Arken EP8 1-8- initial impressions and durability testing

Let's hit the range and put my first rounds through the new Arken EP8 1-8 LPVO. In this video I'll give you an overview of the optic, show you the zeroing process, stretch out to a bit of distance and then put the optic through a series of practical durability tests. Stick around and let me know what you think of the performance of this Arken EP8.
Instagram: mountainsmulletsmerica
Rifle and optic details
- Griffin armament Mk2 11.5" SBR
- Ballistic engineering Core trigger
- Griffin Armament dual lok 7 suppressor
- Arken EP8 1-8 LPVO in an Arken single piece mount
00:00 Intro
02:58 Gear review
05:56 50 yard zeroing
07:49 300 yards
09:32 200 yd positional
11:13 Durability test 1
12:54 Durability test 2
14:06 Durability test 3
15:26 Tractor drop test
18:40 50 yard zero confirm
20:09 7 yard close range
24:24 How do I feel the scope performed?
25:16 Shooting review
31:31 Is the scope worth it?
32:10 Closing comments

[@Echophone2046]

Sir, you are slowly becoming my favorite guntuber. Love your style, your editing, presentation, and how you focus on the craft of shooting and getting into the details. Keep up the good work.

[@chylodavis7573]

Your ability to explain things very well makes any type of video good

[@redscorpion3]

Without a doubt, your channel is one of the best in educational content delivered with topnotch clarity. The EP8 and the EP5 will be my next two scopes. Thank you.

[@markgunn-og8xb]

We have 5 Arkens. Unfortunately I am now a hopeless fanboy 😊. Fyi they are a very small company and got slammed during the last part of 2023. They are catching up now but a lot of people had to wait a lot longer than they expected to get theirs. They are worth every minute and dollar saved. Good luck.

[@rod5426-wg3wr]

Love the channel. I just picked up an EP-8. Thanks for this!

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

Really appreciate you taking the time to watch my videos and support the channel! Your support doesn’t go un noticed! Lots of new content in the works so hope you’ll stay tuned to check it out.

[@July4-1776]

i got mine a 6 weeks ago and love it, i also have 2, ep5s and hands down best value for the $

[@Quazo594]

How was your 1x experience?

[@thewolfman8504]

Nicht für €?

[@pablovaldez1978]

This is the most underrated gun channel, this guy is amazing, others gun tubers will compare this optics with high end product and will trashed. I like it very much always very honest reviews

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

Really glad to hear you’re enjoying the content! Lots of new videos in the works this year so hope you’ll stay tuned to check them out!

[@JCann]

You need to find another buddy. The one you have keeps dropping your stuff.😊 Nice review and I enjoy your content

[@Brothers2Keeper]

As someone who also has a mullet, loves LPVO’s, guns and the mountains.. I couldn’t subscribe fast enough.

[@maxsterling290]

That's what is called "true honest review". Some of others claimed their videos as "honest review" (sounds like as long as bashing Arken it would be "honest"), yet they were biased from the beginning. On KZbin, you're one of the two most trustworthy Arken reviewers, the other is X-ring.

[@1BXB]

Your videos are so comprehensive while easy to follow and learn from. Thanks!

[@circle_g_]

just watched you on Texas Plinking 1MOA 1000YDS would have loved to see you rock the 6ARC out there in Tejas

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

You know I thought about taking the 6arc when I went in December but decided the 14.5” 6.5cm would be a little more challenging. If I go back again though I’d very likely take a 6arc. That said I’ve got lots more 6arc content planned this year so if you’re into that stick around!

[@jlj8808]

Great video. I just got my first lpvo. I'm excited to try it. Im used to red dots, so this will be a new experience for me. Keep the vids coming, thank you.

[@aflickt4162]

Love your in depth videos I was looking for a good vid on the EP-8

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

Glad to hear you found value in watching! I’ve got another video or 2 planned for the EP8 so stay tuned!

[@tnryan670]

Great video! I have both the EP5 5-25x and the EP8. The EP5 on my Sig Cross .308 and the EP8 on my LWRC .223. Both are an incredible value for what you get. Solid mounts and clear glass. Plus Arken stands behind their products and answered my questions quickly. Would highly recommend.

[@aaronkinsman1699]

This was my first time viewing your channel and I have to say I am very impressed. Your presentation style and editing are a breath of fresh air. Thank you for being so clear and thorough. Subscribed!

[@fastrope1556]

Extremely thorough review, very nice.

[@mikedebear]

Great review on this scope; as usual your approach and explanations are clear and easy to understand. Thanks for the quality content!

[@dariobbarros]

Your videos are always, impeccable. Congratulations. My third Arken scope, best bang for the buck for sure.

[@Florida_War_Tribe]

Killing it. Definitely one of my favorite channels, keep grinding! 🤙🏽

[@NATHANBROWN80]

Although I appreciate the more harsh durability tests that other reviewers provide, I feel this test was more realistic and practical for the average use case. Thanks for doing this! This is quickly becoming one of my favorite channels.

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

Glad to hear you enjoy this kind of testing! Certainly we could test to the point of failure but I wanted to take a more realistic approach and put the scope through testing in line with what most shooters will experience. More content coming so hope you’ll stay tuned!

[@NATHANBROWN80]

@@MountainsMulletsMerica I will absolutely stayed tuned! I like you style and the information you provide. You're carving out your own way as opposed to being a carbon copy of other channels. So much similar content out there. It's nice to see something different and more inline with what I'm looking for.

[@tms8958]

your video style is fantastic. thorough, concise, and very informative. keep making the content and I will keep consuming.

[@aznsinner73]

Appreciate the review. I picked one of these up and for the price have been pretty impressed so far. Looking forward to your other reviews.

[@wayneok1369]

This is a first time I have viewed your channel. It's also far and away the best review of a rifle scope that I have seen on KZbin. Thank you very much, I really appreciate you taking the time to be so thorough and so descriptive. I look forward to seeing more of your videos. Please keep up the good work.

[@jchild5450]

Just ordered mine! It’s my first LPVO ever so I’m excited to see this review 🤙🏼

[@kensnyder2340]

Excellent video as usual. Arken looks good. I never heard of Arken, so I learned something. Keep up the good work!

[@kensnyder2340]

@@richardmangus8776 , I'll check them out. I know primary Arms is getting a lot of praise these days for price/ quality. I just have Dots. I've never owned a scope. i used a lot of them when I used to hunt, but there were borrowed. It seems like no matter what scope is used, people complain about all of them! I guess it's the nature of the Interenet. Thanks.😀

[@bigj5337]

Really happy I found your channel! Your information is invaluable!! Great job!!

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

Appreciate you taking the time to watch and support the channel! Lots of fresh content coming so hope you’ll stay tuned!

[@joshuapaquette2174]

I appreciate the educational content. Keep it up, man!

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

Hey really appreciate you taking the time to support the channel, it doesn't go un noticed! I've got a lot of new content in the works so hope you'll stay tuned to check it out!

[@tdhayes1]

Great video. Very instructional. Just received my Arken EP8. Only waiting for my AR to arrive from the factory after 11 patient weeks. Thanks

[@ericramos6502]

Just got mine last week so your video was very informative

[@AnonTaylo]

I love my Arken optics. Great value… but I think an NCStar would have survived those tests. 😂 I love the channel and look forward to more videos like this.

[@johngross8300]

Great first watch on the channel. Subscribed scrolling the ‘thoughtful’ comments section for your professionalism. Could be I’ve been binging the Arken EP8 currently in transit. . . my first LPVO. Thank You. (edit: binging = bingeing.)

[@lifewithaclifewithac897]

Mr flicker!!! ❤❤ Love your shooting JUST found your channel! From the contest you were part of!! ✊🏿💪🏿

[@d.r.sandbo1570]

Looking forward to seeing you run this in the DMR match, well done review.

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

I actually can’t wait to see how I can do with it. It’s been years since I shot a dmr match but hopefully it’s like riding a bike and I can make some hits on camera for the viewers haha. Stay tuned!

[@logancook8983]

I am 3 weeks in with mine loving it

[@jb-weld]

Thanks for the review! This is the only Arken scope I own, since its release really coincided with my need for another budget LPVO, I thought I'd try it. I honestly didn't trust their scopes before that. My personal experience: a few range trips so far and it managed to maintain zero despite bouncing around the car all the time. I saw the EP5 seems to work well in practice like the 1k challenge on Texas Plinking, so now I think Arken is decent for its price point. Hope to see more of these videos covering other scope brands, and I appreciate the work that goes into them.

[@wyattwillis1401]

Really glad of the review, I have been interested in this scope for a while, but I wanted to learn a little more about it before dropping 500 schmeckles on something.

[@kaynenbrown5102]

Great video as always.

[@mattwarner6599]

I got mine back in November. It has been a great optic.

[@dougmoore5252]

Very practical test, my goodness I have done those things also.

[@longher3138]

Here from Reno May. Great and informational content. 👏

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

Appreciate you taking the time to stop by and check out the channel! Lots of new content coming so hope you’ll stick around to check it out!

[@Aizazell]

great review, I do enjoy this channel.

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

Thank you! Really appreciate you support!

[@DownRange556]

Great review. I’m looking forward to more videos on the optic and the reticle. It’s been an optic of interest to me since I dipped into the world of LPVOs. Would love to see more drops and harder use. Something like a red dot torture test format. Again, great review!

[@markgunn-og8xb]

We have a handful of LPVO’s including a very expensive PA PLX-c and the Arken EP-8 is a toss up compared to it and smokes the rest. I love the reticule and the very large field of view. God bless.

[@DownRange556]

@@markgunn-og8xb I’m really enjoying learning about LPVOs and long distance shooting. I bought a PA LPVO they had the Aura reticle. It was the special purchase optic on Black Friday. The glass is clear and reticle easy to pick up. I’ve not had it to the range just yet, but hopefully soon. The EP8 is very very interesting. The idea behind it and its usage fits what I want. I may have to give one a try.

[@Machinecat58]

Love your videos bro!!!

[@JoseSantos-nd9td]

Awesome video very informative..

[@RandomGyro_]

Love your content man, I really appreciate the work you put into these videos, and the fact that you're a real shooter and not another BS tacticool guntuber trying to sell people crap. Solid collection of rifles as well.

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

Really awesome to hear you’re enjoying the content and appreciate your support! My goal with each video is to provide the viewer some kind of value along with the entertainment. I feel like I’ve found a unique niche in the guntube space and so far it seems to be working. Hope you’ll stick around to catch future videos and don’t forget to share with your buddies!

[@quigleypuffs]

I like the tone of that griffin supressor.

[@rossbennett1381]

what a video. great job man.

[@brokespoke5424]

Excellent content.

[@marcusd3212]

Awesome video! Ive been looking at getting the ep8 as i have a ep5 on my 6.5. I was really impressed with the ep5 for the money. I have a few vortex razors in gen2 and gen3. With those being the more expensive scopes i have the ep5 was definitely in the wheel house of that but at a tremendous difference in price. I love the fact you are doing a more practical durability test on the ep8 and doing stuff thats more likely to happen. But i think you need to get a new buddy thats not as clumsy. So im here when ya need me. 😂 keep up the great content brother! 👏 👍

[@BoltImpact]

Awesome upload mate.

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@paulhodge855]

I was one of the first group to order EP8. I have it on a 6.8 SPC build that I will be using for hog hunting. It makes a great combination.

[@mattblack133]

You make great videos bro... you should have more followers. 🤙

[@willo7734]

As soon as I heard that Arken was coming out with an LPVO I said “shut up and take my money!” and preordered it. i havent’ been disappointed. it is an awesome scope that feels like it’s worth 3x what I paid for it.

[@goawaybaizuo]

I would love for you to review the vector continental fiber sites. I'd bet they would send you some. I got the 1-6x24i fiber scope and love it. Also, love Griffin. They are such a dark horse in the industry.

[@MikeStJohn-du5ue]

Nice job, keep it up.

[@DonHandley]

First time watching Will be back👍

[@quigleypuffs]

Every time you went slow mo, I couldn’t stop laughing.😂 I don’t know why I thought the slow mo was so funny. Solid video as usual my friend.

[@healthfreak79]

Great video.

[@kurtballard1189]

I’ve been very pleased with my Arken optics, really good quality for the price.

[@stevenlewis6781]

Great content as always. I have a Athlon 1-10 on my POF Revolution DI. It’s pretty dang good for a $500 optic, and just about perfect for a 16” 308. I’d love to see you do a review on the POF DI.

[@johnandrachelfritchman6794]

I have one on my SFAR and I absolutely love it. Arken has been great to work with and the build quality is amazing for the price point. Love the videos and keep up the good work.

[@CByers-lh3zq]

Firstly: really appreciate your work in setting up all these evaluations- I bet there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes that you do to achieve such quality content. Appreciate it! Am unsure if just the recording device- but the views do seem to have some chromatic aberration/rainbow effect, particularly around the edges of the white targets, did that appear to you IRL, or is it just due to recording? I know a lot of 'gucci-optics guys' complain about chromatic aberration, but it doesn't seem like it really mattered when it came to getting good solid hits on target. How did you feel the field of view was in comparison to other LPVOs? What did you think of the unusual stair-step reticle, was it too busy, or does it really help when estimating range off a silhouette? Cheers and thanks!

[@mickeyroberts77777]

nice review

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

Thank you!

[@dougmoore5252]

Thank you

[@stephendebord9953]

Going to try the ep8 on a 14.5 jakyl, love the ep5 on 20 inch 6.5

[@donaldpope2155]

This review is 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻. You got a new follower from me.

[@williamwlotzka8721]

Thanks for the vid,well done & informative. I'm a fan of Arken optics,& I have 2,a SH4gen2/6-24X,& a EP5/5-25X. The SH4 is ok for the price point,but does have a cpl deficiencies...the eye box is pretty finicky & eye relief is a tad short,& the glass,while usable,is mediocre. The EP5 though(IMO)is very nice,for it's price point...good eye box,good eye relief,& the glass is quite nice & deficiencies aren't really noticeable until you get above 20X(but still usable nonetheless). As with all Arken scopes,they track exceptionally well w/audible & tactile clicks,& do have a zero stop,although I really wish they had locking turrets. I've been very interested in the EP8,but was waiting for a few different reviews to be released to buy one,& I definitely see one on my AR in the near future

[@brazzy1467]

Got mine when they were available put it on my AR-10 308. So far I've shot out to 700 yds with no problem. I also have the 5-25 Arken on my 300WM and it's freaking awesome.

[@markgunn-og8xb]

Question for you. On you 308, what length of barrel and what range did you zero at. 36 or 50 yards or??

[@brazzy1467]

@@markgunn-og8xb it's a Noveske 16" rifle length gas barrel with the headspaced bolt. I'm really impressed with their 16" 308 barrel. Oh I zeroed mine at 50 yds for now will try different zeros a little later when I have time.

[@brianwingard4932]

Great channel. Is the Arken signle piece mount you are using the 34mm x 0 MOA or the 34mm x 20 MOA version?

[@bwmalibu1]

Thanks!

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

Hey Bill, once again really appreciate your continued support! Lots of content planned this year and this level of support helps make this possible. Hope you enjoy what I’ve got coming!

[@TheLoneRanger745]

I think if you're buddy keeps knocking your rifle around he's gonna get an adjustment 😂 kidding 🤣. Great testing Buddy. Everyone says really good things about Arken optics . It's a perfect 556 scope , do all !

[@kevinpendras6001]

I'm curious about eye relief and tracking. Hopefully, you will address these.

[@Quazo594]

Would like to hear your impressions of the scope body is to thick in your opinion on 1x and how far of an eye box you are getting on 1x? Thanks for your input and the realistic durability text. Everything was well explained as usual.

[@jackgreenstalk777]

Great test. Shoutout to Reno May for reposting this 🎯

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

Appreciate you taking the time to watch! Also thanks for the heads up that Reno had shared the video… I need to swing by and give him a thank you!

[@LifeMyWay007]

VIDEO Idea - just found Long Distance Air Guns! I was looking for another Varmint Gun for Prairie Dogs in South Dakota and a video of guys taking Prairie Dogs at 300+ yrds with a PCP Air Gun!!!! Should make some Very Unique comparison videos for you. Especially with ammo prices and shortages with ammo priced in the $25 for 300 shots, aught to have a lot of interest by us 'Real Gun' guys. Been a subscriber since your 1st visit to Texas Plinking. He got me to check you out - YOUR content is why I stayed.

[@jeffgeesaman4386]

is there a brand of bag you prefer, or do you make your own, and if so what fill material do you like best. Thanks. Love your content

[@SilentHitmanPL]

I Like it.

[@nOptics]

There is an easier way to sight in the scope. You shot the first two shots and confirmed they were good. Use a caldwell rest or anything that will hold the gun firm. Put the dot back on the center of the target like when you shot. Without moving the gun/scope, adjust the turrets to make the dot align with the bullet holes. Confirm with third shot hitting the bullseye. Takes all the guess work on how much to adjust the turrets. Saves ammo.

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

Great point and an effective method for sure. I don’t use sleds or rests though so not a method I’ve ever used. Appreciate you taking the time to watch!

[@boltfluting.comvideos2233]

Optics, Lol! It's hilarious that you think, with his knowledge, that he doesn't know this. Too funny! His response is very professional, to say the least.

[@kevinelliott9679]

I ordered a different one of their products with Christmas bonus cash and am wondering if I should have got this instead, I really like the off position of illumination between each illumination level on the one I got

[@ronsorrentino6207]

Love your videos for the same reasons everyone else does. One question for you though. Is your trigger a starting to go? Or is what I saw normal? What did I see? With each shot the trigger cam showed a horizontal line or a couple horizontal lines. Thanks for the work you do in and with all your videos.

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

Oh man you’ve got a great eye! Yes this triggercam gave trouble and was recently replaced by triggercam. Really impressed with their customer service!

[@dilorenzopiero5162]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@CrazyestCanuck]

That is a sweet trigger and needs a JP silent capture spring other than that it appears to be a perfect setup

[@hardymon]

Would be interested to see your thoughts on low light performance. I have one and I thinks it is solid in good lighting, but mediocre light transmission as it gets darker.

[@forensicpreps4508]

New Sub👍🏻 Solid. Reno sent me.

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

Really appreciate you taking the time to stop by and check out my content! Lots more content just like this in the works so hope you’ll stick around to check it out!

[@SilveradoShootingAcademy]

Arken offers a 0 moa mount and a 20 moa mount. Which one were you using?

[@Enostactical]

Nice channel

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

Thank you!

[@donwill3442]

Hope they release a MIL version

[@SlicedInThree]

On a bright day, would you say that without illumination, the center of the reticle has enough contrast to see it at 1x? It seems like the center horseshoe is definitely a tad small at 1x.

[@billkampouris2286]

I recently purchased an ep5 from Arken and I have to say I am really impressed at what they offer vs what they cost. Not sure you could do better for the money.

[@healthfreak79]

It'll be great to see you take that scope out to distance.

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

I can’t wait to see what happens at distance as well! Should have video from the dmr match coming in early Feb so hope you’ll stay tuned to check it out!

[@fordvg]

Great video and I would keep that friend away from my rifles lol 😂

[@hopewilliams6705]

This is fine for substitute For say a Red Dot/ magnifier type doctrine but most of the people are not avg and stacking all these averages together gives you a lot of holding in dead space but a fairly decent scope overall

[@1GruntZPOV]

Looks pretty cool. I would love to see you do a video on a 14.5 with a basic eotech 3-0 and 3x and see how far you can push it reliably. I’m setting up a GPR with an eotech and magnifier for 0-400 shooting while staying short enough to run through an urban area. I used to use an 11.5 but after seeing all the trench clearing videos from Ukraine, I have a feeling an 11.5 will not defeat body armor which most people are now purchasing. So 14.5 it is lol.

[@SMACK1978]

Really thought you were going to run it over with the tractor 🤣 Honestly it’s hard to find anybody shitting on Arlen. Seems they are pretty solid for the price.

[@Ligma1.0]

Had nothing but tracking issues out of my Arkens , I just upgraded my 300prc to a Ziess LRP S3

[@truesightgrabber]

18:45, what device you mounted in your scope to record the picture from it ?

[@806Guns]

Dude love it. Hope thats a lbz 👍

[@MountainsMulletsMerica]

I wish it was an LBZ…. It’s actually an 02 8.1

[@frankb8616]

Trex just dropped a video testing a Chinese fake vortex where he shoots 100yards but changes from 1x to 3x to 6x to see if they land the same . I have one coming shipped last Friday.

[@SeanMurphy00]

I picked up a SwampFox Arrowhead 1-8 LPVO a year ago and while I like it, I’m curious to know how it compares to the Arken. I’ve heard a ton of good things about their optics.

[@Naumets1]

Need to check if it Tracks do a box test.