I've got 3 Arken lenses, the cheaper ones I think. They're better than I am, and a fantastic value point. It's good to see that even a very proficient shooter like yourself agrees. Thank you for the awesome videos!

I bought the EP5 after watching Paramount Tactical’s review. It works great for what it is. I just spent a weekend on a Nightforce ATacr. There is an obvious difference in clarity but for 3000.00 less I can’t complain about the performance of the EP5. Best value I’ve com across

I've been running the SH4 Gen2 for about 2 years now on my 6.5 Creedmor and have shot it out to 1600 yards. I have been very pleased with that scope. I didnt have a lot of money to start long range shooting with and this fit the bill perfectly. Very satisfied with that scope.

Just bought an EP5. Yes, it’s One Heavy Optic! But, For the difference in Price, I’m more than Happy with it! I couldn’t Believe you could get an Optic for this amount of money, with Everything it will Do! Thanks! Great Video

Best review yet. I have 7 of them. Their customer service is top shelf..thank you

Fantastic review! You have a top-tier radio/commentator voice! Also, your very calm and friendly demeanor makes me trust what you are saying. Additionally, I really appreciate you being mindful of people's time and not dragging this out. Keep up the great work!

I put the ep5 on my 338 lapua, and love it. Getting the sh4 soon for my 22lr. and another ep5 for my 223. I have a razor HD 5-20 on my 284 and i love it, but after getting behind the arken at 500 bucks, i find it REALLY hard to spend the extra money on more expensive scopes these days.

Upon your recommendation, I've just ordered this optic. I found your review to be extremely helpful in this matter. I have always valued your opinion on all of your optics reviews. I personally have been a primary arms fan for quite some time, but I need to step out of that comfort zone and try something new. This looks like a great choice for my 6 mm arc, AR15. Thanks again, Ray. I truly appreciate all you do for the 2A community😉👊🇺🇸

I chose the EP 5 for my NRL rifle. The FOV is really better than most scopes out there. It's noticeably better than my Steiner T6Xi and my Burris XTR iii. The large fov really helps me find my next target a lot quicker, so I'll gladly sacrifice a little clarity for time saved.

Have two sh4 and one ep5 Also some others on the $800 to $1000 range scopes one is Cabela's The ep 5 is the one I prefer This gentleman is right I have no complaints for the price and he's ponts of view are accurate with my experience with arken Thank you for the review

I have both scopes, and all I could say about your conclusions is “ditto”. Great scopes for the price and fills a great niche for people wanting to shoot and are on tighter budgets. I really like your video format, giving honest real world experiences without all the BS and trying to be cute. Keep up the good work.

I’ve been running an EP5 on my Cz457 for NRL22 and it’s been a great fit. I have a few Vortex razors on my comp rifles but didn’t want to go that route for 22LR. The EP5 is impressive for the price point.

Spent more time at public ranges than I care to. Most shooters are never going to shoot over 300m based on what I've seen. "High End Glass" is wasted on most of them, a $400 scope is all they need. When the reticle in said scope does 90% of the work for them inside 300m and they still miss torso sized targets at 200m it is both ironic and amusing. Long range shooting is largely A money pit. I don't hunt but even if I did I'm going to have A miniscule chance to even take an over 200m shot, where hunting is legal around here there is simply not that much open ground.

I'm impressed with arken all around, awesome optics for the cost and they outperform a lot of optics that cost $800+. It's been scientifically proven that the sh4/sh4j were far more accurate in terms of reticle tracking than big name brands that were $500, $900, $1500 and $2500 optics. Very impressive

Got a SH4 last year with the combo pack. Very satisfied as it performs better than my experience since I just started shooting at longer ranges. Does great out to 800 yards on my Savage 110.

Just found your channel. I really enjoyed the way you presented this video. Thorough, informative, and extremely well done! I'm 69. I've shot long range with my Savage Model 12 LRP in 6.5 Creedmoor, with a Vortex Razor HD 5-20X50 with the EBR-2B MOA Reticle. It's first gen, but I've been to a thousand with it, without issue. I'v been happy with that set up for the price invested. It works for me. I also shoot a Springfield Armory M1A National match that I added an Archangel stock to. The M1A has a much, much less expensive Sightmark Citadel 3-18x50 scope with an Mrad reticle mounted on it. It works fine out to 500 yards, then the image gets quite hazy. I'm about to retire and I'm budget conscious. I've been looking at the Arken Optics EP-5 to replace the Sightmark. The closest long range I go to maxes out at 800 yards, which is fine for my old eyes. I may give the EP-5 a try. After watching many videos on this subject, I enjoyed you and Texas Plinking the most. Thank you so much for your time and effort in making such a fine video. It made me hit the subscribe button.

The only problem I have had with Arken, and I am not the only one, is the turrets get loose because the set screws back out from vibration. So, Arken tech support suggested Vibra Tite VC3, which does seem to work.

I've been very happy with both of mine. I have the 5-25x56 EP5 and a 4-16x50 SH4 gen 2.

Just took my EP5 out on my DD Delta 5 pro both for the first time today. I loved both. I hit every target after getting it dialed from 100 to 700 yards without any effort.

Did not initially notice the "J" as a new SH4 until i visited the website 10 days after originally viewing your review.

Good honest review with clear objective understanding. Thank you.

Here is my take after owning 2 of them. All thing being equal price point they fit a budget friendly option for long range shooting. The adjustment in the turret is the best thing going for this scope. It tracks completely. It holds true so far. I have one for over a year now and run the turret a lot. I'm a hunter that loves to shoot long range. My wife tells me I'm more of a shooter that likes to go hunting and reloading and tinkering with loads is my thing trying to get them to shoot well out to 1000 yards. So the scope tracks and hold true both of them. Haven't had an issue. With that said the glass is the big issue. I've seen clearer Tesco scopes. You have to consistently adjust the eyepiece focus at ranges along with the parallax. Actually the 4x16x50 30mm tube anything over 200 yards just set the parallax to infinity. Its almost the same on the SH4. The optic quality is not at all what I expected. I had a lower end 4x18 Redfield and its much clearer than both of these. I just don't trust the turret adjustments on it anymore. I have 2 vortex HSLR and they are hands down way better optics that have flawlessly tracking turrets. I have 2 Zeiss conquest that have the best optics out of everything I own and the turrets on them track flawlessly. I was hoping for more when I bought the second one due to reviews and all the hype that I bought into. No you don't need to spend just as much on your scope as you did on your rifle but you do need descent optics. I wont buy another. I will buy Vortex, Zeiss, a much higher end Bushnell something that can track, and has respectable optic quality . For me when looking at what most consider budget scopes that track well I would not go any thing less than my HSLR's anymore since I've been bitten twice now. I need to be able to see the targets and not have to move every knob on the scope to do it. When seconds count when taking long range shots I need my scope to be able to focus and focus by only adjusting the parallax knob not the eyepiece and back and forth. This is just my experience with them and once I save up some more money again I will get what I need and sale the others or just keep them on my plinkers. They would be good for my 22 long rifle or a short range gun. Just my take. That my rant on the optics. Now are they durable scopes very much. I weigh 290 and took a hard spill with my sh4 last year on the side of of a slop. I use a backpack that holds my rifle but not exposed. Its an EBERLESTOCK backpack one of there large packs. I did not hit directly on the scope but I did roll over it. I checked zero and it was still on and took another shot at a rock at 500 and still holding true. My son nocked it over in my reloading room this year when we were cleaning and the next outing no issue. So that aspect hold up good. They are tough and track, just not optically clear. For me I need also an optically clearer scope. That my biggest issue and anything past 700 starts to look gritty where my vortex and Zeiss does not. Took it out today and was shooting. Tracking is still great but side by side comparison with the vortex and it much clearer at long distance looking through the vortex. Also I never touched my eye piece focus on my vortex. I had to adjust the eye piece on the arken and the paralex was set to infinity to get somewhat of a clear picture.

I built a new rifle and didn't have enough in my budget for an expensive scope. I stumbled on the SH4. I LOVED it! I then picked up a Vortex Stike Eagle. I immediately regretted it. The Arken controls are amazing. The zero stop doesn't consume any travel in the turrets. I want the EP5.

Dang it Ray! Don't let everyone know how good they are so they raise their prices on us! Great review man, I've got 2 of them and they punch way higher than their price point. I wish the new lpvo had a better reticle option though.

I recently bought 2 of the EPL4s 6x24x50. I like them. Use them on 17 hm2 Rimfires. You review of Arken scopes very logical. Can’t say that about all the rest. Thanks for sharing.

Picked up an EP5 last year for my "budget" PRS build in 308 win. 2 seasons down and a couple hunting trips, it's held up fantastic. I really like how positive and tactile the turrets are, the glass is pretty good, especially for its price point. I think it's a great option for someone looking to get into PRS or NRL but can't afford/ justify 2500+ on a Razor or NF.

I’ve had an EP5 for a little less than a year. It ended up being one of my favorite scopes and the glass looks better than a couple other brands I have that are 2-2.5x the cost. I would say with the features and clarity of the glass even at higher magnifications this is the best scope for the price point I know of. Kudos to you for reviewing these since I know you usually stick to the high end stuff.

I really like this guy videos content and presentation. Clean and right on spot! Great job!

I've got a SH4 G2 on my .308. the farthest I've taken it is 600. Thanks for confirming that I'm the problem 😉👍

Great review, I appreciate your honesty and candor. I love these scopes for the price, unbeatable

I bought an EP-5 for my precision AR-15 so my friend could shot in a PRS beginners match. The Arken did not disappoint. They also support the PRS community which is another plus…

I enjoy your content and appreciate your honesty in this video. However, after owning 2 Arkens, I wasn't as impressed as I'd hoped I would be. The EP5 was better than the SH4, but neither performed as well for me as the Bushnell Match Pro ED or Vortex Strike Eagle, which are similarly priced. The biggest issue I had with the Arkens was that the parallax function didn't work properly. Another issue I only had with the Arken was after dialing 20 Mil, the image clarity was almost nonexistent at magnifications over 16X. This is just one man's experience. Take care, and thanks for the video.

I have 2 Arken scopes and I absolutely agree with your results. My Arkens are over 2 years old and they are bulletproof.

I started with three of their optics, the two you have here and then I also ordered their 1-8. Then a couple of weeks ago I ordered another 1-8 plus their new thermal/IR as well to take advantage of their huge sale and before their price hike, I also ordered my mounts and rings as well as flip-up covers from them just b/c the price was right. I also have optics from S&B, VX, LEUPOLD, NF, STEINER, PA, BUSHNELL, TJ, ATN and SS. I think I got them all, didn't leave anybody out. I am glad I found your review on Arken.

Last we spoke... you were having issues with .22 mags, and I rewrote another cad/cam file in Mastercam and it fixes those problems 100%... and then that night my father passed... and within the same week I received results from testing back and was already Stg.4 when diagnosed. So eons later... my last chemo was yesterday. We look to be out of the woods it seems... time will tell. All that started when I found you, lol... everything else stood at a standstill and we are out of fields of attorneys with our business being rolled into just mine now... I look to renewal of our friendship and getting back to what we both do! Talk to you soon with more time hopefully now on the horizon... oh the Caracal goods have been a question that I soon would like to do some items with. I also remember back in the Fogg of the previous timeline... I viewed a video in which you were thanking someone who had expressed concerns about you...? Look to hearing more. Ray, I have numerous ideas about the same things we share... hope we shed the rough waters, and are back doing what we love! Respectfully, Seth

Thanks for a good review of these good bang for the buck scopes. I have friends who are hard to convince to spend even this level of money. Your information confirms what other trusted sources have said. But, with your experience, Ray. I will use it as a solid review from someone the competitive shooting community respects.

Great info, because I picked up the sh4 gen2 last week, for a buckthirty. Thanks for taking the time to present this info to us.

Thanks for your detailed info-clip and yes, I have the SH-J4 and no, have not used it to get an idea how to work with it or how to use all the options it offers. Take care and try to stay out of trouble!

For whatever it is worth, I trust your review more than anyone else's. I would love to hear a regular customer's review on their experience buying the optic from Arken from start to finish, because it seems to me, not real smooth, like other processes.

I'm an optical engineer. Everything gets full "multi-coating" it takes about 5 minutes longer and cost an extra $1-10 per lot does triple the lights loss reduction. For years I could assure everyone that the glass is all polished in China, if it's Schott (US/Germany) or Ohara (Japan) glass... It was still done in China. Now that might vary. Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, maybe even S. Korea are all possibilities. A lot of the European stuff is Eastern Europe. However, your eyes aren't good enough to tell the difference. We do high end stuff stateside but rarely will anything I make make it into a consumer product. Mechanics are another story. Made here is made better, but not by a lot and the price difference is small. Assembly... No big preference. You do want American owned though because that means US designers, probably. Or Eastern Europe for some reason.

Ray - good topic for a review. I think shooters always want to be inclusive, bringing people to guns in general, and long range shooting in particular. It can be intimidating watching you shoot because for the most part you use top-shelf equipment as well as being a gifted shooter. But a lot of your viewers likely don't fall into either category. They may be average shooters with smaller incomes. So it is always a good idea to show people there is equipment available that will allow them to enjoy, possibly compete, but still stay on a budge so as not to incur the wrath of an irate spouse. I've had the opportunity to shoot friend's rifles topped with Arkens. Each time I thought they were more than adequate. I had no complaints with the scopes themselves, and considering the price point was very pleased. Thanks for calling out the nitpickers who rag on lower price optics for not being as good as the best glass available. You made the right point. You want the best - then buy the best.

For the price they're great. My biggest complaint is the eye box is tight and the reticle on the 4-18 is a little to fine for my old eyes, but it works.

Thank you Ray for this review. I have been riding the fence with these for a while now. I’ve got some good optics, but only a couple. I have a real need to upgrade several of my older ones and really don’t want to spend several thousand dollars in the process.

I own several and they're great. Thanks for the optimistic perspective and just good straight fwd non biast content. Appreciate you're opinion and will definitely continue to watch your channel. Best wishes from West TN

Thank you once again. Just ordered a SH-4J today for my 223 rifle. I have a EP5 as well on a 308 rifle. Which I like for the price point. Had four SH-4s with the Chinese glass. Sold them all because I didn’t like the glass. I made money on one. Broke about even on the others. To expensive to have Vortex Razors on every rifle.

Arken is some good glass. My only issue with them is they are so Heavy!! Be sure and check out the weight and dimension specs before making your decision to purchase. Thanks for a great video!

Just found this channel i respect your reviews and also find them very easy to watch as i view 100 of gun vids and reviews and you have a very good camera presence plus a welcoming voice and trust me that matters bc i have to skip alotta vids like this

I've been watching your channel for a while and just subscribed because I appreciate honesty thanks for the videos.

Got the EP-5 on top of my NRL CZ455. The 56 mm lens helps the old eyes with target locating. I shoot for fun and the scopes affordability makes it possible.

I appreciate your honesty. I been following you for about a year and have learned a lot. Keep doing what you're doing.

Awesome review Ray! I have the SH4 mounted on a .223 cal Savage and I do like it a lot. I'm limited to 500 meters shooting and I have zero complaints on the scope at least out to 500m. When I ordered the Arken, they were giving away the combo pack so it was very affordable. In fact I had my brother buy the same setup and he likes it a lot too.

The arken's work, I think I like them better than my strike eagle. My experience using their customer service was pretty decent. They sent me a 34 mm mount that did not fit their 34 mm scope. It wasn't machined properly, the scope tube would not fit in the base. I sent them pictures, they sent me an RMA, and then a new mount. I might try an ep5 before I graduate from their price range, not sure if I will do that or do the Bushnell mped.

I have 2 of the SH4 and 2 of the EP5 scopes. Excellent glass for my budget and needs. I’ve never had an issue with Arken products.

Spot on review, and agree 100% with the illumination, but damn for the price you cannot go wrong and really loving my EPL-4!

I have both the Sh-4 (no-j) and the ep-5. They’ve been great out to 1000 yds in PRS club matches. Hope your heart is ticking along, I go in for my ecg and bubble test on Monday. 🤞

Very Respectful video and input Sir. I appreciate the time you put into the research.

I’m a Vortex guy, specifically the Viper PST Gen II. Still though, I think I’m going to go ahead and get the EP-5 just to test out based upon what you and the guy at Texas Plinking have said about these. Worth a try.

Great video, thanks brother! Hope all is well with you and your family🍻

Thank You for Your time and knowledge being an older shooter I do appreciate the input for us old guys Thanks again Sir

I really wanted to like the Arken SH4 scopes. I bought 4 of them a couple years back. I like the turrets a lot but felt the glass quality left quite a bit to be desired but maybe I should not have expected better at this price point. However, 3 of the scopes stopped holding windage after shooting them on .30-06 and .300 PRC rifles. I guess something in the erectors broke or came loose, not sure. I would re-zero them and they would be good for a shot or two, then the windage would drift and drift until I was out of adjustment on the knobs. It was not the mounts or rail screws being loose, it was definitely those scopes as other scopes tested on the same rifles has no problems. I discussed this with Arken who said to send them back and they would look at the issue, but my confidence in them dropped to the point I did not want to keep investing it what I decided was a less than desirable product at that point.

Ray, the EP8 is coming out the 2nd week of Sept. It's a 1-8 LPVO w/Japanese glass. Can you see if Arken would send you one when they're released? I plan to use mine for pig hunting.

Thank you, my long range shooting is with airguns, 125 yards or so, and we measure in one minute of Squirrel, well, I'm down to one minute of cork with my little .22 FX Maverick at 100 yards and with my .25 Maverick VP. As an older guy, the optics are pretty decent, I LOVE the turrets, much easier to move and to feel. I agree, the glass on the EP5 is better and it shows up when the sun is setting.. But the SH-4 isn't too bad either and you can't go wrong. When you contribute to the Navy Seal Fund you get a super good deal or at least when I bought mine they were a steal.

I think the guys complaining about these cheap optics having problems miss the point: they're meant to be perfect, just affordable.

I’ve had an EP5 new in the box for a while and with my last rifle purchased being a Savage Ultralite in 6.5PRC I’m going to use it finally. I’m sure I won’t be let down as I’ve never been let down by my NFS that I use and I’m not really expecting that type of performance from a scope that is about $2,000 less.

I agree with you. My arthritis kicks up in the cold. These turrets are fantastic!

I have a sh4 on a scar 17. No issues so far. Actually impressed at quality

Great intel here. What I’d like to see someone do is a series on entry level components that punch above their weight class as the Arkens do. Suggestions would be KRG Bravo, MDT Oryx and XRS, the Boyd’s laminated stocks, Origin actions with the interchangeable bolt heads, Howa 1500 rifles in general and prefit barrels. I started building my own guns a few years ago and have discovered that less money USUALLY means less performance but not always.

Thank you very much for a real world review on the optics. This video helped me make my decision on what optic to go with.

I have Vortex Viper PST Gen 2, Arken EP5, and Athlon Cronus BTR GEN 2 4.5-29X56. And I rank them from best to worst Athlon Cronus, Arken EP5, Vortex Viper. Love the 34mm tube on the Athlon and Arken. The glass on the Cronus is amazing, the glass on the Viper is SLIGHTLY better than the Arken, however the 34mm tube lets in much more light than the Viper, turrets are MUCH more tactile than the Viper, and the zero stop is better. I bought my Arken for $350 on sale and the Viper I bought for $900+ on sale. For

Yes I have a few of them on 308, 6.5, and 7mm and am extremely happy with them!!!!!

Thanks for the review. Finally a budget friendly scope that won’t break the bank. Have a good weekend Ray.

They’re heavy but also built like a tank. Have dropped mine on rocks a couple of times and It still held zero. Not sure I’d take mine on long hikes again but it’s a great range scope .

Im sold! ordered the EP-5. Being from China doesn't bother me. Holosun makes one the best red dots on the market. Thanks Ray!

A great cut and dry thorough review! Thank you!

I appreciate your ( plain vanilla) explanation & your upfront disclosures. In my opion you are 👍👍👍. Thank you. Also arken is veteran owned

Thank you for your intel, sir. I already have an SH-4j which I have yet to test out (impulse buy), but am torn between the EP5 and the infamous Vortex line of scopes around the same power/price point. Being ex-Military, I support the Arken brand and what they stand for, but I cannot really stay away from the EP-5 and the "Combo Pack" that Arken is offering... for a little under $700 all in. This is a SWEET deal, sure, but all I have to go on right now is other people's views on the product. Sure, I have an Arken scope, but comparing the SH-4 to the EP-5 isn't quite the same. I will test my SH-4, but the EP-5 is somewhat in a higher bracket, so thanks again for yout take on this matter!

I really like Arken scopes. I have sh-4 4-16x50 and it’s great for my .308. I will take your advice and get the EP5 for my Bergara HMR 6.5. I have an Arken EP8 coming for my Windham src .308. Sir this by far has got to be the best review I’ve seen on Arken scopes ! Thank you and I’ll keep watching your channel. Where are your training classes?

Nice reiew. I have two SH-4s and like them. Yes, they aren't perfect, but for the price, a lot better than some of the big name scopes that I've owned. Most of all, I like the brilliance of the view for my old eyes.

Ray, can you get your hands on a Bushnell Match Pro ED 5-30x56 and do the same type of review? Always a big fight on Reddit between the Arken and the Match Pro ED fanboys. I trust you for an objective and unbiased review

Well done. Thank you for quality content and production. 👌

Thank you for the review and honesty. My money only goes to Made in America. Yes it is harder. But, I am 55, and my money needs to be spent at home.

That Range is Awesome! Shooting across the valley 850-1000. What a great spot.

Awesome video! That ATX is my dream rifle.

Ive had the ep5 since it came out. Its been an absolute tank of an optic. Ive ran it on a dedicated 22lr upper and now i have it on a 6mm arc. Used it yesterday to spot for a guy that was zeroing an lpvo.

First time watcher, now subscribed. Good info, I had been looking into the arken ep5. The info you provided is the game changer to get one. Was skeptical about the price vs quality. I have a 6.5grendel ar platform so 800y will probably be my max.

I’ve had the EP5 for a few months and have been favorably impressed by it.

Great show and thanks for the info 👍👍👍👍👍

Just found this channel. Good job and appreciate your input

I put this on a 7mmRem Mag. I am not a long range guy, but hope to be able to learn on this scope. I chose MOA for learning calculations.

For young poor shooters like me these really are the best choice. I’m building a 6.5 cm now with EP5.

I was on Reddit and guys were absolutely trashing these scopes. I have the SH4 and I’ve been happy with it. I’m not too picky and it works perfect for me since I don’t shoot anything less than 400 yards anyways. Works great with my Bergara.

Another most informative video from Ray,very few do them better. It’s just a shame that You Tube messing subscribers about monetary wise. whereby a complete boycott would make them wake up. Of course no government oversight of their actions. They demonetise people left right and centre f😅r no valid reason, but continue to take the advertising income. Sheer greed.

Another great video. I enjoyed meeting you Friday at Big Ivy 1000 yd range.

Arken has change my Discovery Scope. Ever since i had that nightmare claim on that so called LIFETIME WARRANTY, I'm never buying anything from Discovery Optics ever again. Hope they get sued for having a terrible after sales. DISCOVERY OPTICS IS JUST A NIGHTMARE TO ME. LOVE EM NEW BUDGET SCOPE FROM ARKEN.

In the 90s, MKIV was king. Super Sniper was junk. Boy were we wrong! Then a small company came. "Imported junk"! That company grew up to be Nightforce. Then another small company came. "Imported junk!!" That company grew up to be Vortex!! All this time the SWFA SS line is still going strong. Now comes Arken. I'm predicting they too will grow up!!

Been running Arken since the original Ep4 came out. I need to get my hands on an Ep5 👍🏻👊😎🇺🇲

It's refreshing having other "old timers" understanding that for Sub 400 bux, it's not gonna be perfect!. I've noticed that the glass is a little different optic to optic. My friend has the sh4 and I have 2 myself. I have one that the glass is amazing. The other 2 are ok.

Spot on - I love my EP5 and SH4 but the EP5 is way better and both show their price about a half hour before sunset and beyond

I have 2 SH4s one in 4-16x50 Mil/Mil and the 6-24x50 Mil/Mil and the EP5 Mil/Mil and I am currently waiting on the EP8. I own several different Leupold MK4s and many other types of optics etc I also have a good amount of time on the MK5 and 6. FOR THE MONEY, the Arken is the best scope on the market. The place the Arken isn’t great at is it’s size and weight. Other than that it’s the bomb.

I'm using a sightron sIII ss 45 by 45. I'm very happy. I paid 1,000$. My rifle cost around 3,500+$ Speedy Gonzales did the work.