Is It Terrible? - Arken EP-8 1-8x28 FFP LPVO

Published on April 7, 2024
Duration: 22:13

This review of the Arken EP-8 1-8x28 FFP LPVO highlights its value proposition in the mid-tier optic market. While offering a first focal plane reticle and decent glass quality for its price point, it falls short of premium optics. Key considerations include a reticle design that can obscure targets at higher magnifications and a mount that showed weakness under harsh durability testing. The reviewer suggests it's a solid option for those seeking its specific feature set around the $380-$400 price range.

Quick Summary

The Arken EP-8 1-8x28 FFP LPVO is a mid-tier optic featuring a 34mm tube and Japanese glass, offering better clarity than budget options but not matching premium optics. Its FFP reticle is effective at 1x but can obscure targets at higher magnifications. While the optic itself is durable, the included mount showed weakness under harsh impact testing.

Chapters

  1. 00:09Introduction & Disclosure
  2. 00:13Arken EP-8 Overview
  3. 01:20Technical Specifications
  4. 02:49Usability: Eye Relief & Eye Box
  5. 03:31Field of View Analysis
  6. 04:19Reticle Breakdown
  7. 06:46BDC Reticle & Ranging
  8. 11:01Glass Quality Deep Dive
  9. 13:01Glass Comparison: EP-8 vs. Others
  10. 14:14EP-8 vs. Vortex Venom
  11. 16:14Durability Testing
  12. 19:41Value Proposition Analysis
  13. 21:09Final Recommendation

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key specifications of the Arken EP-8 1-8x28 FFP LPVO?

The Arken EP-8 is a 1-8x28mm First Focal Plane (FFP) LPVO with a 34mm main tube, measuring approximately 10.5 inches long and weighing around 21 ounces. It features 12 illumination settings and an included throw lever.

How does the Arken EP-8's reticle perform at different magnifications?

The FFP reticle's floating center dot and outer horseshoe are effective at 1x for quick acquisition. However, at higher magnifications like 8x, the horseshoe can become large enough to obscure targets, especially smaller ones at intermediate distances.

What is the glass quality of the Arken EP-8 compared to other optics?

The Arken EP-8 uses Japanese glass, which offers better clarity than older budget LPVOs. However, it is considered middle-of-the-road and does not compete with premium optics like Vortex Razor HD or Primary Arms PLX. It does exhibit less chromatic aberration than the Vortex Venom.

How durable is the Arken EP-8 and its mount?

The optic itself remained functional after a concrete drop test, but the included Arken mount bent significantly. While the optic survived the initial drop onto dirt and rocks with minimal POI shift, the mount's integrity was compromised on a harder impact.

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