Thinking about an Arken with the sale they've got going, but don't want a reticle that's to thin and hard to see. Wondering how it compares to the Helos, which I really like.
Arken vs Athlon Helos reticle size
- Thread starter h2okenny
- Start date
That depends not just on the actual size of the reticle, but on the magnification range....
Which Arken and Helos are you considering? I assume FFP?
Matthias
Which Arken and Helos are you considering? I assume FFP?
Matthias
Upvote 0
Kenny,
so we're comparing:
●Athlon Helos 4-20x50 FFP
vs.
●Arken SH2 Gen. 2 6-24x50 FFP
Reticle thickness (main line):
●Helos: 0.05mil (0.17moa)
●Arken: 0.03mil (0.10moa)
A thinner reticle (Arken) means that the FFP reticle will appear "smaller" at the highest magnification.
This seems to be a pretty significant difference.
And when I look at other 6-24x scopes I have in my database, the Arken is thinner than the average:
1x 0.10mil (0.34moa)
4x 0.05mil (0.18moa)
1x 0.045mil (0.15moa)
4x 0.04mil (0.13moa) (rounded)
3x 0.03mil (0.10moa) (rounded) ➔=Arken
1x 0.025mil (0.08moa)
2x 0.02mil (0.07moa)
Magnification range:
●Helos: 5-fold (5 x 4 = 20)
●Arken: 4-fold (4 x 6 = 24)
A larger range (5-fold) means that the FFP reticle will have to get "streched farther" than a scope with less range (4-fold) — e.g., thinner at the bottom end of the magnification, and thicker at the top end — provided that the reticle lines are the same thickness (which is not the case with Helos vs. Arken).
The Arken has a 25ft minimum parallax!
The Arken has a 34mm tube.
That allows a (for a 6-24x) very high maximum elevation adjustment of 110moa.
At 36.6oz it's rather on the heavy side.
Hope this helps in your scope shopping decision!
I'll attach my Scope Specs Table for scopes 6-24x and 5-30x (a few 4-20x are mixed in).
Matthias
Attachment:
Scope Specs Table 6-24x | 5-30x | 4-20x | 4-24x
View attachment SCOPE Specs Table. For 6-24x (5-25x) or 5-30x or 4-20x.pdf
so we're comparing:
●Athlon Helos 4-20x50 FFP
vs.
●Arken SH2 Gen. 2 6-24x50 FFP
Reticle thickness (main line):
●Helos: 0.05mil (0.17moa)
●Arken: 0.03mil (0.10moa)
A thinner reticle (Arken) means that the FFP reticle will appear "smaller" at the highest magnification.
This seems to be a pretty significant difference.
And when I look at other 6-24x scopes I have in my database, the Arken is thinner than the average:
1x 0.10mil (0.34moa)
4x 0.05mil (0.18moa)
1x 0.045mil (0.15moa)
4x 0.04mil (0.13moa) (rounded)
3x 0.03mil (0.10moa) (rounded) ➔=Arken
1x 0.025mil (0.08moa)
2x 0.02mil (0.07moa)
Magnification range:
●Helos: 5-fold (5 x 4 = 20)
●Arken: 4-fold (4 x 6 = 24)
A larger range (5-fold) means that the FFP reticle will have to get "streched farther" than a scope with less range (4-fold) — e.g., thinner at the bottom end of the magnification, and thicker at the top end — provided that the reticle lines are the same thickness (which is not the case with Helos vs. Arken).
The Arken has a 25ft minimum parallax! The Arken has a 34mm tube.
That allows a (for a 6-24x) very high maximum elevation adjustment of 110moa.
At 36.6oz it's rather on the heavy side.
Hope this helps in your scope shopping decision!
I'll attach my Scope Specs Table for scopes 6-24x and 5-30x (a few 4-20x are mixed in).
Matthias
Attachment: Scope Specs Table 6-24x | 5-30x | 4-20x | 4-24x
View attachment SCOPE Specs Table. For 6-24x (5-25x) or 5-30x or 4-20x.pdf
Upvote 0
I got the FFP Helos in the 34 mm tube It kicks ass, I have had to sell some of my SFP hawke scopes because the reticle was so fine I could not see it, Never seen a Arken scope but would love to try one some day , All seven of my high end PCPs have FFP scopes and I love seeing the reticle when I shoot.
Mike
Mike
Upvote 0
Thanks for the replies guys. I just sold a Vector Optics that I really liked, but the reticle was difficult for me to see in dim light. I have Athlon Talos and Helos scopes in ffp and really like them. Sounds like the Arken isn't a good fit for me between the weight and, more importantly, thinner reticle.
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I have two Arken SH4 6-25X50 and an Athlon Helos BTR Gen 2 6-24X56. I compared them side-by-side and judge them pretty darn close as far as weight, turrets, reticle and optical quality. If you were to nit-pick, I think the optics and reticle on the Helos are MARGINALLY better. The Athlon's reticle is completely illuminated while the Arken only lights up the center part. Finally, the Arken focuses down to 25 yards vs. 10 for the Athlon. For most of us, that's no big deal. I think it boils down to the price. THe Helos will cost you $599 or more while the Arken currently on sale is a whale of a bargain at $299 with the opportunity to get the accessory pack including rings, scope caps and other stuff. You can buy two Arkens for the price of an Athlon and honestly, I don't think you will regret it.
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Thanks jps. It's great to hear from someone that has both. The deal Arken has going is hard to pass up. You've changed my mind. Think I'll give one a try. That $300 price tag is just to appealing.
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