Arken Optics 6-24x50 SH-4 Gen II - Testing at Dusk....How's That Glass? 

Awesome, thanks for the views and comment Larry, I appreciate it greatly. I'll certainly be holding onto mine!

Oh it will happen my friend, as soon as winter comes we will find out how durable everything really is

Their new EPL4s might be worth checking out for $279 and $299.

@@commonsense5709 279 or 379 on the site?

@@gnashuasavage8887 OOPS the EPL4s are $379 and $399.

For the $ I don't know how they even make profit haha, they are really quite the deal.

@@GTMGunTotinMinnesotan to be honest the rear bag a little small. Even if you stand on end, it will make a good little tool pouch though.

How far have you taken it out? Is yours 4-16x or 6-24x?

Thanks Z, sincerely appreciate it brother

Wow man thanks for that compliment, I really appreciate it. I put a lot of effort into videos so I'm hoping the channel will grow even with RU-vid making it hard on me!

@@GTMGunTotinMinnesotan Yessir. I know I'm late to the game; just started looking for more good reviews on this scope. Ordered one and impatiently waiting now. YT is making it a pain for the Freedom stick reviewers it seems. It's a shame what has become of these platforms lately. Guess I'll binge watch your other vids this weekend, and see how much it costs me for things I didn't know I needed. Keep up the good work.

Thanks brother, it's been super solid at the price especially.

I do have a review on the 5-25, please do watch!

Thank you, I sincerely appreciate your comment and views. For real, I don't take it for granted one bit. Keep your powder dry my friend,

I know that area well!

@@GTMGunTotinMinnesotan I lived in Garrison for 3 years lived in brainerd for 2 years. I know the area pretty well too. I remember when the Blue goose had a launch

@@GTMGunTotinMinnesotan next time I come up that way we should go out and do some ELR. Maybe you can teach me a couple new tricks. Living here in Nebraska I have about 900 m and my cousin has about 2500 m. I always like to learn new things from people. Especially when it has to do with our 2A community

@@GTMGunTotinMinnesotan I was up there during the summer working for my sister with her lawn company in aisle. I absolutely love Minnesota during the summer. I actually went fishing with a local Pro Bass fisherman over the summer. We were on lake mille lacs

Not yet, tell Me more about it?

I'm looking forward to reviewing myself, hearing good things about it!

Great minds think alike! Yeah I did actually, just a tad bit. I'm cool with it though because it's such a decent grip. Thanks for the views and comment Jake!

@@GTMGunTotinMinnesotan It's an awesome grip, I'd bought it for an AR build but ended up putting the oryx grip on the AR and this one on my Ruger instead

Hey Casey, yes it is

Better glass on the Athlon, but I honestly somehow prefer the Arken

@@GTMGunTotinMinnesotan Mike at Panther Hollow agreed on glass but preferred the Helos overall for approx. $150.00 more.

@@rkba4923 that was my point… not as co corned w 150$ more… there isn’t any stock of Athlon near me to even look at one…… I’m new to shooting, has Arken had a lot of problems that scopes had to be sent back? No one talks about this….it would be bad if you have to send one back and wait 2months?… reviews are good on Ep5

Ya there was plenty of E to still have a 100 yard zero. No worries friend, it's good to ask questions so you don't get the wrong gear accidentally. I've certainly been there. Thanks for the views, I genuinely appreciate it!

@@GTMGunTotinMinnesotan Awesome, awesome! I got mine in the meantime, with the one-piece mount just because I think that's a design with more repeatable results if I remove it for whatever reason. I think the arken 20 moa mount is much too tall for my saddle height but the optic itself has been amazing. As you said, I was able to get it zeroed at 100 just fine! Thanks again for the video, it was very informative and between your upload and a few others I think I made a well informed purchase decision and I couldn't be happier with this glass.

I am going to release a video in a week or two on a new product, basically I'll be running all Arca gear. There are some affordable ones on Amazon too if you look there

The ETR is superior in glass, probably not tracking - I'd say the same. The ETR also has much more magnification, but I prefer the Arken Reticle. Yes 3 of the Arken over 1 Athlon, that'd be my vote friend! Good luck brother

Follow your gut feeling and go with the one you had your kind set on. The Ares ETR is far superior to the Arken EP5 and the SH4 isn't as good as the EP5. Arken's glass are lacking IMHO. They put all their money in the turrets and not the glass. The SH4s are currently $289 and $299 September 2022 and the EP5s were $424 during their August 2022 25% off sale. You can't expect good glass at these prices.

The Athlon Ares ETR 4.5-30x56s are currently selling for $899-$999 Black Friday sale at Cameraland in NY. They are hands down the absolute best Chinese scopes that money can buy. Only real Japan made scopes can beat this one.

Elevation true, windage probably loses a tiny bit every 4-5 mils, but I don't usually dial for wind.

Completely agree, plus you won't notice imperfections of glass as much

I think the 4-16x50 SH4 is the best Arken model to buy now September 2022 for $289 it's even nicer than the $424 EP5 last months 25% off sale August 2022.

The new EPL4Ss will be better for the 22s with 10 yard minimum focus with better glass and much lighter weight.

Hey friend, I would go towards the 4-16 if you'd like better clarity, I think it will be more acceptable for ya!

@@GTMGunTotinMinnesotan been using SWFA fixed 10x & Falcon M18 for a few years and impressed with clarity of those.

@@drummachinejoe1451 Yeah the SWFA 10x is pretty low power compared, so you really don't observe as many issues at 10. If you've ever shot an SWFA 20x, they use the same glass and it's terrible to look through actually. For me, glass isn't everything, I can do with average quality glass if need be.

@@GTMGunTotinMinnesotan what do you think about the clarity/overall features & value of the Arken SH4 G2 6-24 vs the Athlon Ares ETR 4.5-30??

@@drummachinejoe1451 the glass isn't there, but everything else is! For 700$ less than ETR's it's pretty incredible

The SWFAs are already proven reliable rugged mil spec Japan made scopes. They are built to withstand real world punishment. Reliability is their strong point just like Leupolds.

I do tend to notice the eye box when I get out of the prone position more, like if I'm shooting off a tank trap or something. Thanks for the views friend, much appreciate it.

I tend to think the Athlon is slightly better glass, but I honestly prefer the Arken still.

Have you had a chance to review / look at the new Ep5? Wondering how it compares to sh4, and Athlon ?

The Athlon Midas Tac 6-24x50 has hands down clearer glass than the Arken EP5 no question. The EP5 glass may be better compared to the Argos line. I'd rate the Midas Tac and Ares BTR an 8 and Ares ETR an 8.5 and EP5 a 5.5 and SH4 a 5.

I'd rate the Hellos glass a 6 and it's a little clearer than the EP5.

The Midas Tac 6-24x50 for $500 is a really good scope. I don't think anything can come close to it under $1000 except for the $700 Ares BTR that has the same HD glass. The Hellos doesn't even have HD glass so it's not something I'd consider buying because I expect good image quality on high magnification which you simply won't get from any Arkens until they start using better glass in all their scopes.

My Athlon, Riton and my Meopta didn't come with sunshades

Athlon is known to nickel and dime their customers that's for sure. They don't even include lens covers.

None of the models from Arken has good enough glass except for their SH4 4-16x50 currently selling fir $289. Better than their $424 EP5 last months 25% off sale.

@@commonsense5709 you are correct. Arken glass is subpar.

The Athlons starting from their Midas line and above is significantly better. Their Argos definitely lacks in glass quality.