Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Arken launched its EP-8 1-8X28 LPVO scope in July 2023. After nearly a year on the market, I finally had the opportunity to get hands-on with one for this review. Key features include a first focal plane (FFP) reticle and Arken’s illuminated KL BOX Bullet Drop Compensator (BDC) reticle. Designed to enhance speed and accuracy in both close-quarter combat (CQC) and extended-range engagements, the EP-8 offers a true 1x magnification at its lowest setting, ensuring a wide field of view and quick target acquisition.
Table of contents
Arken EP-8 Specifications:
- Magnification: 1-8x
- Objective Diameter: 28mm
- Eye Relief: 3.74 inches
- FOV (Field of View) at 1x: 121.15′ 22 deg
- FOV (Field of View) at 8x: 14.56′ 2.78 deg
- Tube Size: 34mm
- Turret Adjustment: 1/4 MOA
- Reticle Position: FFP (First Focal Plane)
- Reticle Details: BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator) – KLBOX (Known Length Box)
- Elevation Adjustment Range: 110 MOA
- Windage Adjustment Range: 110 MOA
- Illuminated Reticle: Red
- Throw Lever: Integrated / Removable
- Weight: 21oz.
- Color: Matte Black
- Battery (Not Included): CR2032
- Flip-Its Included: Yes
- Sunshade Included: No
EP-8 Out of the Box
From the factory, Arken supplies all necessary accessories for this scope, except for the rings themselves. Included in the box are flip-up lens covers (rubber lens cover shown instead), an integrated/removable throw lever, and the scope itself. However, it’s worth noting that the battery (CR2032) for the illuminated reticle is not included.
Mount
For this review, I paired the EP-8 with the Arken ARP-34Z (0 MOA) mount. This cantilever-style mount, designed for 34mm tubes, offers a height of 1.5 inches and weighs 5.9 ounces. The ARKEN OPTICS Rigid Precision mount provides nearly 2.5 inches of forward extension, which is ideal for achieving better eye relief on AR-style platforms. Fully CNC machined from aircraft-grade aluminum, these mounts ensure good precision and tolerances.
Arken Optics recommends a maximum torque setting of 18 in/lbs for the ring screws and 30 in/lbs for the base screws. These values are conveniently engraved on the mount, which I find very helpful. However, always refer to the optic manufacturer’s specifications, as they take precedence over Arken’s Halo Rings torque specifications for the scope rings.
Reticle
For me, the reticle is the most intriguing aspect of a scope. While quality glass and other features are important, the reticle can significantly impact the shooting experience. The KL BOX reticle, designed for common 5.56 and 7.62 cartridges, facilitates rapid targeting and quick holdovers. The reticle’s outer numerical markers represent distances in yards, with each interval denoting 100-yard increments starting at 400 yards. Additionally, wind hold dots adjacent to each number indicate holds for 7mph wind for 5.56 and 10mph wind for 7.62, enhancing chances of getting hits on target in varying conditions.
It is important to note that this is based upon a 50/200 yard zero and is only going to be spot on with a very specific round and barrel length. Arken doesn’t even specify what velocity these holdovers are based on but says that 62gr and 77gr 556 ammunition and 168gr and 178gr 7.62 ammunition should be true out to 800 yards. This depends on barrel length, but the KL BOX reticle is designed to get you close to your target and fast just like ACOGS.
First Focal Plane Design
A key advantage of the first focal plane (FFP) reticle in the EP-8 is that holdovers remain consistent across all magnification settings. This feature ensures that shooters can rely on accurate holds, whether at the minimum 1x or maximum 8x magnification. The KL BOX reticle’s design simplifies distance estimation and quick target acquisition, making it a highly effective tool in dynamic environments.
In close-quarter scenarios, the EP-8 works well with its true 1x magnification. The scope allows for both eyes to remain open, providing situational awareness and rapid target acquisition. The illuminated reticle, with its red illumination, enhances contrast and visibility, particularly in low-light conditions. However, it is important to note that while the reticle illumination is beneficial, it may not be “daylight bright” in the brightest conditions.
Arken EP-8 Illumination
To help provide enhanced visibility in any lighting scenario, the Arken EP-8 features a daylight-visible, externally adjustable illuminated reticle. The illumination turret is conveniently positioned opposite the windage turret for easy access. Adjusting the illumination is simple: rotate the external dial to select from settings 1 through 9 for varying intensity, with 0 representing the off position. This scope also has two NV settings which I am not sure when or how they should be used. They are too dim for a clip-on NV or thermal device, and getting NV goggles to see through a scope is very tricky. Also, at maximum brightness, the center horseshoe can wash out on well-lit or bright targets. However, the out circle helps keep your focus allowing you to sort of guess where that middle zero is going to be.
The illuminated reticle is powered by a single CR2032 battery. To conserve battery life, always ensure the scope is set to 0 when not in use. There are no off positions between the illuminated ones so just dial back. Unlike red dots, LPVO batteries typically only last for around 100 hours or so.
Ranging
The KL BOX Reticle allows for using reference points like shoulders, torso, and head to help gauge distance quickly. Designed for quick engagements, this reticle simplifies distance estimation within the 1X-8X range, facilitating faster approximated ranges and corresponding elevation holds.
Turrets
Turrets on the EP-8 offer 1/4 MOA adjustments for both windage and elevation. Adjustments are slightly mushy, yet they still pop into place. The turrets are also capped to prevent accidental changes. The elevation and windage have a total of 110 MOA adjustment range. Once zeroed, I had roughly half of that, or 55 MOA of potential elevation I could dial if needed. With the reticle this scope has, I decided to hold for shots instead of dialing them anyway. When it comes to LPVOs, they are made for speed so dialing in shots is an option, just not the most likely to be used.
Magnification and Clarity
The EP-8’s magnification range from 1x to 8x offers useability for a wide range of shooting applications. At 1x, the scope functions effectively as a red-dot sight, while at 8x, it provides sufficient magnification for medium-range engagements. The integrated throw lever allows for quick and smooth transitions between magnification settings, ensuring that shooters can adapt to changing situations effortlessly.
Looking through the scope at 1X magnification it appears that the inner 40% is clear, however, the outer 30% on each side, or roughly 60% of the field of view is blurry and distorted. When zoomed in to around 4X the distortion mostly disappears.
Testing the Arken EP-8
Throughout my testing, the Arken EP-8 1-8X28 LPVO performed respectably. I paired it with a 10.5″ Brownells BRN-180s and shot quickly at close ranges and out to around 200 yards. At 1X, the center point of the reticle was a bit difficult to see, but the outer ring made it easy to approximate my aim. The reticle facilitated quick target acquisition, and despite the minor challenge at 1X, the optic proved effective for both close and mid-range engagements. I love the FFP design, and I find the holdovers simple and quick to use. Just beware that they won’t be exactly right for all bullets depending on the speed at which they are moving.
READ MORE: Vortex Viper 1-6 King of the Mid-Tier?
Summary of the EP-8
Overall, the Arken EP-8 1-8X28 LPVO stands out as a fairly robust budget alternative to higher-end LPVOs already on the market. Although there is quite a bit of distortion, for the money I still think it’s a compelling choice in its price range. The combination of a great first focal plane reticle, and wide magnification range makes it a formidable choice. With an MSRP of $399 and a current sale price of $299, it’s up to you to decide if the EP-8 is a worthy addition to your arsenal.
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$400 is not budget, that’s more than three of my scopes combined. When I think Budget, I think like, under a hundred, hundred and twenty tops. $400 is the price of a lot of decent mid tier stuff. Up to about $1200, then you start getting into the ridiculously priced stuff that either is a finely made generational tool, is thermal, is smart, or has all kinds of gimmicks and most people aren’t going to spend that kind of money on their optics.