Love the channel mate great info as always. Im in Australia and i purchased an arken ep4 after watching your video i was actually the first person in Australia to purchase an arken scope and i absolutely loved it but i stupidly sold it wish i didn't but i have since bought 2 sh4, at the moment i have the sh4j on my custom 300wsm and love it
Great content on these scopes and something a lot of people wont do, pure honesty, period!! I started using REDLINE after meeting Sam (CEO), with it being a total coincidence as he's a customer of ours.. never less his product is amazing and built tough with Amazing lenses, I use several other brands but dollar for dollar im right in line with you, love your video content and truth!👊🏼🇺🇸💯
The test is done, and the flashlight test and two scopes are committed: Athlon Ares ETR UHD 3-18xmm and Arken's EPL 4-16xmm. The Athlon Ares's internals are spotless, but Arken's EPL has particles. I've been looking at scope quality for years, going back to 2004, to see why some scopes cost so much more than other scopes' wages paid to its employees, etc, and other reasons as well. I thought that I would see something, but nothing, spotless with Athlon.
These videos are hilarious. I listen while reloading. Do a video on where the parts are sourced on all of those in this video. Which ones are assembled in the U.S. Where the glass is made. I’d watch it
I'm like you with the Arken EPL4's I have 4 of them and love them. What I have not liked from the very beginning is the reticle. You touched on "the one" from DNT. It is just like the Arken but with a better reticle. It wouldnt cost much, if anything, to etch in a few more lines in the reticle but yet they dont. I also totally agree with the Athlon ARES ETR. I have started using them and now have 3. Optics Planet will have specials on them where you can pick them up in the 8 to 900 range brand new or you can find them used for 7 and I have even see the Cronus, Athlons flagship, sell for 750 to 850 used. The only reason I switched is because of the reticle but now that I have it will be hard to get me back. If you are shooting 22LR PRS the Arken will keep you under the total price rules for Factory Class. Under those circumstances, Arken is the way to go. If DNT builds other scopes to be competitive with Arken but with that reticle they have in the 7x35, they are going to take a lot of business away from them. Another scope I am interested in hearing from you on is the Bushnell Match Pro ED. I have one of them that I am trying out and so far I have to say its a real nice scope and again in the 6 to 700 price range.
@ So far I like the Match Pro a lot. I have to turn the magnification up to around 18 to 20 because sometimes my center dot is hard for these old eyes to see. I agree with PH and his view on the EPL4 Arken. There is something about that scope that is really clear. I know exactly what he means about seeing the trails even with 22 LR. The EP5 doesnt have the clarity of the 4. When I saw the same reticle I went to Match Pro and ARES ETR's
With your input back a few years back, I got the Element Titan and it’s been a perfect performer. I own several brands like Vortex Razor HD Gen2, March 8-80x56 SFP, Schmidt and Bender Klassik 1-10x56 and of course a couple of Arkens EP-5 5-25x56. The expectation that Arken can perform at the top tier is an illusion, but will it be a good basic scope - they seem to be ok. I haven’t tried the new Arken, a canted reticle would be seriously disappointing 😳 good video buddy, keep on winning!! 👍😃
Great video and that's coming from someone with two Arkens. I've had my turret set screws come loose a few times and the set screws on the zero stop ring ( those are tiny ). The reticles are a bit fine for my old eyes, especially the SH-4 4-16. But for $300 I can't complain. I just use them for plinkin, not hunting or competition.
I appreciate the video and info! Ive been thinking about whether to go for the new EP5, or an Ares. Considering the Ares is only an extra $150, i think ive made up my mind! Thanks!
Arken is the holy grail of scopes. Mankind would not and could not shoot out to distance without Arken. All other scope companies should just close down and call it a day.
Just curious, can you see bullet trace, say 22lr or moderate velocity 6mm, with the Arken or the Red-Line. Can you see it with the Element Titan? It kind of seems like the Arkens are okay to you, if they weren't overhyped? Thanks much, appreciate what you do.
Thanks PH, I’m not a fanboy, but I have an Arken 1-8x mounted on a spring gopher 22lr, that does fine. For me, exceeded expectation. I don’t see any point in comparing apples to oranges. Thanks again PH.
I know Arken isn't as good as a Nightforce and other expensive scopes but they have a place in the market. I have a Arken 6-24 on a MK12 rifle, last Summer at the range and dude accidentally bumped in off the bench sitting on the bipod, 12.2 lb rifle setup flipped off of a 42" bench and landed scope down on the concrete. All it done was concrete rash to the elevation turret and the objective lens cover broke on the hinge. The entire rifle weight landed on the elevation turret and top of objective lens. I checked the turret, all was good, checked zero and still dead on. Then I started dialing out to 200, 300 and 400 shooting and back in 100 yrd increments back to zero stop, tracking and zero was perfect. That was not a YT "drop test" for a demonstration, that was a hard fall onto concrete. Sure, several higher-grade scopes can take an impact like that on concrete, but how many of the expensive scopes would fail?
That is great that it worked out for you! SEVERAL scopes are made to take a harsh impact!! The simple fact that the Arken survived is awesome because most of them would not have. How many Arken scopes are being used by our military? NONE... they cannot pass the testes. How many Night Force are being used? A LOT. because they pass the tests!! The Redline has also passed those tests and are being used on some service rifles.. food for thought!!
@@pantherhollow5290 - Sure, I used Leupold and Nightforce scopes in the military and our rifles took a beating, those scopes held up. But as I stated in the first sentence "I know Arken isn't as good as a Nightforce and other expensive scopes"
I’ve been watching your channel a long time and I think a lot of it is because of your honesty and good content. You have pointed me in directions on purchases that I’ve been extremely happy with one being a Tikka 22 the other a Athlon Helos. But watching your video tonight I got tickled when you was talking about companies with a person you can talk to versus a email and the funny thing I was thinking about buying a outlier barrel blank and just wanted to know if I purchased a blank without listing a action would I still have a warranty but like you said there’s know one to contact and right before I seen your video I went on Facebook to Arken and told them to cut back on marketing and buy a phone. I got a little aggravated and commented that I would add a few bills and get a bartlein are shilen and be able to talk to someone if I have any issues. Lol
I have purchased several Arken ‘s since they came out and like you I started out with the gin one 6 to 24 which was an excellent scope. I then moved on. I bought three MP fives which I sold to and still have one I purchased the new 7 to 35 Arken but then found out about the DNT7 to 35 and like you said because of the Reticle I’d like that DNT7 to 35 more than the reticle in the EP five or any of the other scopes that Arken has on the market. Also I’ve been to I bought the DNT7 to 35. I would have continue to be a certified customer buying Arken scopes but again I do like the Reticle better and the DNT scopes now as you said, but this only happened on one of my EP fives and it was the 5 to 25 the scope stop kept coming loose and that was the only issue I did finally get it to stay put but I did notice that that was an issue. now about your customer claim yes you do talk to the company through email but I was at a match and someone knocked my 20 pound rifle off of the rifle rest and destroy the scope. That Monday I reached out to Arken customer service and within two emails from me, they replace the scope without a lot of back-and-forth. They asked me a few questions to check them out, the rings, etc. etc. and once I went back through those checkpoints and told them that I had since taken off the scope and replaced it with one of the other scopes I purchased, and I didn’t have the problem that was the end of the story, they simply mailed me out another scope with a return envelope for the damage scope. So that’s my two cents on it. The only thing that I would look for out of the Arken or even the DNT based on testimony from other people with other scopes is a more generous icebox. If I was going to compare Arken scopes against other scopes, that is where I would start is with the eye box and then the Reticle after that, I find the quality to be very good for the money. Also, I will say that I have shot out to 1250 yards and had no problem identifying splash impact or trace and this is with the Arken .
The dirt/debris/fingerprints you find in some scopes makes me wonder about another factor that I haven’t seen discussed much, if at all, in recent scope reviews. I seem to remember that at one time reviews usually included some sort of test to see how well scopes were sealed. Maybe it was only a problem with scopes long ago, but as I recall the limited tests that hunting magazine reviewers could conduct involved immersing the scopes in hot water. Is that someone anyone does these days with recent production specimens? How about tests to see if there is any internal fogging/condensation if a scope is exposed to very cold temperatures? (I found a few online reviews that mention cold weather operation, but they were older.)
Mike, I have $801 MSRP to qualify for NRL22 base class. Can you recommend the best scope for my application? Is the Bushnell MPED the best choice? Thanks!
You didn’t ask me, but look at the reticles and features in the price point you’re shopping. Use that to make a decision Bushnell Mped is a great scope for the money. Athlon Helos line is undervalued and I would recommend a look at them. Really look at reticles……Good luck precision shooting is a blast!
Good information. I’ve owned a few Arkens and I agree the you tube hype is ridiculous. Pay a little more and buy an Athlon. I recently picked up an Ares ETR 4.5-30x56 through expertvoice for $715 delivered. Fantastic optic. I have 2 Gen 2 Helos 6-24x56 and am very pleased with their performance. The Helos were under $500 each. Very affordable.
You got an excellent deal on the Ares ETR, I have the same on my Ruger RPR. Once I had the Ares I decided to try the Cronus. I now have 2 Cronus's and a Midas Tac. I have 4 Athlons and wouldn't hesitate to buy another. My last scope purchase was a Tract Toric. The Tract has really nice glass.
FYI, Paramount never claimed the EP5 was on the level of the ATACR. He did state it was equivalent to a more expensive optic, $1500 level IIRC. And, after long term use he no longer recommends them due to a mechanical failure his son had during a match. My problem with Arken is their army of influencers are making them out to be more than they really are. Apparently someone at Arken was very upset that Gary from Paramount called the EP5 great "for the money" but not everything an ATACR is.
I was hoping to see inside these scopes. I'm still scraping together funds for another optic. I love coming to channels like this one before I spend money.
@ Well, from what I have seen and heard from other shooters, they sound pretty good. Again, I have not had any of their product for years. I have found what works for me and I have stuck with it. I am sorry that I cannot help you more !!
Why doesn’t Athlon get more traction on RUclips? It seems like there are only a handful of videos about them vs everyone else. Thanks for your videos, I appreciate your perspective.
Just one take and a sample of one. I bought an Athalon some years ago. It was not impressive at all. I gave it to a friend and he's since given to another friend. Stick with Vortex.
What makes a scope "GOOD". Seems like if lenses are glued in the right place it shoots be fine. I don't care if they are serviceable. I looked at RedLine and they don't make an MOA version which disqualify'sthem for me cause I like the finer adjustment. Thanks for the video!
No, not a fan boy, but I do own one. They are worth the price you pay for them. Just joking around about the shills, who talk arken up to being top tier….
From what I've seen with the Arkans, in my opinion you are better off going with the old SWFA scopes as an entry level precision optic. You may not get the modern features but those SWFA scopes are built like tanks. I'm going to upgrade and eventually get a Leupold mk5 hd. I'm also sniffing around Leupold's more affordable kin the m4hd.
Not sure what your deal is with Arken. Nobody with half a brain thinks it’s actually better than actual high end optics. If you are the expert on optics you portray then you should know that the 2 scopes on your right are in a separate class of the rest of the stuff on your table. And I’ve got some news for you, glass is not the only factor when choosing a rifle scope. For people that actually shoot long distance tracking is the most important factor. So we have this cheap Arken scope that tracks well and shoots fine for people on a budget. You claim these other budget scopes are better. They may be. Who cares? Do a tall tracking test on all of those cheap optics. The ones that don’t track can go in the garbage because they are of no use to an actual person that shoots distance. Just to be clear distance is not 600 yards. It’s no secret what top tier optics are and then there is the rest. The fact is that most recreational long range shooters don’t have the funds for a top tier optic. So the best choice for the cheaper optics. BUT THEY HAVE TO TRACK! You are so hung up on glass to see bullet holes in a target when what matters is that the bullet hole is actually where it is supposed to be. It’s NOT A SPOTTING SCOPE. In the long range game most shooters have a spotter. In prs it’s obvious when you hit the plate. In F open people aren’t shooting Chinese glass. I’m a person that takes a scope for what it is. I’m definitely not a Arken fan boy but they have their place. I don’t care if there is visible dust on the lowest power. I don’t care if the glass isn’t as clear. They have their place. And on a final note prove the tracking is better on the budget scope on the rifle in front of you instead of bad mouthing other channels because you don’t agree. I think it’s funny that it’s a debate over what china scope is best.
UUMMM! Well, this video was made to educate my viewers. DID you watch the whole video? Do you like to be lied to? FYI, I shoot 1k and 1mile matches! If you do not like what I have to say, Do NOT watch my videos.... on top of that I will say whatever I want!!! as long as is it the truth that is all I care about.. MOST ALL SCOPES TRACK!!!! ALL scope companies have their issues. BUT no other company is being misrepresented LIKE ARKEN... by paid off tubers!!
@@pantherhollow5290 yes I watched the video in its entirety. No actually most scopes do not track true. You may be right about Arken being over promoted. Same could be said about the promotion of the 6.5 Creedmore since my 260 crushes it and was already available at the release of the Creedmore. As far as being lied to, I don’t trust RUclips for that type of information as far as purchasing optics. A person could take any china optic and find a reason to call it garbage and anyone that thinks differently is not educated enough to know the difference. The fact is the Arken does in fact track true. And I don’t mean for 5-10 mils. I mean the ep5 on my trainer tracked less that 1/10 in 32 mils of travel. If you have another budget scope on that table that meets that I’d love to hear about it and see proof of it. Not just it tracks better and has better glass because I said so. Make no mistake I’m not running Arken on any of my ELR light comp rifles but with the tracking as good as it is it has its place. And in my case it has no problems on my 308 trainer to shoot steel reliably beyond 1000 and track repeatability. Lastly again they don’t compare no my Atacr’s or my MK5’s but anyone with half a brain doesn’t expect that going in.
lol 😂 you will never talk to arken me and a friend both had arkens quit tracking and you will never get to talk to a human. Thank you for your honesty! But now the arken guys are going to plague you till you take your video down
@ actually most scopes do not track true. That is complete nonsense. I did watch the video in its entirety. You make a lot of claims with no data. You just claim some other china scope tracks better and has better glass. The EP5 I have tracks within 1/10 at 32 mils adjustment. Please please show me another budget china scope that does that. Don’t just tell us…..show us. If you’re educating your followers give them hard data instead of telling them that this $400 scope isn’t a $3500 Atacr. People already know that.
@@MarkSebastian-w6i Actually!! you are wrong... There are several that track true and have BETTER customer service than ARKEN. Scopes tested: Athlon Ares Athlon Heras Element Titan Element Helix Red Line Corse Air Bushnell Match Pro Just a few that I have tested that track true. The fact that you think that the EP5 is any better than the above is laughable. Do you have access to a collimator? well, I do, and I do know what I am talking about!! and by the way... I do not need to prove anything!! my word carries its own weight!! People that know me know that!! thanks for watching!!
Are the 3k scopes 2400 hundred dollars better then the 600 dollar arken NO WAY i have both that's my opinion I'm not putting my life on the line so i don't need them 3 to 5k scopes the budget scopes are catching up.
I own none of the above however if you are turning the fire on someone or a brand of anything you should really post the video of the facts not your word just saying good effort though!!!
I’ve seen some of these videos that you’re talking about from Mountain Mullet and Paramount tactical and I don’t think that you’re actually telling the truth. I watched the Fairmount tactical and I never heard him say it was just as good. He clearly said that the night was a better scope. I’m not sure why you need to say things in our true to try to get people to watch your videos? I guess you’re just one of those click bait guys.
Arken is a good buy for the $. Period. You are not comparing apples to apples. Not everyone can spend thousands on optics or they would. I have both! Arken is hurting your buddies.
Arken is garbage. My brother has one and when I looked thru it, the quality is terrible. No wonder it only cost like 400 with accessories plus rings. Makes you thinks how much of the 400 dollars is really going into the scope.
I have purchased several Arken ‘s since they came out and like you I started out with the gin one 6 to 24 which was an excellent scope. I then moved on. I bought three MP fives which I sold to and still have one I purchased the new 7 to 35 Arken but then found out about the DNT7 to 35 and like you said because of the Reticle I’d like that DNT7 to 35 more than the reticle in the EP five or any of the other scopes that Arken has on the market. Also I’ve been to I bought the DNT7 to 35. I would have continue to be a certified customer buying Arken scopes but again I do like the Reticle better and the DNT scopes now as you said, but this only happened on one of my EP fives and it was the 5 to 25 the scope stop kept coming loose and that was the only issue I did finally get it to stay put but I did notice that that was an issue. now about your customer claim yes you do talk to the company through email but I was at a match and someone knocked my 20 pound rifle off of the rifle rest and destroy the scope. That Monday I reached out to Arken customer service and within two emails from me, they replace the scope without a lot of back-and-forth. They asked me a few questions to check them out, the rings, etc. etc. and once I went back through those checkpoints and told them that I had since taken off the scope and replaced it with one of the other scopes I purchased, and I didn’t have the problem that was the end of the story, they simply mailed me out another scope with a return envelope for the damage scope. So that’s my two cents on it. The only thing that I would look for out of the Arken or even the DNT based on testimony from other people with other scopes is a more generous icebox. If I was going to compare Arken scopes against other scopes, that is where I would start is with the eye box and then the Reticle after that, I find the quality to be very good for the money. Also, I will say that I have shot out to 1250 yards and had no problem identifying splash impact or trace and this is with the Arken .
Love the channel mate great info as always. Im in Australia and i purchased an arken ep4 after watching your video i was actually the first person in Australia to purchase an arken scope and i absolutely loved it but i stupidly sold it wish i didn't but i have since bought 2 sh4, at the moment i have the sh4j on my custom 300wsm and love it
Great content on these scopes and something a lot of people wont do, pure honesty, period!! I started using REDLINE after meeting Sam (CEO), with it being a total coincidence as he's a customer of ours.. never less his product is amazing and built tough with Amazing lenses, I use several other brands but dollar for dollar im right in line with you, love your video content and truth!👊🏼🇺🇸💯
Thank you and thank you for your comment
The test is done, and the flashlight test and two scopes are committed: Athlon Ares ETR UHD 3-18xmm and Arken's EPL 4-16xmm. The Athlon Ares's internals are spotless, but Arken's EPL has particles. I've been looking at scope quality for years, going back to 2004, to see why some scopes cost so much more than other scopes' wages paid to its employees, etc, and other reasons as well. I thought that I would see something, but nothing, spotless with Athlon.
thank you for your comment!!
Can you make a video of your top scopes under $1000?
I will look into it
These videos are hilarious. I listen while reloading. Do a video on where the parts are sourced on all of those in this video. Which ones are assembled in the U.S. Where the glass is made. I’d watch it
I'm like you with the Arken EPL4's I have 4 of them and love them. What I have not liked from the very beginning is the reticle. You touched on "the one" from DNT. It is just like the Arken but with a better reticle. It wouldnt cost much, if anything, to etch in a few more lines in the reticle but yet they dont. I also totally agree with the Athlon ARES ETR. I have started using them and now have 3. Optics Planet will have specials on them where you can pick them up in the 8 to 900 range brand new or you can find them used for 7 and I have even see the Cronus, Athlons flagship, sell for 750 to 850 used. The only reason I switched is because of the reticle but now that I have it will be hard to get me back. If you are shooting 22LR PRS the Arken will keep you under the total price rules for Factory Class. Under those circumstances, Arken is the way to go. If DNT builds other scopes to be competitive with Arken but with that reticle they have in the 7x35, they are going to take a lot of business away from them. Another scope I am interested in hearing from you on is the Bushnell Match Pro ED. I have one of them that I am trying out and so far I have to say its a real nice scope and again in the 6 to 700 price range.
Bushnell Match PRO ED is probably the BEST scope for under 1000$
there are other scopes that fit that model. Athlon Heras for example
@@pantherhollow5290 I just prefer the eye box of Bushnell over Athlon.
@@pantherhollow5290 and reticle of Bushnell is more my style.
@ So far I like the Match Pro a lot. I have to turn the magnification up to around 18 to 20 because sometimes my center dot is hard for these old eyes to see. I agree with PH and his view on the EPL4 Arken. There is something about that scope that is really clear. I know exactly what he means about seeing the trails even with 22 LR. The EP5 doesnt have the clarity of the 4. When I saw the same reticle I went to Match Pro and ARES ETR's
With your input back a few years back, I got the Element Titan and it’s been a perfect performer. I own several brands like Vortex Razor HD Gen2, March 8-80x56 SFP, Schmidt and Bender Klassik 1-10x56 and of course a couple of Arkens EP-5 5-25x56. The expectation that Arken can perform at the top tier is an illusion, but will it be a good basic scope - they seem to be ok. I haven’t tried the new Arken, a canted reticle would be seriously disappointing 😳 good video buddy, keep on winning!! 👍😃
Thanks man
DUDE!!! NICE TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!
Great video and that's coming from someone with two Arkens. I've had my turret set screws come loose a few times and the set screws on the zero stop ring ( those are tiny ). The reticles are a bit fine for my old eyes, especially the SH-4 4-16. But for $300 I can't complain. I just use them for plinkin, not hunting or competition.
thanks man!!!
I appreciate the video and info! Ive been thinking about whether to go for the new EP5, or an Ares. Considering the Ares is only an extra $150, i think ive made up my mind! Thanks!
Arken is the holy grail of scopes. Mankind would not and could not shoot out to distance without Arken. All other scope companies should just close down and call it a day.
you nailed it.. The holly grail of shills... thanks for the comment
Just curious, can you see bullet trace, say 22lr or moderate velocity 6mm, with the Arken or the Red-Line. Can you see it with the Element Titan?
It kind of seems like the Arkens are okay to you, if they weren't overhyped? Thanks much, appreciate what you do.
The Redline will catch more trace than the Arken. The Titan is a great scope and has similar performance to the Redline
Thanks PH, I’m not a fanboy, but I have an Arken 1-8x mounted on a spring gopher 22lr, that does fine. For me, exceeded expectation.
I don’t see any point in comparing apples to oranges. Thanks again PH.
I know Arken isn't as good as a Nightforce and other expensive scopes but they have a place in the market.
I have a Arken 6-24 on a MK12 rifle, last Summer at the range and dude accidentally bumped in off the bench sitting on the bipod, 12.2 lb rifle setup flipped off of a 42" bench and landed scope down on the concrete. All it done was concrete rash to the elevation turret and the objective lens cover broke on the hinge. The entire rifle weight landed on the elevation turret and top of objective lens. I checked the turret, all was good, checked zero and still dead on. Then I started dialing out to 200, 300 and 400 shooting and back in 100 yrd increments back to zero stop, tracking and zero was perfect. That was not a YT "drop test" for a demonstration, that was a hard fall onto concrete. Sure, several higher-grade scopes can take an impact like that on concrete, but how many of the expensive scopes would fail?
That is great that it worked out for you! SEVERAL scopes are made to take a harsh impact!! The simple fact that the Arken survived is awesome because most of them would not have. How many Arken scopes are being used by our military? NONE... they cannot pass the testes. How many Night Force are being used? A LOT. because they pass the tests!! The Redline has also passed those tests and are being used on some service rifles.. food for thought!!
@@pantherhollow5290 - Sure, I used Leupold and Nightforce scopes in the military and our rifles took a beating, those scopes held up. But as I stated in the first sentence "I know Arken isn't as good as a Nightforce and other expensive scopes"
Love the videos!
Thanks man
I’ve been watching your channel a long time and I think a lot of it is because of your honesty and good content. You have pointed me in directions on purchases that I’ve been extremely happy with one being a Tikka 22 the other a Athlon Helos. But watching your video tonight I got tickled when you was talking about companies with a person you can talk to versus a email and the funny thing I was thinking about buying a outlier barrel blank and just wanted to know if I purchased a blank without listing a action would I still have a warranty but like you said there’s know one to contact and right before I seen your video I went on Facebook to Arken and told them to cut back on marketing and buy a phone. I got a little aggravated and commented that I would add a few bills and get a bartlein are shilen and be able to talk to someone if I have any issues. Lol
nice. thank you for the comment
Hi Mike thanks for the video. What’s your opinion of the Burris Eliminator 6 pls.
I wish I had one.. no luck yet
I have purchased several Arken ‘s since they came out and like you I started out with the gin one 6 to 24 which was an excellent scope. I then moved on. I bought three MP fives which I sold to and still have one I purchased the new 7 to 35 Arken but then found out about the DNT7 to 35 and like you said because of the Reticle I’d like that DNT7 to 35 more than the reticle in the EP five or any of the other scopes that Arken has on the market. Also I’ve been to I bought the DNT7 to 35. I would have continue to be a certified customer buying Arken scopes but again I do like the Reticle better and the DNT scopes now as you said, but this only happened on one of my EP fives and it was the 5 to 25 the scope stop kept coming loose and that was the only issue I did finally get it to stay put but I did notice that that was an issue. now about your customer claim yes you do talk to the company through email but I was at a match and someone knocked my 20 pound rifle off of the rifle rest and destroy the scope. That Monday I reached out to Arken customer service and within two emails from me, they replace the scope without a lot of back-and-forth. They asked me a few questions to check them out, the rings, etc. etc. and once I went back through those checkpoints and told them that I had since taken off the scope and replaced it with one of the other scopes I purchased, and I didn’t have the problem that was the end of the story, they simply mailed me out another scope with a return envelope for the damage scope. So that’s my two cents on it. The only thing that I would look for out of the Arken or even the DNT based on testimony from other people with other scopes is a more generous icebox. If I was going to compare Arken scopes against other scopes, that is where I would start is with the eye box and then the Reticle after that, I find the quality to be very good for the money. Also, I will say that I have shot out to 1250 yards and had no problem identifying splash impact or trace and this is with the Arken .
I agree 100%, that is why the good scopes are higher, better quality.
The dirt/debris/fingerprints you find in some scopes makes me wonder about another factor that I haven’t seen discussed much, if at all, in recent scope reviews. I seem to remember that at one time reviews usually included some sort of test to see how well scopes were sealed. Maybe it was only a problem with scopes long ago, but as I recall the limited tests that hunting magazine reviewers could conduct involved immersing the scopes in hot water.
Is that someone anyone does these days with recent production specimens? How about tests to see if there is any internal fogging/condensation if a scope is exposed to very cold temperatures? (I found a few online reviews that mention cold weather operation, but they were older.)
Mike, I have $801 MSRP to qualify for NRL22 base class. Can you recommend the best scope for my application? Is the Bushnell MPED the best choice? Thanks!
You didn’t ask me, but look at the reticles and features in the price point you’re shopping. Use that to make a decision Bushnell Mped is a great scope for the money. Athlon Helos line is undervalued and I would recommend a look at them. Really look at reticles……Good luck precision shooting is a blast!
The Bushnell Match Pro ED is a notable mention. Under 800 and pretty darn good.
Good information. I’ve owned a few Arkens and I agree the you tube hype is ridiculous. Pay a little more and buy an Athlon. I recently picked up an Ares ETR 4.5-30x56 through expertvoice for $715 delivered. Fantastic optic. I have 2 Gen 2 Helos 6-24x56 and am very pleased with their performance. The Helos were under $500 each. Very affordable.
thank you!! great comment!!
You got an excellent deal on the Ares ETR, I have the same on my Ruger RPR. Once I had the Ares I decided to try the Cronus. I now have 2 Cronus's and a Midas Tac. I have 4 Athlons and wouldn't hesitate to buy another. My last scope purchase was a Tract Toric. The Tract has really nice glass.
Many THANKS!! Great explanation of scope internals.
thanks for watching
FYI, Paramount never claimed the EP5 was on the level of the ATACR. He did state it was equivalent to a more expensive optic, $1500 level IIRC. And, after long term use he no longer recommends them due to a mechanical failure his son had during a match.
My problem with Arken is their army of influencers are making them out to be more than they really are. Apparently someone at Arken was very upset that Gary from Paramount called the EP5 great "for the money" but not everything an ATACR is.
I was hoping to see inside these scopes. I'm still scraping together funds for another optic.
I love coming to channels like this one before I spend money.
Have you ever had your hands on a tract?
yes.. But I wish I had one now. I sold mine a few months ago and I would like to have another one
@ what are your thoughts on them?
@ what are your thoughts on them
@ Well, from what I have seen and heard from other shooters, they sound pretty good. Again, I have not had any of their product for years. I have found what works for me and I have stuck with it. I am sorry that I cannot help you more !!
@ hey I appreciate it!
Why doesn’t Athlon get more traction on RUclips? It seems like there are only a handful of videos about them vs everyone else. Thanks for your videos, I appreciate your perspective.
Just one take and a sample of one. I bought an Athalon some years ago. It was not impressive at all. I gave it to a friend and he's since given to another friend. Stick with Vortex.
@@typhoonjenkins8330, which Athlon though?
What makes a scope "GOOD". Seems like if lenses are glued in the right place it shoots be fine. I don't care if they are serviceable. I looked at RedLine and they don't make an MOA version which disqualify'sthem for me cause I like the finer adjustment. Thanks for the video!
great.. then I am glad you are happy!!
The constant sniffing. Blow your nose
Thanks for pointing that out momma.. will you do my laundry😆😁😁 next?
@@pantherhollow5290 THERE'S ALWAYS A JACK WAGON IN THE CROWD ... DOUBLE G.
Very informative. Thanks for the education
I have a also a STRIKE EAGLE it hasnt failed me yet.
Another worth money is a Leica PRS series is definitely an UBER CLASS SCOPE.
What's you thought on riton 7 conquer
I would like to look inside one!!
Arken bois go, “REEEEEEEEE!!!” 😂
What.? Are you a fan boy?
No, not a fan boy, but I do own one. They are worth the price you pay for them. Just joking around about the shills, who talk arken up to being top tier….
@JimBridger22 lol. Thanks for watching. Have a good one
From what I've seen with the Arkans, in my opinion you are better off going with the old SWFA scopes as an entry level precision optic. You may not get the modern features but those SWFA scopes are built like tanks. I'm going to upgrade and eventually get a Leupold mk5 hd. I'm also sniffing around Leupold's more affordable kin the m4hd.
Link to the usca channel?
I put the link in comments. 👍
Not sure what your deal is with Arken. Nobody with half a brain thinks it’s actually better than actual high end optics. If you are the expert on optics you portray then you should know that the 2 scopes on your right are in a separate class of the rest of the stuff on your table. And I’ve got some news for you, glass is not the only factor when choosing a rifle scope. For people that actually shoot long distance tracking is the most important factor. So we have this cheap Arken scope that tracks well and shoots fine for people on a budget. You claim these other budget scopes are better. They may be. Who cares? Do a tall tracking test on all of those cheap optics. The ones that don’t track can go in the garbage because they are of no use to an actual person that shoots distance. Just to be clear distance is not 600 yards. It’s no secret what top tier optics are and then there is the rest. The fact is that most recreational long range shooters don’t have the funds for a top tier optic. So the best choice for the cheaper optics. BUT THEY HAVE TO TRACK! You are so hung up on glass to see bullet holes in a target when what matters is that the bullet hole is actually where it is supposed to be. It’s NOT A SPOTTING SCOPE. In the long range game most shooters have a spotter. In prs it’s obvious when you hit the plate. In F open people aren’t shooting Chinese glass. I’m a person that takes a scope for what it is. I’m definitely not a Arken fan boy but they have their place. I don’t care if there is visible dust on the lowest power. I don’t care if the glass isn’t as clear. They have their place. And on a final note prove the tracking is better on the budget scope on the rifle in front of you instead of bad mouthing other channels because you don’t agree. I think it’s funny that it’s a debate over what china scope is best.
UUMMM! Well, this video was made to educate my viewers. DID you watch the whole video?
Do you like to be lied to?
FYI, I shoot 1k and 1mile matches!
If you do not like what I have to say, Do NOT watch my videos.... on top of that I will say whatever I want!!! as long as is it the truth that is all I care about.. MOST ALL SCOPES TRACK!!!! ALL scope companies have their issues. BUT no other company is being misrepresented LIKE ARKEN... by paid off tubers!!
@@pantherhollow5290 yes I watched the video in its entirety. No actually most scopes do not track true. You may be right about Arken being over promoted. Same could be said about the promotion of the 6.5 Creedmore since my 260 crushes it and was already available at the release of the Creedmore. As far as being lied to, I don’t trust RUclips for that type of information as far as purchasing optics. A person could take any china optic and find a reason to call it garbage and anyone that thinks differently is not educated enough to know the difference. The fact is the Arken does in fact track true. And I don’t mean for 5-10 mils. I mean the ep5 on my trainer tracked less that 1/10 in 32 mils of travel. If you have another budget scope on that table that meets that I’d love to hear about it and see proof of it. Not just it tracks better and has better glass because I said so. Make no mistake I’m not running Arken on any of my ELR light comp rifles but with the tracking as good as it is it has its place. And in my case it has no problems on my 308 trainer to shoot steel reliably beyond 1000 and track repeatability. Lastly again they don’t compare no my Atacr’s or my MK5’s but anyone with half a brain doesn’t expect that going in.
lol 😂 you will never talk to arken me and a friend both had arkens quit tracking and you will never get to talk to a human. Thank you for your honesty! But now the arken guys are going to plague you till you take your video down
@ actually most scopes do not track true. That is complete nonsense. I did watch the video in its entirety. You make a lot of claims with no data. You just claim some other china scope tracks better and has better glass. The EP5 I have tracks within 1/10 at 32 mils adjustment. Please please show me another budget china scope that does that. Don’t just tell us…..show us. If you’re educating your followers give them hard data instead of telling them that this $400 scope isn’t a $3500 Atacr. People already know that.
@@MarkSebastian-w6i Actually!! you are wrong... There are several that track true and have BETTER customer service than ARKEN.
Scopes tested:
Athlon Ares
Athlon Heras
Element Titan
Element Helix
Red Line Corse Air
Bushnell Match Pro
Just a few that I have tested that track true.
The fact that you think that the EP5 is any better than the above is laughable. Do you have access to a collimator? well, I do, and I do know what I am talking about!!
and by the way... I do not need to prove anything!! my word carries its own weight!! People that know me know that!! thanks for watching!!
The arken shills are the WORST of the WORST.
Are the 3k scopes 2400 hundred dollars better then the 600 dollar arken NO WAY i have both that's my opinion I'm not putting my life on the line so i don't need them 3 to 5k scopes the budget scopes are catching up.
Athlon kicks Arkens ass! 😂
yes they do!! LOLOLOLO
I own none of the above however if you are turning the fire on someone or a brand of anything you should really post the video of the facts not your word just saying good effort though!!!
I’ve seen some of these videos that you’re talking about from Mountain Mullet and Paramount tactical and I don’t think that you’re actually telling the truth. I watched the Fairmount tactical and I never heard him say it was just as good. He clearly said that the night was a better scope. I’m not sure why you need to say things in our true to try to get people to watch your videos? I guess you’re just one of those click bait guys.
The athlon is not the same price as an ep5. The ep5 $200-300 less and every bit as good. Definitely a better bang for your buck.
I have a Ep4 4-16 mil I would sell for 250....still have the original box.
I found Jimmy Hoffa in mine!
Arken is a good buy for the $. Period. You are not comparing apples to apples. Not everyone can spend thousands on optics or they would. I have both! Arken is hurting your buddies.
Dangit, I made second.Was shooting for first.
What?
@mikecornelison9910 I was shooting to get the first comment,but came in second. Great work on the video.
@@Youknowthetruthdontyou lol. Nice. Thanks for watching
Arken is garbage. My brother has one and when I looked thru it, the quality is terrible. No wonder it only cost like 400 with accessories plus rings. Makes you thinks how much of the 400 dollars is really going into the scope.
Nailed it, buddy. Thanks for watching and your comment
ruclips.net/video/dmboZ7Aosyw/видео.htmlsi=yD6TvoL4L3gCdqMP
Won't buy Chinese junk
I have purchased several Arken ‘s since they came out and like you I started out with the gin one 6 to 24 which was an excellent scope. I then moved on. I bought three MP fives which I sold to and still have one I purchased the new 7 to 35 Arken but then found out about the DNT7 to 35 and like you said because of the Reticle I’d like that DNT7 to 35 more than the reticle in the EP five or any of the other scopes that Arken has on the market. Also I’ve been to I bought the DNT7 to 35. I would have continue to be a certified customer buying Arken scopes but again I do like the Reticle better and the DNT scopes now as you said, but this only happened on one of my EP fives and it was the 5 to 25 the scope stop kept coming loose and that was the only issue I did finally get it to stay put but I did notice that that was an issue. now about your customer claim yes you do talk to the company through email but I was at a match and someone knocked my 20 pound rifle off of the rifle rest and destroy the scope. That Monday I reached out to Arken customer service and within two emails from me, they replace the scope without a lot of back-and-forth. They asked me a few questions to check them out, the rings, etc. etc. and once I went back through those checkpoints and told them that I had since taken off the scope and replaced it with one of the other scopes I purchased, and I didn’t have the problem that was the end of the story, they simply mailed me out another scope with a return envelope for the damage scope. So that’s my two cents on it. The only thing that I would look for out of the Arken or even the DNT based on testimony from other people with other scopes is a more generous icebox. If I was going to compare Arken scopes against other scopes, that is where I would start is with the eye box and then the Reticle after that, I find the quality to be very good for the money. Also, I will say that I have shot out to 1250 yards and had no problem identifying splash impact or trace and this is with the Arken .