My initial comparison of the EP-5 vs SH-4.
Glass/image quality:
EP-5 has a slightly improved image that is slightly sharper with better definition and brighter. This is very subjective and was with my eyes, looking out my back yard across a field at various distances out to over 1000 yards. I tried to get good pictures with my phone, but did not like the way they came out, so once the battery charges in my camera, I'll attempt better pictures later. Hopefully some at dusk to see if the glass is really improved.
Eyebox:
I "think" the EP-5 might have a slightly better eyebox, but I need to get the scope mounted before making that call.
Illumination:
Slight improvement with EP-5, enough to notice at least. Still not "daylight bright". So, it should be a little more useful.
Weight/Robustness:
EP-5 feels like a tank, a very "robust" feeling and in my opinion "similar" to how a Razor feels, though I believe a Razor is still heavier. Weight on mine is 40.1 ounces w/battery installed. I feel like I could drive stakes in the ground with the damn thing
. Once I get an SH-4 removed from one of the rifles, I'll compare them in hand side by side. Looking at the objective ends of the scopes, the rim is drastically thicker on the EP-5. I don't know if the scope's body is thicker all the way throughout or not.
Turrets:
Huge improvement with the EP-5, like night and day better (and I really like the SH-4 turrets). The 10 mil per revolution is nice. The EP-5 clicks are more audible and tighter feeling, I'll say more tactile because everyone loves that word it seems. The only downside I could see on the EP-5 is with the detents have closer spacing, it will be easier to over-adjust when dialing. On a slow easy going range day, that should easily avoidable. In competition or something with a faster pace?
Diopter adjustment:
One of my biggest gripes about the SH-4, is how hard the diopter ring is to adjust, it's way too tight. The EP-5 does not have that issue and I would compare it how a Vortex diopter adjustment feels. Smooth, not too tight or loose.
Parallax Adjustment:
EP-5 parallax adjustment has a rotation of 330 deg versus 300 deg on the SH-4. It also goes to 1000 (vs 500) and then infinity. The EP-5 seems to be more spread out about 200.
Internal travel (elevation and windage):
EP-5 advertised elevation is 32 mil and windage is 16 mil.
Mine measured 34.2 mil and 18.1 mil.
I also checked my SH-4 scopes (genII 6-24x50).
SH-4 advertised elevation is 32 mil and windage is 10 mil.
A) 35.5 mil / 12.7 mil
B) 35.6 mil / 12.7 mil
C) 35.6 mil / 12.6 mil
D) 35.6 mil / 12.8 mil
E) 35.8 mil / 12.1 mil
Very nice review. I feel the same way about most everything you wrote.
I use a parallax wheel from MKM and it really makes focusing parallax easy as butter. I saw a big giant wheel once on a March parallax turret and thought it seemed a bit ridiculous but this is smaller and makes the stiffer dial so easy to maneuver. I have throws on all my mag rings, regardless of scope brand. It’s just easier to me.