arkens are heavier. This isn’t much of an issue for benchrest or even NRL or PRS shooters but it certainly was a deal breaker for most hunters.

Arken listened to the feedback and came up with a new line of scopes with an “L” in their name for “light weight”. The new 6-24×50 EPL-4 shaves off 16oz of weight compared to a 5-25×56 ELP-5. That weight savings comes with a trade off a smaller range of adjustment due to its smaller objective lens and tube. But along with its capped windage turret, this 1-pound weight saving should make this new scope attractive to back-country hunters and most competition shooters alike.

I look forward to testing the EPL-4 later this year.

Product Reviews, Shooting Sports

Arken EP-5 5-25×56 FFP

The EP-5 has been one of the most sought after scopes since its release in early 2022. Unfortunately it’s been sold out for most of the year due to post-COVID supply chain issues and the high demand. I got a sneak peak at one at Shot Show this year but like all but a lucky few, I’ve been waiting six months to get one.

First let me be up front with reality. No, these are not AS GOOD as a $3000 Nightforce, Zeiss, or [INSERT HIGH END BRAND HERE]. But for a scope that retails for under a $1000, this comes much closer than anyone expected.

For a small Texas optics company, Arken has earned an outsized reputation. About 5 years ago, thanks to reviews by YouTubers like Iraqvetran8888, Affordable Optics, and Cyclops Joe Rhea, reports of their high quality turrets and surprisingly good optics called this brand out. The $600 EP4 quickly became THE “budget” scope to buy in ELR and NRL22 communities.

The scope uses German ED glass which is bright and sharp, easily resolving down to Element 6 in Group -1 in the USAF optical resolution chart (if my eyes were better I’d even say Element 1 in Group 0). That’s better than man x45 spotting scopes!

The eye box did get a bit smaller at higher magnification but the eye-relief did not reduce appreciably. The overall image was sharp with a hint of softening around the edges. Best of all there was no noticeable chromatic aberration at its highest magnification.

The EP5 replaces the EP4’s EPR Horus style reticle for the SH4’s more efficient VPR reticle, by far my favorite Christmas Tree reticle design used. 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 tube has an illumination dial stacked on the parallax focus turret. The dial has 6 levels of illumination with off between each brightness setting. Only at the the very center cruciform is illuminated, which functions like a red dot at low magnification. It is visible at twilight conditions without being annoyingly blooming like lower end optics which light up almost the entire tube.

The best part of the EP5 are high-quality turrets that Arken is famous for. 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. The turrets do not lock; a feature favored by ELR shooters.

Some shooters complain about imprecise range markings on the parallax focus. But you shouldn’t be using them as a range finder. Focus depends on multiple conditions like the reticle/ocular focus, magnification and not just the parallax.

Arken’s scope prices are going up slightly but they are still an excellent value for anybody getting into competitive ELR or NRL22. And should you be concerned with buying from a company you may not have heard of, they offer no-hassle returns and lifetime warranties. They also sell their Precision Pack which is an accessory bundle which includes high quality 34mm scope rings, a throw lever, bubble level, and high quality weatherproof lens caps.

Does the EP5 live up to the expectations of my 6-month long wait? Yes. Yes, it does.

ONLINE RETAILERS

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Arken Optics https://www.arkenopticsusa.com/ep-5-5-25×56-ffp-illuminated-reticle-with-zero-stop-34mm-tube

Amazon https://amzn.to/3PPVWPO

Buy on Amazon

RESOLUTION

Group: -1
Element: 6

RATINGS (out 5)

Build: +5
Glass: +4
Reticle: +5
Holds Zero: +5
Box Test: +5
Turrets: +5
Eye Box: 4
Value: +5

E-P5 Specs

Magnification: 5-25x

Objective Diameter: 56 mm

Eye Relief: 3.4 inches

Field of View: 25.3-4.9 ft @100 Yards

Tube Size: 34 mm

Turret Adjustment: 1/4 MOA / 1/10 MIL

Reticle: First Focal Plane

Reticle Style: VPR MOA

Zero Stop: AZS Zero Stop System

Zero Reset: Yes

Elevation Adj. Range: 110 MOA 32 MIL

Windage Adj. Range: 55 MOA 16 MIL

Adjustment Per Revolution: 25 MOA

Parallax: Side Parallax Adjustment 25Yds – Infinity

Illuminated Reticle: Red

Length: 14 inches

Weight: 39.2 oz

Battery: CR2032

Shooting Sports

Shot Show 2022: Arken EP-5

In just a handful of years, a small independent optics company in Texas named Arken has earned an almost cult-like reputation among budget build long-distance/ELR shooters for creating high-quality optics for under $500 (now $600). All of their scopes offer features like high-quality zero-stop turrets, dead-on Christmas-Tree reticles, ED glass, and a life-time warranty. They keep their prices low by having a narrow product line and only selling directly form their website and form select local retailers.

Their EP4 and and SH4 scopes have earned rave reviews from some well known PewTubers include Cyclops Joe, Tiborasaurus Rex, and IraqVeteran8888. I’ve been eager to get my hands on one to review. I was fortunate to be able to meet their staff at their booth at Shot Show and get an early look at their newest scope, the EP5.

Product Details

Arken EP5 Manual

  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Precision Tracking Guaranteed
  • ED Japanese Glass
  • First Focal Plane (FFP)
  • Zero Stop

Specification:Magnification: 5-25x
Objective Diameter: 56 mm
Eye Relief: 3.4 inches
Field of View: 25.3-4.9 ft @100 Yards
Tube Size: 34 mm
Turret Adjustment: 1/10 MIL
Turret Zero: Resetable
Zero Stop: AZS Zero Stop System
Reticle Position: First Focal Plane
Reticle Details: VPR MIL
Elevation Adj. Range: 32 MIL
Windage Adj. Range: 16 MIL
Adjustment Per Revolution: 10 MIL
Parallax: Side Parallax Adjustment 25Yds – Infinity
Illuminated Reticle: Red
Turret Rotation: Counter Clockwise (CCW)
Length: 14 inches
Weight: 39.2 oz
Sunshade: yes
Battery included: CR2032