Unbiased review of Arken

Bc45

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 31, 2023
Messages
272
Location
Hawai’i
I want people’s opinions on the Arken ELP4s. I see some people running them and hear good things but on the other end I hear there terrible quality. Would be great to see what people think that have actually used them. Thanks
 

JGRaider

WKR
Joined
Jul 3, 2019
Messages
1,836
Location
West Texas
I've got about 300 rounds through a 6.5CM and PRC with the 4-14 and 6-24x EPL4. MIne have tracked very well, and returned to zero out o 1085 yds and varous yardages in between that and zero (100 yds). I've carried mine in the back seat of my pickup, and in a scabbard on a Polaris Ranger pig hunting many times. NO issues whatsoever.
 

huntnful

WKR
Joined
Oct 10, 2020
Messages
2,125
I just put one on my dad's .223. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality for the money. So much so, I bought one for my .223 lol. He got the EPL 4 4-16X44 and I got the 6-24X50. For $400, I don't see a better value out there for the features. As well as decent glass. I have ZCO's, NF, March and trijicon tenmiles. And I can appreciate the Arken for what it is for sure. A great value in what appears to be a quality little build.
 
OP
Bc45

Bc45

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 31, 2023
Messages
272
Location
Hawai’i
I've got about 300 rounds through a 6.5CM and PRC with the 4-14 and 6-24x EPL4. MIne have tracked very well, and returned to zero out o 1085 yds and varous yardages in between that and zero (100 yds). I've carried mine in the back seat of my pickup, and in a scabbard on a Polaris Ranger pig hunting many times. NO issues whatsoever.
Thanks for the info!
 

Profiler

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 5, 2023
Messages
152
Love mine. Just have to remember the cost vs purpose. Out to 600 yards was clear to me.
 

bnewt3

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 5, 2023
Messages
133
Location
WNC
Has anyone compared the standard to the Japanese glass? I would imagine it's worth the extra $75 in the SH4 but I'm curious how much better.
 

Duh

WKR
Joined
Apr 5, 2023
Messages
830
I have the SH4 and EPL4. I like the glass on the EPL4 better but it’s not a huge difference. Both have tracked very well for me. I’ve taken the EPL4 out to 1200 and it’s been spot on.

I’ve hunted with the EPL4 and killed a couple animals. Haven’t beat the scope up but I haven’t babied it either. I haven’t lost zero (yet). I’ve got close to 600 rounds on the EPL4 with a 6.5 creed.

It won’t replace my NX8 but I wouldn’t hesitate to buy either again.
 

Duh

WKR
Joined
Apr 5, 2023
Messages
830
Can’t believe I’m coming back so quick for an embarrassing update haha, had my rifle perched up on the bipod and bumped it over as I was putting my pack on. Wasn’t a hard fall at all but it lost zero big time. Couldn’t hit a broadside coyote at approximately 200 yards. Like a foot low and to the right. Gave up on trying to look for a deer and went back to the truck. Shot at a rock at 107yards and I was low right still.

I’ll have to go shoot some groups to see how bad it is. I did check the rings and everything’s still in torque spec.
 

6.5x284

WKR
Joined
May 7, 2015
Messages
1,062
Location
NW MT
They dial well enough for my prairie dog guns. As mentioned I wouldn’t trust one after a fall. But mine have been repeatable and RTZ has been good. When you read some reviews they make it seem like a 1500 optic for 500. It’s not, but glass is good, turret spacing and clicks are solid, and dials well. Used price or current sale price is about as high as I’d pay.


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Duh

WKR
Joined
Apr 5, 2023
Messages
830
They dial well enough for my prairie dog guns. As mentioned I wouldn’t trust one after a fall. But mine have been repeatable and RTZ has been good. When you read some reviews they make it seem like a 1500 optic for 500. It’s not, but glass is good, turret spacing and clicks are solid, and dials well. Used price or current sale price is about as high as I’d pay.


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The tracking is awesome. I’ve run it out to 1200 yards with it tracking and returning to zero. Felt pretty confident with the scope until that little fall.
 
Joined
Mar 27, 2017
Messages
1,584
Location
North Carolina
The glass on my 5 was noticeably worse than a viper2, and the parallax was the furthest off the graduations I’ve ever seen on a scope.

But it wasn’t horrible, it was about what you’d expect at the cost to me. I personally am not too interested in them now but wanted to see if it was a better option at that price point.

I’m the end I decided it fit the market st that price point but I just don’t really want anything at that price point aside from a super chicken. I’m now too drop fearing
 

MTgunguru

FNG
Joined
Aug 11, 2023
Messages
14
I have the SH4 and EPL4. I like the glass on the EPL4 better but it’s not a huge difference. Both have tracked very well for me. I’ve taken the EPL4 out to 1200 and it’s been spot on.

I’ve hunted with the EPL4 and killed a couple animals. Haven’t beat the scope up but I haven’t babied it either. I haven’t lost zero (yet). I’ve got close to 600 rounds on the EPL4 with a 6.5 creed.

It won’t replace my NX8 but I wouldn’t hesitate to buy either again.
Which EPL4 do you have?
 

JGRaider

WKR
Joined
Jul 3, 2019
Messages
1,836
Location
West Texas
Been whitetail hunting in the TX Panhandle for 10 days. Spent a few hours shooting prarie dogs. The EPL4 6-24x and 4-16x continue to perform beautifully.
 
Joined
Apr 2, 2023
Messages
13
I have several SH4 Gen 2's. They have been rock solid. I took the SH4 6-24x50 to Namibia last year. It performed exceptionally well and the PH's were impressed when they looked through it.
 

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