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

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 :'(

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 :'(

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

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.

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

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 ? ??? >:(

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.

"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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRWuPORJD5U