Vortex viper pst gen ii 5-25x50FFP vs Bushnell Match Pro ED 5-30 FFP vs Arken EP5 5-25 FFP
- Thread starter Grizzlypeg
- Start date
How do you like your Match Pro? Any regrets? What are you using it for?
No experience with the Arken EP5 but I have both, PST II and MPED on my bolt guns (6.5CM and 22LR respectively).
They're both solid but I prefer the MPED as the locking turrets and extra 5x magnification can be quite nice.
To me, the MPED is slightly brighter but image quality is worse in terms of chromatic aberration compared to PST II.
MPED also has a large turret adjustment range due to the bigger tube size, if that is something you can see yourself needing.
They're both solid but I prefer the MPED as the locking turrets and extra 5x magnification can be quite nice.
To me, the MPED is slightly brighter but image quality is worse in terms of chromatic aberration compared to PST II.
MPED also has a large turret adjustment range due to the bigger tube size, if that is something you can see yourself needing.
great. none. Paper and PRS. IMO aberration isn't an issue in reality, all you should be focused on is your center dot.
Overton windex has a bunch of vids on the Arken if you want to go that route.
100yard stand
- Location
- Western canada
For the bang for your buck, the arken EP5 smokes these scopes. Ive personally owned the bushnell and viper and the ep5 is a much better value. Glass is clean and crisp, tracks perfectly, and very usable reticle.
- Location
- Western canada
I don't have that specific Arken, picked up the 6-24 34mm tube, mil version to mess around with FFP and mil as I'm not familiar with either.
Out of the box everything looked good, mounted on a 6.5PRC and first time out I was kinda surprised, it wasn't a $500 pile of trash.
Was pretty damn clear and bright, illuminated center worked well, eyebox at 24x was touchy but you could get around to it, 20x it was right there.
So not gold medal ranking, I have nicer stuff, but for being clear, bright, tracking, eh... pretty good $500 scope.
Out of the box everything looked good, mounted on a 6.5PRC and first time out I was kinda surprised, it wasn't a $500 pile of trash.
Was pretty damn clear and bright, illuminated center worked well, eyebox at 24x was touchy but you could get around to it, 20x it was right there.
So not gold medal ranking, I have nicer stuff, but for being clear, bright, tracking, eh... pretty good $500 scope.
That looks like the 6-24 Match Pro. I think the OP is asking about the 5-30 model which has a few more features. I've really only been able to compare mine with a Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25 so far, but I'm happy with my purchase (during the Bushnell 30% rebate).
Tempted by Black Friday sales, I was shopping for a budget PRS optic, looking at the first two (but know nothing of Arken). Hoping to eventually take a long-range precision course, I figured I'd talk to an instructor. With no prior interactions, I just called [EDIT: removing the source who is a well known CAD instructor] this morning asking about the two mentioned above. His take: "Stay away from Vortex. I've never seen one of their scopes make it all the way through a course." Based on his experience, he recommends saving up for a Leupold Mark 4, but also had decent experiences with Bushnell, specifically the Elite Tactical lineup. Now, don't misunderstand the context... for average range days, or typical hunting use, Vortex scopes probably work great. (I appreciate my Vortex binos.) But LR courses test the limits of an optic.
His best piece of advice (my paraphrase): North Americans have it backwards: They splurge on expensive rifles and chassis, and then slap a budget optic on it. With a limited budget, it should be reversed. The glass is what will allow you to shoot at distances accurately and consistently.
NOTE: I did not get his permission to quote him or share, so I removed his name and website.
His best piece of advice (my paraphrase): North Americans have it backwards: They splurge on expensive rifles and chassis, and then slap a budget optic on it. With a limited budget, it should be reversed. The glass is what will allow you to shoot at distances accurately and consistently.
NOTE: I did not get his permission to quote him or share, so I removed his name and website.
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Oh, another good tip based on his experience: quality glass is better than higher magnification. While he thought 18x (speaking of the Mark 4 4.5-18) was just barely sufficient, there is no need for going above 24x or 25x (in most applications) if you have quality glass.
Arken has a crap reticle for PRS. Half mil hash marks are no bueno for hold overs. That’s why Vortex made their new EBR-7D reticle .2 increments in the vertical. (Only found on the Gen3 Razor, not for us poors)
Bushnell has a great reticle, rev indicator and locking turrets.
I don’t believe the Viper to have Locking Turrets (haven’t played with one in a year or so). Also has half mil hash marks on the vertical. No bueno. Elevation is where the viper lacks at 20mils.
Bushnell and Arken are 28+ Mils of elevation.
There’s another Arken scope that’s hit the scene called the DNT Optics 7-35x56.
Sadly the EP5 is now obsolete With this bad boy on the scene. EP5 also weighs a brick and has massive turrets.
Give it a gander.
Athlon Helos BTR G2 6-24x56 is on Par with Strike Eagle with a better reticle. APRS6 Reticle is a .2 increment vertical.
If you feel like getting squirrelly and spending more, check out the Vortex Razor Gen 2. Everything but the reticle and weight are just lovely. I go back and forth between it, Athlon Ares ETR UHD, and a Athlon Helos BTR G2. Debated an Athlon Cronus for the APRS6 reticle but not sure if I can justify the price. Glass isn’t on par with Razor Gen 2.
As for TheCanAm’s comments about THAT Persons course’s destroying Vortex scopes, I’m going to have to call him and see about this. Fully planned on shooting it with a razor Gen 2. Friend and I will be running them for Mammoth next spring and planned to shoot Rob’s as practice.
Edit: mixed up the dates. THAT course will have to be after.
Second edit made to remove names as per fellow members request.
Bushnell has a great reticle, rev indicator and locking turrets.
I don’t believe the Viper to have Locking Turrets (haven’t played with one in a year or so). Also has half mil hash marks on the vertical. No bueno. Elevation is where the viper lacks at 20mils.
Bushnell and Arken are 28+ Mils of elevation.
There’s another Arken scope that’s hit the scene called the DNT Optics 7-35x56.
Sadly the EP5 is now obsolete With this bad boy on the scene. EP5 also weighs a brick and has massive turrets.
Give it a gander.
Athlon Helos BTR G2 6-24x56 is on Par with Strike Eagle with a better reticle. APRS6 Reticle is a .2 increment vertical.
If you feel like getting squirrelly and spending more, check out the Vortex Razor Gen 2. Everything but the reticle and weight are just lovely. I go back and forth between it, Athlon Ares ETR UHD, and a Athlon Helos BTR G2. Debated an Athlon Cronus for the APRS6 reticle but not sure if I can justify the price. Glass isn’t on par with Razor Gen 2.
As for TheCanAm’s comments about THAT Persons course’s destroying Vortex scopes, I’m going to have to call him and see about this. Fully planned on shooting it with a razor Gen 2. Friend and I will be running them for Mammoth next spring and planned to shoot Rob’s as practice.
Edit: mixed up the dates. THAT course will have to be after.
Second edit made to remove names as per fellow members request.
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Are you planning on pushing those bad boys out to distance?
Thinking about stepping down from 175 smk’s.
Friends have been telling me the 155 ELDMs are worth a try as well.
I am using them up, as I have a box of 500 I am still in the midst of. I got started on them, having won a pile of them at a Sierra sponsered match. I can't say they have been the easiest bullets to develop accurate loads for, having used them in two different rifles, one having a Krieger Palma barrel and chambered by me using a PTG Palma reamer. I would characterize the 155 SMK's as a tad fickle. I will shoot a five shot group of under 0.4" and then next time I can't repeat it. I probably wouldn't buy them again unless I found them for real cheap. My rifles seem to like the 168 grain version better, finding them much more forgiving in all the variations of loads and seating depths I have tried. I will have to try the 155 ELDM's some time. Thanks for the suggestion.
I'd hide my name too if I had such idiotic takes.
