Riflescopes .. what...
 
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Riflescopes .. what to get ? ( yes this crusty old topic - again )

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(@tripodmvr)
Posts: 739
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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 ? The one has extended vertical dials for long distance shooting

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  :'(


 
Posted : 06/01/2026 9:34 pm
(@newton)
Posts: 511
Honorable Member
Topic starter
 

OK
Here is the more basic ZeroTech

Thrive 4-16x50mm PHR 4

I had a look at one this morning - with the ZeroPlex reticle - nice scope but I prefer the PHR 4 reticle

Zero Tech Reticles

Apparently better glass than the Arken ?
but
More expensive even though SFP


 
Posted : 10/01/2026 8:02 am
414gates
(@414gates)
Posts: 569
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Apparently better glass than the Arken ?

It's a very tall order to better Arken glass quality. Everything is a claim until the USAF 1951.

Which is why I posted earlier, that if you want to be amused, do the test with an Arken and your R20k + scope. Even test a lower end Arken to a top end, say Nightforce at R60k. It will be an educational experience.


 
Posted : 10/01/2026 11:12 pm
(@newton)
Posts: 511
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Topic starter
 

Apparently better glass than the Arken ?

It's a very tall order to better Arken glass quality. Everything is a claim until the USAF 1951.

Which is why I posted earlier, that if you want to be amused, do the test with an Arken and your R20k + scope. Even test a lower end Arken to a top end, say Nightforce at R60k. It will be an educational experience.

Thanks
I was listening to the salesman ... ::)
As far as I know none of the shops here stock Arken ?
Will have to try and find a real one to check


 
Posted : 10/01/2026 11:59 pm
(@newton)
Posts: 511
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Topic starter
 

Even test a lower end Arken to a top end, say Nightforce at R60k. It will be an educational experience.

Interesting
There seems to be a bit of price collusion

Arken Optics LH-4 4-16×44 FFP VHR MOA
R5,450.00 Incl. Vat

This price seems to be standard across a huge number of outlets ?  ???  >:(


 
Posted : 11/01/2026 12:28 am
414gates
(@414gates)
Posts: 569
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Price collusion is to keep prices artificially high.

The most expensive Arken is still relatively cheap compared to the formerly top tier products.

Any lower on price and they would be giving it away.

You cannot buy anything better for less.


 
Posted : 11/01/2026 2:49 am
(@tripodmvr)
Posts: 739
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O3wg-4Tr8Q


 
Posted : 11/01/2026 6:10 am
(@newton)
Posts: 511
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Topic starter
 

"The #1 Hunting Rifle Scope of 2026"

Thanks I had a quick look - VERY US based and prices more than I can afford
NO mention of Arken / Hawke / Zero Tech ( or Lynx )
I do get the gist of a ... simple rugged scope - no fancy adjustments


 
Posted : 12/01/2026 10:53 pm
(@againstthegrains)
Posts: 228
Reputable Member
 

A few general comments.

If you are going to hunt, it must go down to 4x. If you find yourself in thick bush or shooting at night with lights, or you require a quick shot from the shoulder, you need to be able to dial down so that you can find your target quickly.

25 vs 30mm tube - the only advantage is that there is more space for the erector assembly which gives you more windage clicks. e.g. I have a Swarovski Z3 4-12, that runs out of clicks out to 450m for .308 If you want a scope for long distance with lots of elevation clicks, then 30mm is more versatile

Definitely go with external elevation clicks, its far more reliable than hold-over for target shooting. Windage clicks are a real brain strain to measure and figure out, especially when hunting. The problem is when you forget to change the previous shot settings and embarrass yourself stupid for a complete miss. These things can be liability if you are hunting.

The combination of reticle thickness, magnification and optical clarity are important for a target scope. If you reticle gets thicker as you zoom in, you will never get a 1 inch group 300m if the reticle covers the entire target. Having lots of zoom without optical clarity is also dead end on cheap scopes. A high quality 12x is better than a milky 16x.

50mm objectives provide an advantage in failing light. If you are shooting during the day, using less than 50mm is not a deal breaker. A 50mm object comes into its own for magnifications above 12x.


 
Posted : 26/01/2026 5:52 am
414gates
(@414gates)
Posts: 569
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I did say that if I was in the market for another scope, it will be an Arken.

I sold my Vixen Artes for much less than half of what I originally paid for it, and it was enough to buy a EPL4 6-24 with rings, with some change left over.

I chose this model because it's light, to meet the weight limit for the rifle.

There was nothing wrong with the Vixen. The only drawback was the weight, it's nearly 1kg, the EPL4 saves 300g on that, enough to get the rifle below the required weight limit.

In terms of glass quality, I have a SH4J G2, and my measured [ USAF 1951 ] optical resolution is slightly better the Vixen - EPL4 has the same glass as the SH4J G2.


 
Posted : 02/02/2026 1:33 am
(@treeman)
Posts: 1767
Noble Member
 

waaaaay!!! above my reading books shelf this stuff.


I am who I am - I am not who you want me to be.
Therefore I am me.

 
Posted : 04/02/2026 9:15 am
(@tripodmvr)
Posts: 739
Prominent Member
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHY7epK5gZs


 
Posted : 04/02/2026 11:44 am
414gates
(@414gates)
Posts: 569
Prominent Member
 

Years ago, I had a Vortex PST Gen 1. When I did a box test on it, it gave a windage change with every elevation change - instead of  a square I got a parallelogram. I sent it to the local Vortex guys to look at.

Vortex were fantastic, within days I had a new PST Gen 2. I sold it immediately NIB.

If you look on the Optics for sale on the Safari Outdoor app, by far the most common scope for sale is Vortex, a lot of them still new in the box.

Maybe they are the most popular scope in the country. Maybe a lot of people are doing what I did.

There is very, very seldom a used Arken scope for sale on the Safari App.


 
Posted : 04/02/2026 12:33 pm
(@treeman)
Posts: 1767
Noble Member
 

Years ago, I had a Vortex PST Gen 1. When I did a box test on it, it gave a windage change with every elevation change - instead of  a square I got a parallelogram. I sent it to the local Vortex guys to look at.
Vortex were fantastic, within days I had a new PST Gen 2. I sold it immediately NIB.
If you look on the Optics for sale on the Safari Outdoor app, by far the most common scope for sale is Vortex, a lot of them still new in the box.
Maybe they are the most popular scope in the country. Maybe a lot of people are doing what I did.
There is very, very seldom a used Arken scope for sale on the Safari App.

****************************************
Love my Vortex stuff,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,so far.


I am who I am - I am not who you want me to be.
Therefore I am me.

 
Posted : 05/02/2026 7:54 am
414gates
(@414gates)
Posts: 569
Prominent Member
 

Love my Vortex stuff,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,so far.

Vortex products are undeniably world class, and the warranty service is excellent, nobody ever made a mistake buying Vortex.

I'm not a fan of any brand, I just need a particular set of features with a certain performance level, and if I have to choose between two suppliers where they both give me what I need but one is double the price of the other, the decision is made for me.


 
Posted : 05/02/2026 10:40 am
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