Looking for Arken EPL-4 Testimonials

[vishnevian]

Bought and Arken EPL-4 as my first hunting scope and maybe starting to regret the decision. Anyone have experience with that optic as far as durability in the field and cold weather performance? Thanks

 

[Castle Rock]

Why do you regret it?
I have used one a fair bit and will give my opinion after you reply

 

[vishnevian]

Why do you regret it?
I have used one a fair bit and will give my opinion after you reply

The glass seemed to have fogged up very easily in cold weather this last hunting season. Easier than say my Vortex Diamondback HD binoculars. Also in general skeptical about the quality control given the price.

 

[Castle Rock]

Try some rainex.
I have given mine a fair work out and it is rock solid.
Optically it’s the equal or better than my NSX.

 

[vishnevian]

Try some rainex.
I have given mine a fair work out and it is rock solid.
Optically it’s the equal or better than my NSX.

thanks for the advice! will try

 

[BLJ]

glass seemed to have fogged up very easily

Inside or outside?

 

[TradLife406]

I had two. Gave one to a buddy because it was moa. Other is on my 22 trainer.

They're decent for the price. The zero stop is a little complicated and the turret set screws like to back out. So use some nail polish to keep them in place.

For $350 Or whatever they are they're pretty good. Never did any drop testing with it. But they seem to track good. Glass is really good.

I switched my three guns to the Mavens so all my scopes are the same.

 

[vishnevian]

Inside or outside?

that’s the thing, it was hard to tell. outside for sure but could have been both

 

[BLJ]

that’s the thing, it was hard to tell. outside for sure but could have been both

If it’s fogging inside send it back.
Something has failed.

 

[Pilsner]

I'm talking about Arken optics in general not just the EpL-4. Decent FOR THE PRICE POINT. Not durable at all - I have sent one back already this year and have another to send back sitting on my work bench as we speak. That is not to say that I dislike them. I keep one of their 5-25xs on hand on my loaner rifle for teaching classes and mentoring new shooters. I think that they shine as a budget option especially for something like a rimfire trainer. I would not trust one on an out of state hunt or the like, but they are trustworthy enough to hunt with around the farm.
Glass quality is good but again with the provision FOR THE PRICE POINT. Anyone that says they are the equal of glass costing 10x their price is being willfully ignorant or hasn't spent much time behind quality glass. This is especially apparent when shooting at sunset (our range faces due West into the setting sun).
Great customer service for me so far. Tracking has been solid thus far on several examples that I have owned and used. Magnification adjustment gets stiff in cold but that is common across most brands not just Arken.
For more info on how their products faired during testing check out Form's drop test threads.

 

[hunterguy122]

I bought my first Arken locally off FB MarketPlace several months ago. EPL4 4-16 MOA, like new condition. Would not zero, or track correctly. Switched scope to a SWFA from black Friday and was zeroed in 3 shots. Several nice features, and the customer service has been great getting it replaced (so far, haven't put my hands on the replacement yet). I had high hopes, but I'm one and done I believe....

 

[Upstatepe]

I have had great service with mine. It dings a plate at 500 no problem.

 

[RWT]

I use them on in 10/22 and 17HMR bolt gun. Lots of fun and useful in those calibers. I won’t hunt anything serious with them as they are primarily range toys. I just don’t trust them enough to risk it

 

[stratofisher]

I will say that my experience with an EPL4 4-16 was not great. It worked well on the range during daylight hours tracking just fine. On my Illinois deer hunt this year I could see an 8pt buck at about 180yds with 15 min of legal light. The optics were not good enough to resolve the 8pt buck in my scope. Low light performance is poor. Also had some minor fogging issues on one damp morning. If you are looking for a range scope in daylight I don't see any issues, but I have since sold this scope and put on a Trijicon that I can see to well beyond legal shooting light. Just wanted to provide an honest review based on my hunting experience.

 

[K9kodi]

I would ask the op what his hunting style is. What hunting requirements are.

 

[22rave]

I have both the Arken epl 4-16 and the Diamondback tactical in the same. The Arken is much bulkier but has a lighted reticle and an awesome zero stop as well as better glass. I personally don't put that much importance in absolutely the best glass on a hunting scope as long as it is decent enough. Holding zero is number one along with durability which the diamondback has certainly passed, the Arken is newer to me.

 

[Turkeytider]

I'm talking about Arken optics in general not just the EpL-4. Decent FOR THE PRICE POINT. Not durable at all - I have sent one back already this year and have another to send back sitting on my work bench as we speak. That is not to say that I dislike them. I keep one of their 5-25xs on hand on my loaner rifle for teaching classes and mentoring new shooters. I think that they shine as a budget option especially for something like a rimfire trainer. I would not trust one on an out of state hunt or the like, but they are trustworthy enough to hunt with around the farm.
Glass quality is good but again with the provision FOR THE PRICE POINT. Anyone that says they are the equal of glass costing 10x their price is being willfully ignorant or hasn't spent much time behind quality glass. This is especially apparent when shooting at sunset (our range faces due West into the setting sun).
Great customer service for me so far. Tracking has been solid thus far on several examples that I have owned and used. Magnification adjustment gets stiff in cold but that is common across most brands not just Arken.
For more info on how their products faired during testing check out Form's drop test threads.

Just one guy’s experience as far as durability is concerned, so FWIW. Have an Arken SH4J on a Tikka 6.5 CM. Took it deer hunting and managed to let it slip out of a 15 foot elevated stand. Fell all the way, landed on the elevation turret. Checked the reticle ( it was still there! ) , zero , and tracking. Like nothing ever happened.

 

[nortac]

I have two Arkens. One SH4J and EPL4. Both in 6-24x50. This is my experience. I have the EPL4 on a 22ARC and it's nice from a weight and size stand point. It is a bit heavier than other offerings but works as it should. The elevation turret is precise but very and I mean very easy to turn. Zero stop works great and no issues. I have taken this 22arc to 1100+ yards. It dials correct. I have the MIL VHR reticle and I really like it. More so than scopes that cost x5 as much. The optics work as they should. Far from top tier glass but do a very good job while shooting. Not great in low light or if the light is coming from the target area. So far I've had zero issues with it other than the turret being easily turned without even knowing it. The SH4J though seems a bit better. It is heavier and the glass is the same to my eyes but the turrets seem to dial and feel much better than the EPL4. I have the SH4J on a 6.5 Grendel in cheap ass rings and you couldn't pay me to change the set up. Between the two I'd take another SH4J but I still can't complain about the EPL4 as it does exactly as it should I just prefer the SH4J a bit more. If weight is an issue then I would be in the EPL4 camp over the SH4J. Both serve well based on their limitations in regards to glass. I wish Leupold would take note on these on reticle alignment (NO CANT) and dialing accurately (NO SLOP).