I received my Arken SH4 gen2 last Friday’ I received it almost 8 weeks to the day that I ordered it and let me tell you it was worth the wait. I paid $399 shipped to m door no tax. I didn’t email or call them to find out when it was coming they said 8 weeks and It came in 8 weeks and 1 day. Its a badass scope that out performs my strike eagle. Thanks again Joe.
Thats one of the best no bs, believable review I have seen in long time. Glad I waited to get scope's for my new AR's. Whittled it down to a select few and enlightened me to different manufacturers. Thank you sir, your great.
guys i bought the bushnell. i have it on my 6.5 creed and i love that thing. i had my mind made up on arken but after seeing the wait i went the other way. im 45 and have to wear glasses to read...and at 8x i can see 8in plate at 500 with ease. i just got into this long range and can only imagine how much nicer some of those way more exspensive scopes must look down range. thanks for all your effort Joe!
Me too, I have it on my long range 6.5 Creed, and my precision .22 CZ chassis rifles and I consider them to be the best for the buck available. Sorry, but I just can't spend the big bucks for my outfit. By the way, I can still shoot sub MOA all the way out with my Howa 1500.
Great review! This was the exact topic I was looking for. I was wavering between the Arlen and the Bushnell. You sold me on the Arken. I received it in about 10 days. I used your code as well. Thx!
Great review - I I bought a Gen 1 Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50 in the summer of 2021 and only paid $259 so am very satisfied with it - it's mounted on a .25 cal PCP air rifle with which I do only target shooting out to 100 yards and absolutely love it. Yes, there are better scopes, but NOT anywhere close to that price range. I find that keeping it to between 16 & 18 power it is the clearest. Since I don't intend to mount a scope cam, the location of the illumination knob was not an factor - I'd be pleased with this scope even if it didn't have an IR feature. I enjoy your videos, Joe - keep up the good work.
I've had, have, or used most of these scopes on this list, Joe's spot on here guys. I've still got two Arkens, a Riton , Athlon, and Black Hound. Great review Joe. 1/3 of an inch? That ain't what she said. Lol
Joe, Watched your review on the Arken SH4Gen 2 befor this and asked how it stacked up next to the Element Helix. Then not 10 min later you posted this video and answered ALL my questions not just on the 2 scopes I mentioned but on several others that were on my " take a look at " list! It like we were having a beer and I asked you the question and you said "well here's what I think" . Like I said in the other post you are the GoTo reviewer on scopes in the industry .You sort through the Bullshit and shake out the turds from the diamonds .Thanks for being a stand up guy and giving us good Intel. It's.
I recently purchased an Element scope and I must say you are right about the glass quality. I am not too fussy or over critical a person but the glass of my Bushnell trophy which is almost half the price is definitely better than Element. Wish I had seen your review earlier and had purchased an Arken.
Candor, something we lack in government, news media, and so called half of the country right now. But this guy is NO BULLSHIT. Thank you for your CANDOR Good Sir.
Great video Joe. I think this price category is really where the excitement gets real for most people. Some people don't want to spend above it, and others find out the hard way how quality suffers if they cheap-out below these as well. The Blackhound, Arken, and Tac Vector scopes really are the ones doing it for me lately.
Thanks Joe! I was looking for something a bit less expensive for another rifle and I picked the Arken sh-4 because of this video! It’s very nice for the price
Hands down most informative optics channel out there. You have the best comparison of scopes to help people decide on their purchase. Great great channel!!!
I have a few of those scopes, gotta say that Athlon is better than a my vortex pst, for the money can't beat it. Primary very solid as well. I appreciate the review, the audience in this price range is huge. So you have a lot of people's attention. Nice channel you run.
Thanks for the unbiased review. It's been my experience that most scopes give pretty good image during daylight but when the sun goes down, tells a different story, especially at high magnification. I would appreciate in your future scope reviews taking into account the image quality in less than ideal lighting condition.
Sounds like the exact same question I asked you back in October. I understand why it’s right about the range you start getting quality stuff between 300 and 500. Everybody makes a bum scope from time to time with the different hands involved up to and including assembly it’s just going to happen it’s what happens next that makes a scope company great
Another certified bad ass video Joe. Keep up the good work. Great plug for the guys at Riton. I really like their business story. For anyone who wants to take pride in their scope because of the people that made it and support an American startup company, this is the scope for you. Check out their podcast video at Riton optics on RU-vid.
After looking at a lot of reviews over the past year I ordered the 6x24 sh4 arken. Took 9 weeks to show up but after taking it out to the range on my 300WM bergara, I immediately ordered another for my 243 remmington 770. Really cant go wrong with the arken. They are made in China so keep that in mind if it matters to you.
Your videos are FANTASTIC!!! No BS, honest opinions and VERY informative!!! Have a Bergara B-14 Wildness on layaway so I’m about to order my Arken. Will get it about same time as I pick my rifle up. Keep the GREAT videos coming, I’m a new subscriber and ALL your videos just blow me away.
I have the MatchPro on a .308 ar10 and the Athlon on a 6.5 creedmoor ar10. I bought them because they passed Joe's test and they were in stock. I love both scopes and the pros and cons are exactly as Joe stated. No need for your own opinions just trust Joe!
wish there was reviewer of your integrity in the air gun world. getting a new gun and scope. am going with the arken because of you and my trust in your recommendations.
I made a purchase based on your recommendations. Great choice, very happy! I bought the Athlon Argos Gen 2 6-24 X 50. I was looking for a second focal plane but had some issues finding some of the others not being available. I been out 4 times with it mounted on a new CZ 457 Varmint. Awesome setup! Thank you for the advice.
Cabelas covenant 4 in 6-24x50 is a very nice option. Similar glass to vortex viper. Almost as nice as leupold glass. Ffp. Tactile turrets. 239.00 plus tax.. it’s crazy what china glass has become. Quality is amazing for the price. I compare it to my sightron
Cyclops is the only channel I turn to when I need to get a review on different optics on the fly. I realize that joe says don’t take his word for any of the reviews that he does, but let’s face it, he is the best of the best when it comes to scope reviews. He’s the Hickok45 of riflescopes!!
I run nightforce. Need another scope for a rifle. But I’m running out of arms and legs to get another nightforce! Maybe will try one of those athlons. Thx!
The SWFA variable scopes are out of this price category and only max at 15x anyway. I do agree I have 3 and love them. The fixed scopes are inexpensive @ $299 and solid if you can deal with the fixed power. They are still mil spec (from my research anyway) with the exception of a thicker tube, excellent choice for a rugged optic.
Aftwr watching this video I just purchased the Riton x3 conquer 6-24x50. I got an amazing deal on it, brand new shipped to my door for $219!!! I figured for that price I couldn't beat it. It's going to go I'm my mauser m18 6.5prc. Can't wait to see how it works out.
When I first got into pellet guns a few years ago I wanted a cheap scope to start off with, got a scope a airgun company recommend for a low price and i hated everyhing about the scope, and just set it to 25 yards on the springer and called it good till it broke 200 shots in. Utg screwed me on their warranty, took forever to get it back and then tried to tell me my scope was fine even thought the retical was about 20° off from level. But after me insisting it was bad they sent me a new one, got a FX pcp and soon found the utg wouldn't hold zero from in and out of case. Watched your videos and found myself stuck on 2 scopes, the Arken and Blackhound. And my only deciding factor on the scope was I was so SICK of my utg and I just couldn't deal with IT for the 2 months it would take to get a Arken and got the Blackhound. Just got it last week and might be too soon to say, since I just got it mounted up and going to zero tomorrow, think I'm loving it. Magnification ring, turrets and illuminate are tight. But its only been played with a few times, I have a feeling after a few go arounds she's gonna relax and loosen up just right. Also the provided levels aren't..... ugh.... level with one another or my other levels i got at home, but I'm not heart broken over that. Thanks Joe and keep up the videos, always super informative, and entertaining.
This video convinced me to pick up 2 of the scopes on the list I have the blackhound optics 4-14x44 moa and the athlon Argos btr gen 2 8-34x56 and run them on both of my long range 6.5 creedmoor builds and they both do a great job
I just received my Arken. Took 6 weeks. It was worth the weight. I did not order it through your site so you'll have to buy your own large soda. LOL . It's heavy. My Savage Tactical 110 with the scope is 13 lbs. But I don't care . I really like my Arken. I enjoy your reviews. Cheers from Canada.
Another Great Video...Under 500$...The Best ....Alot People Dont Have The $$ Right Now...Joe You Came Through Again...Thanks Man...One Of The Best Videos ...Thanks Again Man
Since I can get the Athlon Argos Gen 2 delivered to my door for $250, I guess I'll stick with it. Something you overlooked Joe, is the no receipt required, no questions asked, multi-lifetime warranty that Athlon makes available.
Bought the blackhound based on your videos. Used your discount also. The packaging is fenomal and scope feels awesome. Will probably order another one.
I have the gen 2 argos and it is awesome the difference between gen 1 and 2 is the newest version has better turrets. I liked it so much I bought a helos. You can’t go wrong with Athlon
My money's on the Vector Optics Continental scopes. At Christmas I picked one up 3-18x50 34mm tube for $435.00 It has 90% light transmission and all the bells a whistle's. Thanks eBay.
Good video. Clear and not drawn out for 40 minutes. Appreciate. But there sure is a lot of opinions on the clarity of the glass for the Helix. you rated as slightly substandard and others rave about it. It would sure be nice to get some sort of general agreement.
I have the 6x24x50 genesis mil and I love it!! Best scope I have owned. I have a viper hst 6x24x50 and a bushnell tac lrs 10x42 the BlackHound is the tits bro! Thank cyclops for turnin me on to em, only bc I cant afford a Delta Stryker 5x30x56 atm
@@bigjoe-pm2ql I too was turned on to Blackhound after watching one of Joe's reviews, I put one of their LPVO's on an AR and I could not be happier with it, it tracks and holds zero like a champ.
@@bigjoe-pm2ql It would be interesting too see what kind of image it has at 32X, and if they put they fraction the turret clicks in half for that. Obviously the 34mm tube would help, their 1-8x28 LPVO already uses the 34mm tube as well.
I have a Vortex Diamondback 6 x 24 x 50 and so far I am fairly please with it. I would really like a Zero stop, but it's all about the money. I havn't been able to use it all that much yet so time will tell. I do enjoy your video's and respect your opinion. Keep the videos coming and I'll let you know more about my diamondback as I use it more. d Damn cold here in Michigan so I am not going out much
For me the thing that one me over with Blackhound was their customer service. I loved the 4x14 so much I went out and picked up the 1x8 and the 1x4 and am about to pick up the 6x24.
I know that this is a year old post. A brand I am liking is the Sniper Optics line from Texas Precision Optics, not too far from Harry Hines and Walnut Hill in Dallas, Texas. You can get 6x-24x / 50 mm for 189 plus tax and shipping and they do ship direct. And they are offered on Amazon (model types may vary, so order from the website) and other affiliate sites. They do offer affiliate status, if one so desires. I am not one. What I have done is order the MK 4x-16x / 50 mm SAL scope. It is illuminated. Why would I do that, being the resident Vortex fan boy and I have two of the Diamondback Tactical 6x-24x / 50 mm scopes (and three of the Venom scopes, too.) Although, I will never apologize for liking the Diamondback binocs, 12x50. I don't care what brand of scopes you like, that binoc will be hard to beat. Anyway, so, at the 100 yard range, I cannot get past 10x before I lose resolution. And hunting where I hunt, the farthest I have estimated range in the reticle is 238 yards. And can't go much past 10 x before the view turns into pureed oatmeal. So, really, for what I want and need to do, I do not actually need the 24x. And if I was really going long range, I would use the Venom and a 20 MOA rail. Although, TPO does have a nice 5-27. Also, for about 450 and outside the discussion of this zoom range, they have a 12x-60x / 60 mm. That's the one where you can shoot a varmint from two counties away. What has drawn me to the MK4-16/50 mm is the clarity of the reticle, and it is illuminated and you can need that, even during daylight, if you are aiming into a stand of trees and the normal cross hair can disappear. I was having a bit of that problem with the DT. It has such a fine and small reticle that in FFP at low zoom, it fairly disappears and the Venom, even moreso. Those were made for long distance and ELD target shooting. The MK weighs the same as the Vortex DT, 24.5 ounces. Partially, that is battery and I also think something in the construction weighs more. Maybe the glass or the metal. So, it has the function and reticle that I want. The Vortex scopes that will do 4-16 range are also mostly out of my price range because they are in the gucci models. And this MK is a smidge over 200. which includes UPS ground shipping. I could have opted for free shipping and wait a few more days to a week. Free shipping would have it under 200. Another upside to this and other scopes like it is wider field of view. I was watching West Desert Shooter, who is also an Arken affiliate. And he is not using more than 16 x on his longest shots, like 1,000 yards. Reasoning being, in my opinion, if the scope is good, you should rely on your ballistic solution and dial the distance and then, if you can get the crosshair on target, that is all the resolution that you need.
I have the Bushnell Match Pro. I just love it and I’ve had a lot of other high power scopes. I’ve had an Arken on backorder since December 7th, at the time I ordered it it was 2 weeks out. Feels like I’ll never get it. I should add Bushnell had the illuminated Match Pro in stock at the KC warehouse when I was there after black Friday. They are direct only because they needed it to compete on price with other direct to consumer models.
No bullshit, this was a great review! Never looked through an element, but the glass quality rating surprised me. Think an athlon or arken is in store for me.
Once again ,thank you for your well researched video. Also for answering a question that I was going to ask Arken Optics about. That being what's up with my scope purchase. I ordered six weeks ago. I am looking forward to getting it mounted on my Bergara HMR for a predator hunt.
i watched the review gavin tube(ultimate reloader)did on it and it seems good except the reticle is off center which was causing a issue with tracking.
I can't afford one of these thing, but i always love riflescopes just like you joe, that's why i always watch your video, and now it's time to be your new subs...greet from Central java Indonesia
I've heard Bushnell, approximately 1 year after you made this video, adopted a different method for producing optics and coatings. This new process supposedly caused a dramatic improvement in their optics quality.
