OUTRIDER VS. LH-4 VS. EPL-4: Which ARKEN Hunting Scope Is Right for You?

Quick Answer: Choose the OUTRIDER 2-12x42 SFP for lightweight, straightforward hunting inside 300 yards, or the OUTRIDER 3-18x50 SFP for open terrain and longer sightlines. Choose the LH-4 4-16x44 FFP if you need more reach and prefer reticle holdovers over dialing. Choose the EPL-4 4-16x44 FFP for dialing-focused hunting with a lightweight setup, or the EPL-4 6-24x50 FFP if you also need higher magnification for longer-range shooting and range use.

Not every hunting scope needs to do everything. What matters is whether it does what you need, where you hunt, and how you shoot.

That’s where the OUTRIDER, LH-4, and EPL-4 differ. All three series are designed with hunting use in mind, but each takes a different approach to magnification, reticle use, and elevation adjustment. Here’s what those differences mean in the field and how they may fit different hunting needs.

OUTRIDER 2-12x42 SFP and OUTRIDER 3-18x50 SFP: Simple, Fast Hunting

The OUTRIDER series includes two SFP hunting scopes, the OUTRIDER 2-12x42 SFP and the OUTRIDER 3-18x50 SFP. Both are designed for hunters who value a straightforward setup, a clear sight picture, and reliable performance across a variety of hunting environments.

Key Features of the OUTRIDER Series

• Wide Field of View: Provides a broad sight picture for tracking game and maintaining situational awareness in varied terrain.

• Forgiving eyebox for flexible shooting positions: Helps maintain a usable sight picture when shooting offhand, from a rest, or from improvised positions.

• Japanese HD glass for low-light hunting: Delivers 90%+ light transmission for a bright, clear sight picture during early-morning and late-evening hunts.

•  SFP reticle for a simpler sight picture: Maintains the same apparent size throughout the magnification range for a familiar, uncluttered aiming reference. Not too small at low magnification, and not too big at higher magnification. Exactly what you need when you need it.

• FDR or DLR reticle for different hunting preferences: FDR provides daylight-bright fiber illumination, while DLR offers a classic duplex-style sight picture.

• Hydrophobic lens coating for wet-weather hunting: Helps shed rain and moisture when hunting in damp or changing weather.

• Capped turrets for a set-and-forget setup: Protects your zero from accidental adjustments while carrying or moving through the field.

OUTRIDER 2-12x42 SFP vs. OUTRIDER 3-18x50 SFP

ARKEN OUTRIDER 2-12x42 SFP and 3-18x50 SFP hunting scopes compared for different hunting environments

• OUTRIDER 2-12x42 SFP: The lighter, more compact option for woods, fields, and mountain hunts where most shots stay inside roughly 300 yards. Its fixed 100-yard parallax also means one less adjustment to manage in the field.

• OUTRIDER 3-18x50 SFP: Offers a 50 mm objective, higher 18x top-end magnification, and adjustable side focus from 10 yards to infinity, making it suitable for open terrain and longer sightlines. The tradeoff is added size and weight (28.2–29.2 oz).

For a full spec-by-spec breakdown, see our OUTRIDER series comparison.

Best for: Hunters looking for a straightforward SFP scope with practical features for different hunting environments, from close-to-mid-range shots in the field to longer sightlines in open country.

LH-4 4-16x44 FFP: Holdovers and Extended-Range Hunting

The LH-4 4-16x44 FFP is designed for hunters who want more reach and more control as shooting distances increase. It adds FFP, side-focus parallax adjustment, and a higher 16x top end while keeping the overall design relatively streamlined.

Its 4-16x range and FFP reticle make it a practical fit for hunters who prefer to use reticle holdovers when there’s no time to dial, especially across varying distances.

ARKEN LH-4 4-16x44 FFP hunting scope with FFP reticle and side focus

Key Features of the LH-4 4-16x44 FFP

• FFP reticle for holdovers: Keeps your aiming references consistent when switching between magnification levels.

• 4-16x magnification for longer shots: Provides extra magnification so you can see more detail when placing shots at 400–600 yards.

• Side focus for changing distances: Lets hunters fine-tune parallax from 10 yards to infinity, whether shooting up close or farther out.

• Japanese HD glass for low light: Helps maintain a bright, clear sight picture during low light like early-morning and late-evening hunts.

• Capped turrets for hunting simplicity: Protects your zero without encouraging constant turret adjustments in the field.

• 24.5 oz streamlined design: Adds FFP and side focus while keeping overall weight at 24.5 oz.

Best for: Hunters moving beyond typical 300-yard distances who prefer using reticle holdovers rather than dialing elevation.

EPL-4 4-16x44 FFP and EPL-4 6-24x50 FFP: Built for Dialing

The EPL-4 series offers two FFP models, the EPL-4 4-16x44 FFP and the EPL-4 6-24x50 FFP. Both use FFP reticles and 10-yard-to-infinity side focus, but they are built around a more dialing-focused shooting style.

Key Features of the EPL-4 Series

• Exposed elevation turret for active dialing: Provides direct access to elevation adjustments when shot distances vary throughout the hunt. No protective caps to unscrew that can get in your way when time is of the essence.

• ARKEN Zero Stop for a reliable return to zero: Provides a distinct reference point for returning the elevation turret back to where you zeroed it. You can even do it without looking at it.

• Japanese ED glass for demanding shots: Provides enhanced clarity and contrast when identifying game or judging shot placement at longer distances. Compared with Japanese HD glass, it reduces chromatic aberration for sharper resolution and better color fidelity.

• FFP reticle for holdovers when needed: Keeps the reticle usable for holdovers even when you switch magnification.

• Side focus for changing distances: Helps refine the sight picture from 10 yards to infinity, useful when moving between different shooting distances.

• Lightweight design: Keeps the scope easy to carry while still offering a more dialing-focused setup.

EPL-4 4-16x44 FFP vs. EPL-4 6-24x50 FFP

ARKEN EPL-4 4-16x44 FFP and 6-24x50 FFP hunting scopes with exposed elevation turrets and Zero Stop

• The 4-16x44 is lighter and more compact for hunting-focused use.

• The 6-24x50 adds a 50 mm objective, 24x top end, and a larger elevation range (25 MIL / 86 MOA), which may suit hunters who also spend time on steel, at the range, or in PRS-style shooting.

Best for: Hunters who regularly dial elevation, move between field and bench shooting, and want more precision-oriented features without the weight of a traditional precision scope.

ARKEN Hunting Scope Comparison: Key Differences

The specifications below highlight the features that are most relevant when choosing between the five ARKEN hunting scopes. Instead of comparing every specification, focus on magnification, focal plane, glass, parallax, reticle, and turret configuration to see how each model fits a different shooting style.

The best fit depends less on having the most specifications and more on how you typically shoot. Four differences are especially useful when narrowing down the options.

1. Do you prefer a simple sight picture or reticle holdovers?

If most of your shots are inside roughly 300 yards and you prefer a straightforward sight picture, the OUTRIDER 2-12x42 SFP keeps things simple. If you regularly use the reticle to compensate for distance or wind, the FFP reticles on the LH-4 4-16x44 FFP and EPL-4 4-16x44 FFP give you more flexibility across different magnification settings.

2. Do you need to adjust for different distances?

The OUTRIDER 2-12x42 SFP uses fixed 100-yard parallax, which means one less adjustment to manage during a hunt. The OUTRIDER 3-18x50 SFP, LH-4 4-16x44 FFP and EPL-4 4-16x44 FFP add side focus from 10 yards to infinity, making them useful for hunters who shoot across a wider range of distances.

3. Do you hold over or dial for elevation?

This is a key difference between the two FFP models.

• Hold over: The LH-4 4-16x44 FFP keeps capped turrets and is suited to hunters who prefer making corrections through the reticle, Kentucky windage style.

• Dial: The EPL-4 4-16x44 FFP adds an exposed elevation turret and ARKEN Zero Stop for hunters who regularly make elevation adjustments for changing distances.

4. Which reticle fits your shooting style?

ARKEN DLR, FDR, VHR, and VPR reticles comparison for different shooting styles

• DLR: A classic duplex-style reticle for simple, direct aiming.

• FDR: A Fiber Duplex Reticle with daylight-bright illumination for a more visible aiming point in changing light.

• VHR: An FFP reticle designed for an intuitive sight picture and rapid target acquisition.

• VPR: An FFP reference system designed for precise holds, wind corrections, and longer-range shooting.

What Real-World Use Reveals

Specifications describe what a scope offers, while field testing shows how those features work in actual use. In two related videos, reviewer RugerGundog tested the OUTRIDER, LH-4, and EPL-4 across different rifles and shooting situations, highlighting several practical differences.

The OUTRIDER 2-12x42 SFP combines a 2x setting with an illuminated reticle for a simple, instinctive sight picture at lower magnification. Its parallax is factory-set at 100 yards, while testing on both a .22 and a 6.5 Creedmoor showed consistent zero retention and tracking.

The LH-4 uses an FFP reticle, keeping subtensions consistent across the magnification range. That can be useful when using holdovers, but the reticle becomes relatively fine at 4x and can be harder to see in low light. Its side focus provides parallax adjustment, but incorrect adjustment can affect image clarity and reticle position.

The EPL-4 uses a capped windage turret with an exposed elevation turret, providing a setup for shooters who adjust elevation while keeping windage protected.

These designs reflect different approaches to adjustment and sighting. More adjustment options can provide greater control, but they can also add steps to the setup and shooting process.

The Right Scope Is the One You’ll Use Naturally

The right ARKEN hunting scope depends on your typical distances, preferred aiming method, and willingness to make adjustments in the field. The key is matching the scope’s magnification, reticle, parallax system, and turret configuration to how you hunt.

• OUTRIDER 2-12x42 SFP is suited to hunters who mainly hunt inside roughly 300 yards and want a simple, fast setup with all-weather features; the OUTRIDER 3-18x50 SFP extends that approach to open terrain and longer sightlines.

• LH-4 4-16x44 FFP is suited to hunters who want more reach and FFP holdovers without relying heavily on dialing.

• The EPL-4 series is suited to hunters who regularly dial for distance and want Japanese J-ED glass and ARKEN Zero Stop: the EPL-4 4-16x44 FFP for hunting-focused use, and the EPL-4 6-24x50 FFP for those who also shoot long range or from the bench.

In short: OUTRIDER for simplicity, LH-4 for holdovers, EPL-4 for dialing.