Arken Optics Zulus HD 5-20x LRF Day/Night Scope, FIRST IMPRESSIONS

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These products aren't mine, they are loaned to me for articles and video reviews, I'm totally independent to say what I like,, you get real world footage of my experiences with the products in question. I concentrate on user interface, not just technical specifications. It is MY OPINION, yours may differ. Mine is based on thirteen years of professional journalism in England, Europe, Scandinavia and the U.S.A. I have no reason to say nice things about what I have invested or wasted my own income on, I just say it how I think it when I encounter it, I'm not selling anything and don't quote prices as these vary across currencies and countries so consult your local retailers. Follow me on Facebook, “Chris Parkin’s Shooting Sports” or Instagram “chrisparkin431” for regular updates on what I am using and what’s in for review?
DISCLAIMER - Videos are strictly for documentary, educational and entertainment purposes. Imitation or the use of any acts depicted in these videos is entirely at YOUR OWN RISK. Chris Parkin Shooting Sports and KZbin will not be held liable for any injury or damage or violation of the law. I am fully licensed and insured for my work, I do not sell or deal in firearms or any other shooting products. Such practice is heavily regulated and subject to applicable laws. We DO NOT sell Firearms, shotguns or airguns nor do we sell parts, magazines, or ammunition. PLEASE BE SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE. © Chris Parkin Shooting Sports 2023.

[@christerry4882]

looking forward to getting this in the US.

[@johnkane46]

Looking forward to the full review!

[@rickydowning7557]

Have to say, this looks the clearest I have seen

[@TMFShooting]

Great Review Chris , I want one 💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

[@ArtistisMe]

Just waiting for mine to arrive, having never used a night sight since I left the Army many, many, years ago. Currently I only shoot sub 12lb 3 rifles & 1 Pistol/Carbine conversion & 1 sub 6lb pistol for a bit of fun. Aiming to start Ratting/Vermin control. Looking forward to any vlogs you do, actually shooting with this scope.

[@davidmackee8575]

Good review Chris eye relief is definitely important I think most nv could do with more of it for sure on centre fire lightweight rifles as you said in video had a cut a few years ago with 7mm rem mag and poor eye relief enjoyed this video cheers Chris

[@MontanaWild78]

It’s night vision and no night time video?

[@joeallison286]

Looking forward to the full review..crimbo ain't too far away..cheers chris

[@chrisparkin431]

I just wish it would stop raining so I could get out and do some filming

[@johnmcphee2201]

looking forward to the full review. i would be especially interested in the ballistic calculator as i am using air rifle and 22lr

[@GeorgeMcKnight]

I'm with you on that...would love to know how to use the Arken ballistics app on a sub 12 air rifle, so hopefully Chris will help out here

[@chriscato1531]

Good review as always , totally agree with you about the eye relief I wish that they would try and make more scopes with a decent eye relief rather than video recording and rangefinders or ballistic apps ? Because as you say and I totally agree with you again about the distance that you shoot at night, a range finder and a ballistic app is totally unnecessary. Keep up the good work

[@chrisparkin431]

I suspect the ballistics are of most appeal to airgun shooters who have to deal with more correction over moderate ranges than centrefire shooters out foxing but each to their own. That opinion is based on the feedback I receive from viewers. As for eye relief, well again, airgun shooters don't need it either.

[@HD-ph1dc]

Please include in the full review about the audio and if it is a step up from the Pard. also optic clarity in comparison to Pard and ATN. I like the optical zoom going in 2.5 increments instead of one or the other. Also Iv'e seen your reviews on the Pard, which would you prefer?

[@user-rj4re7tk4i]

Ff

[@sparkplugsteve402]

The weak link is the battery cap, not much thread and a fine thread also, if this gets crossed the unit is knackered. Good vid though...

[@lyndsaycolclough]

nice review chris.if the built in ir can be removed how would it be powered if the battery goes inside the ir. would it need an external power pack for that. cheers

[@chrisparkin431]

no idea, i suspect the module can be swapped for a 940 if desired and there will be contacts underneath to supply current. i dont think it's designed to be used seperately

[@brianreinicke9490]

5x base magnification may be too much for typical hunting distances under 100yd that you may find at hunting facilities that have feeders set up. Also typical in the woods hunting will present shots under 100 yards. 5x will limit your field of view.

[@AlabamaPilgrim333]

What’s the minumum distance?

[@NavySooner]

5.56 and 300 blk will be just fine for the feral hogs here in the states.

[@Nikonik66]

Is this scope used for air guns only, or can I put it on a hunting rifle? I'm worried about the recoil.

[@freeforester1717]

Is it LED illuminator, I thought it might be VCSEL? Bruce McPherson’s video review seemed to show that his illuminated very well out to 250yds or so, maybe the illuminator is different? TY

[@chrisparkin431]

It's not reliable that far out in my opinion. It is LED

[@wayneericksen5374]

Arken Optics on their website for the Zulus 5 has a check box for Picatinny 0 MOA Short (PMS). What does that mean?

[@jwesty85]

Did you ever find an answer to this question?

[@tonyferrit8761]

you said about the ir light ,but how do you turn it on or is it alltomatic when the unit is switched on for night vision . just got one andit dosent say anything in setup.

[@chrisparkin431]

The instruction book explains. essentially, you press a button to turn it on/off or change power

[@danbrown6255]

Ive got an fx crown would the magazine be in the way in respect to eye relief and visually looking trough the scope cheers

[@chrisparkin431]

It's marginal, but probably ok, you would physically have to try it. I have a crown here and if i get the chance, i will have a look

[@Vermin_hit_squad]

​@@chrisparkin431I'd be interested to know this also. Thanks

[@Glimpsedshow]

@@chrisparkin431 Chris did you ever check this? I have. acrown MK2 and want to buy one

[@PeterMaddison2483]

For the price, I would have expected a battery to be included.

[@BooDamnHoo]

Well, it's definitely a no go for my 308s. Get scope-eye every time I fire.

[@euroslavbusuioc3546]

Почему не вариант?? Не выдержит отдачу??😂

[@rosemeyer13]

Will it take the recoil of a 308

[@tallyho25]

As there is no battery supplied what 18650 battery would be recommended ?

[@chrisparkin431]

Anything decent quality not sold in local vape shop

[@snaggletooth555]

Zulus to the southwest, thousands of 'em

[@farleyjj1]

😂😂😂

[@chrisalderman4412]

How does it compare with pard 008s? Is it better. Cheers.

[@chrisparkin431]

Pard are well served by the next generation DS 35 now which is a very different scope with much more functionality and mounting versatility as well as significantly beneficial 100mm eye relief. I had some decen success with the 008's in the past but the market has moved on in my opinion

[@simoncocher2622]

Hi Chris , still pard DS 35 in your opinion trumps this as footage goes in day and night . ?

[@chrisparkin431]

@@simoncocher2622 they are not directly comparable units

[@BarrieCopeland-je6lh]

Where does the lrf splash land in terms of cross hairs in daylight? Is it effective for sub 12 with 30yrd zero. I shoot rabbits and had a bad time with a ds3570lrf bc. That couldn't be used accurately in day time.

[@RatManAl]

The LRF lands top left of the screen on 5x zoom, can range down to 10m iirc

[@BarrieCopeland-je6lh]

@RatManAl thanks for replying. Please tell me in daylight, the cross hair is on a rabbit I'm culling. I don't get how you can say confidentially. The splash ranges the rabbit. If there is no indication of exactly where your splash is . Isn't there a box or mark displaying its position. I'm hoping as one hunter to another You don't mind teaching an old dog a new trick. I wasted all this season with a ds3570lrf even after pard said they had sorted it out. It couldn't range anything smaller than a large board with a target on it. Super accurate. Because it ranged the board . Take the target off the board and give it a clear line of sight backdrop. Useless!!!. I've a paddock and crop field over run with rabbits. I'm desperate to have a reliable day night scope. But an £870 bad experience makes me hesitate . Again thank you.

[@RatManAl]

I've not used it a great deal yet, but it's accurate as far as I can tell, there is a little box shows up where the splash lands

[@RatManAl]

Hi Barrie, just used it a bit more and the lrf lands in various places depending on your zero, basically it lands in the centre of the screen or there about. Anyway, during the day, there is a little cursor shows where the lrf lands, I've just used it on a ball no bigger than a golf ball and it was bang on, hit with 2 shots. Unfortunately I can't show how the lrf works as it doesn't show the crosshairs on the videos, but it definitely works 100% I'm zero'd at 20yds, hitting targets with immense accuracy at up to 50yds, I'd be very comfortable shooting up to 70yds then the sub 12 air rifle wouldn't be very effective

[@BarrieCopeland-je6lh]

@RatManAl Brother, that is brilliant. Thank you for taking the time to do that. It makes more sense now I know there's an indicator. Ever your in hastings shout me. If you want to shoot rabbit, or just range work. Day or night. I owe you, friend.

[@Suasponte-rm8mz]

IS IR LASER VISIBLE THRU THIS OPTIC?

[@chrisparkin431]

Yes

[@elimarsh8435]

Would you recommend this over the ATN 4k or the sightmark wraith 4k?

[@chrisparkin431]

You wont get a black eye but it's irritating having to be in contact to het full field of view

[@elimarsh8435]

@@chrisparkin431 Would you recommend this over the ATN 4k or the sightmark wraith 4k?

[@malin7919]

I believe it is VCSEL ir illuminator, not LED.

[@chrisparkin431]

It certainly has a lot of power😉

[@malin7919]

@@chrisparkin431 VCSEL is laser. That's why you don't need a big large reflector for long range. All long range LED illuminators are huge which is why I am not a fan of LED illuminator.

[@chrisparkin431]

@@malin7919 oh I know what they are and also how delicate the laws on them are too

[@krajus83]

Zip lock bags are made to be opened and closed. No need to destroy the bag opening it..

[@chrisparkin431]

Very helpful

[@krajus83]

@@chrisparkin431 doing the lords work.

[@nialbarnsley4108]

QUESTION ? THIS arken or hikmicro cheetah

[@chrisparkin431]

Look at the title of the video, you might see a clue there

[@RatManAl]

good review of the scope, however the 45mm eye relief is a load of shit, unless it's just mine, I can clearly see the screen/reticle at 75mm, you can move further away but narrows down the screen, can still clearly see the reticle though. It's just the cup that is 45mm long.

[@euroslavbusuioc3546]

Какой прицел купить за эти деньги????😂

[@chrisfisher3900]

Thank god its not cr123

[@crazycressy7986]

Is it springer proof

[@chrisparkin431]

I haven't used it on one but there isnt really any eye relief so it's going to nudge you ervey time anyway

[@MisterBaker5]

Zulu's = "Dont shoot to you see the white of their eyes!"

[@trickyrick8621]

So no 308?

[@chrisparkin431]

I wouldn't but each to their own

[@PhuVet]

600 pounds, that's heavy...

[@stevegodfrey44]

You definitely have OCD about eye relief don't you ?

[@chrisparkin431]

Not OCD, just a realistic expectation that it's needed and regularly mis sold to the less well informed

[@georgemcateer]

Too much hassle in Ireland now...need permission to use it and it's treated as a firearm in that you have to pay every 3 years for it and needs it's own license.. technically the license on the rifle could be up but the license on the scope could still be in date🤣🤣.. thermal Scopes banned in Ireland completely now

[@eoinwestman6222]

Really! Thermal scopes are banned. How about thermal spotters.

[@Manicorp]

Wow, that sucks! Come and live in the US.

[@wathaet1386]

WTF? And I complain about our ridiculous Swedish regulations.

[@eoinwestman6222]

@@wathaet1386 Ireland is very quickly becoming a totalitarian state, the government are completely committed EU rules and legislation

[@chiefjoseph8154]

That’s your fault. No men left in your country?

[@pitts3219]

Recoil …..what are you smoking?

[@steveapplegarth4577]

haha, brits talkin bout the recoil of a 223....its no wonder y'all lost the revolutionary war.

[@jimdavidson5461]

Lol

[@odinboggs4372]

😂

[@chrisparkin431]

You perhaps don't understand a statement in context

[@qh4007]

Lol

[@chrisparkin431]

Yon

[@user-hk9ny7qk9u]

Nice look Zelensky junior! lol