Arken SH-4

[jps2486]

Based on the good reviews by Joe Rhea, I bought an Arken SH-4 Gen II scope along with their one-piece 20 MOA scope mount. Joe was right on all counts; this is an awesome product at a price that's a bargain. These are just my impressions after taking it out of the box and examining all the features:

Pros:

Workmanship, fit, and finish
Turrets
Illuminated reticle
optical clarity
Great scope mount for the money
compact length
clear instructions on screw torque


Cons:

Weight
Weight
Weight

 

[M0ist0ne]

For a sub-$500 scope, nothing can compete with it in that price range. Yeah, it's heavy, but once you take the 34mm tube and massive turrets into consideration...good to know I can always use it as a Fred Flintstone club if I need to.

Use mine for nrl22 and love it!

 

[Mr.H]

Based on the good reviews by Joe Rhea, I bought an Arken SH-4 Gen II scope along with their one-piece 20 MOA scope mount. Joe was right on all counts; this is an awesome product at a price that's a bargain. These are just my impressions after taking it out of the box and examining all the features:

Pros:

Workmanship, fit, and finish
Turrets
Illuminated reticle
optical clarity
Great scope mount for the money
compact length
clear instructions on screw torque


Cons:

Weight
Weight
Weight

I spec'd out that scope, too. Would love to try one out, but the weight on that unit is a deal killer for me.

 

[jps2486]

Based on the good reviews by Joe Rhea, I bought an Arken SH-4 Gen II scope along with their one-piece 20 MOA scope mount. Joe was right on all counts; this is an awesome product at a price that's a bargain. These are just my impressions after taking it out of the box and examining all the features:

Pros:

Workmanship, fit, and finish
Turrets
Illuminated reticle
optical clarity
Great scope mount for the money
compact length
clear instructions on screw torque


Cons:

Weight
Weight
Weight

I spec'd out that scope, too. Would love to try one out, but the weight on that unit is a deal killer for me.

My next favrorite would be the Athlon Midas Tac, but it's $150-200 more money.

 

[Blackpaw]

@jps2486 What is the minimal focus distance. On Arken’s page it said 25 yards, which for me is a deal breaker for the gun I have ones I am planning to get. Reality though might be different than what’s published.

 

[M0ist0ne]

@jps2486 What is the minimal focus distance. On Arken’s page it said 25 yards, which for me is a deal breaker for the gun I have ones I am planning to get. Reality though might be different than what’s published.

It is unfortunately 25 yards, and you can tell it's not really its fav spot. I wish they would have gone down to 10 or 15 with the 4-16 model. 

 

[jps2486]

@jps2486 What is the minimal focus distance. On Arken’s page it said 25 yards, which for me is a deal breaker for the gun I have ones I am planning to get. Reality though might be different than what’s published.

I doubt that people will use a scope like this on lower power rifles at close ranges. I intend to mount it on a .25 or 30 cal or even a .22 for use in longer range shooting. If I were shooting FT, then that's a different story.

 

[Blackpaw]

@m0ist0ne it is weird the 4x16 only goes down to 25 yards. They are missing a big market which is the around the backyard and pesting crowd. 

 

[M0ist0ne]

@m0ist0ne it is weird the 4x16 only goes down to 25 yards. They are missing a big market which is the around the backyard and pesting crowd.

Yah, even if they had gone down to 15 yards, I'd have a 4-16 from them right now. 

 

[jps2486]

Any cheap scope will suffice for short range backyard pesting, IMO. A $500+ scope is overkill. Even a Bugbuster would work.

 

[Blackpaw]

@jps2486 I have a Vector Optics 3x12 FFP on my Taipan Vet Compact which to me I keep to 50-60 yards. Another Joe recommended scope.

 

[Airgunmann]

One of the reasons I went with gen2 helos was because it focused down to 10 yards but it to is heavy but price was good got them on sale from camera land for like 525 I think I paid ended up with 2 of them was looking at the arken also which isn't a bad choice either for the money 

 

[Cannonball]

@jps2486 What is the minimal focus distance. On Arken’s page it said 25 yards, which for me is a deal breaker for the gun I have ones I am planning to get. Reality though might be different than what’s published.

The one that I had wouldn’t focus at 25 yards, the shortest yardage I could get a clear image was right at 30. Everything else was great especially the turrets. 

 

[Cannonball]

Based on the good reviews by Joe Rhea, I bought an Arken SH-4 Gen II scope along with their one-piece 20 MOA scope mount. Joe was right on all counts; this is an awesome product at a price that's a bargain. These are just my impressions after taking it out of the box and examining all the features:

Pros:

Workmanship, fit, and finish
Turrets
Illuminated reticle
optical clarity
Great scope mount for the money
compact length
clear instructions on screw torque


Cons:

Weight
Weight
Weight

I spec'd out that scope, too. Would love to try one out, but the weight on that unit is a deal killer for me.

My next favrorite would be the Athlon Midas Tac, but it's $150-200 more money.

I remember you getting that Midas Tac. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts between the two.

 

[jps2486]

Based on the good reviews by Joe Rhea, I bought an Arken SH-4 Gen II scope along with their one-piece 20 MOA scope mount. Joe was right on all counts; this is an awesome product at a price that's a bargain. These are just my impressions after taking it out of the box and examining all the features:

Pros:

Workmanship, fit, and finish
Turrets
Illuminated reticle
optical clarity
Great scope mount for the money
compact length
clear instructions on screw torque


Cons:

Weight
Weight
Weight

I spec'd out that scope, too. Would love to try one out, but the weight on that unit is a deal killer for me.

My next favrorite would be the Athlon Midas Tac, but it's $150-200 more money.

I remember you getting that Midas Tac. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts between the two.

I compared the Midas Tac and the Arken today. I would have to give the Midas the slight edge on optical clarity and the reticle. The Arken has better turrets, wider FOV, but only focuses down to 27 yards. Considering that the Midas costs $150-200 more, I think both are worth the money. You can nit pick between the two, but they are both good scope.