I am looking for a lesser scope to put on a 10/22 I just bought for my wife.
I have the opportunity to pick up a deal on Strike Eagle. If the Arken and Strike Eagle were only $100 apart would you go with the Vortex or still consider the Arken? I have a Viper on my precision rifle. By locking turrets are you referring to the ability to set a zero point or have it lock at the zero point?
Warning, short novel incoming...
Rob did a great job above explaining the locking turrets. See his post above.
If they were equally priced, I would say look at the features list, and see which one fits your bill better. They are both great scopes, and the glass is pretty equal through my eyes, and they both have 34mm tubes, both have great zero-stops (the Arken also has noticeably more adjustment after setting your ZS, compared to the Vortex RevStop), they both have nice turrets, they both have a smooth accurate parallax ring, both are built really solid, they both have a lifetime warranty, both have good customer service, but the Arken does have a Precision Tracking Guarantee, where the Vortex does not. So that is something else to consider. The Vortex has a 56mm obj. and the Arken is a 50mm. Honestly, there's not a huge difference, but one does naturally let in slightly more light than the other, based on sheer size alone. Both come with a sunshade. The Strike Eagle comes with a throw lever, but no bubble. However, right now, if you buy an Arken at full price, you can add their $169 Precision Pack with a set of their HALO rings (which are actually really nice), throw lever, bubble level, scope caps, etc... and use the code: SAVE$170 and get it all for free + free shipping. So, there is that... Like I said, they each have pro's and con's... Figure out what you can and can't live without, and then go that direction. Either way, I think you'd be happy.
Personally, with the deals going on at Arken, I would still go for the Arken, because you get a TON of free stuff buying an Arken at full price of $449. Both are great scopes. I have both. And being that I feel that they are both so equal in quality, I don't see you really losing anything to the Strike Eagle, except the locking caps on the turrets, and only 6mm (1/4") in objective lens size. But you gain more adjustment, a Precision Tracking Guarantee, and a bunch of free stuff right now before 12/31.
I like both the Vortex EBR-7C and the Arken VPR reticles. They are both great reticles. I will say this, the illumination spots on the Arken reticle is better (in my opinion), but the brightness of it is definitely lacking for daytime use. The Vortex definitely has the brighter illumination for sure.
In the end, it is your money. I just ordered my 3rd Arken SH4 6-24x50 VPR MIL two days ago, and it will be here on Monday.
Honestly, 10/22's being a semi-auto, are not known for being supremely accurate, even with high-end expensive barrels, compared to a bolt-action with less moving parts (just like a bolt-action vs. an AR15). They are more designed for hunting and fun shooting (100 yards and less, maybe try to stretch it out to 200 for fun?), than they are for precision shooting and competition. That being said, I would opt for the cheaper Arken, as I feel it would be a better fit for that particular gun's use.
Bottom line... Both scopes have the ability to do WAY more than a 10/22 is capable of performing, even if you're shooting out to 200 yards, so I don't think you can go wrong either way...The gun and ammo will be your limitation, not the optics. I think you'll be just fine with the cheaper Arken. But that is simply my opinion, whatever that is worth to you. In the end, it's still your money.
Trust me, I know it sounded like I'm hating, but I have a fully-customized 10/22... Got it 20 years ago for $100 bill BNIB. Old wood stock, sporter barrel, and iron sights. Ugly thing! 
