Great video. I also waited several months. My EP-5 is on a Daniel Defense DD5V4 .308. I received the accessory kit and mounts as well. Can’t beat the price point. Solid optic and well made.
Haven't had a chance to test if it holds zero, but mounts just fine and has nice clear glass. Centered vertically true to a plumb line with the crosshairs which is always a plus!It's a great ru-vid.comUgkxc4K63Fd5LglDMObu7-Bgapxp_ef0W8hE scope. There's no parallax adjustment or focus ring, so may be limited to 3-7x, have to see how it is on the range. Also be aware that the rings are "look through" so you can still use irons, but they are really tall if you only intend to use the optics. On a 22LR no biggie since I'm not shooting competitions or worried about a hard cheek press. Will boresight and range test, if all goes well, I'll leave it at that!
I have a U.S Optics 3.2-17x and a fixed 10x that I bought about 15 years ago. They're nice . . . really nice. But I think in those 15 years, technology has progressed enough such that the Arken scopes are darn near about as good as those U.S. Optics scopes, and for a fraction of the price. I have four Arkens, and I prefer to use them over the U.S. Optics. Now if Arken could only get their supply chain issues sorted...
@@Moondog2A Yeah, they're clearer, but the question is, are they $1,500 clearer? That, I don't think so. But again, 15 years ago, the scopes in the $450-$500 ranger were awful. So...
Sorry for the tardy response. The U.S. Optics glass is seriously amazing. If I were shooting out past 1,000 yards, the U.S. Optics is the way I'd go. But most of my shooting takes place within 500 yards, and the Arkens are just fine for that.@@Moondog2A
I have the ep5 on a savage a22 precision. It's nice and clear and for 100 yards it plenty to see the groups. It will be moved to my r700 soon enough when the stock is replaced
the results here are similar to mine...I have many top tier scopes (IOR Valdada Recon, Leupold Mark 5 HD, NF Atacr, S&B,etc.) and yes I own and Arken EP5 and Arken SH4. No the Arken is not a the same level as these top tier scopes...but it is less than 20% the cost and in my opinion delivers 95% of the performance. Where it lacks...durability (it cannot take the abuse that a proven tactical scope can take)...but the tracking on both my EP5 and SH4 are every bit as good as the tracking on these other top tier scopes...regarding the glass...it is very good in my opinion...again...not quite up to the quality of the top tier...but damn close! So if you are not going into combat and need the durability of an IOR or NF, but want a quality scope for long range shooting...and want to get one at 20%< of the top tier scopes...this one is a winner in my book! Regardless of what the haters below say!
Thank you for bringing your experience and opinion to the fore. Too many have incorrectly said "It's just as good as...." when it isn't. But like you said, for what an EP5 or SH4 can offer at its price range, these Arkens are fantastic. I hope you subscribe.
TiborasaurusRex beats his Arken scopes hard and durability has been just as good as any other tier 1 scope. Rex is the scope guru god, and Arken has his blessings.
George, what do you mean by Arken isn't as durable? Did yours break or in some way fail due to harsh use? Or are you assuming it isn't as durable due to it being so inexpensive?
I have 4 Arkens i ordered my 5th this morning. Imo they are really good scopes they work just as well as my NF, VX5. I have them on my hunting rifles weight is not an issue heavy rifles dont bother me. They have held up really well to the elements and abuse that hunting rifles take. Ill be buying number 6 soon lol.
@@Moondog2A 5 right now, ill probably but number 6 soon. They are great scopes for the money. Are the a NF no they are not, but they offer great features at a very fair price for the performance they offer. Merry Christmas to you.
Good review. The Arken EP5 is 95% of a Vortex Razor or Leupold MK5. The main thing you will notice about it is the weight… it’s about the same as the 3-27 Razors. Image quality is a hair lower than those guys but the turrets imo are superior. I run mine on a 50 and it’s been solid. Unless I need a light weight scope I’ll seriously consider another EP5.
they are better than the vortex !I have had major issues with vortex lately there quality is slipping they have warranted there products but how many times can you send them back it gets old!
I just bought and received 2 EP5's amd noticed they must be using far better glass than what theu used two years ago and last year because its night and day clearer even all the way to 25x maximum magnification. I'm still blown away by the clarity in their newest EP5's. The newest EP5's really compare favorably to my Athlon Midas Tacs and Ares BTR Gen 2s on high magnification with a noticeably wider FOV.
I got the money but when I see the weight, I say no. It is why I waited for less weigh-in scope. I have ordered Arken’s EPL4 4-6 weeks wait time. I don't need another scope from any company Vortex PST 2-10x FFP/MOA ($850) no rifle for it. It is a veteran-owned company the why, the buy. Vietnam veteran.
I hate the flip up covers, but other than that the scope is nice for the price. The feel of the turrets and the zero stop are as good as it gets. I think they're perfect Does what I need it to do. It's no NF, but I didn't expect it to be. Their mounts are nice too.
The flip ups are a bit too overbuilt but I some folks prefer them. I would like them to make a slightly longer bra for those of us who use the sun shade. Stretching the original length ones makes me wonder how long they'll last? I hope you subscribed.
Please let me give a filming tip from an old retired photographer. If you hang a black piece of fabric behind the camera when you are filming into reflective surfaces it will stop the glare from light behind the camera. Will give you a much more accurate representation of the optics in the scope. Thanks for your work, I appreciate it. Subscribed.
well I have a lot of scopes and it's price is good and when you look at the Vector Optics Continental series it is in the same ball park. So the smoke show is for those that don't have scopes to compare to it. I also have two of the earlier EP4 series.
I am just starting in long range shooting and have mounted that ep5 on a Savage 110 in 6.5 Creedmore. So far I am impressed with the clarity. Pretty sure I will be hanging on to this scope if I should change rifles.
I have a little bit of everything on my rifles. I have the Arken on my 6.5 CM AR10 platform rifle. I really like this optic. I just sighted in another one for a friend. He absolutely loves it. He looked through my selection of Vortex, Athlon, and Leopold scopes before getting the Arken. His is on a 6 CM gas gun that makes multiple bump single holes.
@@jonathanbloom9065 Yes very much. The range near my house is 600 yards. EP5 works perfectly fine. I ended up saving about $1100 😄😄. EP5 is a pretty impressive scope for the price.
@@jonathanbloom9065 The Tract Toric 4-20x50 isn't that good. I had two and got rid of both of them after buying the Chinese Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27x50 scopes for a lot cheaper currently $565.49 at Walmart online and they're clearer than the 4-20x50 Tract Torics with a lot more total elevation travel and are even lighter weight too. The Tract 4.5-30x56 is the only Tract Toric I kept but it's way too heavy for my liking.
Ok first question: Has anyone other then the reviewer actually held or used the EP 5 in any type of application. I understand your bias based off your preferred scope of choice but unless you have used this scope and not just trolling others reviews don’t bash because you have newbies taking your word as gospel. I am a competition shooter with 15 years of experience and this scope and quality of glass is far better then all that you guys listed. And don’t get me started on the turrets, more precise, defined clicks then most 2000.00 scopes. So with that being said if you spent 1000.00 or more on your scope of choice and I’ll be the first to say I have and then this beast comes along at a 500.00 price point does kind of leave u thinking… of course u try to find something wrong with it but truly there’s nothing. Just bite the bullet it happens to the best of us.
I have a Bushnell DMR II and the Arken SH4. The Bushell has substantially better glass. I also have a Korean Bushnell Forge with ED Prime glass and I think the glass is better as well. I bought the SH4 for PRS type shooting. Its too heavy for hunting and in my opinion the glass is not good enough for long range. For base class NRL22 its a good option.
@@RingoBudha No doubt the DMR will have better glass but its over a grand right? Vortex Viper and Athlon Helos which are in the same price range as the EP5, also have sharper and clearer glass.
Yes and I also own March, Nightforce, Kahles, Sightron S8s, Leupolds, Zeiss, Bushnell Elites, among others too many to list and also Chinese scopes (to compare Apples to Apples vs the Arken EP5) from Athlon - Midas Tac, Ares BTR, Argos BTR, Vortex, Bushnell, Hawke, Burris, among others too many to list. Among myself and 4 other shooting buddies have 10 Arken scopes including EP5s. None of us will be buying any more Arkens. We bought them just to try and the glass were their biggest gripe including the EP5s. I always try to avoid buying anything from China though TBH a lot of scopes caught me off guard only to receive them with made in China printed on their scope bodies.
This was actually a very good review. I think a lot of people don't really talk about the actual composition of the video as opposed to just what was said. And this video was very pleasing to watch. Props to the video guy and editor. I feel like we are very spoiled when it comes to very well produced videos these days.
Nice review. For the price, this scope punches up well, fits that void of $500-$900 scopes where good glass/value tends to lack in that category. I always look at it this way: If you want to keep up with a $2000 optic, then buy a $2000 optic. But if you want decent (not perfect, but decent) Japanese ED glass, with the rub being it is in a Chinese body, you're still ahead of the Vortex SE and similar offerings. For the price it does very well.
I want one but I picked up the sh4 gen 2 instead as it's 200 dollars cheaper im aware I have less overall adjustment but I just couldn't justify it...yet.
Thanks for your review. I have an EP5 MIL scope on the way. Looking forward to seeing how it performs. I usually don’t scrimp on glass ( NF and Leupold) but it was nice not having to spend so much on this Arken scope.
Hope you enjoy it! These aren't bad and if you're equipping a rimfire or a secondary/backup rifle and don't have Nancy Pelossi family money, then buying this makes sense.
For their current 25% off sale price of $397.49 with free shipping direct from Arken Optics USA it might be worth buying if that's only what your budget allows but I would NOT pay regular price for it. It's pretty good when used as a 5-20x scope. Past 25x image quality goes bad and eyebox gets terrible. Good news about Arken is they send you a prepaid return shipping label whenever you need to send it in for warranty so you aren't out of any money to ship it back.
UPDATE - I think the newest EP5's must be using better glass than the older ones. I just received 2 new ones Black Friday sale before the price hike and they both are crystal clear all the way to 25x maximum magnification. I'd say they compared favorably to my Athlon Midas Tacs and Ares BTR Gen 2s in sheer image quality on high magnification and the EP5's have a noticeably wider more pleasant FOV. I compared the new EP5's to my Tract Toric ELR and Athlon Cronus BTR UHD and they were really close believe it or not. The sight picture larger FOV was nicer on the EP5's as well and turrets too. I'd suggest trying one of their most recent EP5's for a round 2. The glass quality is night and day difference compared to the EP5's from two years and last year.
I just got the EP5 the other day as well as an Element Titan 5-25 in November 22. I can say that the glass is the EP5 seems to have better light transmission and is brighter. I will say though that the fit and finish on the Element is leaps and bounds ahead. I also notice that as I dial up the turrets on the Arken, it tends to not line up correctly and is slightly off. Im not sure if this is normal but if anyone has any insights regarding this, it's much appreciated
@@Moondog2A sorry I should've clarified but on the turrets. From zero it's dead on then as it goes on the second rev, it's almost between each marking. Then straightens out as it gets to the end of adjustment. Most likely not normal im thinking because my element and athlons are all dead on. But the glass is bright af and very clear. Give and take I guess at this level.
I went to buy one of these yesterday and there was some sort of overspray on the reticle pane. Thought it was a one off but it was on all of them. I couldn't unsee it. Unfortunately I couldn't buy it like that.
There's going to be a few bad pieces out there but they're pretty good at getting a replacement quickly and without hassle. I had to send back a SH4 because the reticle wasn't centered in the field of view. They sent a replacement within a week, along with a return label for me to send back the bad one. Hope you subscribed.
My mistake, was believing all the hype. I bought the EP5, there was more wrong with it than right. I sent it back and got my money refunded. It was the very first time i ever bought a scope online, and it won`t ever happen again. Lesson learned.
@@Moondog2A Its been sent back awhile ago. They already know what was wrong with it and gave me my money back. I don`t see any point with YOU getting involved with it.
They're good for the price. I have 5 of them. I have 1 sh 4 and I can't make it focus for my eyes. 4 out of 5 isn't bad. The ep 5 is good but it's not comparable to top tier scopes. I actually like the primary arms platinum 6-30 scopes the best for a bargain scope...but they cost 3x as much as the arken so not really apples to apples.
At this price there are scopes with better glass but not better turrets. I gotta try one of those PA Platinums, that's for the recommendation on that. Hope you subscribe.
@MoondogIndustries We've shot the PA platinum at 2640 and it works very well. It seems to be clearer than my Nightforce but the NF I have is an NSX with a 30mm tube. Again not apples to apples. The 34mm ATACR would probably be a better comparison. But I agree with you, even the low end PA scopes have clearer glass than the Arken SH. Arken SH is still a good scope for the money. Especially the 4-16. Great rimfire precision scope. I feel like the 6-24 sh has too much magnification for the glass quality. Maybe it's just my eyes.
Hopefully someone can help me out here. I just put this scope on, when I turn on the illumination the cross has a strange blur to it. It’s not crisp and clear. My sig tango does not go blurry when it lights up. I do have astigmatism and cannot use red dots, just wondering if this happens to anyone else or if something is possibly wrong with the scope. I have another light up prism 1x that is also crystal clear to my eyes. Thanks!
@@Moondog2A I would say it’s less blurry, but it’s an awkward kind of blur like some type of ghosting. It intensifies or changes if I move out of line with the eye piece. I’m not sure if it’s my astigmatism or if something is not right.
Reticle is ridiculous over kill and largely why the scope is an utter tank and offers no duality in purpose. I also really wish reviewers would show mid magnifications to tell at what power the reticle actually becomes useable.
The reticle is thin which makes it hard to use at lower magnification. The illumination is not daylight bright which also doesn't help the reticle at lower magnification. Now, the LH-4 weighs 23oz and would be the better option for a hunting rifle.
Im in canada and imposible to get hold of anyone in Arken optic warranty So far its living a bad taste for me . Being sold in canada but good luck with warranty.
I try not to include footage of hikers in my scope videos or mention them. In the past YT have rejected videos where I remark about being able to identify the color of their clothes or breed of dog. I think they are worried that it's targeting people?
After a year of this video coming out. Has anyone got a years use and opinion on this scope ? Friend has put one on his .17 hmr and I’m pretty impressed for the price
@@Moondog2A The EP5 i bought (and returned for the full refund), the turrets skipped terribly. The power ring would get stuck between 5 to 8 power too. The glass wasn`t that good either. Forget using the illuminated reticle, couldn`t even see it during daylight.
Thanks for the review. If I could respectfully offer my take, you move things too much. Please don't fidget the scope etc. It makes things we are trying to look at harder to see. But again, thanks for the review. I learned a lot. Regards!
The minimum focus parallax might not be set at 25 yards since they vary a lot between samples you might get one that won't focus as close as 35-40 yards.
The Strike Eagle has the best glass of the 3 but for what I'm shooting I don't need to spend 3x the price of an EP5. And the turrets of the EP5 are better than the Venom.
Man I can't imagine how many tree limbs and warm close you can use as hangers with all the crap hanging off of every side that thing has. Is that a drop protector sticki g out of the right side?
I got the 15MOA 419 rail but didn't really need it for the MOA since our range is only 100yrds. But I did need the extra height to clear the bell using their medium rings.
Disappointed with arken. Scope can't zero. WIndage was maxed out and still shot a foot right of center at 25 yards. Emailed them because no one answers the number they have on their contact information. Whoever the tech was who finally answered my email told me that my rifle ins't straight and I should buy the scope bases that can be adjusted for windage, Funny how an $75 scope that I picked up at Walmart had its reticle centered and had no problems zeroing my rifle at 25 yards. I'm not a professional gunsmith by any means but I have been mounting scopes on rifles and using them for the better part of 25 years so I'm sure if my rifle ins't straight because that is the first thing I check. When I explained this to the tech he then emailed me the protocol they use to center the reticle in the scope stating that some scopes don't come centered from the factory and I should try that first just to be sure. Are you kidding me? I have never had a scope that wasn't centered from the factory. in over 25 years of mounting and using them. I told the tech to finally either replace my scope or give me a refund as I am no longer willing to waste time and resources to correct a scope that was obviously defective right from the beginning. I got a refund at the very last day of the 14 day trial period even though I went to them immediately the next day after I got the scope because my 22 nrl match was in 5 days. Did I get a lemon? Maybe . Am I wrong to expect the level of customer service I have received from them? Absolutely not. I expected someone with more tact and knowledge to assist me but instead of listening to me I was immediately told my equipment was the issue. Their US based customer service is garbage along with their products. Yes, its an EP 5 scope too. I will never buy from this company nor will I encourage anyone to use their products. Ended up Buying a Riton 5x25x56 off Amazon that was delivered the next day in time for my match. Needles to say it zeroed within 3 shots and it's mil reticle holdover marks were dead on out to 300 yards during the match. Arken is a very hard pass for me.
WTF?! That's a terrible experience. I don't blame you. By the way, I do have 1 rifle that wasn't zero'd from the factory. It was my Ruger 10/22 TD which the rear sight was canted. I had to send the barrel back and had them replace it. It didn't cost me anything but it did take like 45 days to get back and I still had to bug them about it.
Appreciate your good honest reviews. The EP5 which supposedly uses "Japanese ED" glass can't be compared to real ED glass for example in the Chinese ED glass in the Athlon Ares ETR. I'd rate the EP5 as having barely to lower grade HD quality glass based on industry standards from other brands out there such as the Athlon Ares HD and Midas HD line of scopes have better glass than the EP5's "Japanese ED" glass. I really think thee Arken EP5 would be almost perfect if they used better glass. They are fine up to 20x magnification. They aren't in the same league as the more expensive scopes just based on their inferior glass quality. I think the EP5 is barely worth an even $500 and the SH4s $300 - $350 depending on model. I really think the 4-16x50 SH4 is Arken's best scope in their lineup followed by the EP5 when used up to 20x.
The Chinese made Burris Signature "HD" also has much better glass than the EP5 and truly rivals higher priced Japanese made scopes. They just have borrowed Steiner scope technology with their Signature HDs since Burris services Steiner optics and owned by the same parent company Beretta.
Thank you for the review, I ‘was’ going to see about ordering Arken EP5, I think the big takeaway with Arken EP5 is, the turret adjustments. I am a ‘big’ fan of Vortex VIPER PST line of rifle scopes beginning with the 1-6x, I have purchased all the PST line the latest the 5-25x, and yes, I do know made in the 🇵🇭 Philippines. The best scope I have is TRACT TORIC 4-20x30mm, it has awesome glass, but there are better scopes with better glass, but you pay for that upgrade in glass and turret quality. In spotting scopes two, one Vortex Razor, and Tract Toric. I can see the difference between the two scopes, but not much but there.
@@rudolphferdinand3634 The EP5s on sale for $424 last month August 2022 might have been worth buying for that price and it's fine when used up to 20x. I don't think it's worth paying more than $425 shipped let alone $500 though. Their SH4 4-16x50 is a decent scope at it's current September 2022 price of $289 or $315 with combo pack. The 6-24x SH4 is junk. Not worth the $299 or $325 with combo pack IMHO Arken's supposedly "HD" glass (which shouldn't even be classified as HD) simply isn't good enough to support a 24x scope but almost barely enough for their 4-16x50.
@@Moondog2A I figured that is where you got the term nipple twist. You might want to give it a pimp slap, too. I have a lot of Vortex. But also some Arkens and I do like the feature set. Let me see if I can step on some toes by suggesting that the Arken scopes are the affordable version of Nightforce. Primarily because many things are similar, though the zero stop mechanism is different. One of the founding members of Arken is a retired Navy SEAL sniper and I can only imagine he had to have some input. I could be wrong, though.
I don't know if it will survive submersion in a 12ft pool but tons of guys have been hunting and shooting with this in hurricane country so I'm pretty sure it's rain proof.
They don't sell them in stores, but you can order directly from Arken Optics's website. They recently started selling on Amazon too: amzn.to/3BM6lYy Hope you subscribed. Merry Christmas!
It can be seen that the mechanical function and quality have been done very well. This company is constantly trying to use more advanced glass to improve the quality of imaging. SH4 uses Chinese glass, and EP5 uses Japanese glass. Then their next generation the product will most likely use German glass, coupled with the low sales price, it is really hard to imagine who can compare.
That's an apt prediction. Though if they made a theoretical EP6 using German glass, I doubt they could keep the price below 900. There's a reason German scopes are so expensive. Hope you subscribe.
@@Moondog2A Got it. I don't know if I'll purchase one but this newest model seems like a good one for my .204 Ruger so we will see. Thanks for the always good content.
I get comparing it to nightforce, zeiss, schmidt and bender or hell any other big brands but leopold? Their tactical scopes are a joke for the price range(over priced) they are in.
I want to get my hands on that and compare. But I'm guessing the clarity will be close the EP-5 with slightly less range of adjustments. Hope you subscribe.
Anyone who mounts a scope like that, with the forward ring jammed up against the the elevation/windage knob should NOT be giving any advice! Just saying.
Thank you for pointing that out. Can you explain why that's the problem? Should that make any difference for for testing the turret tracking, glass sharpness, etc?
@@Moondog2A I think if you ask most scope manufacturers where they recommend mounting the rings it would be as near to the center of each straight portion of the scope tube. That’s the area that is least likely to interfere with any of the scopes internal mechanisms, especially if the rings are “accidentally” over torqued! I saw your Shot Show interview with Mari at the March booth, she would have set you straight if she had seen the picture! 😎 Also I have one of the EP-5’s and while the glass is not bad, it’s not very robustly built scope. Right after I mounted mine, I stood it against the wall and late fell over, into a carpeted wood floor and it knocks the elevation turret completely off! Apparently it’s only glued on! They’re fine for a range/target gun but they’re way to dedicate to trust on a hunting or personal defense gun. IMO 👍 This might be instructive! marchscopes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Torque-rev.pdf
@@Moondog2A Respectfully, the fact that you don’t know why it’s a problem, is the problem. In other words, you don’t even know what you don’t know! Yet you keep putting out scope reviews! IMO, you need to revisit the basics of scope construction and mounting before posting any more videos!
That's surprisingly weakly built scope. I would not fault you for being upset. To be fair, the EP-5 is marketed as an entry level or budget ELR scope so folks indulging in that sport generally aren't taking them into combat. That said, many NRL shooters also bang these up in competition with out issue.
@@Moondog2A I took the rifle scope from the USA to Germany in january 2023. It was already broken in march 2023. I then sent it to the UK. Never heard from Arken Optics since then.
Like so many reviews , you guys talk about what you think about a scope but NEVER show or teach how to use the scope , how to read the values at 300 , 500 or 600 yards. That's because you don't even know, all B.S.
I thought it was tremendously professional, right into the comment about nipples. Leave Comedy for the comedians. You have a great content and presentation. There’s no need to be vulgar, it’s not funny.
Thank you. It is the name coined by a more popular RU-vid reviewer who came up with that quality test. I'd probably be accused of "stealing" his idea if I didn't call it what it's called.
I forgot what the video was about. All I noticed was ANOTHER dose of somebody making noises and music and TALKING. He talked about anything he could think of. Will have to find ANOTHER revue to find what I want. As long as it's NOT American!
I just wish they were really waterproof like they state they are….. I don’t shut down my hunting because of bad weather. Arken is trash in my neck of the woods
@@Moondog2A you would think so too, especially since they advertise them as water proof. Look at ‘Backfire’ RU-vid videos on scopes. He kicked multiple different brand scopes (all budget around same price at Arken) in his swimming pool. Every scope kept water out besides the Arken.
I don't understand this internet Arken obsession....you can buy a Vortex Viper with the same 5-25x56 specs and get better quality and a lifetime warranty.
Arken has a lifetime warranty too. Same specs? The EP5 has 60MOA more vertical adjustment. The turrets on the EP5 are easier and faster to read during competition. And the EP5 is about half the price of a Viper. So that may be why the "obsession".
Well you asked so here it is Athlon argos btr Gen 2 6-24x50. Way better life time warranty scope that cost 400.00 available all of the place with no wait.
The range uses wood and metal shooting benches so it's not rock solid either. So if there's a fraction of a mm off that's within a practical and acceptable margin of error.
I use a house on the other side of my neighborhood to boresight my scopes. Its about 500 yards away. There is a plug outlet on the back of his house that i aim at. Once its sighted in i test on paper and I'm only ever a few inches off center. I just sighted in my newest rifle. Arken is the way to go.
@@windowlicker6996 It's empty and the bolt is out. So its a hollow tube with a scope on it. If you think that's a bad idea then maybe you shouldn't be around guns.
i am still running out of turrets when trying to bore sight,i have re centered the turrets as arken told me to do, no help at all, mine will not move anywhere like yours did on this video, waiting on them to respond to see what i need to do next...
@@Moondog2A no , i even ook it to a gun shop to make sure i was doing it right, but i am so glad you shared a video with the way they move so easy, mine just wont do it...
