Arken EP 5 5-25x56

I'm looking for a long rang scope with glass that is good enough to self spot bullet trace and dials accurately beyond 1000 for a MTU barreled .260. I was looking in the under $2000 range.

My initial knee jerk reaction is skepticism regarding this scopes overall quality. I have never held one, looked through it, or had any personal experience with it. The saying that often holds true that if it seems too good to be true then it is too good to be true. I have seen a lot of reviews that make me very tempted to try it.
Any one with personal experience with it? I'm looking for any negatives to balance all of the opinions of people making money on reviews.

I've shot quite a few. I wouldn't say I've used them extensively, but have at least a few hundred rounds through them on other folks guns.

They're price point optics intended to capitalize on the growing long range shooting sport. They have a nice feature set for tactical style long range competitions and good enough glass. There's a lot of variability in them. Optically some are much worse in similar conditions than others. They're fine for what they are, but they're nothing more than the price would leave you to believe.

In addition to incentivising reviewers financially I would guess they cherry pick their best scopes to give reviewers. I have no evidence to prove that, but it's pretty common to do that in just about every industry with variability in manufacturing.

They're definitely better than a the bottom of the barrel long range optics out there. To someone who's never used a high end scope they probably seem pretty great.

For someone on a tight budget they're not a terrible choice. Most lower mid range scopes, like the 800+ price point, will perform much better. Most $2000 scopes will be head and shoulders above any Arken sope I've seen, especially if you go used.

I own several of them and am not an incentivized reviewer. I think they're great, the glass at all powers is clear and if there are any issues the customer service is top notch. I would highly recommend them for those of us that can't spend thousands of dollars on a scope. I see no difference between them and scopes that cost double.

The EP5 is a great optic for it's price point and will give you the features you are looking for, but for a under $2k budget, I would move up to the Athlon Chronus BTR Gen II, my eyes prefer it over my Leupold MK5. Seeing steel targets at distance is much easier with it. It is extremely clear, the dials are precise and provide a lot of feedback when turning.

For me this choice really starts at budget. If you have a 2000 budget than you have lots of options. I have 4 Arkens, SH2, EPL, EP, but we also have SIG, Athlon, and Leupold up to a mark 6. Below $1000 Arken 100%. Very good glass, support, all ours have been past 1000 yards in Florida heat. Even to say get one to start then upgrade later to your dream optics. Once you pass 1500 glass, quality, and support should be there for most manufacturers. For me it then is about eye strain. Sitting behind the glass for extended times, mirage, image detail. My eyes really like Leupold glass, and my Sig Tango. I can sit on them for extended times without finding my eyes getting tired. My son is a Nightforce guy. IF you can find someone to let you try some even like a spotter at the range. You won't know until you try them in a situation. I am about to order 2 more Arkens. For hunting inside 500 yards it is all I will ever need.

I have installed Arken scopes on several customers guns. They seem to be pretty decent scopes for the money. I agree with Jamie, the Athlon scopes are much better quality for the money. I have an Athlon 5-25x56 on my Weatherbee Vanguard .300 WM, and have had zero issues with it. It is as clear and holds zero as well as my Zeiss and Steiner scopes.

I've acquired many many vortex viper PST gen 1 and gen 2 scopes. They retail around $1000. I have a nightforce ATACR retails for $2300. I've got Zeiss and a couple Swaro that retail around $1000-1300. I've had 2 Athlons innthe $600 range (don't remember the models). I now have 4 Arkens in the barn. My honest feedback is that for my type.of weekend targets put to 1250 yds, the feature set and accuracy of the tracking on all the Arkens far out-weigh the slightly better glass that the $1000+ models bring. I definately believe that they are better than the Athlons in the same price range.

Bottom line is that you can always find something to spend more money on, and get some noticeable improvements. However, if budget is at a consideration, I think you owe it to yourself to give them a try. Look at it like this....if you spend the $450 and don't like it it does t cost you $450. It cost you the $50-80 hit you might take to sell it to someone who likes it more than you. You won't know until you try.

Lastly, many people focus on what is better than what. I think you have to ask yourself what does a particular piece of equipment 'not do' for you....if that is a no-go for you...move up.

i have two Arken EP5 5X25X56 and one EP5 GEN2 7X35X56 they are great scopes but not 4000 dollars scopes. the support is great. Iam comparing them to my NF scopes.

I have both athlon and Arken and the Arken is much better for me. It takes a beating and is very precise when dialing. Lots of testing.

Every comment about ARKEN always gravitates it is good for the money - that is not the same as ARKEN is good. If I was on a $2000 budget I would seek out a used Vortex Razor Gen 3 6-36 and even be prepared to bump budget to $2200-$2400. I have been in the same situation where I could not afford another new Vortex Razor Gen 3 so I bought a like new Vortex Razor Gen 2 4.5-27 for $1500.

For under $2000 - I suggest that used Vortex Razor Gen 2 is the buy.

ARKEN is a good scope period.

I wound up with an EP5 as a bit of experiment. Besides being a boat anchor for weight the dang thing surprises me everytime I use it. I am very pleased with the performance so far. Tracking test shows it at .9815 and has been repeatable and return zero is spot on. On 25x there is bit of optical clarity and focus loss. I notice it shooting paper for zero or load development. Moving out to distance shooting I have not noticed any real negatives, coatings are fine, color is fine, clarity is fine. Overall it seems like this scope punches way above its weight.

When it comes to scopes the market is very perfect: with rare exceptions, as the price increases so does clarity and quality. Consequently, I always look for discounts and deals with a good discount when I am shopping for a new scope. Right now, Midway has a fantastic deal on Steiner scopes that are blemished or refurbished. 30% off, so, for example you can pick up a $2,000 scope for $1,400, The glass on these scopes is fantastic and they come with the full Steiner lifetime warranty.

I've got a arken on a 300rum for testing . The glass is OK at best and tends to look OK till your up on the top of the power then you get some blurry edges. If 2k is your budget there are a tremendous amount of better scopes . Nightforce nx8, trijicon ten mile, are just a few. Just remember you can't shoot what you can't see .