Budget friendly LPVO options?

Can-down said:
........The "center dot" of the EP8 at 1x is not a dot but just a scrunched up shrunken view of the ranging ladder.
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Correct, except that the Red Illumination only lights up the center dot and its surrounding horseshoe, which forms a "dot" shape on 1× magnification. So long as you have the Illumination on, you will have a Red "dot" in the center of the field of view and the large Rapid Aiming Ring.
 
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Bartok5 said:
Correct, except that the Red Illumination only lights up the center dot and its surrounding horseshoe, which forms a "dot" shape on 1× magnification. So long as you have the Illumination on, you will have a Red "dot" in the center of the field of view and the large Rapid Aiming Ring.
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Thanks for the clarification Bartok, I suppose as long as the red dot is bright enough that should work well for a more precise aiming point.
 
Can-down said:
The new PA Nova has my interest as well, looks like a nice hunting and general shooting reticle.

The EP8 killbox is clearly designed for CQB at 1x where it's not so much a fine center point aiming solution but more of a quickly center the target in the circle and pull the trigger procedure.

The "center dot" of the EP8 at 1x is not a dot but just a scrunched up shrunken view of the ranging ladder.
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The KL box at 1x is really no different than the big circle o death in an Eotech, UH1, Holosun. But all of those have a small center dot that's 1-2 moa for more precise aiming.
With illumination on its easy to see the center reticle at 1x on an EP8. If, for some reason, you don't have time to reach for the knob or the illumination function doesn't work it won't be easy to see the center reticle for a more precise shot at 1x. If you are already at 2x or more it's a non issue.
I'm thinking at the times I've brought a rifle out to check cows during calving season and a coyote pops its head up 60y away. That KL box is too big to take an ethical shot at that distance, and if the illumination isn't already on you'll be looking at a running shot if you spend that time to either crank up the mag or click it on.

It's really not a big deal, more of an annoyance to me since I have so many optics with similar CQB reticles that i can still easily make more precise shots with. Looks like they were initially going with a segmented diamond for the center reticle on the EP8 (instead of the horseshoe), that would have made for a more well defined "center dot" at 1x.

Still good value for $500. If the new gen PA LPVOs with the NOVA reticles don't show up soon I'll be buying another EP8.
 
Unholysavage said:
The KL box at 1x is really no different than the big circle o death in an Eotech, UH1, Holosun. But all of those have a small center dot that's 1-2 moa for more precise aiming.
With illumination on its easy to see the center reticle at 1x on an EP8. If, for some reason, you don't have time to reach for the knob or the illumination function doesn't work it won't be easy to see the center reticle for a more precise shot at 1x. If you are already at 2x or more it's a non issue.
I'm thinking at the times I've brought a rifle out to check cows during calving season and a coyote pops its head up 60y away. That KL box is too big to take an ethical shot at that distance, and if the illumination isn't already on you'll be looking at a running shot if you spend that time to either crank up the mag or click it on.

It's really not a big deal, more of an annoyance to me since I have so many optics with similar CQB reticles that i can still easily make more precise shots with. Looks like they were initially going with a segmented diamond for the center reticle on the EP8 (instead of the horseshoe), that would have made for a more well defined "center dot" at 1x.

Still good value for $500. If the new gen PA LPVOs with the NOVA reticles don't show up soon I'll be buying another EP8.
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You have an understandable issue with the EP-8's lack of a precise center Aiming dot on 1x when the built-in illumination is not on. Fair enough, although your "immediate need" scenario with coyotes is pretty specific and doesn't really affect the vast majority of uses for the 1-8x LPVO. For competition, bench shooting, "running and gunning, bush shooting or even.most hunting, the EP-8's illumination works fine to illuminate the center dot on 1x by day or reduced light.

I suppose my question is why you wouldn't turn on your scope's illumination prior to heading out afield? The run-time, even in the cold, ought to be plenty adequate to last the duration of a day-long outing. Arken doesn't publish a run-time for the illumination (no doubt battery brand-dependent), so it might be wise to pack a spare 2032 until battery run-time is determined.
 
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Jahnj0584 said:
"its's so good I no longer want to use it!" :p
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The Burris RT-6 is a decent budget scope. I just ditched most of my 1-6x optics, as well as a few 1-8x scopes that didn't please me for whatever reason. I have rationalized my LPVO holdings while doing a bit of upgrading to 1-8x or 1-10x across the board.

I quite like the EoTech Vudu 1-10x Scope, but at $2K it is a bit pricey to put on numerous guns. That is where the Swampfox "Arrowhead" 1-10x Scope comes into play at the budget-friendly price of $769. The same applies to the 1-8x world, where there are many more choices available. I had several Trijicon Accupower 1-8x Scopes which were superb, bomb-proof (but heavy), optics but I found the Reticle too thick at 8x where I spent most of my time. I also sold off all of my 1-6x Vortex PSTs, Trijicon Accupoint and Burris RT-6s in order to fund some additional 1-8x optics. I still have an Elcan Spectre DR 1+6x that I just can't part with, but most of my stuff has gravitated over to 1-8x. I have a couple of $880 Vortex FFP Strike Eagles which aren't bad for a bargain 1-8x LPVO, but the Arken is the new standard in 1-8x budget LPVOs as far as I am concerned. I have no less than 4 of the Arken EP-8s mounted on guns that Poly still wants to ban. Arken really hit a sweet spot between reasonably good glass performance across the 1-8x spectrum, combined with an intuitive FFP reticle, sufficiently bright illumination, durable internals and surprisingly good fit and finish. All for $500 with Flip-Caps!
 
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Bartok5 said:
The Burris RT-6 is a decent budget scope. I just ditched most of my 1-6x optics, as well as a few 1-8x scopes that didn't please me for whatever reason. I have rationalized my LPVO holdings while doing a bit of upgrading to 1-8x or 1-10x across the board.

I quite like the EoTech Vudu 1-10x Scope, but at $2K it is a bit pricey to put on numerous guns. That is where the Swampfox "Arrowhead" 1-10x Scope comes into play at the budget-friendly price of $769. The same applies to the 1-8x world, where there are many more choices available. I had several Trijicon Accupower 1-8x Scopes which were superb, bomb-proof (but heavy), optics but I found the Reticle too thick at 8x where I spent most of my time. I also sold off all of my 1-6x Vortex PSTs, Trijicon Accupoint and Burris RT-6s in order to fund some additional 1-8x optics. I still have an Elcan Spectre DR 1+6x that I just can't part with, but most of my stuff has gravitated over to 1-8x. I have a couple of $880 Vortex FFP Strike Eagles which aren't bad for a bargain 1-8x LPVO, but the Arken is the new standard in 1-8x budget LPVOs as far as I am concerned. I have no less than 4 of the Arken EP-8s mounted on guns that Poly still wants to ban. Arken really hit a sweet spot between reasonably good glass performance across the 1-8x spectrum, combined with an intuitive FFP reticle, sufficiently bright illumination, durable internals and surprisingly good fit and finish. All for $500 with Flip-Caps!
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Did yours actually come with the caps?
I'm stoked that the ARken prices have come more in line with US prices, but the Yanks still get a smokin deal when they buy a scope with all the extra fixings down south.

The Killbox does look intuitive for zombie defense at extended distances.... but in between zombie attacks it's less attractive to my eye.

I would not be surprised if Arken offers some hunter oriented reticles as well, the 1-10 range is about the perfect hunting scope for large game where I live.
 
Can-down said:
Did yours actually come with the caps?
I'm stoked that the ARken prices have come more in line with US prices, but the Yanks still get a smokin deal when they buy a scope with all the extra fixings down south.

The Killbox does look intuitive for zombie defense at extended distances.... but in between zombie attacks it's less attractive to my eye.

I would not be surprised if Arken offers some hunter oriented reticles as well, the 1-10 range is about the perfect hunting scope for large game where I live.
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Yes - I received actual Arken-branded Flip-Caps in addition to the "bikini caps" that the scope ships with. Not only that, but the Caps are excellent quality - on par with the Vortex Defender caps which retail for $35 a pop. IIRC, the flip-caps came with the scopes that I ordered from "Go Big Tactical" for $500 apiece. They are available elsewhere for $469, but those scopes didd not come with the Caps. They are definitely worth the up-charge.

The "Killbox" Reticle only applies if you are trying to roughly range the distance to a humanoid target based on an average torso size. In additioni to the ranging "boxes", there are a series of corresponding center dots - one dot dead-centre for shots out to 300 yds (if zeroed at 200 yds) and then center dots for ranging hold-overs starting at 400 yds, with wind dots for a 7-10 mph hold to either side. It is a extremely simple and intuitive reticle once you understand the application, whether shooting zombies or tin cans.
 
Bartok5 said:
Yes - I received actual Arken-branded Flip-Caps in addition to the "bikini caps" that the scope ships with. Not only that, but the Caps are excellent quality - on par with the Vortex Defender caps which retail for $35 a pop. IIRC, the flip-caps came with the scopes that I ordered from "Go Big Tactical" for $500 apiece. They are available elsewhere for $469, but those scopes didd not come with the Caps. They are definitely worth the up-charge.

The "Killbox" Reticle only applies if you are trying to roughly range the distance to a humanoid target based on an average torso size. In additioni to the ranging "boxes", there are a series of corresponding center dots - one dot dead-centre for shots out to 300 yds (if zeroed at 200 yds) and then center dots for ranging hold-overs starting at 400 yds, with wind dots for a 7-10 mph hold to either side. It is a extremely simple and intuitive reticle once you understand the application, whether shooting zombies or tin cans.
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The caps definitely look like defenders, I assumed they were from the same manufacturer.
 
Bartok, i always enjoy your informative and helpful reviews on numerous hardware (even if i am not in the market for it due my budget or wants/needs).Your field service in the real world adds validity to many of your points.....keep it coming and Thank You!!!:)
 
HeatC said:
You're quite arrogant eh?
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I certainly can be. Especially when I am correct. But you are free to spend your money on whatever you like, just to prove me wrong. By all means chart your own course rather than accept the experience-based advice of others. Some folks just have to learn the hard way. I reckon you must one of those, with all of 39 posts, look'in for a fight first thing in the morning. Pretty messed up way to start your day, but whatever floats your boat....
 
Steiner said:
Bartok, i always enjoy your informative and helpful reviews on numerous hardware (even if i am not in the market for it due my budget or wants/needs).Your field service in the real world adds validity to many of your points.....keep it coming and Thank You!!!:)
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Thanks, man. I realize that I can rub some folks the wrong way, as I CAN be pretty arrogant, just as the new fella pointed out. That is because I DO have 59 years worth of experience on this earth, coupled with 34 of those in uniform serving in some pretty noisy places. I can certainly be wrong like anyone else, but I like to think that when I cannot defend my position I am the first to apologize for my error(s). Like it or not, I am part of CGN's expansive landscape, which is all the richer for our divergent opinions! When I find something that works well and is cost-effective, I like to share that knowledge with as many in the community as I possibly can. Perhaps I try too hard and that is where problems arise. I dunno. What I DO know is that the one thing I dislike most about this place is the near-pathological need for some folks to be confrontational, picking fights just for the sake of the drama. I find that annoying and distracting from the hobby which (I hope) we are all here to enjoy.

Anyhow, I am happy to hear that you find value in my posts, Steiner. That makes me feel like a genuine contributor to the knowledge base here on CGN, so thank-you for taking the time. I look forward to seeing you around, my friend!
 
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I have been happy with the strike eagle 1-8…for the price paid anyways

In all honesty, I’m not sure 1-8 is required and may have been happier with 1-6
 
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