Why I'll never use the Arken SH4 Gen 2 4-16x50mm scope

Answering some of the common questions and comments on this video: Claim #1: "You're not testing this scope in optimal lighting conditions." Answer #1: These clips are just some of my tests. I've tested this scope in different lighting conditions and sun angles, at different heights over different kinds of ground. I've tested it at different turret adjustments and target distances. The image quality is uniformly abysmal in each EXCEPT at night with the target illuminated by artificial light. Claim #2: "You're getting paid by other scope manufacturers to lie about the SH4." Answer #2: I know I can't prove it to you except by showing you my bank records, but I accept no money or special favors from any manufacturers. All I accept are their products for evaluation. And maybe cool T-shirts. If you watch any of my other scope and rifle review videos, you will see that I show the good and the bad, and I make recommendations based on the limitations of each piece of gear. My primary concern is that the Average Joe - like me - doesn't waste money on inferior products. Claim #3: "You're the only one complaining about the image quality." Answer #3: Please look up Eagle Eagle Eye Shooting, and his review (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kGRF2jem74) of the 6-24x50mm SH4. You can also read the comments below. Many shooters report their SH4 has a beautiful image quality. But we also have a significant number that report the same issues as my two scopes. What we are probably dealing with is spotty quality control, not bad materials or a bad design. Claim #4: "You didn't adjust parallax properly." Answer #4: The image quality is so bad that it's difficult to even FIND proper parallax. I used different methods, mostly moving my head behind the scope, to find the sweet spot. Claim #5: "You're overstating the poor quality of the image." Answer #5: I've spent more time testing and re-testing this scope than any other on my channel. I compared it to nearly every other scope I own, regardless of price, and I compared them in the same conditions and at similar magnifications. The only scope I found that was worse than this one was a Barska 8.5-25x that was on a rifle I was tuning up for a friend. Claim #6: "No one has claimed that a $300 scope can compete with a $2000 scope." Answer #6: I bought this scope specifically BECAUSE many reviewers were positively comparing the SH4 Gen II to $2000 scopes. In fact, you're probably seeing some recommended videos right now that make that claim in the title. Claim #7: "So you're calling other reviewers liars?" Answer #7: No. They seem to have received scopes that were exactly as good as they say. I've seen their test footage. I'm just giving you my experience with two of their scopes. And if you're wondering if I will send this second back to Arken under warranty, at this point I can't. I've made a controversial claim that I can only substantiate if I hang onto this scope. Claim #8: "You're just trying to hurt the reputation of a scope manufacturer that competes with your favorites." Answer #8: I really wish this scope had lived up to the hype. Because I don't accept money from anyone, I'm a poor man, and losing $650 on this purchase hurt a lot. I made this video to help protect the next guy like me. At least I can use the mounts and rings on other 34mm scopes. The mounts and rings seem pretty awesome.

You are stating the obvious with this scope. We all know it doesn't have glass that will compete with a Tract, but to say it's unusable is nonsense. I use one all the time to shoot medium range (300-700 yds). This scope allows those with a lower budget to experience long range shooting with an optic that will out track most of the high end scopes, with glass good enough to get the job done.

So, I bought my SH4 Gen 2 4-16x50 about 3 weeks before you posted this based solely on the recommendation of a friend who is also a competition shooter. Mounted on my AR10 and zeroed at 100 yards. Next weekend shot in a 300 and 600 yard match. This past June, shot it out to 1200 yards on steel plates. In July shot it out to 800 yards. In none of these 3 venues, in various light conditions (early morning, late afternoon, Cloudy overcast and bright Clear sky) did I have any issues seeing mirage, looking for wind tell-tales (grass, tree leaves, etc) or seeing splash, bullet trace, or impact marks (on the steel). I was impressed (and still am) with this scope. After the first time I watched your video, I took my AR10 (with the Arken) and another rifle with a different manufacturer's 4-16x44 scope (Rhymes with HORTEX) and did a side by side comparison at 100 yards. Both were crisp and clear at 25, 50, 75, 100, and (approximately) 112 yards. At each distance I had placed high vis, sharp edged objects (specifically, small cardboard boxes and clay pigeons) side by side with a similar object with much more muted colorings. These were placed in shaded areas as well as bright areas. At the 100 yard mark, I placed 2 separate optical clarity charts - 1 printed in bright green, and the other in purple - on the target holder itself. In no case did I detect any Chromatic abberration of either Axial or Transverse Chromatic Abberration. I could clearly focus at any of the distances mentioned above, with no CA affects. Oh, and clarity is sharp enough that I had no difficulty reading "some" of the writing on the side of the box at 50 and 75 yards... So, semi-empirical, annecdotal evidence that this issue isn't present in all cases for this particular make/model scope. You can take that for what it is; one user's experience. Would I buy another? Yes, absolutely.

The key is "For the money". If you want the perfect scope, then spend 10x more. For those that can't afford it, that's where this scope is focused.

Thanks Kyle. You are no doubt a rifle optics expert. I think you spend a lot of time looking through flawless glass. I'd like to give credit to the SH4 for what it is. I paid 250 bucks for mine and yes it has chromatic issues along with aberrations. You see I am a lot older than you are, I grew up in the era where optics were often problematic. So my tolerable level is quite favorable toward an optic. Anyway, the sh4s on my daughter's 243 and all I can say is I can still hit the x-ring sub moa groups of .5 with that gun at a respectable distance. That's really all I'm after: rock solid repeatable erector assembly. It's the best you'll find for under 300 bucks, I think.

I think this honeslty one of the most fair reviews ive seen for the scope, I will say I haven't had as much trouble as you have with chromatic abberation, but it is still there. As a "newer" company maybe the problem comes down more to quality control but for the price its still fantastic for anyone who is curious to get into shooting.

Thank you for this review. One of the very, very few people on YouTube that actually addresses chromatic aberration. Thoroughly enjoyed your evaluation. Keep up the straight shooting.

Interesting find. I have had a few. I mean the glass isn't great, but I haven't had quite the same thoughts on the CA. Always appreciate unabashed honesty. I love mine.

For the average Joe out hunting, this scope is superior to most everything else in the price category. I have the EP 5 and really like shooting through it. I don’t shoot competitions, but the EP5 could be used on a bottom end of the capable scopes list. I use it on a heavy 6.5 Creedmoor AR platform rifle for hunting.

Thank you Kyle. Great information. I don't own the SH4 but I recently purchased the Arken EPL4 6-24×50 FFP MOA VHR. Very happy with it. I have to say the glass and functionality are on par with US Optics, Night Force, Vortex and the like, at a much lower price point that rivals the high end optics . I am looking forward to purchasing the Arken EP5 5-25X56 FFP MOA VPR.

Fantastic Review. You covered everything important and really broke down what you did and didn't like. This is how reviews should be done.

Thank you for the honest evaluation. I bought this exact scope, and have used it only a little. I took it out today in the sun and snow, and the CA was indeed horrific. I am bummed, but I will keep it for now, since it is only on a Ruger 10/22 doing rimfire PRS/NRL type stuff. If/when my lefty bolt Tikka shows up, I will upgrade… probably to the Tract Toric, or maybe the new Arken EP4. I feel like for what I am doing, I don’t need more than 16X, so that helps my budget a little as well. If I ever end up with a 6.5CM then I will probably look to a 5-25 or similar. Keep up the comprehensive and detailed reviews! I REALLY appreciate it!

I looked through one, the image looked milky or cloudy. Similar to a Primary Arms 3-18 SLX scope I had that I got rid of. Great video.

I watched eagle eye's video and he had no trouble spotting misses and hits at 1000yds. Pretty good for an entry level optic with these features IMO.

RN the SH4 is going at about 300. I think for the price its still good enough. I personally own a 4-16 sh4g2 as well and I found the same thing like you mentioned in the video aka excessive CA. I had tried to use the sunshade all the time regardless of lighting conditions and It helps a bit. I wondered if a obj lens reducer or longer sunshade would actually do more since What I notice is same as you said the brighter the light the more CA it appears to have. From what I learn of optical system design, at certain price range the optical system can only be so good to handle certain amount of light(price of lens limitations). I think when they designed the SH4g2, it went ahead of itself by margins and thus My opinion is just if you have ways to reduce light intake of the front, it should just perform fine. At the same time, that could be just be defeating the purpose of having a large obj as 50mm LOL

Excellent review and I'm so glad I found it. I have an EP5 and its outstanding so I was looking to add these to my rimfire precisions for nlr22. I have seen the same glass complaint you have on several forums including the Arken community. Thank you again and subbed!

Looking through both at the same tree branches, when compared to my 4.5-27 Bushnell Forge set at 24 power the Arken 6-24 has less purple CR. It is also easier to get behind up at that magnification. The glass on the Arken is a little more cloudy making the CR more subdued, not as vivid as seen on the Bushnell. In terms of what you get for the price, the Bushnell was on sale at $582 to my door plus $64 for the Warne Maxima rings, where the Arken with the combo pack was $362. You decide what to spend your money on, just putting out my observations. The Bushnell is the most expensive scope I own and I like it. In the end, I can't speak about what other higher $$$ scopes look like but if the SH4 was $299 a bit over 2 years ago when I bought the Bushnell, I would have saved myself the $220

Kyle is probably the only youtuber that would ever say a rifle scope has a "Shakespearian tragic flaw".

From the way you have explained your findings I believe that you are the only reviewer I have seen on this scope that is qualified to speak or review scopes. I agree with your findings. Great video.

I have to say I have been behind a SH a few years ago and was impressed. I then decided to get into the arken brand and luckily I have a local gun shop that sells them and was able to look at the EP class scope to the SH scope. The EP is by far and away better. Have seen no issues. But I also run a few athelon ares that I like for budget. My normal goto for any of my competition rifles are the steiner or the mark 5 leuopld.