Among the many brands of optics available to you now, Arken Optics is one of the more affordable options. Toting their Japanese made lenses and other great features, Arken is well known for happy customers. We’ve seen some of their other scopes before like the EP5 model, which led me to get into this Arken Optics EPL-4 6-24×50 riflescope. I was looking for a good scope that wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, it would be going on a custom rifle for a family member. It wouldn’t take long to figure out if I’d made the right selection.
Unboxing the Arken Optics EPL-4
In my experience, Arken Optics come with a pretty no nonsense kind of packaging. Everything you need and nothing you don’t. The scope included a thread-on sunshade, which I really like. As well as an inexpensive bikini lens cover. Adequate instructions and a battery for the illuminated reticle were all there. There was little needed other than a pair of rings to get this scope mounted and on the range.
For that I chose a simple pair or Warne 30mm medium rings. They set the scope close to the bore, and allowed proper eye relief for the scope. They also offer some custom flip caps for this model that I will have to get later.
A Rifle to Match
This scope would be married to a custom Remington 700 chambered in 25-06. Together I hoped they’d sing a beautiful and accurate song. Using the above mentioned rings, I mounted the scope to the picatinny rail, and adjusted it for level and eye relief. Once that was done, I torqued everything down evenly.
Then it was time to boresight the scope at the range. I centered the target in the bore of the supported rifle. And carefully adjusted the reticle to the same location. You can read more about how its done here.
It only took a few shots to get the rifle zeroed, and I was quite happy with the consistency. After shooting several groups to confirm, I set to zero the turrets of the EPL-4. This was easy following the directions. I loosened the turret set-screw, and turned the turret to zero carefully paying attention that no clicks were felt or heard. Once on zero, I retightened the set screws. The windage turret uses a hand tightened cap, that doesn’t need any tools. And it can be either capped or used openly.
Zero-stop
After checking everything for proper function, it was time to set the very easy zero stop. The stop functions using a screw that when set in place hits an internal stop, preventing the turret from being turned past zero in the down direction. The hex-bit screw is in the top of the turret, and it is secured by a second set screw that goes in the side of the turret.
You loosen the set -screw, then you can tighten the zero-stop screw in from the top until it stops. It should engage when you dial the turret down to zero, and should stop hard on zero. Once you’ve got that done, tighten the set-screw, and you are ready to go.
Field Shooting with the EPL-4
As with other Arken scopes I’ve used, I found the optical performance to be great. Considering the price of these scopes I think they punch above their weight. Using the scope in the big country of the Rocky Mountains gave ample opportunity to evaluate the scopes performance. Later, we would take the rifle on a deer hunt in the deserts of Southern Utah.
Quality
I would say this, you can tell Arken Optics are made to meet a lower price point. I think they are going after a portion of the shooting market where people want a great performing scope for under 500 dollars or even less.
Focus adjustment, as well as parallax was smooth and precise. Tension and clicks of the controls were exactly what I’d want. The illumination and its control was easy on the eyes, and having an off setting between brightness.
That’s not to say the scopes aren’t built well, you can just see that they focused hard on making the features most shooters want. And they did it without spending an exorbitant amount on many of the components, keeping price reasonable. All that said, I believe your average shooting enthusiast upon unboxing and looking through an Arken scope, would be happy with their purchase.
Durability
While this particular scope is just getting started (and its off to a great start), I have several friends who have been running this and similar Arken scopes for some time. I look forward to seeing how this scope continues to stand up to our use, and I will update this as we build history with it. But based on my experience and those I trust, I expect this scope will far outlast my expectations.
This young lady made a perfect shot on this Mule Deer buck from 370 yards, seen here with a Dead Air Nomad suppressor
Value
Value seems to be a massive part of Arken Optics operation. It wasn’t that long ago that I would have expected to pay well over a thousand dollars for a scope with these features. The optical performance is even comparable to scopes that cost triple the price as little as 10-15 years ago. When I first got started in this game decades ago, a three to four-hundred dollar scope for a precision rifle would have been taboo. Most would have considered it junk at that price, but today I find myself quite happy with them.
Once again, I find myself impressed with how well a relatively inexpensive rifle scope performs. Like other Arken Optics I’ve used before, this one seems to be a great buy. There are scopes with much more bells and whistles. But if you are looking for a quality scope with most of the features like FFP, Milling reticle, 8 MRAD turrets, zero-stop, and so on, these scopes are a great option.
I have grown quite fond of low power variable optics (LPVO’s), and they have worked their way into my gun collection nicely. Today I am taking a fresh look at a relatively new LPVO from US Optics, it’s called the US Optics SXR 1-6. I have had several US Optics LPVO’s over the years and have been very happy with them, you can read about the TS Series of LPVO’s here. But today its more about the new stuff, and the newest line of scopes from US Optics is the X-Series of scopes. The SXR 1-6 is the smallest member of that family, but does this scope punch above its weight?
fresh out of the box
US Optics SXR 1-6
Upon inspecting the US Optics SXR I was very pleased with its presentation. The scope is available in either a second focal plane option or a first focal plane. The option we are testing today is the FFP version, with the SRM MRAD reticle. I like this version a little more than the other alternative as I’m not a big horseshoe reticle kinda guy.
the SXR made a perfect companion optics to my 20″ 5.56 Desert Tech WLVRN
The first thing to stand out to me was the robust 34mm tube which is bigger than most LPVO’s. Typically I prefer 34mm tubed scopes, but for LPVO’s I am still deciding if I prefer them over 30mm. The larger 28mm objective lens certainly does offer more collection of imagery.
With capped turrets you can use the reticle of the SXR to hold over for any distant shooting. Though the turrets do appear to be quite useful uncapped as well. The finger adjustable turrets are 1/10 MRAD per click, and have a total of 10 MRAD per rotation. This is great on many scopes, so I found it particularly welcome on this little scope.
If you like the Desert Tech WLVRN, you can read more about ithere
Adjusting the power magnification is done at the rear, I was glad that US Optics had incorporated a removeable throw lever to the magnification ring as well. This makes it easy to blindly grab for and adjust your scope in a quick shooting scenario.
Specifications
Magnification:
1-6X
Focal Plane:
First Focal Plane (BDR5556, SRM) | SFP (SFP MIL)
Eye Relief:
3.5 in
FOV @ 1x:
119.16ft @ 100y
FOV @ 6X:
19.86ft @ 100y
Parallax:
Fixed @ 100y
Illumination:
Red
Tube Size:
34 MM
Objective Diameter:
28 MM
Ocular Diameter:
39.92 MM
Elevation Adjustments:
1/10 MIL
Windage Adjustments:
1/10 MIL
Length:
11.835”
Weight:
22.265 oz
For mounting the SXR to a rifle, I used the ZRO Delta 34mm cantilever mount. This would make it easy to mount on most rifles with the proper amount of eye relief. The first rifle I would mount the scope to would be my Desert Tech WLVRN chambered in .223. It was a great companion for this rifle, as it does very well at short and medium ranges.
On the Range
My first trip to the range was to zero the SXR on my WLVRN. I zeroed the rifle at 100 yards, which was quite easy using the finger adjustable turrets. After confirming a good zero, I set to zeroing the turret. This was easily done using a coin to loosen the turret cap, then setting the turret to zero and reinstalling the cap.
resetting the turret to zero after pairing with the rifle
After zeroing the scope, I did some additional shooting at both 100 and 200 yards using the reticle to hold over. I found the reticle to be perfectly serviceable for precise shooting within the limits of the six power magnification. And at lower magnification particularly with the reticle illuminated it gave a great field of view. Bracketing targets in red made shooting fast up close.
This is the highest quality US Optics LPVO I’ve used, at least recently, it reminds me of the old SN and SR scopes they made. The optics are top notch, giving and incredibly clear picture at all power settings. The sharp reticle is great for hold overs, and isn’t overbearing for a short range optic. The Turrets are also fantastic, whether you choose to run them exposed or cap them. They feel very tactile, and you can hear each click. they are also low profile to keep them from snagging on everything.
Durability
While I believe durability is best tested over the course of a year or so, I feel this scope is very robust in structure. And based on my experience with other similar scopes from US Optics, I expect it will stand up to my typical routine. Switching the scope from rifle to rifle, and mount to mount. Be sure to follow along, as I will update this article in the future with additional feedback on durability.
In a market flooded with LPVO scopes, it might be hard to stand out. The under $500 market is packed, and there are plenty of good options. The $500-$1000 market is a little more competitive, and the SXR is on the lower end of that spectrum.
The US Optics SXR 1-6 is in good company, comparing to other brands like Eotech and Trijicon. And available for less depending on where you buy it, of course if you use my %15 promo code shown here you can get the best price.
My Summation
Having spent some time shooting with the SXR scope, I have become quite a fan. It is a big step up over previous LPVO’s in the TS line from US Optics, and it gives users a high quality product for a good price. The large lenses give fantastic clarity and high definition of targets and their surroundings. The overbuilt turrets are great for dialing if you choose to use them so. The SXR SRM reticle is a great dual-use reticle, it can be used for fast target bracketing up close or for more precise work. Using its graduations allows you to make accurate holdovers and corrections should you use the scope for precision shooting.
I am a big fan of 34mm tubes, especially on precision optics. It makes sense that for some folks the 34mm tube may be a bit much, and adds both bulk and weight. But so far it hasn’t bothered me at all.
Little add-ons like the built-in throw lever and the easy to adjust turrets add more value and usability to the scope. It may be a step up in cost, but I think the scope punches above its weight. And it compares well to scopes that cost more. I would love to see another variant of the SXR in a 1-10 with adjustable parallax.
Steiner Optics has a long and distinguished history of making professional grade shooting tools. I have always been a fan of the brand and I’ve reviewed several products here. Today we are looking at another one of Steiner’s popular rifle scopes, the Steiner M5Xi 5-25×56. The M5Xi has been a popular riflescope for law enforcement and military use during the last decade or so. Today I wanted to see how this popular scope stands up to the other scopes I have used.
The M5Xi Riflescope
The Steiner M5Xi is a purpose built tactical scope made with precision shooters in mind. It has all the features a long-range precision rifle would need. The large 34mm tube allow for a full 26 MRAD of elevation adjustment, and houses the large erector housing with fully adjustable turrets. The Duoscale elevation turret has 15 MRAD per rotation, and allows you to reset at zero easily.
Inside the M5Xi you’ll find the MSR2 illuminated reticle, which I have used in several scopes with success. The FFP reticle is very useful without being too obtrusive, and the ability to illuminate it in low light conditions is also quite helpful.
Included with the scope are some nice flip-open caps to protect the lenses, as well as the typical accessories. As well as the Steiner Heritage Warranty to give you peace of mind. Steiner has moved some of their production to the US which is comforting. In my opinion, the second best place to have a scope built is Germany, and that is where the M5Xi comes from.
I’ve had the good luck to use this scope quite a bit, which is not always the case when reviewing some products. Having been able to travel the world a bit with the scope has given me some additional insight into its durability. From shooting 50 BMG rifles in the arid deserts of the west, to sub-freezing temps shooting down abandoned Soviet airstrips.
My first experience shooting the scope was on my Desert Tech SRS M2 chambered in 338 lapua magnum. A strong rifle that would show failures in a scope that isn’t up to the task. Zeroing the rifle was easy using the M5’s turrets. With a simple slip of the turrets I zeroed the elevation and windage.
First Shots
On the first trip out, we stretched the rifle all the way out to 1600 yards. I must say that I was impressed with both the repeatability of the scope, and the optical sharpness. As it happens, after picking out a target at 1600, every shooters dream occured…
A lone coyote wandered out of the cedar trees just behind my target zone just as I settled in for a shot. I watched him as he picked his way between the trees hoping for him to pause. After he seemed to show no sign of stopping, I decide to lead him. Having made a dozen or so shots all ready at that distance, I had a pretty good idea of the flight time anticipated. With my lead held I pressed the trigger, sending the 250 grain Swiss P bullet on its way.
My luck with coyotes held true that day, as just after I pulled the trigger he must have sensed a disturbance in his aura or something and he stopped. A moment later and just a foot or two ahead of him, my shot landed right where he should have been. It would have been an amazing shot.
Shooting Abroad
A few weeks later I found myself laying in deep snow looking down a cut in a sea of coniferous forest in northern Europe. My breath would condense and freeze to the side of my rifle, making it somewhat challenging to focus. But looking through the M5 I could clearly see my targets downrange a kilometer away. The target hangers contrasted clearly against the white blanket of snow.
Over the course of several days we shot targets in the icy breeze, with and without snow falling. It was a great test of the clarity of this scope, never fogging up. It also required me to rely on its accurate tracking, as I was shooting soft targets through falling snow. It was impossible to see impacts.
Loosening turret screws to zero the turret
In Tandem
I also shot the M5Xi in tandem with the Andres Industries TigIR thermal sight. This brought another level of perception, looking through both optics together I was able to see my bullet holes appear in the snow even 600 meters away.
I love a scope with good focus, and the M5 does a great job focusing the image properly. The adjustable parallax also allows you to remove parallax from your view across great distance. This was very helpful both on the rifle range, and the desert.
Adjusting the scope in general was smooth and predictable. The clicks of the turrets felt clean and audible. The Duoscale elevation turret is pretty interesting, as you cross the 15 MIL point to the second rotation, the numbers slide up and change to 15 and up.
the HTI supported by the Elite Iron Revolution Bipod, check out more options here
The MSR2 reticle is a fantastic reticle for this kind of shooting. It gives you plenty of tools for measuring targets and ranging distance if thats your thing. And at the same time it doesn’t obscure your target area. I like the open center dot, it allows for very precise placement.
you can see here how little the reticle obscures your target area
Durability
After having shot this scope over a long period of time across various rifles and calibers, I am quite confident in its quality. Neither my 338 nor 50 BMG managed to knock it out of place. Traveling across the world in hot and freezing climates haven’t seen to do it any harm. It’s never lost zero, and the tracking has never missed. I suppose this should come as no surprise as the MX5i is built on a one-piece tube, with a history of hard military service.
Pros and Cons
Of the many positive aspects of this scope I must say my favorites are these; The robust reliability, the precise tracking and repeatability, and the clear reticle that is easily focused at any distance. These features make this scope an easy choice if you find yourself heading into the unknown. Whether it be against cunning animals or an opposing force.
looking downrange on the old Soviet airstrip
The only thing I would take away from the Steiner M5Xi would be that it seems to suffer in clarity a tiny bit at full power. This seems to be the case for most every scope I use, so its not particularly a jab at this Steiner in particular. But I did find myself often using the scope at 21-22 power for optimal clarity at long-range.
The MSRP from Steiner of nearly $3700 might be a tough pill to swallow for some folks. Even the going street price hovers around $3000 from places like Euro Optic. But if you want military quality optics like this, you can expect to pay for them.
Conclusion
It comes as no surprise to me that this scope performed so well for me. With a reputation like that of Steiner Optics, you can expect great performance. With the M5Xi you can expect years of reliable and repeatable shooting with sharp images. Like many others, I can strongly recommend this scope for those interested. If you are looking for something a little more affordable, check out my reviews of the Steiner T6Xi scopes as well.
Without a doubt the US sport optics market has been inundated over the last decade, with a plethora of manufacturers and importers. One of the many companies doing an impressive job at it is Vector Optics. I have had an opportunity to review a couple of the optics now, and I’ve been impressed. So today I bring you a fresh look at another riflescope, the Vector Optics Continental 6-36×56.
The Continental 6-36×56 Rifle Scope
Like the rest of the Continental strain, this one uses a 34mm main tube. The large 56mm objective lens is the standard for long-range precision optics. And the Continental comes with other features that have become the gold standard for precision shooting optics. Exposed adjustable turrets with 10 MRAD per turn, adjustable side focus/parallax, an illuminated milling reticle and more.
Specifications
Magnification
6-36x
Objective Lens Dia
56 mm
Focal Plane
First Focal Plane
Eye Relief
100 mm / 4.0 in
Lens Coating
Fully Multi-coated
Linear Field of View @ 100 yd
21.6 – 3.6 ft @ 100 yards
Linear Field of View @ 100 m
7.2 – 1.2 m @ 100 meters
Angular Field of View °
4.13 – 0.69 °
Reticle
VEC-MBR2
Tube Dia
34 mm
Side Focus
15 yards to Infinity
Click Value
1/10 MIL
Turret Function
Zero Stop, Turret Lock
Elevation Adjustment Range
≥ 31 MIL
Windage Adjustment Range
≥ 18 MIL
Diopter Compensation
-3 to +2
Illumination Setting
11 brightness settings, On/Off between each
Battery Type
CR2032
Waterproof
IP67
Fogproof
Nitrogen Filled
Shockproof
1000 G
Housing Material
6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy
Finish
Matte Black
Length
404 mm / 15.9 in
Weight
861 g / 30.4 oz
Items in the Package
User Manual, Plastic Wrench, Cleaning Cloth, Sunshade, Flip-up Caps, Spare Turret, 34mm Picatinny Rings, etc.
after many months of hard use and even some competition, the Continental continues to perform
Also like other Continental scopes, this one comes with some added value items as well. Things like a sun shade and Vector 34mm rings. While based on the price I suspect they are fairly simple rings, but they are perfectly suitable for this scope, and don’t look like the cheap throwaway option often included. The packaging also is high quality, giving a great impression.
Another nice thing included with the scope is an extra elevation turret. The second turret doesn’t include the zero stop feature, which allows a full sweep of the erector.
I chose to mount the Vector Continental in an Area 419 scope mount. Not that the rings weren’t suitable, I just like the Area 419 mount significantly more. With a snug fit, the Continental was then attached to my Desert Tech SRS M2. A rifle I use quite frequently.
Adjusting the mounting location to set the proper eye relief, gave a nice comfortable fit and clear image. I adjusted the diopter at the rear to get the best image of the reticle, and also added the sun shade. This is something I often do if for nothing else, to keep things away from the lenses of my scopes.
Zeroing the Scope and Zero-Stop function
My Desert Tech SRS M2 rifle has a 30 MOA cant built into the picatinny rail, this is by design to allow zeroing the scope closer to its mechanical zero. This required me to dial the elevation turret below its centerline.
the zero-stop system is easy to set and robust in design
The zero-stop feature is built into the elevation turret. It uses an indexable stop that also actuates an indicator pin on the top of the turret. When the turret is rotated past its first rotation (10 MRAD), a red pin pops up on the top of the turret. And when it is rotated past the second rotation (20 MRAD) the pin pops up a bit further exposing a silver ring under the red. This allows both a visual and tactile indication of which rotation of the scope you are on.
Since I had to zero the scope below its factory zero-stop setting, this required me to dial back the zero-stop. This is done by removing the elevation turret, and underneath there is a small pin that you push in, and then rotate against the indicated direction approximately the distance you need.
I could then boresight the scope and rifle per my traditional practice, prior to taking the rifle to the range for zeroing. Once the rifle was zeroed, I could reset the zero-stop feature. By again removing the turret, and rotating the inner ring (in the indicated direction) until the pin pops into its stop hole. And then set the turret back on the scope lining it up with zero.
Shooting with the Continental 6-36
I use my SRS for quite a bit of shooting, which makes it very familiar to me. Shooting the rifle with this Vector Optics scope would be an exercise in repetition. I’ve run a variety of very nice scopes on this rifle, so seeing how the Vector stood-in would be a good comparison.
My first shooting experience with this scope was shooting paper targets at a mere one-hundred yards. The impressively bright image through the scope made for some very easy shooting. Using the fine points of the reticle was great for precise placement of shots.
initiating the reticle illumination shows that only part of the reticle is illuminated. This helps avoid having too much light when looking into darkness
The majority of my shooting takes place in open country at high altitude in the Rocky Mountains. I do a lot of varmint hunting and long-range shooting, which would also make an excellent task to test the legs of this scope.
One of the benefits of using this rifle, is that I have some very established drop data. This allows close evaluation of the scope compared to others I’ve also used.
Vector Optics uses Schott lenses from Germany, which is likely responsible for the impressive clarity. Looking at small animals and other details even at long-distances gave very definitive identification. As well as spotting impacts, things like dirt flying and bullet splash were quickly identified through the scope.
Across the broad magnification range, the scope kept its clean image. As is typical, at maximum magnification the brightness of the scope is reduced somewhat. I have experienced this phenomenon with almost every scope I’ve used, it’s normal and simply something to be aware of. The beauty of these higher magnification scopes is that if you run them at slightly less than maximum power, they look fantastic and still have adequate zoom.
the magnification adjustment ring is smooth, with a 180 degree turn
I also noticed another anomaly that I have seen on some scopes; When using a canted scope base for long-range shooting, the scope’s erector is typically moved closer to its limit of travel. At the low end of the magnification spectrum, this can sometimes result in a crescent shaped shadow appearing along the top of the image. So far as I can tell it has no effect on performance, and isn’t visible when you zoom the scope in even a little bit.
installing the CR2032 lithium battery
Parallax Adjustment
Removing parallax from the image is done using the side focus turret. It is labeled for various distances and as usual they are more of a guide than an exact amount. I did notice that parallax balance was easy to achieve at nearly any distance I tried. This is an important feature for any rifle scope used for long-range shooting, if you are curious about why you should read all you need to know about parallax.
Turret Function & Tracking
One of my favorite features of the Continental scopes is the turrets. The turrets have ten MRAD of elevation per rotation, and are labeled with whole and 1/10 graduations. The turrets are locked using a push/pull feature, when pushed down they snap into a locked position. Pulling them up unlocked them allowing adjustments to be made.
Once the zero-stop feature had been engaged, the turret has a hard stop at zero. This allows you to dial your scope back to zero without even looking at it. The audible clicks also allow you to make small adjustments by simply feeling each click or hearing them.
the push/pull locking system is crisp and solid. The elevation turret is marked with numbers for three rotations.
After zeroing my rifle and setting the zero-stop, I found the Continental still had a total of nearly two-and-a-half turns of elevation. That is 28.5 MRAD of elevation, which is plenty for most long-range shooting scenarios. This is also in part because of my 30 MOA canted scope base.
Testing the values of the turret clicks closely matched the amounts measured with the reticle. Additionally, the known shooting DOPE for the cartridges I was shooting matched up in the Continental.
Reticle
Speaking on the reticle; the VEC-MBR2 reticle has a great deal of features. It uses what many have called a Christmas tree shape, because of the familiar shape of the holdover grid. While I am not as big a fan as other of this type of reticle, I can surely see its utility. With the ability to quickly hold-over your target, or measure corrections easily, this reticle gives you options. With a ranging bracket and several open spots with tiny center-dots it gives you precision where you want it.
Pros and Cons
There is a lot to like about this scope. If the bright imagery and clarity aren’t enough to get you excited, then robust turrets and their function should. This scope envelops most if not all of the popular features for long-range shooting and it still comes in well under the $1000 price point. With great included accessories and all these features the Vector Continental 6-36×56 is a great deal. And they come with a great repair or replace warranty that matches the standard for quality optics.
If there is a downside to these scopes, I suppose many would say it is it’s source. As Americans we like to buy products from our fellow compatriots, or at a minimum from our friendly allies. Vector Optics come from China, which might be reason enough not to buy them for some. If you don’t mind the spawn-point, you will find an affordable option with excellent performance. After months of use and comparing the scope to others like Kahles and Nightforce, the optical quality isn’t quite as good. But that is no surprise considering those optics cost four or five times more.
Concluding Thoughts
I have been very happy with this line of riflescopes, and I expect to keep them busy for years to come. It is very impressive how much value you get from these scopes, and it definitely has shown how the Asian optics manufacturers have upped their game. Had I not known where these scopes came from, and if they’d had the branding of a European scope, I might have believed they came from Germany or something. So if you have filet mignon taste, but a bowl of rice budget, you might find these scopes fit right into your shooting plans.
I joined the cult of shooting long ago, with a focus mainly on long-range shooting and hunting. Like many others in that sub-group of shooters, I felt that I needed as much magnification as possible. In the decades since I have learned that there is not always a need for such high power optics. You can read more about that subject in this article. But today’s subject is a little more specific, today we are on the topic of: what is an LPVO and do you need one?
LPVO is an abbreviation for Low Power Variable Optic. There are quite a few LPVO’s on the market, I suspect it has something to do with marketing medium range optics for the massive AR15 customer base. Everybody want’s to build their own version of a “Recce rifle” and they usually put some kind of LPVO on it.
What is an LPVO?
A low power variable optic is just what it sounds like. Typically they feature variable zoom settings between 1-4 and as much as 1-10 or more. Not all of them are 1X at the lower end, some are 1.5, 1.8 or sometimes even a little bit more. The reason for this is pretty simple, at 1X or near there, the optic can be used almost like a red dot or holographic sight. And should you need to engage a target at a more significant distance, you can zoom the scope in to its higher power settings.
LPVO’s like all scopes can vary greatly in quality and construction type. It might be a 30mm tube or a 34mm, you might find one for $150 or you could pay upwards of $2000 if you want. Other features like exposed turrets and illuminated reticles are also possible features that might be incorporated.
on this Eotech VUDU 1-8, you can see the diopter focus at the very rear. the magnification ring with the added throw-lever. The turrets are capped on this one, and the illumination is on the other side of the scope.
Many LPVO’s do not have a large objective lens in the front. This has had the comedic effect of people mounting them backwards because of a lack of understanding. Most LPVO’s are just like larger rifle scopes, they have a diopter ring at the back to focus the reticle. And a power adjustment ring near the eye-piece to adjust the power setting. It’s not rocket science or brain surgery, its just a smaller scope with the same job; to allow accurate aiming on target.
Why So Low?
Having such a low magnification serves several purposes. I mentioned above that the scope can be used like a red dot, but there is more to it than that. Having low magnification also widens the view angle, allowing you to see more through the scope’s field of view.
the reticle of the SAI6 LPVO
Many manufacturers like to tout “true 1X”. Meaning that the image through the scope will be identical to what your non-sighting eye sees. This is because many folks shoot with both eyes open when the shooting is fast and close. Having a 1X image that matches you other eye will help keep perception and boost your situational awareness. This can come in very handy when shooting while moving through obstacles and potentially dangerous scenarios.
Why Might You Need an LPVO?
The traditional purpose of LPVO scopes has been on firearms that might be used at short or medium distances. For example, a three-gun shooter might be engaging many targets in rapid succession. The targets might be 30-yards away, or 300 yards away depending on the course of fire. 30-yards is pretty close, you probably don’t want a 4X scope for shooting that close. And 300-yards is a bit far for 1X or iron sights. You can see how a scope that can be quickly switched between 1X and 6X for example might be perfect for such a scenario.
Now imagine you are hunting Cape Buffalo on the dark continent, with dangerous animals lurking in the brush. If the possibility exists of needing to make a shot at a charging buffalo from 50 yards, 1X might be great option. And if you need to take an accurate supported shot at the animal from a hundred or more yards it would be nice to have more than 1X.
My son has hunted the last eight years with his little .260 topped with an LPVO of one kind or another. This US Optics TS8X helped him make an excellent shot on this buck as he bounded off
New Shooters
These are just a couple situations where an LPVO might serve you well. I’m sure you can imagine others where it might come in handy. One of my favorite uses has been for helping new shooters. Its often hard to get a child or someone new to rifle scopes to be able to see properly through the scope. And even harder sometimes to get them to actually find the deer or target in the scope. Too much magnification in this situation often exacerbates the issue. That is why I like to use LPVO’s for my kids when getting them started into shooting. They can find the target using low power then zoom in in for a better view.
Choosing the Right LPVO
Typically the best way to choose an optic depends on the activities you anticipate doing with it. If you plan on shooting targets on a short range with a 150 yard maximum range. Something like a 1-6 scope like the Vortex Venom would probably work fine. Whereas if you plan on shooting further distances like three to five-hundred yards, you might want something like the Vector Continental 1-10.
Like all rifle scopes, there are varying levels of quality. Price is also usually a concern to keep in mind as well. There are some great less expensive LPVO’s like the ones I mentioned above. I can also recommend the US Optics TS6X and TS8X, as I’ve used them extensively.
I’ve even used the TS8X to accurately engage some target as far away as 1000 yards. If you plan to use an LPVO at distances beyond say 300 yards, look for one with adjustable parallax. Many LPVO’s come with fixed parallax around 100 yards, and for semi-close distances that is fine. But for long-range shooting you may want to adjust for parallax, if you aren’t sure why you should read All you need to know about Parallax.
If you’d like to step up in quality a bit, and price, I’ve got a few more recommendations. The Eotech VUDU line of LPVO’s are great. I have both the 1-6 and the 1-8 and they have been very solid and repeatable on a variety of firearms.
I’ve used the VUDU LPVO’s extensively for a few years now, very good scopes
Illumination
The VUDU pushbutton controls are very handy for illumination, and the very bright dot in the center makes it almost like a red dot sight at 1X. Most scopes these days have some form of reticle illumination. Some are the old fashioned way with an LED just lighting up the reticle, and others have very high intensity LED dots centered in the reticle for and unmistakable aimpoint even in high-noon daylight.
For a few more dollars the SAI Optics LPVO’s are another fantastic scope, I am waiting to get hands on their 1-10 so stay tuned for that.
this SAI 6 has been a great scope, cant wait to get the SAI 1-10
I’d also feel awful if I failed to mention the great LPVO’s I’ve used from Sig Sauer Optics. They make a few different ones, and to be honest the two that I have used were both fantastic. The Tango 6T is definitely not inexpensive, but it is very clear and bright. The FFP illuminated reticle can be used for a great many tasks.
The Tango MSR is more made for average shooters who maybe want to spend their money on ammo and training instead of optics. It too is impressive optically and has some very useful features.
There is a huge variety of reticle options among LPVO’s. Some of them are fairly simple while others are quite complex, some even have dual focal plane reticles. As I mentioned these are typically marketed for medium range rifles, they often have drop compensating reticles.
FFP drop compensating like this one from US Optics allow you to hold over for distance
Again this is where you need to evaluate your purpose when choosing a reticle. If you do plan on shooting medium ranges, you might want one of those drop compensating reticles. Whereas if you plan on doing a lot of long-range shooting, you might be better off with exposed tactical turrets.
the VUDU SR1 reticle has a large circle you can use to bracket targets up close, and a finer inner reticle that can be used for corrections
There seems to be a split in LPVO reticles, they are either optimized for short range shooting, or medium range and beyond. Some have large horseshoe features, and some have thin and precise features for corrections. Do some homework on them before you pick one.
Medium or Long-Range?
If you truly want a capable long-range LPVO, it’s going to cost a bit more. Snipers have been shooting long-range with 10X scopes since before I was born, so there’s no reason you and I can’t keep it up. I mentioned you’ll want a scope with adjustable parallax, most LPVO’s with adjustable parallax are at the larger end of the magnification spectrum.
The US Optics FDN 10X is a great scope for shooting long range, and it’s been around for a while so checking out its record is easy. Leupold makes a 2-10 Mk5 that I haven’t used yet, but it certainly has caught my eye. I’ve also noticed that March scopes make a few different models with adjustable parallax
All that said, you can still do well with a typical LPVO. I mentioned my son has been hunting with the same little rifle and an LPVO since he was twelve. We spent a lot of time practicing so he was ready when it mattered. His first year hunting he took this cow elk with his little .260 Remington at over 500 yards using a 1-6X Minox.
Conclusion
I like doing a lot with just a little, maybe it’s a fool’s errand. You can certainly use an LPVO for a great many purposes, and I hope we’ve given you some ideas here today. I love the idea of a compact and accurate carbine with a great LPVO, pulling of shots better suited to big precision rifles. But as I mentioned I have a bit of bias towards long-range shooting and hunting.
But perhaps more realistic is using a good carbine with an equally adequate LPVO to pull off the shots the rifle was made for. Proper training with such a weapon can make you deadly fast and accurate, whether it be charging hordes of feral swine, or picking off a deer at the far end of a deep pasture. Try out a few different options before you buy, and then practice hard with it. You may find it to be the best thing you never knew you needed.
Riflescopes have become standard equipment on most rifles. And optical sights have also become standard for many modern carbines. Their popularity is partially because they allow the user to aim with more precision and accuracy than with open sights. However, using a telescopic sight at maximum magnification may not always be ideal. And high-power scopes in general might not be the best option for some purposes. Today we are discussing maximum magnification; finding the right magnification for your scope, and whether or not you need all that power.
Most modern riflescopes or optical sights can fall into one of two types; variable power zoom optics, and fixed power optics. A fixed power optic like a Trijicon ACOG might have 1.5X or something more like 3.5X or 4X. Variable power scopes come in a variety of ranges, for example; a 4X scope might have a 4-16X zoom, while a 6X scope might have 5-30X magnification.
This Athlon Talos is a fixed 10X, which was very common once upon a time. The Athlon Talos line has a variety of variable power scopes worth looking at as well
Variable scopes can further be broken down into two additional subcategories; front focal plane, and second focal plane scopes. Front focal plane (FFP) scopes feature the reticle in the front or first focal plane and are therefore magnified with the target image. This results in the reticle changing size depending on the power setting used.
First and Second Focal Plane
Second focal plane scopes have the reticle fixed after the magnification feature. These reticles remain the same size regardless of magnification setting. One of the potential downsides to second focal plane scopes is that their reticles are typically calibrated at max magnification. Many of them also have a clearly marked mid-power setting. This is so you can use the reticle there as well with double the indicated values.
There is also a downside to some FFP scopes, with high-power zoom’s the reticle can often be magnified enough to be obtrusive. If the reticle gets too thick at high magnification it can be challenging to aim precisely with it. If you are shooting groups at a hundred yards this may not be an issue. But if you are shooting small targets at long-range, it certainly could become a problem.
as you can see, shot placement can be precise without heavy magnification
Why Too Much Magnification Could be Bad
Depending on your purpose, there can be such a thing as too much magnification. I used to hunt quite a few rabbits, and using a scope at high magnification was not helpful as the small animals darted between brush piles. I ended up setting my scope at it’s lowest setting 3X for the best results.
While hunting bigger animals like deer 3X might work in some situations, I often would prefer to have more if possible. The rifle I hunted with last season had a US Optics TXH 3-18 scope, and I found it to be perfect. It gave me the ability to use three power when sneaking through thick woods where shots wouldn’t go beyond 75 yards. But when I stepped out of the forrest into the wide open canyons of the Rocky Mountains, the 18X of the scope would make even long-range shots doable.
When shooting on a range where the furthest target might be two-hundred yards away, you don’t really need high magnification. And yet some still do, probably because they need a higher degree of precision. Shooting tiny targets at 150 yards with a .22Lr could certainly justify using a higher power scope. Whereas shooting IPSC targets at the same distance with a 5.56 carbine can be easily done with a red dot or low power variable optic (LPVO).
One reason why telescopic sights may not be ideal at maximum power is because of the reduced field of view. The higher the magnification the narrower your field of view. This can make it more difficult to acquire and track moving targets, especially at close range. In hunting situations, this can be particularly problematic, as game animals can move quickly and unpredictably.
Here you can see how at max power in low light, you can lose a lot of a scope’s brightness, but to be fair the view through this Steiner TX6 5-30 is still pretty good from over a mile away
Another reason why telescopic sights may not be ideal at maximum power is because of the reduced depth of field. This means that the area in focus becomes shallower, making it harder to maintain proper sight alignment and focus on the target. This too can be especially problematic in low-light conditions or when your target is moving.
Other Factors
Overall, while telescopic sights can be a valuable tool for shooters, using them at maximum power may not always be the best choice. You should consider their specific shooting situation and adjust the magnification accordingly to optimize their accuracy and success. When a riflescope is set to its maximum magnification, the image can become less clear due to a few different factors.
Having a broad spectrum of magnification gives you more options, this Lucid Optics MLX was a perfect fit for the Howa Mini 22 ARC
Firstly, at higher magnifications, the image can become dimmer. Increasing magnification causes a reduction in brightness. This effect can be particularly noticeable in low-light conditions, such as at dawn or dusk.
Second is something I have noticed over the course of many years and countless scopes from nearly every manufacturer. Almost all scopes are brighter and sharper when not zoomed all the way in. In my experience it seems like when they are at 80-90 percent of their maximum power is when they offer the best image. This is more often the case with lower priced scopes, and not as much with the high-end scopes.
Using all the features of the reticle also sometimes requires using less than maximum power, like in this Burris Veracity PH
Its also worth mentioning that some of the modern reticles we have today aren’t even fully visible at max power. Much of the reticle features are better used with 75-90% of magnification.
Use Application
Obviously if you are shooting static targets on a bright sunny day with a good target spotter, max power is a great option for precise shooting. Its important to practice and understand when and where to adjust your scope’s zoom, optimizing its use for your needs.
I often find myself adjusting my scope for the terrain and anticipated use as I move from one scenario to another. I do the same thing with the parallax adjustment on my scopes when present.
My son and his first deer, shot at 490 yards with a 1-6X LPVO, you can watch the video here
I like to start new shooters out on LPVO’s. With their incredibly forgiving eye-box and low magnification, it’s MUCH easier to get a new shooter on target quickly. If all they see is tree bark and leaves when they look through the scope its hard to guide them to a target like a deer.
When my son was just a little guy, I would use these low-power scopes to ensure he could see the target. If the image in the scope is very similar to what they see unmagnified with their own eyes its much easier to pick out where the target is. And once they find the target you can zoom in as needed for better point of aim placement.
More Magnification Means More Range?
I once thought that more magnification meant you could shoot further, but your rifle has the same capability for accuracy at distance regardless of what scope you put on it. The difference is what you can see at a given distance.
With a good scope you can shoot just fine at long-range even with low power optics. I’ve made some outstanding repetitive hits at a kilometer using my 6 ARC WLVRN using a simple US Optics TS-8 LPVO. While I wouldn’t exactly recommend that kind of scope for shooting that far, just know it can be done.
For all the reasons I’ve mentioned, when shooting long-range I often will use my scopes at less than maximum power. It seems that generally I like 10-14X for much of my long-range shooting. This seems to give me the right field of view to keep the target in sight, as well as allow me to spot my own shots. Sometimes I will use more zoom, and sometimes less. Practice helps build skill in knowing what power to use.
Final Thoughts
I’m not trying to talk you out of high-power scopes, or even using high magnification. I’m simply saying that its not always the best option. Many years ago when I was first getting into the long-range shooting game, all I wanted was more magnification. But now I find myself looking at 4-16’s and 3-18’s with as much excitement.
If you deal with optical devices used for measuring or observing purposes, you are likely to run into the topic of parallax. Parallax is the optical phenomenon of two objects on differing planes appearing to move at different rates to the observer. Today we are going to dive into how this can effect your shooting experience; with all you need to know about parallax.
If you look at two objects one close and the other far, it is difficult to focus on both at the same time. The parallax adjustment in your riflescope is designed to bring the target image and reticle image together in the scope. We take it for granted that we should be able to see both the target and the reticle clearly through our scopes. When in fact, it is through the hard work of optical engineers who’ve designed them to correct for this characteristic.
Here youcan see an illustration of how parallax setting can cause problems. not having the reticle and target projection aligned can allow your reticle-to-target positioning to vary
Adjustable parallax riflescopes use internal optical correction to adjust the presentation of the reticle to match that of the target. Parallax is the difference in position when the viewing point is moved. Much like distant mountains appear motionless while clouds, trees and other parts of the landscape move when viewed from a moving vehicle.
The same thing can happen within your riflescope, albeit to a lesser degree. But we know it doesn’t take much to induce change in our point of impact. Even your own heartbeat can often be seen as movement through the scope.
Looking Through Your Scope
The eye box is the area where your eye can see through the scope, if you move too far out of the eye box you lose sight picture. And if you move too much within the eye box with uncorrected parallax, you might miss
You can see the effect of parallax sometimes looking through a stationary rifle scope. Without moving the rifle or scope, if you move your eye ever so slightly within the eye-box of the scope. You might see the reticle shift similarly on the target. With nothing physically moving but the eye of the observer, the optical anomaly can be seen.
Side focus knobs like those found on this Apex Rival are used to both focus the image and set parallax
How Does Parallax Effect Your Shooting?
You can imagine now how even the slightest shift in reticle position can effect your bullet’s impact once the trigger is pulled. If your eye is misaligned slightly, any parallax present in the image could cause you to aim incorrectly. The optical misalignment might make you think you’re aiming center of the target when you might be holding a measurable amount off.
This image (right) shows an exaggerated amount of optical misalignment. when parallax is present in your optic this example shows how a good shot can suddenly become a bad one.
We’ve all seen when you move your eye too far left/right or up/down a shadow appears on that side of the image. If you move just a little, before the shadows appear, you might see the reticle wandering on the target. This is because you haven’t adjusted your parallax properly, and you could be in for a miss.
A closer look at the image from above, you can see how the point of aim has been compromised. or at least appears to be
If you’ve done any shooting at longer distances, you know how often the difference between holding center and even the thickness of the reticle off center can be the difference between a hit and a miss. Removing parallax is important to ensuring you have the correct image while aiming.
Corrected parallax allows both target and reticle to be seen on the same plane. With both images aligned together there is far less room for error
Fixed or Adjustable Parallax
Not always but typically any good riflescope designed for long-range shooting will have adjustable parallax. Whereas short range optics like red dots and low power variable optics (LPVO’s) generally have fixed parallax. Cheap scopes typically also come with non-adjustable parallax. It might be fixed at one-hundred yards, or infinity. You should understand this when buying your next scope. If your purpose is shooting up close on a range, 100-yard fixed parallax is fine. Whereas if you plan on shooting precision shots at long-range, fixed parallax at 100-yards would be less ideal.
Most riflescopes with adjustable parallax also use the same control for image focus. Let me clarify; I’m not speaking of the diopter at the rear of the scope used to focus the ocular image. I’m speaking of what is usually a side focus turret or an adjustable objective. Either of these two control options usually does the same thing, it focuses the target image and sets parallax.
this old Leupold VXII scope has an adjustable objective to compensate for parallax
Perhaps you’ve experienced a binocular where both barrels needed focus adjustment for each of your eyes. Bino’s typically have a diopter on one side, the idea being you use the center focus knob to focus the other barrel. And adjust the opposing barrel with it’s diopter, once you’ve done that, both barrels are adjusted equally by the center focus knob. I expect parallax and focus are yoked together in a similar way inside the scope. But are focus and parallax the same thing?
No, you can have a focused image and still have uncorrected parallax or vice-versa. I expect that adding another precisely controlled internal device would grossly increase the price of riflescopes.
Because they can be optically measured and corrected for at the factory, and adjusting the focus of the image and the parallax are similar movements. Coupling them into the same control makes sense. But they aren’t the same thing, they are set and then slaved together to work as one.
With focus and parallax adjusted properly, the target and reticle are clear and stable, as seen through this US Optics FDN17X
Last Thoughts
You should be able to identify parallax in your particular setup. Knowing what to look for, and how to correct it is an important part of long-range shooting. Hopefully it makes a little more sense to you, and you can apply it to your shooting for improved results. Remember; Little things matter at a distance.
In the pursuit of excellence and functionality, it seems there are too many optics manufacturers to count these days. One of the many companies fighting to earn your money is Arken Optics, a Texas based company with its production done in Asia. Arken Optics prides themselves on rugged performance and extreme clarity, back by a 100% lifetime warranty. Today we will take a look at my first venture into their products, with the Arken Optics EP-5 5-25X56 riflescope.
right out of the box
Our market has been flooded with Asian made optics over the last few decades, and they have become so competitive that even big brands like Nightforce and US Optics have opened lines of offshore sourced optics in order to hold onto their share of the market.
The Arken Optics EP-5
Arken’s EP-5 scope uses Japanese made lenses that are assembled in China according to the internet. This should come as no surprise, as so many of the scopes you find on the market today share the same origin. The lower cost of these optics is matched by a lifetime warranty, something you simply must have these days. Long gone are the arguments about why something is covered versus not, most companies now have a no questions asked repair or replacement warranty. For you and me, that is definitely a good thing.
The Arken EP-5 is built around a 34 millimeter tube, which has become the standard for these type of optics. The large fifty-six millimeter objective gathers quite an image and compresses it down nicely for your observation. With the reticle placed in the first focal plane, you can always count on the values of the reticle subtensions as you zoom the scope in or out.
setting the Zero-stop screw
The large erector assembly houses heavy duty turrets to adjust the reticle for most any shooting scenario. Ten Milliradians per rotation is what I consider the minimum standard for a good long-range scope. With 1/10 MRAD clicks and a zero-stop these turrets are made for serious shooting business.
Features
Arken Optics EP-5 5-25X56 FFP features
Magnification
5-25X
Objective Diameter
56mm
Eye Relief
3.4 Inches
Field of View
25.3-4.9 ft @100 Yards
Tube Size
34mm
Turret Adjustment
1/10 MIL
Reticle Position
First Focal Plane
Reticle
VPR Illuminated
Zero Stop
AZS Zero Stop
Elevation Adjustment Range
32 MIL
Windage Adj. Range
16 MIL
Adjustment Per Revolution
10 MIL
Parallax Adjustment
25Yds – Infinity
Illumination
Red
Length
14 Inches
Color
Matte Black
Weight
39.2 Ounces
Sunshade
Included
Battery
CR 2032
I mounted the EP-5 on my rifle using a Zro Delta 34mm cantilever mount which gave the appropriate sight height. The rifle it would go on is my Desert Tech SRS M2 which at the moment has a 22-inch 6.5 Creedmoor barrel in it. This setup would be very familiar to me, and allow a good platform for evaluating the Arken EP-5.
On the Range
Springtime in the Rocky Mountains is a great place to shoot, and that is where we would go to shoot with this Arken scope. The open country would allow target engagement at various distances and angles which is good for testing turrets and reticles. Moving from one target to another across different draws and canyons gave a great depth to shooting, and sharply analyzing optical clarity.
Controls
The turrets of the EP-5 are very prominent, they are both physically big and have a broad movement. The 1/10 MRAD clicks are very tactile and audible, its very easy to adjust them without even looking as you can feel and hear each click.
excellent control surface textures and resistance was my experience
Adjusting the focus and parallax is done with the left-side turret. It is adjustable from twenty-five yards to infinity, this allows you to optimize the clarity of the reticle at nearly any useful range. The reticle is also illuminated, and the illumination control is located on top of the side-focus turret. Power for the illumination is done by a CR2032 lithium cell, which oddly enough wasn’t included with the scope.
Tension of the controls on this scope are just right in my opinion. The resistance on the power adjustment ring was neither too soft or too hard, the same could be said about the turrets and other controls. A good texture is also machined into the control surfaces, allowing great purchase with your bare or gloved fingers.
Optical Performance
the Arken Optics VPR reticle
The Japanese lenses in the EP-5 proved to be very good, particularly considering the price of this scope. At all power settings I found the scope to be bright and very detailed in the image. The details of the reticle matched the sharp image of the target area, this made it very good for measuring target sizes and making corrections.
Looking at things like animals, trees and rocks even at distances like two-thousand yards away still provided great detail. Whether or not I would use this scope for shooting at that kind of distance, it certainly provides a beautiful image.
In low light situations like pre sunrise, the big lenses of the EP-5 work overtime. Every scope looses some brightness as you increase the magnification, and this one is no exception. But picking out antlers among branches is still very doable. Particularly when you optimize the power low enough to brighten the image but still high enough to see detail.
Tracking Reliability
Scope tracking that matches reticle values is incredibly important. I found the Arken EP-5 to be perfectly accurate for pretty much any shooting scenario, particularly considering its low cost of entry. Not only was the EP-5 accurate in it motion, it also has a great deal of travel. The thirty-two MRAD of internal movement is even more valuable when mounted on a canted system like the SRS M2. The 30 MOA built into the scope rail allow you to zero the scope nearer it’s mechanical internal lowest point, getting full advantage of the scopes movement.
The Zero stop on the EP-5 is a simple and robust system. There is a set screw with a pin-like non-threaded pin that you can screw down from the exterior top of the turret. By turning the screw down, it creates a stop on the inside of the turret. There is a second set screw ninety degrees to the rear of the zero-stop screw to prevent it from moving. You can easily set the zero-stop or disengage it using the screw.
Pros and Cons
I had a hard time coming up with something I disliked about this scope, in fact if you twisted my arm I think the only thing I could say would be that it is a little bulky when compared to similar scopes from other manufacturers. Perhaps you might complain about not including a battery for the illumination, as most every other manufacturer does. I suppose it is much easier for Arken Optics to avoid the logistics, and labeling requirements that come with batteries.
On the plus side, the Arken Optics EP-5 is a genuine great value. Like some other manufacturers, they basically use a direct to consumer sales program. I expect this is partially responsible for the very affordable price point of Arken Optics. I was particularly impressed with the quality of the scope when I saw the street price of under $700.
Conclusion
The Arken Optics EP-5 is an excellent bargain that gives a fantastic optical performance and reliable mechanics. No doubt that is why they have become extremely popular in the precision shooting community. I expect I’ll see more of Arken Optics soon.
