Arken Optics SH4 vs Athlon Talos BTR

Arken SH4 Gen2 vs Athlon Talos BTR
Let me make this clear. Both of these scopes will get the job done for the average shooter (hunter). But if you blind folded a buyer and had them moving around the components and rate them on feel the Arken out classes the Athlon by a mile! Sure the turrets on the Athlon function...but the positive click of the Arken.........those boys FUNCTION! Glass...well what can i say...this was a close range evaluation and honestly for everyone but the picky shopper both of these will allow you to smack bulls or deer with confidence plenty far away. So my conclusion...hey both pretty darn good but the my money....Arken all the way without a doubt! Let me know what you think..have you compared the Arken SH4 to any similiar priced optics?

Arken Optics EP5
EP4
EP4L
Vortex Viper
Vortex Pst
Leopold
Hunting Scope
Target Scope

[EverydayReloadingandShooting]

I can’t help but wonder if during the filming of this video that front left arm of the bipod fell off of the bench. Mighty close there! Great video though, thank you.

[tyson]

The only thing I like better on the Talos is that the main horizontal crosshair has 2/10th's wind holds, where the Arken, after the 1st mil, only has 1/2 mil holds. However that does make the reticle a bit more busy as well. I'd still take the SH4 over the Talos

[rudolphferdinand]

I looked at the Ruger Precision rimfire rifle locally priced last year at $520.00; it looks too much like an AR, so got the Ruger American Rimfire 18" barrel bolt action for $370.00. I like the rifle so much, I installed Vortex PST 5-25x, but I am waiting for Arken's ELP4 4-16x changeover.

[jaimesanchez]

Thanks for the video! I couldn’t find a good one on this scope.

[ESAC-]

I've wondered how the BTR was vs Arken. For my use I believe the Arken fits my needs better. I'm going to put a SH4 4-16 on my 6.5 Grendel later. I bought an EP5 for it but have had so much fun with it on my 18 inch 223 Wylde I'm going to leave it.

[allentrevino]

I've got both of these optics and the Athlon is a better hunting optic, I can keep the reticle visible in more conditions because it's thicker. I will say the gasket in the turret of the Athlon makes it feel mushy but if you remove it, it does change the feel a lot and doesn't compromise weatherproofing. Good comparison of the products, my only change would have been to compare gen2 to gen2 now that Athlon has a gen2 Talos BTR with different reticles one of which is a little closer in design to the Arken. I personally wouldn't buy the Arken again though, the eye box it too tight and the eye relief is shorter, it's heavier, doesn't have a daytime bright illumination and the aforementioned thin reticle that washes out in certain light conditions and with darker backers on targets. I do think the arken is better setup for competitive shooting but only in limited situations with brighter targets.

[hafeez]

Athlon seemed clearer in the video but Arken certainly has a more forgiving eyebox. I have the same SH4 but need to learn how to take pictures through scope. Can you please provide video on Arken parallax adjustment. I seem to struggle with it; Appears parallax changes with magnification on my SH4.

[RingoBudha]

I think Athlon has sharper glass, especially at the edges. I love my EP5. I sold my SH4 due to its glass.

[dennisgray]

I have the Arken on my precision rifle and I have 3 athlons on hunting guns

[northman]

I wont ever buy an Arken (or vortex) again... I have a talos 10x in the mail. I have Midas Tac, Helos BTR gen 2, tsp3 and midas 10x25 binos. Nightforce (lol) and athlon never disapointed me so far!

[America-I]

You got a big problem with this review the gen 2 4-14x44 athlon are night and day In scope quality

[nickb]

Sh is way too heavy for a western hunting rifle. Scope has to be 24oz or less for my 7mm wsm light mountain rifle or my 300wsm. Arken Epl 4 is the only hunting scope in reality. Over a 2lbs scope on a hunting rifle is nuts