Our LGS has moved to Arken as a standard seller for everyday folks.

I am a Lynx fan, firsty because it is a Saffer brand, and secondly they have good service reviews.

Have a look at Futurama.co.za. They have an extensive range of scopes with all the specs and prices. That will give good info to influence your decision. You do not have to buy there, so do visit your LGS and look at glass quality and other features.

Look for Cyclops videos on Youtube. He gives sound advice on scope choices.

Like Ds J, I would strongly recommend Lynx due to well-founded reputation for excellent local support. Their scopes are very good vaue for money, especially second hand because for reasons I don't fully understand, people don't like buying them used.

I would also consider Vortex - I have heard a few stories of truly exceptional after-sales support.

Thanks for all the suggestions

Has anyone heard of / know about / have used these guys ?
That sell used scopes

Dooierus Optics

Looks good IF genuine

OK I am narrowing down ... a few possibles ?

Zero-Tech Thrive 4-16x50mm G4

Zero-Tech

Hawke Endurance 30 WA SF 4-16x50 LR Dot Reticle

Hawke Optics

What say you ?

I got good references for Hawke when I was looking around. Did not buy anything yet because I (forgot that I 😉 ) already had another more suitable one.

Zerotech 30mm tube - parallax on side of scope - price R6300.

Zerotech Vengeance 4,5-18x40 - 25mm tube - parallax on side of scope - price R4930

Hawke 25mm tube - parallax on objective - older technology - price R3890

All 3 are SFP - best for hunting at normal ranges up to 300m. Reticle type might be a deciding factor.

Arken all the way.

In your case, the SH4-J Gen II meets your spec at max 16x.

The glass is clear enough for any distance.

I've owned a couple of LX3 56mm scopes, the SH4J-G2 is better.

I've got a Vixen Artes 56mm scope, the SH4J-G2 is better.

If I ever need a new ELR scope, I'll buy another Arken.

Arken all the way.

...

The glass is clear enough for any distance.

How does glass clarity and quality make itself visible in shooting? From which distance does it really make a difference?

Wether or not something makes a difference is entirely subjective. It only makes a difference if it makes a difference to you.

A simple test on how scope quality can be observed, is to crank the magnification to max, and try focus on something far away.

Most high magnification scopes can't focus on things far away at max magnification.

That is my first test, I compare the scopes' focus at max magnification at a set distance.

The next test is a USAF 1951. I put it at 100 meters, and set the scopes to the same magnification, then record the optical resolution for each.

If you have any expensive scopes, say 20k and up, have yourself some fun and do a USAF 1951 with the SH4J Gen 2 and your scope.

I don't hunt, so I can't comment on scopes for that purpose, but if I was going to hunt, I'd want a few things in a scope. I'd want something that won't lose zero when dropped, and capped turrets. If the scope is defective in any way, I want the supplier to take the old one back and give me a new one. Arken meets all those requirements.

Thanks big5ifty,

I am completely stuck in the past with two 6x fixed telescopes (Lynz & S&B) on my hunting rifles. They suffice for my hunting purposes.

Several experienced shooters with good experience have commented on the exceptional clarity of my old S&B, so it must count for something.

Arken all the way.

In your case, the SH4-J Gen II meets your spec at max 16x.

If I ever need a new ELR scope, I'll buy another Arken.

Thanks I have previously looked at ARKEN
SH4-J Gen II is 6x -24x

These are the ones that seemed to appeal - more a hunting type magnification

This is the basic one .. capped turrets - manly for hunting most popular - sold out - no stock

LH-4 4-16×44 FFP | Capped Tool-less Turrets | Illum. VPR/VHR | 30mm Tube

These are also 4x - 16x but bit more advanced with open turrets
Still 30mm tube and objective 44mm

Arken EPL4 4-16×44 FFP MIL VHR Illuminated Reticle with Zero Stop – 30mm Tube

Now we go to 34mm tube and 50mm objective and "Christmas Trees"

SH4 4-16X50 GEN2 FFP MOA VPR Illuminated Reticle with Zero Stop – 34mm Tube

Personally a less complex reticle appeals to me

The EPL4 has a capped windage turret. The reticle is pretty good and not to fine for me at 4x. The illuminated centre also works well. The centre dot is good for fine aiming at high mag. Turns into a fine cross at low mag

I guess these are the ZeroTech equivalents

Vengeance 4-16x44 FFP RMG Riflescope

Vengeance 4-16x44 FFP RMG MOA Riflescope

I have NO idea why one is more expensive than the other ?

All of these scopes of this type are .. hybrid / crossover - use for hunting as well as a bit of long range where you have exposed turrets and can DIAL

I am not sure how well this type of idea works ? ( Best of both Worlds ? )
Perhaps it would be better if one had TWO dedicated scopes ?
Oh dear .. how to finance it all  :'(