Arken EP5 at Shot Show

[MoondogIndustries]

https://youtu.be/EoIkzfxJc-Q

I was fortunate to be able to get an early look at Arken's newest scope at Shot Show 2022. They are really hard to get right now, there is a 4-6 week delay. But from what I've seen, it's well worth waiting for. Arken's EP4 and and SH4 scopes have earned an almost cult status among budget build long-distance shooters. Not surprising, since those scopes rival Vortex in features and glass quality for less than $600.

:: Originally published on my blog https://moondogindustries.com/shot-s...22-arken-ep-5/ ::

[sigstroker]

https://youtu.be/mgBMM3AoIM0

I was fortunate to be able to get an early look at Arken's newest scope at Shot Show 2022. They are really hard to get right now, there is a 4-6 week delay. But from what I've seen, it's well worth waiting for.

Arken's EP4 and and SH4 scopes have earned an almost cult status among budget build long-distance shooters. Not surprising, since those scopes rival Vortex in features and glass quality for less than $600.

:: Originally published on my blog https://moondogindustries.com/shot-s...22-arken-ep-5/ ::

From what I've heard the $500 SH4 rivals a $500 Vortex. The EP4 was better because of Japanese glass, but they've always been hard to get and wait times are long.

T-rex seems to be in the bag for Arken. He admits to getting paid, but the way he talks about them, it looks like he's getting paid a LOT.

[n8vrmind]

EP4's lenses are said to be sourced from Japan, but Arken scopes are still assembled in China. Not surprised given its economy price point. I suspect it is the same for EP5.

[Munny$hot]

The Arken line didn't cut it for me as far as edge as well as over all color/clarity. Also to illumination is extremely disappointing. The durability doesn’t hold up to a lot of abuse, which is the reason I passed on Arken optics. IMHO sepnd the extra 150-200 and get a PST Gen2.

[Ki6vsm]

I don't think that Arken ever said the SH4's glass was Japanese. First I'm hearing of it anyway. Even now their website doesn't mention it. If it was Japanese glass I don't think they'd be concealing the fact. And I recall that the older EP4 was said to have "ED glass", but I don't think they mentioned the origin.

This new model, the EP5, is being made a big deal of by them for having "Japanese ED glass!". Sounds like it's the first of their models to use Japan-sourced glass.

Anyway, I just received the shipping notice on mine. I'll have to see it for myself. Will it be as good as the Japanese ED glass that's in my (also Chinese built) Athlon Ares 3-18x.

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[MoondogIndustries]

From what I've heard the $500 SH4 rivals a $500 Vortex. The EP4 was better because of Japanese glass, but they've always been hard to get and wait times are long.

T-rex seems to be in the bag for Arken. He admits to getting paid, but the way he talks about them, it looks like he's getting paid a LOT.

Really?! Thanks for that info. So far my channel is way too small for any company to offer me any sweet lucre. haha!

I'm hoping to get a hold of an EP4 or EP5 this year to test out and compare against my Diamondback Tac.

[n8vrmind]

https://youtu.be/GXHV5qFuwzc

[Ki6vsm]

Yeah, we have to take all these YouTube "influencers" and their words of enthusiasm with a grain of salt. I ordered my EP5 weeks ago, as soon as I saw it was backorderable. Just out of curiosity. Then all these glowing vids started dropping over the last few days finally.

I just figure, we'll see about that. I do like Panther Hollow's comments about bullet trace. I figure, if I can see it with my $600 Japanese 25x spotting scope, I will be satisfied if I the EP5 is at least that good.

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[Cali-Glock]

Thanks! Good video.

I picked up a EP4 on sale last month (it is still in the box) to throw on a 6.5CM AR10.

[Ki6vsm]

I picked up a EP4 on sale last month (it is still in the box) to throw on a 6.5CM AR10.

Did you mean an SH4? I think the EP4 has been sold out for quite a while.

[Ki6vsm]

Just got my EP5 today. Took it out of the box and checked it out for 5-10 minutes with it sitting on top of a padded hog saddle. (I'm not putting in rings just yet.) My initial impression is... it's weird. The parallax adjustment is way off from the marked distances. Like, wayyyy off.

After adjusting the diopter to see a nice, crisp reticle, I looked at houses on a ridge 1400 yards away. I have to turn the parallax to between "100" and 200" to bring it into its sharpest view. If I crank the parallax beyond 200 it becomes very out of focus again. And the adjustment numbers go way beyond that. There's 500, 1000, and then infinity. I don't now what this thing's suppose to focus on at those numbers. The moon?

Also, it seems like I have to do a lot of correction with the diopter when changing magnifications from low to high. I'm not used to having to do that so much. For example, I can dial it in for a sharp reticle at 8-10x, but then when I zoom to 20x or more, the reticle becomes blurry.

I put it back in the box, then took out my Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x and looked through it and it was like Ahhhhh.... That's better! This scope makes sense to me! I had not trouble getting and keep sharp focus and clear image at 1400 yds, then zooming out to 3x. (Even though at 3x the reticle is almost impossibly small.) And its parallax setting was what it should be for ultra long distance: between "500" and infinity.

I might pull the Arken out of the box again tomorrow morning and try to have a look at some other structures farther away, like 2500-2800 yds that I can see from my yard. Not that I own anything that can shoot that far. I'm just curious at this point. This scope could be going back to Arken for a refund. I really wanted to like this thing. And the turrets are amazing.

[Ki6vsm]

Well, I spend a little more time with this EP5 scope this morning. Had it on a more stable surface. Seems like the diopter focus is pretty stable across magnifications, so it must have just been me trying to fumble with it yesterday on the teetery tripod mount. And kinda looking toward the setting sun too. I was looking at homes and other structures 2500+ yards away.

However, the parallax adjustment numbering is definitely an issue. And I'm not the only person to comment on it. A couple of new EP5 owners in this forum (and snipershide as well) remarked on it as well:

https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/arken-ep5-5-25x56-ffp-mil-vpr-review.4054609/

Most descriptive is this post:

"Mine has an issue where the image focus is way off from what the parallax knob says. I've got a 2700 yard view across my lake out the back and my parallax knob puts the opposite side [of the lake] in focus on the 200 yard setting. I'm going to test out tomorrow morning if the reticle is stable at that range and setting. If it is its not a problem. 200 yards on the dial becomes my infinity. Won't be able to tell until I mount it. I will contact Arken to talk about it too."

As said a few times, I noticed the same thing. Anything beyond "200" or so is out of focus even at extreme long ranges. This means that over 50% of the parallax adjustment is useless. Kind of weird. You'd think they would have tested it this feature before going into production. And that some of these "influencers" would have been conscientious enough to mention it.

It's nothing more than a rumor at this point, but I read somewhere that the parallax knob/turret (and maybe the illumination as well) on the EP5 is the same as the one they use on the current EP4. If true this could explain it. The knob might not necessarily calibrate correctly with EP5's different internal components.... and they hoped no one would care too much.

Damn shame. I know it's possible to forget about the numbering and just go by focus and parallax. But it's kind of like buying a car that you think has seven speeds, because the shift knob shows seven speeds. Then you find out that speeds "6" and "7" cannot be found; the gearbox actually tops out at "5". Sure the car's totally drivable, but then you have to look at that dumb mislabeled shifter all the time.

So I'm torn. The glass seems pretty nice; I can't compare it to the SH4 though. Never looked through one of those. I don't think the glass is as good as my Athlon's. But too be fair, the Athlon is a $1000 Chinese scope with Japanese glass. I kinda feel like returning this scope and just waiting a while to see if there is an EP5 Gen 2 that comes out to correct this weirdness with the parallax.

Damn though, the turrets on the Arken are awesome. They are a real pleasure to use. Great feel.

[MoondogIndustries]

Well, I spend a little more time with this EP5 scope this morning. Had it on a more stable surface. Seems like the diopter focus is pretty stable across magnifications, so it must have just been me trying to fumble with it yesterday on the teetery tripod mount. And kinda looking toward the setting sun too. I was looking at homes and other structures 2500+ yards away.....

So I'm torn. The glass seems pretty nice; I can't compare it to the SH4 though. Never looked through one of those. I don't think the glass is as good as my Athlon's. But too be fair, the Athlon is a $1000 Chinese scope with Japanese glass. I kinda feel like returning this scope and just waiting a while to see if there is an EP5 Gen 2 that comes out to correct this weirdness with the parallax.

Damn though, the turrets on the Arken are awesome. They are a real pleasure to use. Great feel.

I'd send it back along with a copy of your post explaining the issue with the faulty infinity focus. Arken's staff at the booth seemed easy to talk to and honestly want to make their products the best. If you didn't the free scope ring package, it's worth it to return it and buy it again and just to get the package free using CYCLOPS coupon code.

https://youtu.be/LEgpIY1tXaQ

[Ki6vsm]

Thanks MoonDog. Doing some more reading, and this issue with the Parallax seems to be widspread. I'm sure that Arken has gotten calls. I guess this issue falls into the category of being quirk more than a defect. Most people seem satisfied to ignore the labeling on the knob and just go by what works. Probably the sensible approach, given the nature and price of this particular scope.

I can say that, when looking through it yesterday morning, it was easy to adjust the scope so that the image was absent of parallax shift at 2000+ yards. The adjustment clearly does its job fine, and that's all that matters.

Kind of interesting that their last "premier" scope, the EP4, had no numbers on its parallax knob. I bet they're wishing now they'd kept that with the EP5. This issue is sticking out now as the one little gripe people are having.

Maybe they'll come up with an adhesive overlay with more realistic demarcations. For people who really hate it. LOL

[MoondogIndustries]

Paralax focus ranges seem to be a problem across many brands. Many brands have now completely done away with markings for range in paralax except for minimum distance and infinity.

Its because of physical realities of the lenses, because apparent focus/sharpness of paralax is also changed by magnification/power and user's ocular focus setting.