- Thread starter fdkay
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It’s pretty far off. I’m not as concerned as in the event I sell it and the buyer is. Also, they pay to return it and it’s an extra scope anyway so not a big deal. I appreciate the input though
Exactly, and everyone's eyes are different, so it will always need a slight tweak when you get behind someone else's gun.
Ugh, I just went to read their T&C and sure enough they only have a 30 day return period. Hopefully the "lifetime warranty" would still cover defects?
So I have to comment on the EP5. After all the hype on this I decided to buy one and take the chance. Hell, it was less than $500.
I am extremely surprised at the quality, fit, and finish of this scope. To me, if feels like a Chinese made Cronus or Razor Gen II. The glass is surprisingly good and the turrets are great.
I’m going to compare this to the Athlon Ares ETR and Cronus and see where is stands.
The only negative thing I can say right now is after 16x zoom, the image quality starts to go. The eyebox at high magnification is very finicky. But it is a $500 scope.
I’ll post more when I get it mounted and the testing begins.
I am extremely surprised at the quality, fit, and finish of this scope. To me, if feels like a Chinese made Cronus or Razor Gen II. The glass is surprisingly good and the turrets are great.
I’m going to compare this to the Athlon Ares ETR and Cronus and see where is stands.
The only negative thing I can say right now is after 16x zoom, the image quality starts to go. The eyebox at high magnification is very finicky. But it is a $500 scope.
I’ll post more when I get it mounted and the testing begins.
Got mine yesterday. I like it for the $450 I spent on it. Glass is pretty good for the price. The turrets are nice and I like the reticle. The eye box on mine gets pretty tight around 20x. The one problem I noticed immediately is the parallax is off. It’ll focus down to 25 yards no problem. And the markings line up just fine from 25 to 100. But when looking at a far target, between 200 and 300 yard markings make the image clear at almost all ranges. Looked at targets from 500 yards out to 1300 yards and the image at all ranges is clearest between the 200 and 300 yard markings on the parallax knob. Knowing me it probably won’t be enough for me to send it back for repair or replacement. Fuck it.
Got mine yesterday. First impressions positive. I live in the moderately priced scope world - Vortex Venom, Strike Eagle, Burris XTRII, Athlon. Will mount and try it out. Doubt I miss many targets because of this scope. Seems like scope market is being disrupted with new entries in the $500-$1500-$2500 (street price range). Glass half empty or full? Is this an extraordinary bargain at $500ish?
With the image focused clearly (set at 300) looking at 500+ are you getting parallax shift?? That's what matters if so that'd be an issue.
I have one of these ordered BTW.
Having parallax correctly adjusted is most important @ 300 and in anyway so I don't really care if the setting at 300 results in image clarity @ 800 as long as there isn't parallax shift resulting.
I often just set parallax to a mid point compromise for multiple range targets arrays at matches & don't screw with it on the clock. Ex. set to 300 for 225 - 550 targets.
Ahem...............This is the somewhere else!
Unless there is a Diamondback thread I haven't seen?
Doesn’t seem to shift around. It’ll focus just fine on targets 300 and in. I’m not too worried about it. It’s going on my 223. Just weird how clear it is at every range set on 200 yard mark.
I wonder if most people are using the parallax adjustment to clear up the image, in place of properly setting up the diopter on the eyepiece of the scope for focus. This might be where the issues are coming from. The parallax might be ok, but folks are trying to clear up the image without adjusting the diopter... I don't know this for sure, just thinking out loud... 
Not saying there couldn't be a parallax issue, as that has been a known issue with Arken scopes since the beginning, but I'm wondering how many are folks not knowing how to set the diopter first.
Not saying there couldn't be a parallax issue, as that has been a known issue with Arken scopes since the beginning, but I'm wondering how many are folks not knowing how to set the diopter first.
It does have an effect. Always adjust diopter first.I wonder if most people are using the parallax adjustment to clear up the image, in place of adjusting the diopter on the eyepiece of the scope for focus. This might be where the issues are coming from. The parallax might be ok, but folks are trying to clear up the image without adjusting the diopter... I don't know this for sure, just thinking out loud...
If this scope is decent, I'll patiently wait for an EP - 5 in the mid power range to buy another. I need a few more gas gun scopes & while I love MK5 3.6-18 HD's I cant justify spending MK 5 $$ to satisfy my pension for AR variety.
Got my EP5 yesterday and briefly compared it to my EP4 G2 6-24. EP5 is a bit brighter and clearer, but the edge to edge clarity is worlds better than the EP4. My EP4 gets muddy on the outside quarter of its view. CA also looks different/better. EP4 has both green and purple fringing on those super high contrast situations, but the EP5 only gave me purple...so guess its less overall now...haha
So what you’re saying is that with the parallax knob set between 200-300 yards, everything is in focus and parallax free from 200-infinity?
Michael from Leupold dives deep on parallax in this podcast. I could listen to this guy for hrs. It is enlightening.
Edit: Also how they shock test the MK-5's Holey hell!! The durability testing is another area where the $500 scopes will not compete. I'm glad we have good budget options, but I'm not fooling myself. The Arkan optic line isn't marketed towards hard use in extreme conditions.
Might be worth a listen while waiting for your EP-5's
Edit: Also how they shock test the MK-5's Holey hell!! The durability testing is another area where the $500 scopes will not compete. I'm glad we have good budget options, but I'm not fooling myself. The Arkan optic line isn't marketed towards hard use in extreme conditions.
Might be worth a listen while waiting for your EP-5's
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Thanks to everyone for their feedback.
This is what forums are for, to share information.
This is what forums are for, to share information.
Mine actually came in today, first impressions of the controls are good, everything is smooth, Turrets are just how I like them tactile and audible with no slop. Eyebox is tight at or above 20x, which I kinda expected. Didn't have time to mount it or take it outside this evening as I got home late. I know this is hardly significant but it feels pretty well built in hand for an optic of this price range. Hope to get it outside tomorrow before the storm of the century nails us here In the East. Lol... The rings look to be pretty nice as well from first glance..
I finally made it to the range today. The weather was 15 degrees, gloomy, and not sunny at all.
The Arken EP5 was tested against an Athlon Cronus, Ares ETR, and US Optics FDN 25. I know everyone one of these scopes cost more but that’s what I had.
I have to say, I was very impressed with the Arken. It held its own and would not make you lose. Naturally the USO took 1st in all areas. The other three were closer than expected. The Cronus was second in every category. But not by a tremendous amount. Surprisingly the Arken beat out the Ares. The scope had no hiccups hitting targets out to 1000 yards. Held and Continuously returned to zero every time.
The Arken really is a Best Buy. I never expected it to be this good. I figured it was marketing hype, but it’s legit.
The Arken EP5 was tested against an Athlon Cronus, Ares ETR, and US Optics FDN 25. I know everyone one of these scopes cost more but that’s what I had.
I have to say, I was very impressed with the Arken. It held its own and would not make you lose. Naturally the USO took 1st in all areas. The other three were closer than expected. The Cronus was second in every category. But not by a tremendous amount. Surprisingly the Arken beat out the Ares. The scope had no hiccups hitting targets out to 1000 yards. Held and Continuously returned to zero every time.
The Arken really is a Best Buy. I never expected it to be this good. I figured it was marketing hype, but it’s legit.
It really is a bargain considering what other optics cost these days. I was pleasantly surprised, if you held the damn thing in your hands with your eyes closed, you would swear you were holding a gen2 Razor. Lol.. Now before people lose their shit, I didn't say it was a gen2, just the overall feel of it and the beefiness of it..
I am stuck inside quarantined during a winter storm. It is freezing rain/sort of sleeting during these photos.
10x
20x
25x
Parallax numbers are way off. This is why I don’t like labeled parallax knobs. They are never correct IME.
Glass is quite good for the price, as I thought previously it excels from 5-20 then falls off some and gets milkier by 25. Eye box is tight up top as expected for this price range.
I get why people compare them to more expensive scopes, the turrets are extremely good aside from an annoying habit of having some audible spring back when you dial hard and stop abruptly. It’s hard to explain. I don’t see it being a problem, but it annoys me. If it tracks and holds zero(so like, 99% of what you need a scope to do) it’s going to be a good option. This video is purely about the “snap back” I will likely make another about the turret in general
As with always, iPhones straight up suck at translating glass quality. It is better than in these photos, but they do show some of the difference between magnifications. And this is literally during freezing rain.
10x
20x
25x
Parallax numbers are way off. This is why I don’t like labeled parallax knobs. They are never correct IME.
Glass is quite good for the price, as I thought previously it excels from 5-20 then falls off some and gets milkier by 25. Eye box is tight up top as expected for this price range.
I get why people compare them to more expensive scopes, the turrets are extremely good aside from an annoying habit of having some audible spring back when you dial hard and stop abruptly. It’s hard to explain. I don’t see it being a problem, but it annoys me. If it tracks and holds zero(so like, 99% of what you need a scope to do) it’s going to be a good option. This video is purely about the “snap back” I will likely make another about the turret in general
As with always, iPhones straight up suck at translating glass quality. It is better than in these photos, but they do show some of the difference between magnifications. And this is literally during freezing rain.
So how bad did the glass fall off at 1k? Just curious as it will be a while before I get to that.
Yeah, I really wish they had spaced out the detents like on the Razor gen2 myself, they are kinda close together like a Schmidt, just not quite as tight..
Yes they are close and tight. In the hand it can want to go multiples if you don’t hold your mouth right, but with practice it’s ok. I think on the gun that will be better. I am impressed with the complete lack of wiggle though. If it moves, it’s going to be a click.
These things are I think why people compare them to higher end stuff. They seem to have put time/money/(mass) into how it feels.
In my opinion this scope competes with the $1000 scopes. It does not compete with the mid tier scopes. Nor should it for the price.
As stated above, if you don’t look at the scope it feels just like a Razor Gen 2 or Athlon Cronus. Like I said in a previous post, it’s a Chinese made Cronus. Not as good but like it.
At 1000 yards you can’t see blades of grass but you can see the target. It’s definitely a better scope than what you pay for.
As stated above, if you don’t look at the scope it feels just like a Razor Gen 2 or Athlon Cronus. Like I said in a previous post, it’s a Chinese made Cronus. Not as good but like it.
At 1000 yards you can’t see blades of grass but you can see the target. It’s definitely a better scope than what you pay for.
You mean, we're not all just paid shills trying to market crap Chinese scopes? Who would have thought...
I'm just messing with you. I'm one of those people, that if something is shit, it's a piece of shit, and I'm going to tell you it's a piece fo shit...No matter what it costs, or if it offends you. If it's a $10,000 scope, and it doesn't look any clearer or better than a $2,000 scope, then there's no way in hell I'm going to spend that extra $8,000 just to say I have one. That's why I like these Arkens...They're just great scopes for the money.
sameYou mean, we're not all just paid shills trying to market crap Chinese scopes? Who would have thought...
I'm just messing with you. I'm one of those people, that if something is shit, it's a piece of shit, and I'm going to tell you it's a piece fo shit...No matter what it costs, or if it offends you. If it's a $10,000 scope, and it doesn't look any clearer or better than a $2,000 scope, then there's no way in hell I'm going to spend that extra $8,000 just to say I have one. That's why I like these Arkens...They're just great scopes for the money.
Received mine today. The glass suffers terribly above ~18x. I love the turrets, the field of view and the scopes general feel but to compare it to any of the old standbys for glass is laughable. I had my EP5 side by side with my Razor Gen II, SWFA HD, LRTS, and PX4i and they all easily bested it, as they should have! So enough with the wild claims. Let me put it this way, at dusk on 25x looking through the EP5 I had to check the objective lens because I thought it had fogged up when I brought it outside. If you’re reading this Arken… use this glass and turrets on your 4-16 SH4 Gen II and you’ll have a hell of a scope!
Which one of you guys put up the youtube video comparing it to a nightforce?
Impossible. Didnt you read that this uses Japanese ED glass!
Very disapointed with the above review, have just sold all my S&Bs and ordered a bunch of Arkens.
Guys, it's a fucking 550 dollar optic for God sakes, yall act like you just paid 1500 bucks for it and your upset that it didn't hold its own with your other 1500 dollar optics of comparison.. It is what it is, buy one or dont, but don't criticize Arken for putting out an affordable option for folks that can't afford the more expensive optics, just because it dont have the glass quality of a Cronus or say a Razor gen2 and the like. In time we will know if Arken will survive based on their optics durability, QC and the companies innovation moving forward, but let's not kill them here on the Hide before they've had the chance to get it all figured out. And yes, I know the shills contributed to all of the comments, and Arken didn't help themselves either by letting that happen here in this community, probably the worst place for it, and God knows where else. All I'm saying is, let's give them their chance to get shit right, either they do or they dont.. Who knows, not saying they will but, they could become the next Vortex or Athlon. And before anyone asks, NO IM NOT A FUCKING AFFILIATE OF ARKEN, OR A SHILL..
Anyone with an EP5 order date around 12/29 receive tracking info yet?
You know, this scope is supposed to compete with the likes of the Vortex Venom.
It apparently exceeds that benchmark.
It apparently exceeds that benchmark.
My buddy has both. Will check sometime today.
12/31...Still no shipped email...
I guess they're gonna use every bit of that "possible" 4 week lead time... 
The Strike Eagle supposedly has better glass than the Venom. And from my personal experience, and through my eyes, the SH4 Gen2 6-24x50 competes directly (and pretty much equally) with my new Strike Eagle 5-25x56, so I'm hoping th EP5 with ED glass will hit above that.
But, only time will tell, and I'm not making any calls until mine arrives in person and I have a chance to directly compare them. So, we'll see...If it ever ships out.
I ordered the 21st and got it a few days ago.12/31...Still no shipped email...
ETA: brainfart on order date, fixed
My buddy who ordered on 12/20 got his yesterday, so this seems to be pretty consistent. as far as timeline.
I ordered mine the same day. Nothing from Arken as of yet.
Impact 737 action, AW compatible, with 26" Stuteville 6.5C barrel (Bartlein blank).
KRG Bravo with tool-less buttpad, extended AL mag release, harris bipod adapter, extended mag catch(to use AW mags). Couple other minor widgets.
Trigger Tech diamond
Harris bipod I've had since they were the shit, about 30yrs.
Scope rings or the Vortex ones made in the US by Seekins, don't remember the name.
Blue Force Gear custom colored sling (woodland. I'm old).
Unsure of the exact weight. 19-22lbs as shown if I had to estimate.
I had a chance today to try my new EP5 out and here are my observations. Please keep in mind that I am not a top tier scope guy so I can only compare it to what I have. Like others have stated the parallax numbers do not line up which is no big deal to me, they should just remove the numbers in my opinion, I never look at them anyway. The glass is very nice on the lower end of the magnification but gets milky toward the top which remind me of my Athlon Ares Gen 1 scopes. The turrets feel fantastic and the scope seems well built and heavy. Compared to my $1100 Ares ETR's the glass is better on the ETR but for the $450 I paid this was a really good deal. Is it for the 1000 yard guys...I would say probably not but for the casual shooter these seem like a great fit.
I've become a big Arken fan...I have 3 SH4 Gen2's and waiting on my EP5 right now. I have owned a Kahles for about 15 years, and several Zeiss scopes. Comparing them in glass quality...Not just a no, but a guaranteed hell no, they're not on the same page.
In all honesty, he might have been talking about tactile and audible clicks, or the solidity of the zero-stop... Some of the top-tier stuff was more focused on smoothness for BR guys and plate pirates, and not so much tactile, SHTF, battlefield, etc... where you will need heavy, audible, and tactile clicks because of wearing heavy gloves, or any number of external situations going on around you while you're behind the glass. And some of the top-tier scopes don't have anywhere near the solid-wall zero-stop that the Arkens do. I used to sell top-tier glass back in the day, I've played with, and shot through everything from a Tasco to a Hensoldt. And some of them do have kind of soft turrets and squishy zero-stops. I'm not saying anything is any better than the other, It just is what it is, and facts are facts.
I wasn't there, but that could have been what he was referring to?
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I've become a big Arken fan...I have 3 SH4 Gen2's and waiting on my EP5 right now. I have owned a Kahles for about 15 years, and several Zeiss scopes. Comparing them in glass quality...Not just a no, but a guaranteed hell no, they're not on the same page.
In all honesty, he might have been talking about tactile and audible clicks, or the solidity of the zero-stop... Some of the top-tier stuff was more focused on smoothness for BR guys and plate pirates, and not so much tactile, SHTF, battlefield, etc... where you will need heavy, audible, and tactile clicks because of wearing heavy gloves, or any number of external situations going on around you while you're behind the glass. And some of the top-tier scopes don't have anywhere near the solid-wall zero-stop that the Arkens do.
I wasn't there, but that could have been what he was referring to?
He was CRYSTAL clear about Arken's turrets being waaaay better than his Kahles. I thought they were decent turrets, but let's not fool ourselves to compare a $500 scope to a $3,300 scope. Apples to candy comparison
