Arken Optics EP5

[gixer1]

Well, my new Arken Optics EP5 just arrived. I was looking for something with higher mag for a long range 22LR set up - but didn’t want to spend thousands, I kept hearing the name “Arken optics” on the Texas plinking videos and also on some of the other you tube stuff…so I had a look at the you tube reviews and the number I saw that did a blind comparison between the Arken and the likes of Nightforce and zero compromise was surprising - especially as some made a guess that the retail would be around $1500- 2500….

They are also in short supply just now but I found one at PQARA (Simon was very helpful and price matched Arken’s web page where they were sold out - so a shout out to them) he also threw in some 34mm rings.

First impressions - very impressed! I have it sitting next to a NF NX8 and a couple of Swaro’s and it’s really not that different to my eyes, the swaro’s seem to have more crisp colour to them and obviously this is not a fading light comparison but this scope won’t be used for that anyway!

They are FFP ret, zero stop, rated up to 50 BMG, and have Japanese glass….its a busy reticle with MIL’s and the turrets feel very crisp and positive and are nice and chunky with big numbers!

I will report on it once zeroed and tested but so far it really does seem to be a bargain, you also get a sunshade, Cloths, bikini cover and the packaging bears a striking resemblance to NF packaging! Definitely as per the online reviews.

 

[DVS1]

Glad you like it mate, picked mine up to go on the 243 that never happened so now sitting on the hmr and it's a great optic for the price!! The only downside can be the spring erector tube / gas porting nub on the saddle underside. With one piece mounts it can foul them as well as low mounts and fouling the rail. Frustrating as that nub could be made shorter by the manufacturer.

Looking forward to your after action report

 

[Tim1989]

do these work with rear add on night vision OK? or are the lenses coated ?

 

[ashray]

are these scopes in the £400/£500 range ?,i have seen the us price but some uk retails are asking £700/£800 price for some of the arken scopes!

 

[gixer1]

are these scopes in the £400/£500 range ?,i have seen the us price but some uk retails are asking £700/£800 price for some of the arken scopes!

I noticed that too Ashray, it’s possibly due to the shortage in supply - some unscrupulous people trying to cash in….they should be £500 direct from Arken, I paid £539 with a set of rings and next day delivery which I was happy with.

I will say, if you had paid 700/800 I don’t think you would feel robbed…but it’s not the price Arken intended for them.

 

[gixer1]

do these work with rear add on night vision OK? or are the lenses coated ?

I believe the lenses are coated - I don’t use a rear add on for Nv so I’m afraid I can’t comment…

 

[gixer1]

Glad you like it mate, picked mine up to go on the 243 that never happened so now sitting on the hmr and it's a great optic for the price!! The only downside can be the spring erector tube / gas porting nub on the saddle underside. With one piece mounts it can foul them as well as low mounts and fouling the rail. Frustrating as that nub could be made shorter by the manufacturer.

Looking forward to your after action report

Yes, I actually saw one vid where someone ground the nub off! it’s apprently for the purging.

I have it in the vortex rings at the minute but it will go in the Arken 20 MOA rail when they become available again.

 

[gixer1]

Here’s a review comparing to a Nightforce -

 

[gixer1]

Another review -

 

[gixer1]

I was trying to find a bad review before I bought one and the only thing I could find was some nugget talking about dropping it from a helicopter as nightforce apprently had a scope function after that….i don’t think I’ll be dropping mine from a helicopter! And one of the reviews above the guy did do a 10ft drop test…

I hate the fact that I put it side by side with my Nightforce and my eyes prefer the Ep5 reticle…this scope may end up on my full bore target rifle yet!

 

[DVS1]

do these work with rear add on night vision OK? or are the lenses coated ?

These work VERY well with Pard007s and IR laser, I believe they are coated lenses and in my experience not all coated lenses have a negative effect. My S&B PM2 can see way out past I want to shoot. I'll see if I can host some footage for you

 

[gixer1]

One minor issue - the scope and turrets are a bit “chunky”…fitted it on the rifle and put it in my cabinet and noticed it needs to be rotated to fit in….

 

[DVS1]

It's definitely a scope on steroids!

The zero stop is also one of the easiest I've seen in a long while

 

[DVS1]

70m Rabbit & Arken

Should be a video

 

[DVS1]

Rabbit & Arken

 

[gixer1]

70m Rabbit & Arken

Should be a video

That’s pretty clear! What level of magnification do you run it on and does the light drop off the higher you magnify it?

 

[DVS1]

If I remember right the Arken is at 7 or 8 mag and the Pard is at 2x so in total 14 or 16 mag. My old eyes need it for the floating dot lol

You can crank it up pretty high with minimal light loss. I once sat watching a snoozing fox at 25x on PM2 and 2x on Pard so a total of 50x mag at 130m and still have good definition so I'd expect the Arken to be similar or better to be fair

 

[ASHCROFT9491]

Yes, I actually saw one vid where someone ground the nub off! it’s apprently for the purging.

I have it in the vortex rings at the minute but it will go in the Arken 20 MOA rail when they become available again.

I have one of these sat new in box if any help ?
Arken Optics Rigid Precision Cantilever Rifle Scope Mount 0MOA
SKU: ARKEN-ARL-34

 

[gixer1]

I have one of these sat new in box if any help ?
Arken Optics Rigid Precision Cantilever Rifle Scope Mount 0MOA
SKU: ARKEN-ARL-34

Hi Ashcroft is it the 20 MOA one?

 

[Utectok]

@gixer1 let me know how you get on with this seriously thinking of one on my spare rifle.